Category: Politics
Statement: Transfer of the S-Bahn in West Berlin, Change of Status, End and New Beginning
Context: Additional farewell and inauguration memorabilia
The "Kelle" (dispatch paddle), officially called the "Befehlsstab" (command baton), is used to visually signal the departure order to the train driver. Although largely obsolete today, it still sees occasional use. The "Kelle" is often ceremonially raised when politicians or other dignitaries inaugurate new routes or send off new trains. On January 9, 1984, the then-Mayor of West Berlin, Richard von Weizsäcker, gave the departure order to the first S-Bahn train under BVG management at Anhalter Bahnhof, bound for Lichtenrade. A year later, his successor, Eberhard Diepgen, dispatched the S-Bahn on the newly restored Wannsee line (S1). To commemorate these events, both mayors, along with other Senate and BVG representatives, signed the displayed command batons.