Station: [12] Climatic health resort or train?

Ingenieur:

Baron von Welck, I would like to talk to you about a matter which I believe to be of exceptional importance for you and your town. Have you heard of the wonderful railway project? The state government of Saxony gave its agreement just a few days ago: Germany’s first long-distance railway is to run through Saxony. From Leipzig to Dresden.

Freiherr von Welck:

And what, if I may ask, does that have to do with Riesa?

Ingenieur:

My dear Baron, Riesa lies in the middle between those two great cities.

There are four planning outlines for the railway: via Lommatzsch and Meissen, via Hirschstein and Meissen, via Strehla and via RIESA. Riesa is the easiest route – and an opportunity for your town! You should assemble your community representatives as soon as possible.

Freiherr von Welck:

Why should I do that, Mr. Engineer? I would never in my life agree to such a project. To turn our sedate little town completely on its head with such deranged plans! Do you have any idea what the railway would mean for Riesa?

Ingenieur:

Connections with the major centres, work, progress, growth…

Freiherr von Welck:

Have you actually ever seen a railway? I have. In Fürth. It brought the people there nothing but filth and noise. Precious agricultural land was ruined …

Ingenieur:

Pray don’t carelessly ignore the idea, Baron. The railway will help Riesa to advance. It will make your town appealing to industry, which is gradually developing in Germany.

Freiherr von Welck:

Poppycock – industry grows up where the raw materials are, and we don’t have any here. So…

Ingenieur:

What will be of most interest for industry in the future, will be the location of the best transport routes. And Riesa is on the River Elbe. Add a railway link, and major businesses will follow in a trice. Maybe even a large ironworks. Who knows…

Freiherr von Welck:

I’ll tell you what will advance our town: Riesa will become a climatic HEALTH RESORT. The wonderful riverside landscape will attract a lot of people, who will bring in plenty of money..

Ingenieur:

And how will people travel to your health resort? Perhaps over the rutted cart tracks you describe as roads? Nobody will ever find their way here without decent transport routes – if you had a railway, things would be quite different! And remember that this is the best place for a bridge across River Elbe, Baron!

Freiherr von Welck:

Forget it! There will never be a railway in Riesa! Why don’t you go and ask Captain Rüssing in Gröba – he’s ex-cavalry. Maybe he’ll let you talk him into having a railway.

And now, if the gentleman will excuse me – I need to head to the stables.