In this video documentary I tell the story of the Historic British Military Train, Berlin. And retrace its Cold War route through present day Germany, 3 decades after German Reunification, the end of The Cold War, and the train ceasing service.
The British Military Train Berlin, nicknamed “The Berliner”, was a Military Duty Transport Train that ran once a day from West Berlin to the City of Braunschweig in West Germany, and back again between 1945 and 1991 carrying military personnel, their families and designated British Civilians.
The British Military Train passed twice through the heavily fortified Inner German Border and Berlin Wall , and was subject to military checks by the Soviet Army, before spending 4 hours travelling through East Germany, often under surveillance from the East German Stasi. The DDR with its huge Soviet Military occupation forces, was technically “Enemy Territory” during the Cold War 1945 – 1989
On board, its 180 military and civilian passengers, who were locked in the train for their own safety and protected by armed British soldiers enjoyed a luxurious experince with Fine Dining and subsidized wines, provided by the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits, who also catered the famous Orient Express.
The BMT owed its existence to a binding treaty drawn up in 1945 at the end of WW2 between the Soviets and The Western allies at the Potsdam Conference; to allow military access to Allied controlled West Berlin.
From the late 1950s onwards as The Cold War intensified, the Soviet forces in East Germany and the puppet communist DDR Government found it diplomatically impossible to stop the train running, so instead they tried making its passage as difficult as possible.
Only after the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989, and withdrawal of the Soviet Army from Germany in 1991, did it bring an end to the trains purpose, although it continued to run until 1991.
Today The Berliner is remembered as a unique part of British Military History.
CHAPTERS:
01:48 Background
04:50 Braunschweig, West Germany
09:28 Helmstedt, West Germany
15:32 Marienborn, East Germany
24:27 Magdeburg, East Germany
26:45 Potsdam, East Germany
27:37 Griebnitzsee, East Germany
31:20 Berlin- Charlottenburg, West Berlin
#berlin #soviet #coldwar #britisharmy #trainjourney
31 Comments
I didn't know much about this train. Thanks for the video – a fascinating insight into history.
Fascinating and enlightening video sir. Well done.
Very interesting video.
Brilliant and totally fascinating. I never travelled this train myself but in the 1970s used to ‘enjoy’ the 48hr ride on the East-West Express between Moscow and Hook of Holland (a Soviet train all the way) + the connecting Liverpool St to Harwich then ferry to the Hook. Passing through Berlin in the middle of the night was quite exciting: East German guards had to shine a torch in one’s face for comparison with passport while a large leashed Alsatian dog snuffled around the compartment.
Nice bit of history 👍😀
Interesting video. Thanks
Keep up the excellent work! Another great video!
I was born in 1985 in the United States but Cold War Europe has always interested me since I was a kid. Thank you for this video! My dad was a train engineer in the US and I didn’t know this was a thing while looking up something about him. This is super cool. I was stationed in Hohenfels Germany when I came of age and served. Thank you so much for this!
Really enjoyed this. Thanks for making it.
Thank you for taking us with you on this exciting journey into the past. I was born in East Germany, train fan and very interested in the history of the cold war. Great documentary, thumbs up and thanks! 👍🏻✅
What are the two small pieces of American territory in the British sector?
Thanks for this presentation. I was part of the American Berlin Brigade from 1981 to 1984 and rode the American duty train. In 1986 I drove the Helmstadter Autobahn both ways between West Germany and West Berlin.
Great work again, Andy! Many thanks!
Just one thing: The time shown at the 24:46 minute mark for Potsdam is “15:30”, but the previous marker for Magdeburg (at the 24:30 mark in the video) is “17:40.” I’m guessing the Potsdam time is incorrect.
Im a railfan in Berlin and I gotta tell you that Stasi photo was a pretty accurate view 😂
I travelled on the train between 1957 and 1959, at beginning and end of terms, when we lived in Berlin but I went to a British forces boarding school, King Alfred School, in Plön, Schleswig-Holstein. The journey was between Berlin and Hanover & return, always overnight, and there was a small group of us in sleeping compartments.
Well brother I was an American Soldier in the Berlin Brigade and rode our train several times. I met and trained with the British Hospital Soldiers. They were great and your video brings back many memories. Thank you. 87-89
9:06 those surprised by why he emphasised "at exactly 16:00hrs" – this is because he's used to trains departing before published departure times. UK TOC's don't bother themselves with minute detail, like passengers and quality of service.
An interesting tale.
-oyy, you still feed your soldiers with cabbage soup? Look how we feed our soldiers
I don’t know why, but it gave me a good laugh.
Great stuff, really enjoyed the video.
Excellent Andy! Please keep these coming. This is unique and interesting stuff.
Chanced upon this video (I’ve now ‘subscribed’) and what a fascinating detailing of the process, procedure and practicalities. My godfather was stationed in West Berlin as a Black Watch officer – he must have taken this train many times.
Superb video
The locomotive in the first picture is now still in use as the Baureihe 232, a heavy cargo Diesel locomotive. They will most likely stay in use until 2050, at which point they'll be 60-70 years old
As a Corporal in the RAF I remember journeying on the British Military Train to Berlin (and back) on just the one occasion. I was stationed at RAF Brüggen at the time and was attending a Corporal's course at RAF Gatow. I can't remember whether it was March 80 or March 81 when I went, but just prior to arrival at Gatow (a few days before) a C130 Hercules had flown in and a (bored?) East German guard had taken a pot shot at the aircraft as it had flown overhead in the process of landing leaving a bullet hole which was in the process of being repaired – the border between West Berlin/East Germany was quite close to Gatow. It was a very interesting experience.
Hello Andy, another top quality documentary with amazing attention to detail. You clearly spend a lot of time, effort and dedication researching your subjects which is highly appreciated over and over. I've seen 2 so far (this and the abandoned Soviet nuclear generators) and amazed that I've never stumbled across either before. To me mainstream channels only direct viewers to "new" (or new to them anyway) untold stories and attempt to re-tell the past with opinionated claims and unsupported evidence – a real turn-off to an inquisitive mind. Others are guided by highly patriotic ignorance and denial. Anyway, great presentation with amazing pictures, videos and on-site visits which give a good insight on otherwise unknown parts of the hidden cold war history. Thanks again.
Andy, thank you for this video. I travelled on the Berliner back in 84/85 with my scout group. We were from Osnabruck and went to Berlin for a week. It was as you have described an amazing journey and it is something I have never forgotten. The only thing I could not remember was where we boarded so now, I know. It was a great adventure in my life and your video brought back so many memories. THANK YOU
Let's go back to 1981…as ifs ages ago. I graduated high school in 1982. Geez, 41 years is a long time ago. Lol
New subscriber, btw.
Just come across your videos. Absolutely brilliant. I live in Germany and love the history you are showing. Keep up the good work
Great video mate. I've been waiting fir this after you indicated it was on your list to do. The personal angle just adds to the content.👍
I traveled on the Berliner many times in the 1960s and 70s and also the US military train which was a very convenient way of getting to Nuremburg and Munich! It was always quite amusing that they stressed you must not use cameras or binoculars but helpfully pointed out where you would quite likely see GSFG equipment!
Technically it did not cross into West Germany at Griebnitzsee since West Berlin was not constitutionally part of the Federal Republic though it was treated as one of the Lande – but I appreciate that is being picky!