ASB Station in Barsinghausen

A Station Steeped in History - The Gateway to the World

It was thanks to none other than King Wilhelm of Prussia that Barsinghausen gained a connection to the rest of the world: In 1868, the monarch granted approval for a railroad line from Hanover to Altenbeken, which was also to include a branch line “before the Deister” leading to Haste. After three years of construction, the section of track was inaugurated in May 1872. A new era dawned for the residents of Barsinghausen: whereas a trip to Hanover by carriage had previously taken a whole day, the train cut the journey to just two hours. Commuters, day-trippers, and weekend travelers took full advantage of this new mode of transportation. As a result, by the beginning of the 20th century, the original station building could no longer handle the heavy traffic—a new building was needed and was opened in 1912.

But just a hundred years later, shortly after the Expo 2000 world’s fair, the station building seemed to have become redundant: Deutsche Bahn closed the ticket office and soon after, the waiting room as well; the station stood empty for years and fell into disrepair.

© ASB Train Station

It was the involvement of the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund that finally turned things around: In 2009, the aid organization purchased the dilapidated building and had it extensively renovated. After ten months of renovation work, the station was officially opened on January 14, 2012. Total investment costs: more than 1.5 million euros. Today, the “ASB-Bahnhof Barsinghausen” houses a bistro, a training center, and a service counter. Above all, however, it hosts events and concerts. And, of course, the historic building once again fulfills its original function as a train station. It serves not only rail travelers but also acts as the gateway and calling card for the town of Barsinghausen.

A bistro with a rail spur and great concerts at the train station

At the ASB station in Barsinghausen, they go out of their way for the many commuters who leave this town in the Deister region by S-Bahn every day! Their needs are the top priority, so early in the morning they’ll find drinks, magazines, candy, sandwiches, salads, french fries, and pastries on offer—always served with a friendly smile. It’s open daily from 4:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Anyone who wants to and has a little time before their departure is spoiled for choice: either enjoy a coffee in the stylish outdoor area among roses, palm trees, and boxwood under bright red umbrellas when the weather is nice, or take a cozy seat in the indoor area decorated with tea lights—complete with a view of the bustling activity.

In the evenings, when things quiet down along the S-Bahn tracks, the ASB station comes back to life: That’s when the historic building transforms into a well-known and very popular venue in the region for cultural programs and concerts. The jazz trio “Boogielicious” and cult rocker Oswald “Ossy” Pfeiffer have already rocked the stage here!

You can find information about all upcoming concerts and ticket sales on the station's website!

And it’s not just celebrities who come here to party—all the venues can be rented for weddings, club meetings, and other events. They can be rented individually or combined, and each has its own separate entrance. An in-house catering service provides the perfect food and drink for any event.

A Heart for Commuters – The Living Room-Style Waiting Area

© ASB Train Station

“In the Middle of the World,” “Kiss Corner,” and “Mystery Train”—anyone who steps into the large waiting hall, the heart of the Barsinghausen train station, will find plenty to read right away. Large, dark letters adorn the cream-colored walls of the 74-square-meter hall, which is so much more than just a place where travelers arrive or depart. The entrance to this historic building feels bright and welcoming, with the colors red, orange, and cream immediately catching the eye and radiating pure coziness.

To achieve that cozy “living room look,” the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund had to get to work right away when it took over the building in 2009: The hardworking Samaritan team cleaned the aging hall, gave it a fresh, colorful coat of paint, and made it feel like home with a stylish bookshelf and wallpaper featuring animals. Today, the walls are adorned with pictures of people who posed for photos on what is arguably the most famous seating spot in the Calenberger Land—the orange bench at the ASB train station.

The modern ticket counter, complete with an information desk about Barsinghausen’s attractions, has also found a home here—tickets to destinations all over the world are sold here. By the way, the ticket counter at the Barsinghausen train station is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

From Barsinghausen to the wider world—tickets are available at the ticket window

Every half hour, S-Bahn trains run “vis-à-vis” from Barsinghausen toward Hanover and back—perfect for commuters! To ensure that no one has to struggle with complicated ticket machines anymore, the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund has set up a very special service for travelers: Six days a week, passengers can pick up their tickets at the ticket window right at Barsinghausen Station. ASB staff—certified and recognized by Deutsche Bahn—sell tickets here—and not just for local travel. Even travelers heading abroad will find what they need here. That’s because you can even buy tickets at the window for train tours throughout Europe. In this way, the ASB team offers a truly all-inclusive, worry-free package: In addition to travel information—even in tricky situations—the friendly staff make seat reservations or arrange for a luggage service for train travelers. The tourist office, which they also manage, provides all the important information about accommodations, day trip destinations, and attractions.

By the way: The ticket window at the Barsinghausen train station is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For more information, please visit the station on Berliner Straße or call 05105-770066.

Learning at the “Stellwerk” – the ASB Training Center

Providing quick and effective assistance—that’s what about 160,000 people learn each year in numerous first-aid courses offered by the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund. Since 2009, Barsinghausen has had a special venue for these seminars: the so-called “Stellwerk” at the ASB train station. In a light-filled space of about 110 square meters, course participants learn the basics or can refresh their existing knowledge.

The Training and Continuing Education Center is located in the west wing and spans two floors. Three conference rooms can accommodate up to 40 people. They are equipped with a whiteboard, projector, lectern, flip chart, sound system, kitchen, restrooms, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The range of courses offered is extensive: In addition to traditional first-aid courses, volunteer instructors are also trained here to later teach others how to assist accident victims, for example. Training programs are also provided for young people participating in a voluntary social year (FSJ) or federal volunteer service (BFD).

The training center also addresses the individual needs of different target groups: For example, the “First Aid for Children’s Emergencies” course is designed for parents or childcare providers who want to refresh their knowledge of basic first aid, recognize life-threatening conditions, or treat minor injuries on their own. Dog lovers will also find something to their liking: In “First Aid for Dogs,” they’ll learn what to do, for example, if their four-legged friend gets hurt.

And best of all: the spacious rooms in the center can also be rented for birthday parties or club meetings.

You can find much more information on the ASB-Bahnhof website.