Running the High Line II

Berlin’s subway lines U1 – U3 are operated by so called Kleinprofil (small profile) trains with slightly smaller and more slim wagons. In parts of Prenzlauer Berg and between Schöneberg and Friedrichshain these trains run on elevated tracks through the city and allow way more options to capture painted trains rolling in traffic. Berlin based trainspotter Peter Stelzig was looking for new and more challenging spots to shoot when from 2022 to 2023 he set the mission to document activities on these sites in a special way.

Running the High Line II is a 144-paged compilation of telephoto lens shots which were exclusively taken with a focal length of 400mm – 600mm. This specification opened a completely new variety of spots to choose from and allowed him to take unique shots from distances of e.g. 250m or sometimes even more than 900m total distance. Rooftops, bridges, and up to then unreachable places to capture pieces on the capital’s yellow metro have suddenly been unlocked. After years of documenting the trainwriting scene in common and well known places the photographer finally was thrilled again to go out and seek for new spots.

The book does not only give insight into the train activities in these years, it also surprises with often never before seen perspectives on the legendary Berlin U-Bahn. Each photo is shown in large scale and accompanied by an explanatory illustration giving hints on the lines, the focal length, the chosen spot and the distance he had when taking the photo. The panorama format book includes a signed fine art print and comes numbered and signed by the publisher.

Featuring: 2ILL, BLESD, BMBS, CREME, CRUZE, ENEMY, FBOY, FUTUR2, GUON, HUSKIES, KGO, KIBEL, LION, LYPS, MOSKITO, NAWAS, PUSDER, QUATCH, SEXY, SIPH, SKIN, SKULL, SMAIS, STEL, SUPER, TSAK, WATT, WERT, YARD, YOGR, ZDF, and more.

144 pages, 30,2 cm x 21,7 cm, 600 copies, signed and numbered, hardcover
Language: German & English
Photos: Peter Stelzig
ISBN 978-3-9823072-3-7
Release date: February 2025
Publisher: racoon books