Curious sign on the window of a German train
 

<font color="RED">Bitte beachten Sie:

Aus Sicherheitsgr&uuml;nden m&uuml;ssen die
Fenster zwischen den Bahnh&ouml;fen

<b>K&ouml;ln Steinstraße</b> und

<b>K&ouml;ln Trimbornstraße</b>

geschlossen bleiben!</font>

&quot;For your safety, the windows must be closed between Cologne Steinstrasse and Cologne Trimbornstrasse stations.&quot;

Does anyone know why?

Hmm. actually, Robespierre, &quot;aus Sicherheitsgrunden&quot; would translate &quot;for security reasons&quot; rather than &quot;for your safety&quot; (it COULD however, translate &quot;for safety reasons&quot;-but without further context I couldn't be sure) and no, I don't know.

There may be objects (posts, branches etc.) that are very close to the train as it passes. Anyone leaning out of the window could be hurt this way.

that sounds right.

&quot;Anyone leaning out of the window could be hurt this way.&quot;

But that's true <u>any</u>where.

You're right, I translated <i>Sicherheitsgr&uuml;nden</i> assuming it was a passenger safety issue. But it could also be a matter of <i>Staatssicherheit</i>. Is there a sensitive government installation between the two stations?

I imagine closing the windows wouldn't make it any less visible, but maybe there's something they want to be sure people can't throw things at? Doesn't sound likely - if it were that much of a security issue, a notice isn't - even in Germany - going to make that much difference.

Are you passing through a tunnel between those stations?

There has been a lot of construction on the Koeln Airport Business Park between those stops. Maybe that had something to do with it.

With this additional info., re construction in the area of the 2 stops, possible obstructions and the like, I would think your original interpretation of &quot;sicherheit&quot; as safety is correct-that there may be machinery, building materials, etc. situated very close to the train windows, hence the warning.

Could be you've found where the WMDs have gone!

I think it must be to prevent Rick Steves from decapitation :)

On the other hand, the two possible explanations above, are equally likely!

According to a German railway newsgroup, apparently the stretch of the line between the two stations goes underground where a loop line from the Cologne-Bonn airport filters in. There is less than usual margin between the two lines, so it's to warn passengers not to stick their head or hand out.

St. Cirq,
Very funny - LOL - the visual made me giggle. Sorry hope that doesn't offend anyone!!

Well then, it appears St. Cirq was correct after all! (smile)