Ceremonial unveiling: Memorial plaque commemorates the RTO station in Lichterfelde!

Ceremonial unveiling: Memorial plaque commemorates the RTO station in Lichterfelde!

On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the ceremonial unveiling of a new plaque on the former US RTO platform took place at 11 a.m. The location, where you can get from Curtiusstrasse to the Alnatura parking lot, is of historical importance for relations between the USA and Berlin. The memorial plaque honors the history of the “RTO Station”, which was a central arrival and departure point for the “Duty Trains” of the US Berlin Brigade from 1961 until the withdrawal of US troops in 1994. These trains guaranteed the connection between Lichterfelde West, Frankfurt/Main and Bremerhaven.

The RTO station was not only important for transporting soldiers but also served as a place of cultural exchange. Countless journeys took place here, accompanied by music, farewells and encounters between Berliners and American soldiers. Particularly noteworthy are the targeted programs to supply the US institutions as well as the student and youth exchange, which were supplemented by festivals such as the German-American Folk Festival.

Financing and initiators of the memorial plaque

The memorial plaque was financed through special funds from the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district council as well as donations from Berlin and US citizens. Goerzwerk GmbH was also involved in the implementation. District mayor Maren Schellenberg thanked the initiatives for their support and emphasized the importance of places of remembrance.

In the opening speech, various speakers appreciated the historic role of the RTO station. Katharina Concu, co-initiator and district councilor, Chris McLarren from the Berlin Allied Associations and Silvio Schobinger from Goerzwerk recalled the emotional and historical connections that were created by this station. A special performance came from the children's choir from John F. Kennedy Elementary School, which provided musical support for the celebration.

Memories of the trips

The importance of the RTO station is highlighted by the personal stories of former Army Brats. An author, whose father was stationed in Frankfurt and whose mother had Berlin roots, describes his travels on the official train between Frankfurt and Berlin in a nostalgic look back. These train rides, which he took three times a year during his childhood, were partly an adventure for him, but for the adults a stressful situation due to the Russian controls that once took place during the journey.

The long waiting times before departure, the uncomfortable sleeping quarters and the strict instructions not to make eye contact with the Russians characterized the nights on the train. Such stories illustrate how intertwined the reality of life between American soldiers and the Berlin population was and how much the memories of these unique journeys influence the collective memory.

The memorial plaque is therefore not only a historical symbol, but also a symbol of the cultural exchange and the deep connections that have developed between the USA and Berlin over the years. It stands in the context of other US facilities in the American sector, which can be found primarily in Dahlem, Lichterfelde, Zehlendorf, Wannsee and Nikolassee, and which were rebuilt after the war and are now part of the Berlin cityscape.

For those who lived through this period, the memorial plaque is not only a place of remembrance, but also a sign of respect for all those who were part of this important history. Those interested can find more information about the significance of these monuments in the documentation provided by berlin.de/landesdenkmalamt be provided.