Hagen Hauptbahnhof

Hagen Hauptbahnhof from the air

Thorn-Prikker: Der Künstler als Lehrer für Handel und Gewerbe (1911)

The original Elberfeld–Dortmund trunk line of the Bergisch-Märkische Railway Company was completed in 1848/49 linking Hagen to the rapidly expanding Prussian railway network. This led to Hagen quickly becoming an industrial city based steel and metal production. After the opening of the Ruhr–Sieg railway to Siegen via Altena in 1861 the city also became an important railway junction.[5]

The Baroque Revival entrance building, opened on 14 September 1910, was built of brick and partly covered with sandstone. It survived bombing during the Second World War, although not completely, in contrast to other stations in the Ruhr area, so it can be admired today. A stained-glass window called The Artist as Teacher of Trade and Industry (German: Der Künstler als Lehrer für Handel und Gewerbe) by Johan Thorn Prikker was installed above the entrance by Karl Ernst Osthaus in 1911.[5]

Also preserved is a two-span train shed designed by Stephany from 1910. It was restored in the 1990s and is heritage-listed as an important example of a steel-constructed hall developed in the late 19th century. It is the only remaining station with a "traditional" platform area in Westphalia and the Ruhr region and one of a few of its kind in Germany. The heavy Anglo-American bombing raids in World War II on Hagen did not destroy it, unlike many other railway stations in the Ruhr.[5]

The station has points and overtaking tracks connecting to the two main platforms in the train shed. This allows up to four (short) trains to operate from each of these two-edged platforms. This has the disadvantage that passengers may sometimes be required to walk long distances.

The interior of the station was painstakingly restored from the autumn of 2004 to May 2006. Thus, the barrel vault over the concourse has been reconstructed, restoring some of its old lustre and details, including Thorn Prikker's stained-glass window, are now illuminated by daylight and are again clearly visible. This work was carried out for the 2006 World Cup of football at a total cost of €1.2 million.

The Hagen Hauptbahnhof is a listed building and is part of The Industrial Heritage Trail (Route Industriekultur).[5]

The station serves as an important link between long distance services; the InterCityExpress lines linking Cologne and Berlin call at the station as well as various InterCity and EuroCity services.