The train travels from Stralsund to Saßnitz on the island of Rügen via a bridge. The centre section of the bridge swivels upwards to allow the passage of ships.

The bascule bridge opens, according to the timetable, five times a day. The rest of the time, the bridge carries rail traffic between the mainland and the island.

The bridge is said to have served ships, trains and cars for at least 80 years.

All the bearing locations on the bascule bridge have the following characteristics:

• they swivel at a very low sliding speed

• they are subjected to high loads

• they are exposed to sea air, which has a strongly corrosion-inducing effect