The site was once one of the most important railway junctions in Brandenburg, where several main lines converged. The complex included extensive marshalling yards, workshops, and a large locomotive depot for maintenance. At its peak, countless freight and passenger trains passed through daily, supported by a busy shunting operation. During the Second World War, it played a strategic role and became a target for air raids. As rail traffic declined in the latter half of the 20th century, its importance diminished, yet many traces of its rich railway heritage remain visible today.