Stuttgart 21 XII: Diesel Locomotives at Logistics Centre

Stuttgart 21 is one of the biggest construction projects in Germany. It includes the underground construction of a new central station for the city of Stuttgart as well as the creation of a new network of tracks and tunnels that allows high speed trains to pass in the area, possibly reduces travelling times and connects Stuttgart to international transport networks. It is conducted by Deutsche Bahn and co-financed by public money.
However, despite enthusiasm from its founders and the industry, the project has been heavily criticised. Not only has it become much more expensive than expected, but there are also doubts about the efficiency and safety of the new central station as well as about the actual benefit of the high speed tracks. Moreover, the construction fuelled protests and many discussions on protected buildings and nature reserves within the city such as historic parks.
At the logistics centre enormous masses of building materials are transported from and to the various construction sites over the city. Most transport is run by trains. In this recording you can hear two Diesel locomotives arrive at the station. They are connected to the carriages and drive off again. Their motors can be heard at various distances, as well as the squeaking of the breaks, the metallic clinking when the carriages are connected, the signal horn when the first locomotive departs and the quiet rattling of the wheels on the tracks as they are pulled away.

Sound: Kathinka Engels
Photo and Video: Konrad Gutkwoski