Strategic Railway Embankment

At the beginning of the 20th century, railways were increasingly involved in the strategic considerations of the military, particularly for the rapid deployment of German troops against France.

An embankment, including bridges for crossing over transport routes, had been completed over a length of about 13 km between Holzheim and Rommerskirchen.

Sections of the line were also completed in the Rheinbach/Meckenheim area (such as embankments and cuttings) and flyovers and a railway tunnel at Ahrweiler.

For example, the station building at Altendorf near Meckenheim was built in 1920 and served as a residence until it was demolished in 1968/69 for Autobahn construction.

The section of the strategic railway between Neuss and Rommerskirchen is now used as a foot and bridle path and is a heritage site.

The only portion that is used by passenger trains is between Bergheim Martinswerk (formerly a junction, still a point where the chainage changes) and Horrem station.

The line between Niederaussem and Martinswerk was demolished for the Bergheim open cut lignite mine and the tracks south of Horrem were closed.

A memorial has been established to commemorate the protection provided to the inhabitants of Ahrweiler during air raids in the Second World War.

A few metres away from the north portal, the line is protected by old towering brick arches, not seen in the photograph.

The embankment is still visible, as is the left retaining wall at the former access to the Herrenberg tunnel.

Southeast of the proposed Ringen station, the route to Rech and Bad-Bodendorf branches from the Strategic Railway Embankment.

Part of the A 61 autobahn is now built on the route to Nierendorf station, but the line is still visible in many places.