Frankfurt’s Heartwarming and Heartbreaking Tale of Eisenbahn-Reiner
As we navigate the twists and turns of modern life, we often stumble upon characters that add a splash of color—or at times a sprint of dark humor—to our mundane existence. Meet Eisenbahn-Reiner, Frankfurt’s beloved embodiment of tragicomedy, operating his toy train station right on the streets.
Published: October 28, 2024, by Thomas Schmid
Now, picture this: a 54-year-old man, gaunt cheeks and deep wrinkles, who went from an ordinary life to becoming Germany’s most famous homeless person—the *rock star of the railway* if you will. Eisenbahn-Reiner, residing in the heart of Frankfurt, became notorious when the city officials tried to evict him—because nothing screams ‘public interest’ quite like a community rallying around a man with a toy train and a penchant for chatting up nodding penguins.
Every day, you can find him on Liebfrauenstrasse, surrounded by his motley collection of toys—a taxi ride from the grim realities of food scarcity and health issues. His admirable yet heartbreaking resilience is on full display, as he declares, “I’ll stay here.” Apparently, the prospect of assisted living is less appealing than squatting between a tree and his chair, which is a decision I wouldn’t question. After all, who needs a roof? How bourgeois!
But here’s where the plot thickens, folks—Eisenbahn-Reiner’s life is not all about toy trains and good vibes. It seems our lovable man has been poisoning the coffee cup of fate, quite literally. A few weeks back, he was rushed to the hospital for suspected poisoning, allegedly by someone who’s less than a friend, but more of a ‘frenemy’ from the homeless community. Seriously? In what world do you put *knockout drops* in coffee? Did they skip the life lessons taught by “Friends” reruns?
At this point, Reiner’s toy collection isn’t the only thing under threat. “I’ve already organized a replacement to look after Reiner,” says Angelo, our very own ‘street bodyguard’ who, despite being a former boxer, has found his calling as the unofficial keeper of toys and dignity. Could we create a reality show out of this? ‘Homeless Heroes’—watch as they save and defend their turf with fists of fury and hearts of gold.
While our buddy Reiner insists he’s “actually feeling pretty good,” it doesn’t help that the city keeps offering him a better roof over his head—something he clearly doesn’t want. It’s like offering a vegetarian a steak dinner. They don’t want the meat, but somehow it’s served up with the same zeal as a Michelin star rating.
“The city would like to help him, but he doesn’t want to,” laments Brother Michael from the Franziskustreff, a community group trying to provide support. Now there’s a shocker; who knew that not everyone prefers a cozy shelter to sleeping in the wild? Who does that? This isn’t a vacation in Bali where you wake up by the waves, but rather a brutal winter pushing this man to choose between warm blankets and being one with the street! Talk about a plot twist!
On a grander scale, the city assures us that no one needs to be living outside—2,299 homeless people are being ‘housed’ in transitional accommodations alone. They call it an ‘urban transitional accommodation program’—a less polite way of saying *the system has its glitches,* but we’re trying. You see, staying on the streets is not solely about personal choice; it’s a complex fabric woven in comfort and unfortunately, previous trauma.
So, as winter is knocking at our doors, let’s raise a glass of hot tea to Eisenbahn-Reiner—a reminder that sometimes, the most comedic tales are not laugh-out-loud moments but rather reflective narratives challenging our notions of home, community, and dignity. Also, let’s hope there are no more surprise coffee ‘enhancers’ next time around!
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Eisenbahn-Reiner is threatened and is in bad shape. Enrico Sauda © Enrico Sauda
Frankfurt’s most renowned homeless individual is facing serious health challenges and threats to his safety.
Eisenbahn-Reiner, whose real name is Reiner Schaad, presents a bleak image of his life on the streets: weighing significantly less than he should and suffering from various health issues. The 54-year-old gained notoriety when city officials attempted to displace him from his long-standing spot on Frankfurt’s Liebfrauenstrasse, igniting a wave of public outcry and media focus. Ultimately, he was allowed to remain, continuing to share his collection of toys, which includes a battery-operated train alongside an assortment of charming figures like nodding penguins, dinosaur models, and dolls. However, there are times when Reiner must abandon this collection to secure necessary supplies like food and batteries. When possible, he also contributes to the meals of other homeless individuals in the area.
Tragically, Reiner has not been exempt from violence. Fellow homeless individuals, perhaps out of jealousy or suspicion of his financial situation, have taken advantage of him. There have been disturbing incidents where his pants were slashed in an attempt to access his wallet, which he clutches tightly while he sleeps. About a month ago, he found himself in an ambulance, recovering from what was suspected to be poisoning, allegedly administered through knockout drops in his coffee by another homeless man. After a two-week period in custody, the accused has returned to Frankfurt and now stands face-to-face with Eisenbahn-Reiner, leaving both him and those who defended him to live in trepidation.
In his current condition, Reiner appears frail; gaunt and deeply lined, he seems older than his years. Despite his dire circumstances, he claims to be feeling “pretty good,” though his body language tells a different story as he sits awkwardly in his chair with his legs drawn up. A friend, also experiencing homelessness, shares this space with him, the two enjoying a sparse yet comforting conversation.
Reiner has expressed that the foot traffic has been slow today, yet he remains optimistic about his earnings. He adamantly refuses to leave his familiar spot, despite multiple offers of assisted living that would provide him more secure accommodations. He simply states, “I’ll stay here,” gesturing towards a small area nestled between a tree and his chair, which is where he sleeps each night.
Reiner has recently found companionship with Angelo, a caring man who watches over him during daylight hours. A former boxer, Angelo typically stands at the entrance of the Franziskustreff, ensuring Reiner’s well-being. He admits that he will only be gone for two weeks to stay elsewhere, but has arranged for someone else to look after Reiner in his absence. Angelo is acutely aware of the threat posed by a known perpetrator, a drug addict who has previously stolen €180 from Reiner. After an absence of two weeks due to a fine he had to serve, this individual has returned to the streets, causing worry among those who look out for Reiner. Angelo insists that the only option is to repeatedly alert the police, who have visited the area to offer assistance.
Angelo, however, shares his powerlessness against Reiner’s deteriorating health as winter approaches. Brother Michael, who oversees the Franziskustreff, acknowledges the city’s willingness to help Eisenbahn-Reiner but emphasizes that Reiner’s refusal remains a significant barrier. For many individuals experiencing homelessness, waning strength becomes increasingly apparent with age.
Christian Rupp, the spokesperson for social affairs officer Elke Voitl (Greens), firmly states: “We can accommodate everyone. We’ve offered it to Eisenbahn-Reiner many times, but he doesn’t want it. Everyone is responsible for what they do, and we ask him regularly.” The city’s available temporary accommodations, which many residents utilize even on a long-term basis, could be accessible to Reiner should he choose to accept assistance. “We could collaborate with other organizations,” Rupp asserts, hinting that assisted living could be a feasible option if Reiner changes his stance.
The city is preparing for the cold weather, reactivating a cold bus service to distribute warm blankets, nourishing meals, and tea to those in need. On the night of October 21st, authorities discovered 133 individuals sleeping outdoors, with an additional 127 housed in accommodations at Eschenheimer Tor. This figure reflects stability compared to the prior year when there were a total of 252 homeless people recorded in the city.
Currently, the city provides shelter for 2,299 homeless individuals in transitional accommodations, which typically resemble actual apartments. In addition to this, 689 people are being housed in hotel rooms, while emergency overnight spots are available through various services such as Eschenheimer Tor, the Caritas day care center, and Diakonie’s 17Ost day center. There, individuals can seek immediate overnight shelter at any time. Nevertheless, many among the homeless population have become accustomed to life on the streets and often struggle with accepting help or establishing stable daily routines.
