24/07/2025
Mini-blog: Journeys of Inspiration - The "Raging Roland"
"Riding back in time with smoke, steam, and Baltic dreams..."
In this ongoing series of mini-blog posts, I'm looking back at transformative rail journeys I've taken across the globe (usually with my wife/business partner) which have boosted my love for transport and truly inspired my rail-based design - this time, our 2021 trip on the Rügensche Bäderbahn, on Rügen, Germany’s largest island in the Baltic Sea.
There are train rides that simply get you from A to B, and then there’s the Rügensche Bäderbahn, affectionately known as the Rasender Roland ("Raging Roland"). This narrow-gauge steam railway doesn’t just connect towns; it connects eras. As the steam hisses and the whistle echoes through beech forests and seaside meadows, it becomes clear: this is more than a journey. It’s a love letter to the past.
- Why So Raging, Roland? -
Firstly, that name... "Rasender Roland", which translates to "Raging Roland", is actually tongue-in-cheek, a bit of affectionate irony. Despite what the name suggests, the train is anything but raging or fast. In fact, the Rügensche Bäderbahn is famously slow, travelling at a leisurely pace of around 30 km/h (about 19 mph). Locals and visitors gave it the name as a joke, poking fun at its relaxed speed and quaint, old-fashioned style.
Over time, the nickname stuck - "Rasender Roland" became a charming symbol of the train’s character, combining a touch of humour with deep affection. Today, it's a beloved part of the train’s identity, encapsulating the contrast between modern speed and the nostalgic pleasure of slow travel through beautiful landscapes.
So while "raging" it is not, the name captures the joy and personality of the journey, and perhaps a reminder that not everything needs to move fast to be memorable.
- A Grand Departure from Putbus -
Our journey began in Putbus, often called the "white town" of Rügen for its classical white buildings and elegant roundabout park, the Circus. The train station, more modest than grand, was alive with anticipation. And then, like something summoned from a dream, the Rasender Roland rolled in, a cloud of steam billowing from its stack, brass fixtures gleaming in the sun.
The locomotive, black and boxy with bold red wheels, looked both powerful and poetic. Its carriages were wooden-sided and painted in deep forest green, each one exuding timeless character. Inside, the interiors were cosy and old-fashioned: polished wooden benches, wrought iron luggage racks, windows you could slide open, and even compartments with curtained seats in some carriages. Everything creaked and rattled delightfully. It felt like riding in a lovingly preserved antique.
- Rolling Through the Island’s Soul -
As the whistle blew and the train lurched forward, we chugged into a different rhythm of life. The Rasender Roland doesn’t rush, it glides through the landscape at about 30 km/h, allowing every scene outside the window to be properly admired.
The first stretch passed through dense forests, where shafts of sunlight filtered through tall beech trees, dappling the undergrowth in golden light. In spring and early summer, wildflowers dot the forest floor... violets, anemones, and patches of blooming elder. The air smells like moss and woodsmoke.
Soon, the forests gave way to open meadows, where amber grass swayed in the breeze, and red-roofed farmhouses peeked from behind hedgerows. Occasionally, the train would pass a grazing deer, flocks of sheep, or a stork standing statuesque on one leg.
At the seaside towns - Binz, Sellin, Baabe - the scenery shifted again. Here, villas in art nouveau and resort architecture line the tracks, each with white balconies, lace-like woodwork, and vibrant flower boxes. The train seemed to tiptoe past them, as if trying not to disturb their elegance.
At Sellin, you might catch a glimpse of the famous pier stretching over the sea. In Baabe, the air begins to smell of salt and sand. In summer, children with buckets and spades wave from crossings, and the train answers with a proud puff of steam.
- Inside the Train: Living Nostalgia -
What makes the Rasender Roland unique isn't just where it goes; it's how it feels to ride it. The steam engine breathes and pulses, its power felt through the floorboards. The gentle sway of the carriages, the hiss of the steam, and the deep “chuff-chuff” rhythm form a soundscape that’s hypnotic and soothing.
You can stand on the open-air platforms between the carriages and feel the wind whip past your face as smoke curls overhead. There’s nothing quite like it, wind in your hair, soot in the air, and Rügen’s beauty all around you.
The train crew, dressed in traditional uniforms, take the time to answer questions, share stories, or just offer a warm smile. Many are enthusiasts who’ve devoted themselves to keeping the railway alive, and their passion shows in every detail.
- Final Stop: Göhren by the Sea -
The journey ends in Göhren, where chalk cliffs tower above pine-lined beaches and a promenade stretches along the sea. Stepping off the train here, it’s easy to imagine travellers from the early 1900s arriving for a summer holiday, parasols in hand.
As the locomotive wheezes and cools, children gather to watch it with awe. The engineer waves, and the whistle sounds one last time, a farewell echoing into the trees.
In a time of high-speed trains and faster connections, the Rasender Roland dares to go slow. But in that slowness lies its magic. It invites you to see more, feel more, and remember what travel once was: not just about where you’re going, but how you get there.
- Reflections on the "Raging Roland" -
As a graphic designer, I'm constantly hunting for inspiration - sometimes in colour, sometimes in form, sometimes in feeling. This journey on the Rasender Roland gave me all three.
The train itself was a rolling study in vintage elegance: with lines that felt like art deco meeting rustic nostalgia. I found myself admiring the ornate lettering on the carriages, my eyes tracing patterns in the wrought iron luggage racks, and noting the way sunlight fell through the steam in perfect golden gradients.
The locomotives themselves really caught my eye. The sleek, black steam engines - gleaming with polished brass fittings and bold red accents on the wheels and frame - felt like moving sculptures. Their strong, angular shapes contrasted beautifully with the natural surroundings, while the intricate details - the rivets, valves, and pipes - added texture and complexity. The deep forest green carriages, with their clean lines and vintage style, complemented the locomotives perfectly, creating a harmonious blend of form and function. Even the way light played off the shiny surfaces, reflecting both the sky and the surrounding forest, made each train a study in contrast and design.
The landscape offered quiet moments of visual inspiration. The contrast between the deep greens of the forests and the crisp whites of the seaside villas felt like a natural colour palette waiting to be explored.
But most of all, it was the mood of the journey that stuck with me - this idea of slowness, authenticity, and craftsmanship. That feeling found its way into my work: in more organic forms, tactile textures, and typography that evokes the past without being stuck in it.
It reminded me that creativity doesn’t always come from galleries or screens - sometimes, it comes from sitting on a steam train, watching the trees blur past, and listening to the slow, steady heartbeat of another era.
