European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - July 7, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse Duly train continued from Page 4 travel the wait to begin the journey begins. Army staff sgt. Lee Mcpherson of the 3rd army div totes along his guitar on trips strumming quietly As he listens to music through headphones. It s something to do while i wait Mcpherson said from his Perch beside the train track at the Frankfurt Haupt Bohnhof or main train station. When the train leaves it s time for travellers to bring out the magazines or the Homework and Settle Down for the 10-hour trip. If you re travelling from West Berlin enjoy the remaining available Daylight hours in the summer months to see the sights of Potsdam the Gateway to East Germany. Throughout the night frequent and lengthy stops Aren t uncommon. Half an hour s not an unusually Long Stop for the duty train Alvarado said. Occasionally the trains Stop to vary the timing of their schedules. At other times the . Trains wait for Access along particular routes. There Are Over 7,000 trains in West Germany and we re just one of them Alvarado said. We Don t have a High priority. But As Long As we arrive by the scheduled time we have no problems with using their hands for paddles and wadded paper for a Ball two soldiers play Ping Pong while waiting for the duty train in West Berlin. Inset capt. John Alvarado talks about the train s operations. Tip for the tracks Mulino offers tasty convenient meals near the station in West Berlin. If you want to ride the . Duty train to West Berlin Here Are a few travel tips make reservations six weeks in Advance by calling the army rail transportation office at the starting Point of your trip Bremerhaven Frankfurt or West Berlin. Passengers on temporary duty May make reservations up to 24 hours in Advance. Request the necessary paperwork through your unit. Required documents include id cards Flag orders leave pass documents and permanent change of station or temporary duty orders that state travel to West Berlin is double Check travel documents to ensure the personal information such As name and rank exactly matches the information on your id cards. Make sure too that Only the last two digits of the year noted on the Flag orders such As 88 Are typed on your Flag orders. Soviet soldiers scrutinizing the paperwork at the Borders who May not read English can Only compare symbols. If symbols Don t match further passage on the train can be denied. Confirm reservations with the appropriate rail transportation office the Day before travelling. Dress comfortably. Travellers Are not required to Wear military uniforms on the duty train. Climbing to the tip top berth which May be atop a stack of three is easier in jeans and Loose fitting clothing than in stockings and skirt or dress Slacks. In Winter take along a sweater for added warmth. Eat dinner before leaving or take snacks along but leave the alcohol behind. Hot dogs cheeseburgers Marble cake Ard sugar filled sodas Are available on Board Early in the evening trip As Are fruit juices and Coffee in the morning. Veteran train riders however recommend Only the Marble cake. In Frankfurt several delis and fast food operations Are near the . Rail office at the Haupt Bohnhof and they sell sandwiches pretzels and other items. At the Bremerhaven train station Check out the Phonix a combination cafe restaurant that dishes up everything from ice Cream to pork chops. On saturdays however it does t open until 8 . When your7re leaving West Berlin try Al Mulino an eatery just across the train tracks at the Lichterfeld West a Bahn station for reasonably priced italian fare. For a More exotic dining experience try the baked eggplant or other turkish delicacies at the City Grill ii on the Corner of Drak Strasse and Curtius Strasse. Or Stop Short of Al Mulino to quench thirst with a cold beverage like the locally popular Berliner Weisse at Hohenzollern Burg where most of the seating is outside on an overgrown Lawn. stripes Magazine july 7, 1988
