Closely Observed Trains

About “Closely Observed Trains”

The novella follows Milos Hrma, a young railway dispatcher and signalman returning to work after three months of recovery from a suicide attempt. He is welcomed back by Station Master Lansky and Dispatcher Hubicka at a strategically important Czech railway station. The story takes place in 1945, as the Germans have lost control of the airspace over the town, but the station remains a critical rail hub. Certain key trains are under strict surveillance by the German high command to prevent delays caused by signal failures or track issues.