The Most Valuable Asset of the Reich

A History of the German National Railway, Volume 1, 1920-1932

Alfred C. Mierzejewski

• Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
• Year: 2014
• Print ISBN: 9781469613833, 9780807824962
• eBook ISBN: 9781469620206
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: European History
• Index: History

The largest enterprise in the capitalist world between 1920 and 1932, the Deutsche Reichsbahn (German National Railway) was at the center of events in a period of great turmoil in Germany. In the first detailed history of this important organization, Alfred Mierzejewski presents a sophisticated analysis of the Reichsbahn’s operations, finances, and political and social roles. In addition, he uses the story of the Reichsbahn to gain new perspectives on modern German economic and political history.

Mierzejewski describes and analyzes the beginnings of the national railway in Germany and the problems that it faced. He examines the Reichsbahn’s noncapitalistic, “commonweal” approach to economic management and shows how the railway was used to hold Germany together, especially in the face of Bavarian particularism. Mierzejewski’s account also provides unparalleled insight into Germany’s reparations policies, demonstrating that Germany was fully capable of paying the Dawes annuities and that the government’s claims that reparations paid by the Reichsbahn hurt both the railway and Germany were groundless. A second volume will cover the period from 1933 to 1945.

The Most Valuable Asset of the Reich

A History of the German National Railway

Volume 1
1920-1932

by
Alfred C. Mierzejewski

The University of North Carolina Press
Chapel Hill and London

© 1999 The University of North Carolina Press
All rights reserved

Set in Minion multiple masters type
by Tseng Information Systems, Inc.
Design by Charles Ellertson
Manufactured in the United States of America

The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on Library Resources.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Mierzejewski, Alfred C.
    The most valuable asset of the Reich : a history of the
    German National Railway / by Alfred C. Mierzejewski.
        p. cm.
    Includes bibliographical references and index.
    Contents: v. 1.1920-1932—
    ISBN-13: 978-0-8078-2496-2 (cloth : alk. paper)
    ISBN-10: 0-8078-2496-8 (cloth : alk. paper)
1. Deutsche Reichsbahn (Germany)—History—20th century. 2. Railroads and state —Germany—History—20th century. I. Title.
HE3080.D4M535            1999
385'.06'543—dc21       98-53440
                                         CIP

10 09 08 07 06 6 5 4 3 2

THIS BOOK WAS DIGITALLY PRINTED.

Contents

• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Abbreviations

• Part I. The Deutsche Reichsbahn as a State Enterprise, 1920-1924

• 1. The Creation of the Deutsche Reichsbahn, 1918-1920
• 2. The Deutsche Reichsbahn, April 1920-August 1923
• 3. The Deutsche Reichsbahn Enterprise, August 1923-October 1924

• Part II. The Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft as a Semipublic Enterprise, 1924-1932

• 4. The Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft and the Dawes Plan
• 5. The Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft in the Period of Stabilization and Prosperity, October 1924-1929
  • A. Relationship to the Reich
  • B. Organization
  • C. Operations and Traffic
  • D. Personnel
  • E. Capital: Rolling Stock
  • F. Capital: Fixed Plant
  • G. Financial Reform
  • H. Financial Affairs
• 6. The Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft and the Depression, 1930-1932
  • A. The DRG, the Young Plan, and the End of Reparations
  • B. The DRG’s Operations
  • C. The DRG and the Government’s Struggle against Unemployment
  • D. The DRG’s Reaction to Modal Competition

• Conclusions
• Appendix
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Index

Tables

• 2.1. Summary of DR Passenger Operations and Traffic, 1920-1924, 53
• 2.2. Summary of DR Freight Operations and Traffic, 1920-1924, 53
• 2.3. Reichsbahn Operating Results, 1920-1923, 54
• 2.4. Reichsbahn Debt, 1 April 1923, 55
• 5.1. Summary of DRG Freight Operations and Traffic, 1925-1929, 160
• 5.2. Operating Ratio by Traffic, 1928-1938, 161
• 5.3. Business Ratio by Traffic, 1928-1938, 161
• 5.4. Summary of DRG Passenger Operations and Traffic, 1925-1929, 168
• 5.5. DRG Labor Productivity, 191
• 5.6. Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft Employee Productivity, 192
• 5.7. Profile of DRG Personnel Expenses, 1913, 1925-1929, 194
• 5.8. DRG Vehicle Acquisition Expenditures, 1925-1929, 196
• 5.9. The Steam Locomotive Fleet of the DRG, 1925-1929, 198
• 5.10. The Freight Car Fleet of the DRG, 1925-1929, 210
• 5.11. The Passenger Car Fleet of the DRG, 1925-1929, 212
• 5.12. DRG Track Renewal, 1925-1929, 216
• 5.13. Capital Budget of the DRG, 19...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• The Most Valuable Asset of the Reich A History of the German National Railway: Volume 1 1920-1932
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Tables
• Figures, Maps, and Illustrations
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Abbreviations
• Part I The Deutsche Reichsbahn as a State Enterprise, 1920-1924
• Part II The Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft as a Semipublic Enterprise, 1924-1932
• Conclusions
• Appendix
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Index