Regarding Tim's DB jaunt, we've sleuthed pretty much all the locations accept the crossing (seen again recently) but I think I've got that now; again there's more for the location and as yet nothing against. I'll repost Tim's photos here to save folks trawling back and forth.
Several observation points, road dips down then climbs to crossing and does a hard left after the crossing, in the more recent shots there's a small stream, ditch, dyke to the left of the crossing and the crossing keepers house is in a triangle of waste rough ground.
I'm confident it's Duther Street in the small village of Melstrup.
The road has the same features, there's a small stream (overgrown) to the left and the road kicks hard left after the crossing, there are some houses in the top left which also fit those seen in the background of the photo with the stream bridge. Also where the crossing keepers house was, the field has a triangle of waste ground that matches Tims photos; just off to the right is another road crossing and tree lined road running parallel to this one, those tress can be seen in some of Tims shots too.
I don't know what the property was before, it may have just been a residence, it looks a modern property on the corner but European houses age well and my gut feeling is it's the same structure. What it was previously I don't know. but the large space out front could have been a car park.
Here's the clincher for me, Tim took a photo inside.
Note end wall of a building to the right, a pitched roof that runs parallel with the railway line and some sort of fence, possibly balcony wall in the foreground. By inching along in street view you can just get a glimpse of the rear of said property.
Note end gable opening/window/door with balcony and to the right (left in this photo) the additional building with a pitched roof running parallel to the railway line. The pitch of the roof, it's proximity and orientation are what I'd expect to see standing at that window.
Dave might be able to sleuth better what the property was before with his cartography expertise, it may have been a hostel/hotel or maybe even a business/shop and Tim has blagged his way inside for these photos. We'll probably never know, but I'm confident the crossing is Duther Street in Melstrup.
Melstrup is just north of Lathen by a few Km and about half way between Rheine and Emden; so the area is a logical stopping off point for an overnight stay.