Directly on the banks of the Main River between Astheim and Volkach, not far from the Main Bridge, stands the historic Customs House – a lovingly restored building with a long history. Once used to monitor and collect customs duties on trade along the Main River, it now serves as a reminder of the importance of river traffic for the region.
The Brückenzollhaus in Astheim is a listed building. It served as an official residence for the gatekeeper of the Volkach Main Bridge and is located on the western side of the Main opposite the city. Today it is used as a railway museum. The construction of a Main bridge in Volkach began in 1890. This was intended to give the city access to the important transport routes in the west. The building should be equipped with a bridge toll house on the Astheim side in order to slow down the expected traffic. The foundation stone of the building, which was built in the local style, was laid in 1891. It was completed a year later, just in time for the opening of the bridge. Until the Second World War it was the home and office of the customs officer. The back of the bridge customs house, 2009
When the Wehrmacht blew up the bridge in 1945, the house lost its function and from then on served as a simple residential building for several years. This did not change with the new construction of the Main Bridge, from then on as a simultaneous bridge for cars and rail traffic. Construction of the Volkacher Main Canal began in 1957. Since taller container ships were now supposed to sail on the river, the bridge, and with it the street level, had to be raised. The bridge house was also raised.
At the same time, the railway, which owned the house, planned a comprehensive modernization of the building. The “Astheim barrier post” was built by 1958/1959. The now electric barrier control was housed on the second floor of the house, while the first floor served as a residence for the barrier attendant. Almost ten years later, on September 28, 1968, the last passenger train crossed the Main Bridge. The barrier house became dysfunctional, also because of newer technology. In 1971 it was again converted into a purely residential building.
In 2006, a new bridge for Volkach was again considered. The transition bridge from the post-war period was still in operation and was now to be replaced by a modern tied arch bridge. A demolition of the house was discussed, but rejected after objections from the monument protection authority. The city of Volkach then rented the house to the Mainschleifenbahn support association, which had it renovated by 2014 and converted into a museum on the history of the railway. (Wikipedia)