LNER4479 Posted September 22, 2017 Author Share Posted September 22, 2017 (edited) OK, so now a visit of a definitely unusual nature... Stralsund is the springboard for Rügen Island (sort of like Bangor is to Anglesey). This is the rather attractive pictoral map in the main booking hall at Stralsund station. We changed trains at Leitzow, the junction station on the island... ... and disembarked at Prora, apparently in the middle of nowhere. But, a short walk from the station takes you to Dokumentationszentrum Prora, and one of the most bizarre relics of the National Socialist regime. It was here that, in 1936, the regime began construction of a holiday camp for the German workers. That's not a euphemism - this really was planned as a seaside resort where the 'loyal' workers could rest and relax ... and prepare for the 'challenges' ahead, no doubt with a (un)healthy input from the ministry of propaganda. But it's the sheer scale of this human folly that takes your breath away. This model (see what I did there?) tries but cannot really convey the enormity of the 'project'. The whole complex stretches out an amazing - and almost incomprehensible - 2.8 miles in length. Yes - you read that right. 2.8 MILES. Arranged in 8 huge accommodation blocks (each room with a sea view), it would have housed 20,000 workers at a time. The dokumentationszentrum is in one of the completed admin blocks at the centre of the site. Prophetically - perhaps even mercifully - although the majority of it was structurally complete, it never fulfilled its intended purpose at the time as all work stopped with outbreak of war. It has had a chequered history since and was firmly 'off limits' prior to German reunification. This view shows one eighth of it. More recently, private enterprise has been allowed to have its head and parts of the site currently look like this. The completed sections now look like this. Modern seaside apartments with balconies overlooking the sea. On the beach side, you can walk up to some of the partially complete buildings As if to 'prove' the scale of the thing, we walked along the beach until we got to the end of the last block - we can confirm that it was indeed a very healthy 1.4 miles. The buildings can just be made out through the trees on the left hand side. In the far distance, not really that clear, is part of the central construction that juts out into the sea. This was to have been the pier where cruise ships would have brought some of the clientele to and from the place. A continuation of our walk eventually brought us to Ostseebad Binz, the nearby seaside resort from where we caught our train back. In all, we walked about 5 miles. Make of all that what you will. For the final instalment, we head back west for a final stopover... Edited September 22, 2017 by LNER4479 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted September 23, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 23, 2017 Weird place. I've seen that on Coast I think it was. Poland for you next year. Still some interesting secondary lines and some historic stock running. Not as smart as Germany but very special in parts. Maybe get some steam action but pity Wolsztyn isn't as it was 15 years ago and the narrow gauge has been decimated. Phil 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold teaky Posted September 23, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 23, 2017 Al Murray did a short TV series on Germany and I think it featured in an episode of that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted September 23, 2017 Author Share Posted September 23, 2017 One of the first to 'discover' it was Michael Palin, who went there on his 'New Europe' series. In fact, it was the very end of the series; he did his final piece to camera on Prora beach, ending up with a helicopter view of the place as the credits roll. It also featured on one of Julia Bradbury's walking programmes (never a chore to watch). She started her walk there before going round onto the Jasmund coast (the opposite way to what we walked) which is a national park with spectacular sea cliffs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted September 23, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 23, 2017 One of the first to 'discover' it was Michael Palin, who went there on his 'New Europe' series. In fact, it was the very end of the series; he did his final piece to camera on Prora beach, ending up with a helicopter view of the place as the credits roll. It also featured on one of Julia Bradbury's walking programmes (never a chore to watch). She started her walk there before going round onto the Jasmund coast (the opposite way to what we walked) which is a national park with spectacular sea cliffs. Ah. Ms Bradbury. It was probably that one I saw so thanks for the reminder. There was a 'favouite woman' alert thread on here once upon a time that featured Ms B. Phil 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted September 29, 2017 Author Share Posted September 29, 2017 (edited) And so to the final instalment of the travelogue - apologies for it being a bit drawn out; got sent to Oslo earlier this week (like you do...) En route west from Stralsund, we encountered this: Now, I might not be too hot on me diseasels but that looks distinctly like an old German hydraulic loco, being used on infrastructure inspection duties. Of the types that I encountered during my first rail trip to Germany in 1988. On arrival at: Hamburg... ...proceed directly to the docks area. Yes, our trip concluded with a visit to the incomparable Modelleisenbahn Wunderland We had been before some 7 years ago but the airport wasn't open for business at that stage so that was the thing I made a bee-line for. These models really do taxi, take-off and land. There's any number of videos on YouTube of them doing so, so I won't bore you with my feeble efforts. The most amazing modelling of all though is in the recently opened Italy section, including well-known landmarks such as... ...the Spanish Steps and... The Pope's gaff. And with that, we effortlessly slip back into the world of model railways (edited as another portrait pic came out all landscape...) Edited September 29, 2017 by LNER4479 17 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted October 7, 2017 Author Share Posted October 7, 2017 https://www.facebook.com/HartlepoolMRG/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post LNER4479 Posted October 7, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 7, 2017 (edited) Well, it's just under two weeks before Grantham comes out of its summer hibernation so a time to give a plug for the excellent Hartlepool Model Railway Show https://www.facebook.com/HartlepoolMRG/ If you haven't been before and are handy for the area then it's well worth the trip. Great location, friendly atmosphere, good selection of trade stands. If you have the option, then why not consider travelling by train - the college is only a short walk away and you can always stop by for a swift half at the quirky 'Rat Race' micro-pub on the station. A shameless selection of some of Tony's pictures from last season: Hope to see you there! Edited October 7, 2017 by LNER4479 29 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodcock29 Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 I only wish I could Graham. Will have to try and arrange my next trip back to the UK around a time when Grantham will be at a show somewhere. In the meantime I'll have to watch from afar. By the way how's progress with the Howlden articulated set you're building? Keep up the good work. Regards Andrew Emmett 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gr.king Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 I've a feeling he has too many irons in the fire at present for there to be much progress on that artic, but I could be wrong..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wright Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 Well, it's just under two weeks before Grantham comes out of its summer hibernation so a time to give a plug for the excellent Hartlepool Model Railway Show https://www.facebook.com/HartlepoolMRG/ If you haven't been before and are handy for the area then it's well worth the trip. Great location, friendly atmosphere, good selection of trade stands. If you have the option, then why not consider travelling by train - the college is only a short walk away and you can always stop by for a swift half at the quirky 'Rat Race' micro-pub on the station. A shameless selection of some of Tony's pictures from last season: post-18225-0-17379900-1474040443_thumb.jpg post-18225-0-10036500-1473712985_thumb.jpg Grantham 8 07 Coronation.jpg Grantham 8 08 Scarborough Flier_crop.jpg Grantham 8 17 V2 at north end.jpg Hope to see you there! I'll make sure I get some more shots at Hartlepool. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 I've a feeling he has too many irons in the fire at present for there to be much progress on that artic, but I could be wrong..... He's certainly beavering away as I as notified on Saturday that he's fitted a new knob to my end. Look forward to giving that a thorough going over at Hartlepool. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
2750Papyrus Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 He's certainly beavering away as I as notified on Saturday that he's fitted a new knob to my end. Look forward to giving that a thorough going over at Hartlepool. Your first sentence has me slightly mind-boggled! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted October 9, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 9, 2017 He's certainly beavering away as I as notified on Saturday that he's fitted a new knob to my end. Look forward to giving that a thorough going over at Hartlepool. I can think of more romantic places ..................................................................Thornaby for example. Richard Head. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold teaky Posted October 9, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 9, 2017 He's certainly beavering away as I as notified on Saturday that he's fitted a new knob to my end. Look forward to giving that a thorough going over at Hartlepool. That's probably been designed to slow you down in some way so that the other end can catch up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Barry O Posted October 9, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 9, 2017 He's certainly beavering away as I as notified on Saturday that he's fitted a new knob to my end. Look forward to giving that a thorough going over at Hartlepool. yes, I was playing with it yesterday!!! Baz Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gr.king Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 I couldn't possibly make further comment on the matter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Barry O Posted October 9, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 9, 2017 I couldn't possibly make further comment on the matter. yes, it could get you into serious problems ...and don't mention the monkey hangers!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted October 9, 2017 Author Share Posted October 9, 2017 (edited) My goodness - turn your back for 5 minutes... All additional knobs and other incremental improvements designed to increase efficiency of operation. The schedule cards, for example, have been subject to audit and a few anomalies etc ironed out. We should be flying at Hartlepool (is that possible?). I only wish I could Graham. Will have to try and arrange my next trip back to the UK around a time when Grantham will be at a show somewhere.In the meantime I'll have to watch from afar. By the way how's progress with the Howlden articulated set you're building?Keep up the good work.RegardsAndrew Emmett Thanks Andrew. Hopefully we can coincide better for your next visit ... unless there's an all expenses paid trip to Oz, luggage 'in advance', in the offing to be part of an exhibition in your part of the world? Ah well - worth a try! Tiny bits of further progress on the Howlden set but nothing worth posting. The pace should quicken however towards the end of the year and certainly into next year. Stand by for further news in that vein in due course ... (Aren't I a tease?) Edited October 9, 2017 by LNER4479 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium St Enodoc Posted October 9, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 9, 2017 Well, it's just under two weeks before Grantham comes out of its summer hibernation Aestivation shirley? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullie Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 Aestivation shirley? I think you can get tablets for that! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Barry O Posted October 9, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 9, 2017 Obviously the layout only comes alive when the temperature in its room gets below 5C... baz Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
manna Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 G'Day Gents Funny that, I was only thinking yesterday, it was about time 'Grantham' visited Australia................... manna Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Barry O Posted October 9, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 9, 2017 G'Day Gents Funny that, I was only thinking yesterday, it was about time 'Grantham' visited Australia................... manna well two operators are visiting Oz soon... Tony Wright and myself.... 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodcock29 Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 well two operators are visiting Oz soon... Tony Wright and myself.... Barry when is your visit and is Adelaide on your itinerary? Andrew Emmett Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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