In 1992/93, the Federal Transport Route Plan proposed to upgrade the 436 km line between Paderborn and Chemnitz via Erfurt and Jena through Thüringen. This route was once considered one of the most important rail projects in the promised equalisation of living conditions in reunified Germany.
The book examines the historical and political history of the 219 km part of the line in Thüringen, as well as the subsequent section in Saxony, with particular focus is the section between Weimar and Gößnitz. The author outlines the transport policy and political failures that have persisted for decades and describes the reasons for the ultimate failure of the original project, which reached its climax with the cessation of long-distance transport in East Thüringen in June 2001.
The book combines an historical account for railway enthusiasts with the political contradictions and inconsistencies of recent German railway history. Detailed captions recall long-forgotten facts and allow the reader to judge an inglorious political failure of German transport policy. Railway history meets transport policy here!
The book contains 189 illustrations, the vast majority of which are in colour. Also include maps, diagrams and other reproductions. German text. Hardback. 112 pages.