Werner von Siemens had presented the first
electric passenger train at the Berlin industrial exhibition two years before. In order to develop the concept, he received the official approval to run an electric tramway line on already existing tracks, which had been used for building the
Prussian military academy (
Hauptkadettenanstalt) at
Lichterfelde West. The line started at
Berlin-Lichterfelde Ost station on the
Anhalt Railway line. Each car was originally equipped with a 180-volt
DC traction motor, the current being supplied via the running rails, in a manner similar to that used by most present-day
model railways. Therefore the tracks were generally separated from roads, and trespassing was prohibited. At
level crossings, the rails were dead or switched on only briefly before the approach of the tramcar. Nevertheless, people and horses frequently received electric shocks. It is also believed that young people would put wire mesh on the tracks to make it glow for fun, which caused
short circuits that shut down operation. In 1891, the tramway was equipped with an
overhead wire, and the line was extended to
Berlin-Lichterfelde West station. There were several further extensions, but operation was discontinued in 1931. ==See also==