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Sperrbahnhof

English translation: side line, side track, side rail, private spur

09:19 Apr 17, 2000
German to English translations [PRO]
Tech/Engineering
German term or phrase: Sperrbahnhof
The general context here is a plan of action generated from the results of a supplier audit. Specifically, the part I have a question on is talking about enclosing/separating off a "limited access" area, namely a so-called pharma center, and ensuring that the proper clothing is worn there, etc. In response to the general item, the following appears under the heading of comments/remarks: "Anschaffung von Absperrketten . . . völlige Verlagerung des Sperrbahnhofs aus Pharmazentrum geplant."
Using "Sperrbahn" I was able to locate a handful of sites on Northern Light, each of which used the term, and its apparent synonym, "Sperrschicht," in the context of a buffer layer to protect walls and floorings against moisture from groundwater, outside dampness, etc. But none of this seems to fit my context and the "Hof" is throwing me off.
Any help would be appreciated.
(Also, the supplier/company being audited supplies packaging foils.)
Cami Townsend (X)
English translation:side line, side track, side rail, private spur
Explanation:
A Sperrbahnhof is a rail line with limited access, usually a single track. You'll see them running from the main line into an industrial area or into a manufacturer's yard. Oftentimes there'll be a fence gate across the spur which is rolled away (the gate, not the spur) when a rail road car is pushed into the yard by the engine for loading or delivery. Your pharma company plans to completely relocate its limited access train yard to the new pharma center.
Selected response from:

Anka Andrews (X)
Grading comment
This one was a bit of a puzzle. In addition to the supplier audit mentioned in my query, there were two reports generated by the audit that I was also working on, both of which mentioned the "Sperrbahnhof" and sometimes just the "Sperrbereich." The auditors found it problematic that both rejected products and those awaiting final inspection from the lab ended up on the "Sperrbahnhof" at the same time, noting that it was unclear which was which. As the reports go on, it becomes clear that the boxes of product are sent out from shipping and not from this depot . . . that its "gesperrt" in the sense of restricted access and "Bahnhof" in the sense of depot or station in an in-house transportation system that probably does involve tracks. As McCrosky mentions, the point is to move the "Sperrbahnhof" out of the pharma* center because, as one of the docs states, the cardboard boxes and pallets found there carry germs.
* I use "pharma center" not so much b/c it's acceptable usage, but more b/c the reports use the term "Pharmazentrum" almost like a proper noun.
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
naclosed off train station
Protradit
naside line, side track, side rail, private spur
Anka Andrews (X)
narestricted access siding
Dan McCrosky (X)
naChanging room, changing station
Iain Purvis


  

Answers


37 mins
closed off train station


Explanation:
The Sperr- means that the area is not accessible to the general public. From your context I would assume that the train station is also closed, but it may just be that it's prohibited to go onto the grounds of the train station.

Protradit
Local time: 18:02
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 195
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43 mins
side line, side track, side rail, private spur


Explanation:
A Sperrbahnhof is a rail line with limited access, usually a single track. You'll see them running from the main line into an industrial area or into a manufacturer's yard. Oftentimes there'll be a fence gate across the spur which is rolled away (the gate, not the spur) when a rail road car is pushed into the yard by the engine for loading or delivery. Your pharma company plans to completely relocate its limited access train yard to the new pharma center.

Anka Andrews (X)
PRO pts in pair: 26
Grading comment
This one was a bit of a puzzle. In addition to the supplier audit mentioned in my query, there were two reports generated by the audit that I was also working on, both of which mentioned the "Sperrbahnhof" and sometimes just the "Sperrbereich." The auditors found it problematic that both rejected products and those awaiting final inspection from the lab ended up on the "Sperrbahnhof" at the same time, noting that it was unclear which was which. As the reports go on, it becomes clear that the boxes of product are sent out from shipping and not from this depot . . . that its "gesperrt" in the sense of restricted access and "Bahnhof" in the sense of depot or station in an in-house transportation system that probably does involve tracks. As McCrosky mentions, the point is to move the "Sperrbahnhof" out of the pharma* center because, as one of the docs states, the cardboard boxes and pallets found there carry germs.
* I use "pharma center" not so much b/c it's acceptable usage, but more b/c the reports use the term "Pharmazentrum" almost like a proper noun.
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5 hrs
restricted access siding


Explanation:
We are definitely talking about a company owned or rented restricted access railroad/railway station (or if it is rather small, as eclectic mentioned, a siding or spur), but the real question is where is it now! There seems to be a typo in your context concerning the word "aus" and a missing article that makes it hard for me to understand. What planning they are talking about? 1) The requiring of the supplier to relocate the restricted access station/siding outside the pharmaceuticals center because it is perhaps too difficult to maintain the cleanliness quality standards in the pharmaceuticals center with a dirty old siding inside the center? 2) It could also make sense though that they hope to be able to clean up the railway chemical loading operation by requiring the supplier to relocate the siding inside the center where the cleanliness regulations apply?????????????? By the way, do we really use "pharma" as a separate modifier? It is not in NODE and many of the 60,000+ English language hits under AltaVista seem to be names. I do not know anymore, I have been here so long I can only speak Gerlish or Engleutsch.

Dan McCrosky (X)
Local time: 03:02
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 1541
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15 hrs
Changing room, changing station


Explanation:
I am not sure whether the reference is to an actual rail link, the Sperrketten leads me to believe that there is some sort of barrier or chain that only certain personnel are allowed to cross to gain access to the pharmazone, passing through a changing room or changing station, where they don protective clothing. We had such a facility where I once worked in a clean room producing electrical switchgear. Of course, not knowing the complete text, I may be well off beam, but I hope that it might help. Iain.

Iain Purvis
United Kingdom
Local time: 02:02
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 88
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