Oberwesel, Rhine Gorge, West Germany, Germany
The Oberwesel Train Photograph
A spindle- or disc-shaped object photograph attributed to Harry Hauxler/Haukler is said to have been taken from a train passing Oberwesel on 8 March 1964, although some photo archives instead label it August 1964. The image has circulated for decades, but the current public trail does not provide th
Why This Case Matters
A famous historical photograph whose basic date and photographer spelling vary across archives—clear signs that provenance should be resolved before any technical interpretation.
Chronology
- 1964 claimed train photograph
- image enters UFO-photo collections
- captions diverge between March and August and Hauxler/Haukler spellings
- commercial photo archives reproduce image
- no first-generation technical dossier located
The Witnesses
Evidence
The following evidence types are documented for this case:
Conventional explanations: Small model/object near camera, window reflection, photographic artefact or deliberate fabrication remain viable. Shooting through a train window would introduce additional reflection and motion issues if that account is correct.
What Remains Unresolved
- Correct photographer name
- exact date
- original negative
- whether photographed through glass
- camera/lens
- first publication
- witness statement.
Key Takeaways
- The first research problem is not 'what is the object?' but 'what exactly is the source of this photograph?'
Sources
Primary and secondary sources for this case file: