Saving a Slice of Historical Rail Track Control: Matthias Langen's Fight Against Demolition of a 19th-Century Signal Box
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Train fancier spares rundown signaling booth from destruction - Passionate rail enthusiast fights against demolition of decaying freight train car.
Matthias Langen, a passionate railway enthusiast and locomotive driver aged 23, is on a mission to protect and restore an antique signal box from the 1880s in the Northern Black Forest. "It's a sight to behold," he said, appreciating the historical charm of the installation in Calw, once responsible for controlling tracks.
Preparations are underway to lift the upper part of signal box 2 by crane over the tracks next week, followed by transportation to a parking lot. Langen has argued for preserving this historical building with the German Railways and the Calw town council.
The signal box recently received nationwide attention when German Railways hired a security service to keep a constant watch, concerned that it might topple onto the tracks.
Financial Support Needed
What happens next is uncertain for Langen, hinging on assistance from craftspeople or financial support from the public. He estimates the costs at around 100,000 euros. "A little teamwork is what's needed," he said, expressing hope for public backing to preserve this historical artifact for future generations.
Langen remains confident that restoring and maintaining the signal box will be a lifelong endeavor. "I can't do it alone. I still have to work," said the 23-year-old, who recently completed his training as a locomotive driver and now runs regional trains from Arverio in the southwest.
- Signal box
- Northern Black Forest
- Building
- Calw
- German Railways
- Future generations
Saving Signal Boxes: Common Challenges
Preserving and restoring historic railway signal boxes can prove a challenging task due to various factors. These include structural decay, sourcing authentic materials, and obtaining regulatory compliance. Additionally, there may be difficulties in finding skilled craftspeople with expertise in these niche tasks.
- To ensure the signal box in Calw, home-and-garden to historical charm, Matthias Langen is seeking financial support from the public or craftspeople, as he foresees costs around 100,000 euros for its restoration.
- Matthias Langen's employment policy revolves around his passion for the railway, as he balances the fight to save a 19th-century signal box in the Northern Black Forest with his employment as a locomotive driver to generate an income for future community policy endeavors, aiming to preserve it for future generations.
