If, like me, you’ve spent a lot of time traveling Berlin’s S-Bahn ring, you might have noticed the large empty space directly to the east of the Frankfurter Allee S-Bahn station. It looks like any number of former industrial sites in the city: run-down, abandoned, with a few remnants here and there.
I was surprised to learn that this particular space wasn’t just a random factory: it was a so-called “Containerbahnhof,” where shipping containers could be on- and off-loaded to and from railcars.
The Containerbahnhof Frankfurter Allee was located directly to the east of the Frankfurter Allee S-Bahn station. It’s highlighted in brown above. Source: Open Street Maps.
Located entirely in the eastern section of Berlin - in other words, in the DDR - the Containerbahnhof was built between 1968 and 1970. It was intended to make it easier for factories and businesses in this part of the city to transport their goods both within Berlin as well as to other cities. In 1968, for example, the first load of containers was shipped to Rostock.
A view looking north over top of the Containerbahnhof Frankfurter Allee. A total of 18 loading stations could process up to 1000 containers every day. The Eldenaerstr. Bridge is in the background. Source: Creative Commons.
The Containerbahnhof Frankfurter Allee consisted of 18 docking sections capable of processing up to 1000 containers every day. At its peak, approximately 500 Berlin companies were using the Containerbahnhof to send and receive goods.
Like so many other eastern commercial institutions, the Containerbahnhof Frankfurter Allee was gradually abandoned post-unification. It was officially shuttered in 1999. The loading docks and most of the rail sections were removed.
A satellite image of the Containerbahnhof from 2020. Most of the tracks and loading stations have been removed, with only a few small-scale temporary buildings remaining.
While most of the area lies unused, slowly filling with small trees and brush, the Berlin City Mission has established an emergency relief center for the homeless.