Lokalbahn

Because the construction and operation of main line railways was not always covered by their income, simpler solutions were sought.

As early as 1865 the engineering conference of the Union of German Railway Administrations (Verein Deutscher Eisenbahnverwaltungen) had set out the principles for secondary lines.

This was based on the premise that funding for land purchase and construction would be a local affair, although earthworks would be paid for by the state.

This led to the widespread use of standard buildings and structures; nevertheless branch lines and their stations still retained a lot of individual character based on the region and local material available for construction.

They were designated as class GwL and had open end-platforms at both ends and either hinged or sliding doors in the centre of the side walls.