Berlin 1920 - A historical traffic and politics AAR (sandbox mode)

[BenediktGer]

1st October 1919
During the first world war, our now gone emperor, Wilhelm II was so desperate to win that he decided to demolish the whole Berlin tram system and use the steel to build even more weapons. That basically left the city in chaos, people couldn't get to work anymore. Some even have argued that this personal move by the emperor contributed to our war's losing.

For me that means nothing. What's done is done and what's left is left - nothing. Yesterday the mayor of Berlin, Adolf Wermuth, appointed me as the delegate of the magistrate for a new tram system. I'm already starting today. As a retired major of the German army I have nothing else to do, I guess...

...Adolf Wermuth, Mayor of Berlin 1912-1920...

So it has to be a new tram network for Berlin. The mayor told me that they took a look at the new "omnibus" automobiles. He said that they look impressive but he couldn't imagine that they actually work. So, he said that he won't have any buses in Berlin. I don't know if that's wise but my brother who is a car engineer told me that these buses indeed break down quite often.

The first priority is - according to the mayor - a tram line which connects the three main railway stations, the Bahnhof Zoo, the Bahnhof Potsdamer Platz and the Bahnhof Alexanderplatz. I think the mayor's request is reasonable enough but I doubt that he is asking for it for altruistic reasons only. His house is situated right between the Bahnhof Zoo and the Potsdamer Platz.

... My difficulty settings ...

I just took a look into my accounts and it's disastrous. I have only a few Reichsmark (3000). How am I supposed to build a tram line from that small amount of money?

I guess my first job is to visit some banks. According today's newspaper the interest rates are very low at the moment.

... to be continued. Comments, questions and suggestions are welcome ...

 

[unmerged(272700)]

Subscribed, I will enjoy watching your story unfold.
I am relatively new to Paradox and the AARs posted here. If my post is considered poor form then let me know and I will delete it.

 

[htilden42]

I like your explanation for the non-existence of Berlin's public transit.

I, myself, usually start much later, around 1975, with a lot more money. I build one or two metro lines at the start, so 1920 Berlin with no buses and only 3000 in the bank should be interesting.

Subscribed.

 

[Rodrico Stak]

Interesting. I am interested. Etc.

Subscribed

 

[unmerged(278620)]

So, I guess you will start with 2 bigger tram lines first to get some money at the beginning?

Anyway thats an interesting story and I wish you good luck

 

[BenediktGer]

@All
Thanks a lot for your encouragement. Regarding the financial situation and the tram limit (there is no way to start a metro with 3000 even with four banks), I decided to go for a challenge. I'm doubtful whether I will survive, but a bankrupt would just fit the scenario, wouldn't it?

 

[BenediktGer]

Friday, 3rd October 1919
Yesterday I was busy on the "Kudamm", touring the different banking houses. I was able to secure funds in four different institutions. I got four times the amount of my initial city subsidies. In the contracts there were words like "I hereby declare, that the securities mentioned in this contract will be used only for this institution". I didn't understand what that means and I'm happy to have now enough money secured for one or two tramlines. (I took all the loans available and will repay as much as possible once my first line is set up). The interest rates are very low. I wouldn't give my private money to war-struck city for such a low rate.

Today, I hired a construction engineer and we laid out a basic tram track on paper. The plan is to lead the track from the Bahnhof Zoo to the Brandenburg gate through the Zoological Gardens. On the Brandenburg Gate we would set up a hub with connections to the other stations - the gate is principally big enough to have trams going through it. He added that a construction in the gardens would be much faster because there wouldn't be a need to open up the roads.

... the western part of the Zoological Garden with the Brandenburg Gate ...

6th October 1919
I just got an angry phone call from the mayor. He must have gotten our tram plans. He was shouting at me and telling me "no way I can have a tram in the beautiful Gardens. You even want to build through the Tierpark? No way!" (The Tierpark is the actual Zoo part of this park. In CiM it is represented by the amusement park.)

So it was another meeting with my engineer. He came up with a really evil plan to take revenge on the incapable mayor who wants to build a transportation system from nothing and then tops his requirements with explosions and further limitations.

...the house of the mayor is surrounded by small parks, but our engineer already painted a tram track through this parks. We will set up stations directly under his windows, so he can sleep well to the musical sound of tram wheels. ...

 

[BenediktGer]

8th October 1919

Our plans for the first tram line are ready. We will start at Bahnhof Zoo and go directly eastwards to the "Anhalter Bahnhof" (I looked at an old Berlin map again and I guess the Southern station represents the "Anhalter Bahnhof" and not "Potsdamer Platz"). Our stops will be mainly on squares and in parks. We decided on this because we think that the passengers will feel more comfortable in such a setting. All stations are built with shelters. Getting quite luxurious here, in case the mayor wants to use our tram.

The western part of the line.

The eastern part of the line

Speaking of the mayor, he was very upset of course. But I heard some rumours from important guys in the city gov't who say that his days are counted anyway. He is a man from the Kaiserreich and doesn't fit in the new world. There are now some plannings to found a "Greater Berlin" which incorporates the cities and towns around it. It will be a big city coming close to London or Paris. Maybe we will even build a metro. (Historically, Berlin had already a metro before the first world war)

Anyway, the first line will cost around 5,500 Goldmark (I decided to call the currency that way), including a rolling stock of three trams from the Mark-Vossen brand. Our construction engineer has assured me that we can open the line on January 1st. There are many jobless ex-soldiers who are in need of the money.

Due to weekend travelling the next update will be on Monday or Tuesday. After the initial task is accomplished, I think we can use the polling function to simulate a city council who decides on new tasks. What do you think about that?

 

[htilden42]

After the initial task is accomplished, I think we can use the polling function to simulate a city council who decides on new tasks. What do you think about that?

Sounds interesting, although I'm not sure if polls can be closed/changed after adding them to a thread.

 

[unmerged(272700)]

Could be fun either with a poll or without a poll.
I think with a poll, you would get people that wanted you to do humorous or funny things.
But I'm actually quite entertained by watching the story unfold as it comes from your mind without any input from us.