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

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

A nostalgic flair penetrates the old train station in Friedland when two red railcars of the famous 172 series, better known as piglet taxi, roles slowly through the drizzle last Saturday. The track systems and the platform are overgrown with wild plants and moss, while the windows of the station have been bricked up for years. This evokes memories of the past times of the German Reichsbahn of the GDR, which laid down the route from Neubrandenburg to Friedland over 30 years ago. According to Nordkurier , numerous onlookers have accompanied this special trip, swiveling their smartphones in order to capture the spell of this unique view. 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 passenger association "Pro Bahn" has big plans-in cooperation with the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania mobility offensive, the railway line is to be prepared for regular freight transport 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 said there is something!

The return of passenger transport?

Although passenger traffic on the route was discontinued in 1994 and the formal decommissioning only followed in 2002, a ray of hope for the future shows. The passenger association has commissioned a potential analysis that predicts a daily passenger volume of over 500 people on working days. A forecast that argues that a reactivation of the route would be wearable. The travel time between Neubrandenburg and Friedland is only 27 minutes, while the bus is almost twice in comparison in comparison, namely about 50 minutes.

The possible stops that are considered during the planned revival are Neubrandenburg Bahnhof, Ihlenfelder Straße, Ihlenfeld, Staven and the Friedländer train station. In this context, the cultural and tourist possibilities that would bring such connections are also discussed. Especially in Friedland, where the stay offers about an hour and a half for tours of the local sights, a promising picture, as well as the Pro Bahn 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 - proof of the high interest in the route. With travel times and prices that promise good business for families (adults pay 17 euros, children up to 14 years 10 euros), the return of passenger transport is a real topic. During the trip, the organizers informed the passengers about the eventful history of the railway line and encouraged discussions about future offers. An experience that is remembered.

The Railway line Neubrandenburg - Friedland, which was opened on November 5, 1884 and has been through numerous changes since then, could soon experience a new era. The awakening of the interest on the old route could usher in the turn for reactivation - an opportunity to put the peaceful and natural corners of Northern Germany back on the map of the trips.