The return of the piglet taxis: New hope for the Neubrandenburg-Friedland railway line!

The return of the piglet taxis: New hope for the Neubrandenburg-Friedland railway line!

A nostalgic flair permeates the old train station in Friedland as two red railcars of the famous series 172, better known as the Piglet Taxi, slowly roll through the drizzle last Saturday. The tracks and platform are overgrown with wild plants and moss, while the station's windows have been bricked up for years. This brings back memories of the past times of the GDR's Deutsche Reichsbahn, which closed the line from Neubrandenburg to Friedland over 30 years ago. Loud Northern Courier Numerous onlookers accompanied this special trip, waving their smartphones to capture the magic of this unique sight. Juliane Ziebarth even shared a video of the arrival of the special train with the editorial team.

But the memories don't just give way to a touch of melancholy. The “Pro Bahn” passenger association has big plans – in collaboration with the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Mobility Offensive, the railway line is to be prepared for regular freight traffic by the end of 2026. The costs for this amount to almost nine million euros. “Pro Bahn” sees great potential not only for commuters, but also for bicycle tourists who want to travel between Neubrandenburg and Usedom. In English, there's something going on!

The return of passenger transport?

Although passenger traffic on the route ceased in 1994 and formal closure only followed in 2002, there is a ray of hope for the future. The passenger association has commissioned a potential analysis that predicts a daily passenger volume of over 500 people on weekdays. A forecast that certainly argues that reactivating the route would be viable. The journey time between Neubrandenburg and Friedland is only 27 minutes, while the bus on line 500 takes almost twice as long, namely around 50 minutes.

The possible stopping points that are being considered in the planned revival are Neubrandenburg Bahnhof, Ihlenfelder Straße, Ihlenfeld, Staven and Friedländer Bahnhof. In this context, the cultural and tourism opportunities that such connections would bring with them are also being discussed. A promising picture emerges here, especially in Friedland, where the stay via special trip offers around one and a half hours to visit the local sights Per lane emphasized.

A complete success for the anniversary

The special trip on July 12, 2025, which was organized by the PRO BAHN passenger association, was already fully booked - evidence of the high level of interest in the route. With journey times and prices promising a good deal for families (adults pay 17 euros, children up to 14 years 10 euros), the return of passenger transport is a real issue. During the journey, the organizers informed the passengers about the eventful history of the railway line and encouraged discussions about future offerings. An experience that will be remembered.

The Neubrandenburg–Friedland railway line, which was opened on November 5, 1884 and has undergone numerous changes since then, could soon experience a new era. Awakening interest in the old route could herald the turning point for reactivation - a chance to put the peaceful and natural corners of northern Germany back on the travel map.