U3 (Nuremberg U-Bahn)

Last updated

U3
Nurnberg U3.svg
Ubahn nuremberg 2009.jpg
Overview
Stations14
Service
Type Rapid transit
System Nuremberg U-Bahn
Operator(s) Verkehrs-Aktiengesellschaft Nürnberg
Rolling stock VAG Class DT3
History
Opened14 June 2008 (2008-06-14)
Latest extension15 October 2020 (2020-10-15)
Technical
Line length9.2 km (5.7 mi)
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Electrification 750 V DC third rail
Route map

Contents

BSicon utENDEa.svg
BSicon utKBHFa.svg
0.0 km
Großreuth bei Schweinau
BSicon utHST.svg
1.1 km
Gustav-Adolf-Straße
BSicon utHST.svg
1.7 km
Sündersbühl
BSicon utCONTgq.svg
BSicon utABZg+r.svg
BSicon utSTR.svg
BSicon SPLa+l.svg
BSicon dCONTfq.svg
Logo Deutsche Bahn.svg S-Bahn-Logo.svg
BSicon HUBa.svg
BSicon utINT.svg
BSicon vSTR.svg
2.6 km
Rothenburger Straße
S-Bahn-Logo.svg
BSicon HUBlf.svg
BSicon utSTR.svg
BSicon lv-SHST.svg
BSicon HUBq.svg
BSicon vSTR.svg
BSicon dHUBeq.svg
BSicon vSTR+l.svg
BSicon umtKRZv.svg
BSicon vSTRr.svg
BSicon vSTR.svg
BSicon uetABZg2.svg
BSicon utvSTR+l-.svg
BSicon uextSTR3+l.svg
BSicon utdCONTfq.svg
BSicon vSTR.svg
BSicon uetABZg+1.svg
BSicon utvSTR-.svg
BSicon uextvSTR+4-.svg
BSicon vSTR.svg
BSicon ulBHF-L.svg
BSicon utSTR.svg
BSicon ulvBHF-R-.svg
BSicon utvSTR-.svg
3.6 km
Plärrer
Tram Nurnberg Logo.png
BSicon dCONTgq.svg
BSicon vABZg+r-STR.svg
BSicon utSTR.svg
BSicon utvSTR-.svg
Logo Deutsche Bahn.svg S-Bahn-Logo.svg Logo R-Bahn VGN.PNG
BSicon dvCONTgq.svg
BSicon vSTR+rf-.svg
BSicon vSTR-STR+rgo.svg
BSicon vSTR.svg
BSicon utSTR.svg
BSicon utvSTR-.svg
to Roth
to Augsburg
Logo Deutsche Bahn.svg S-Bahn-Logo.svg
BSicon vSTR-SHST.svg
BSicon utSTR.svg
BSicon utvSTR-.svg
BSicon vSTR.svg
BSicon utSTR.svg
BSicon utvHST-.svg
BSicon vSTR.svg
BSicon utHST.svg
BSicon utvSTR-.svg
4.4 km
Opernhaus
BSicon vSTR.svg
BSicon utSTRc2.svg
BSicon utSTR.svg
BSicon utvSTR3-.svg
BSicon ulvHST-.svg
BSicon 4HUBa@G~FFq.svg
BSicon vINT.svg
BSicon lv-SHST.svg
BSicon 4HUBa@Gq.svg
BSicon utSTRc2.svg
BSicon utINT.svg
BSicon HUBeq.svg
BSicon utSTR3+1.svg
BSicon utSTRc4.svg
4.9 km
Nürnberg Hauptbahnhof
Logo Deutsche Bahn.svg S-Bahn-Logo.svg Logo R-Bahn VGN.PNG Tram Nurnberg Logo.png
BSicon utCONTgq.svg
BSicon vSTR.svg
BSicon utSTRr+1.svg
BSicon utSTR.svg
BSicon utSTRc4.svg
BSicon vSTR-SHST.svg
BSicon utSTR.svg
Dürrenhof
BSicon dCONTgq.svg
BSicon vABZgr-STR.svg
BSicon utSTR.svg
Logo Deutsche Bahn.svg
BSicon dCONTgq.svg
BSicon vSTR-STRro.svg
BSicon utSTR.svg
S-Bahn-Logo.svg
BSicon dCONTgq.svg
BSicon vSTRr-.svg
BSicon utSTR.svg
Logo Deutsche Bahn.svg
BSicon dWASSERq.svg
BSicon WASSERq.svg
BSicon utKRZW.svg
BSicon WASSERq.svg
BSicon utBHF.svg
5.7 km
Wöhrder Wiese
Tram Nurnberg Logo.png
BSicon utBHF.svg
6.2 km
Rathenauplatz
Tram Nurnberg Logo.png
BSicon utCONTgq.svg
BSicon utABZgr.svg
BSicon FLUG.svg
BSicon utHST.svg
7.2 km
Maxfeld
BSicon utHST.svg
7.6 km
Kaulbachplatz
BSicon utHST.svg
8.2 km
Friedrich-Ebert-Platz
Tram Nurnberg Logo.png
BSicon utHST.svg
8.7 km
Klinikum Nord
BSicon utBHF.svg
9.1 km
Nordwestring
BSicon utENDEe.svg
9.2 km

The U3 is an underground line in Nuremberg. The line was opened on 14 June 2008. It is about 9.2 kilometres (5.7 mi) long, making it the shortest in the system. The number of stations is 14. The termini are Nordwestring and Großreuth. U 3 trains are run driverless and have been since the opening of the line. U3 shares part of its route (from Rathenauplatz to Rothenburger Straße) with the older U2. Due to the circuitous horseshoe-shaped route, U3 is not always the fastest public transit option between its stations. For example, the buses that run along B4R are - per the official schedules - faster for getting from Nordwestring to Gustav Adolf Straße and the tramway line 4 is faster for getting from Friedrich Ebert Platz to Plärrer than the respective U3 connection.

History

While the original plans of the U-Bahn network to be all called for at least three main trunk lines on their entire dedicated corridors, financial constraints and the decision not to abandon the Tramway network as had been planned at the time the U-Bahn began construction, made it clear after the construction of U2 that a third trunk line would be economical only if the Tram network was abandoned after all. A political consensus emerged to keep the Tram network, but still expand the U-Bahn system, if a bit slower and more moderately. Therefore, it was decided to use parts of existing tunnels for the U3 instead of building an entire dedicated tunnel. However, as it was deemed impossible to reduce the frequency and the existing signalling system was at its limits along the line U2, the decision was taken to automate the existing line to allow for higher throughput. The new U3 thus opened as the first fully automated U-Bahn in Germany and has been fully driverless from its first day of commercial operations. The U2 was automated in the following two years whereas U1, the oldest and longest line in the system and the only one to operate outside the municipal boundaries of Nuremberg is still fully driver operated. U3 which forms a rough C-shape with both branches lying to the West of downtown has been extended twice on its northern branch, first in 2011 with the two new stations Kaulbachplatz and Friedrich Ebert Platz and then in 2017 with the two new stations Klinikum Nord and Nordwestring. The 2011 extension of the northern branch of the U3 led to the - to date - last major permanent shutdown of service on part of the Nuremberg tramway network, as service thru Pirckheimer Straße was shut down (while the rails and overhead wiring remained as a backup in case of closures on other routes) due to the potential of one line "cannibalizing" the ridership of the other. [1] [2] An extension of the southern branch towards Großreuth was opened on 15 October 2020. Further extensions are under construction along the southern branch of U3.

Planned extensions

Out of all Nuremberg U-Bahn lines, U3 is the youngest and the only one with extensions currently under construction. After the northern branch reached an endpoint for the time being at Nordwestring in May 2017, construction is ongoing along the southern branch. An extension west towards Großreuth bei Schweinau was opened on 15 October 2020. Further extensions towards Kleinreuth bei Schweinau and Gebersdorf are already under construction. [3] There is a longstanding plan to use part or all of the old Bibertbahn right of way for further extensions. An expansion of the Northern branch is not planned as of 2018 but variously debated and suggested politically. [4]

Stations

The Undergroundstation Wohrder Wiese Nuernberg-Woehrder Wiese U 1.JPG
The Undergroundstation Wöhrder Wiese
StationsTransfers
U3
Gebersdorf planned opening 2025 [5] [6] [7] [8]
Kleinreuth planned opening 2025 [9] [10] [11] [12]
Großreuth
Gustav-Adolf-Straße Bus-Logo-Nurnberg.png
Sündersbühl  
Rothenburger Straße Nurnberg U2.svg Nurnberg S1.png
Plärrer Nurnberg U1.svg Nurnberg U2.svg Nurnberg T4.png Nurnberg T6.png Tram Nurnberg Logo.png Bus-Logo-Nurnberg.png
Opernhaus Nurnberg U2.svg
Hauptbahnhof Nurnberg U1.svg Nurnberg U2.svg Nurnberg S1.png Nurnberg S2.png Nurnberg S3.png Nurnberg S4.png Nurnberg S5.png S-Bahn-Logo.svg Logo R-Bahn VGN.PNG Logo Deutsche Bahn.svg Nurnberg T5.png Nurnberg T7.png Nurnberg T8.png Tram Nurnberg Logo.png Bus-Logo-Nurnberg.png
Wöhrder Wiese Nurnberg U2.svg Nurnberg T8.png
Rathenauplatz Nurnberg U2.svg Nurnberg T8.png Bus-Logo-Nurnberg.png
Maxfeld Bus-Logo-Nurnberg.png
Kaulbachplatz
Friedrich-Ebert-Platz Nurnberg T4.png Tram Nurnberg Logo.png Bus-Logo-Nurnberg.png
Klinikum Nord
Nordwestring Bus-Logo-Nurnberg.png

Operations

During the rush hour peak, trains on U3 leave every 3 1/3 minutes (200 seconds) which overlaps with U2 to a 100-second headway between Rathenauplatz and Rothenburger Straße. There is no service at night (roughly between 1 AM and 5 AM) not even on weekends. A few trains beginning on the U3 branches (Nordwestring and Großreuth) are routed to the U2 branch instead (Röthenbach and Airport respectively) and vice versa.

Opening dates

Rolling stock

Due to having relied on automatic operation from day one, U3 has only ever had the VAG Class DT3 rolling stock, which was designed for automatic operation. The VAG Class G1 currently in use on U1 is capable of both automatic and manual operation and could in the future be used on U3 but isn't as of 2022.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U1 (Berlin U-Bahn)</span> Rapid transit line in Berlin, Germany

U1 is a line on the Berlin U-Bahn, which is 8.8 kilometres (5.5 mi) long and has 13 stations. Its traditional line designation was BII. It runs east–west and its eastern terminus is Warschauer Straße S-Bahn station where it connects to the Schlesische Bahn. From there it runs through Kreuzberg via Gleisdreieck and Wittenbergplatz on to the Kurfürstendamm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U3 (Berlin U-Bahn)</span> Rapid transit line

U3 is a line on the Berlin U-Bahn created in its current version on 7 May 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vienna U-Bahn</span> Subway transport in Vienna, Austria

The Vienna U-Bahn, where U-Bahn is an abbreviation of the German word Untergrundbahn, is a rapid transit system serving Vienna, Austria. The five-line network consists of 83.1 kilometers (51.6 mi) of route, serving 109 stations. It is the backbone of what the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) deemed one of the best-performing public transport systems worldwide in 2009. 459.8 million passengers rode the U-Bahn in 2019. The network is undergoing expansion and rolling stock renewal. Since 1969, 200 million euros have been invested annually in the extension of the Vienna U-Bahn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Munich U-Bahn</span> Rapid transit railway in Munich, Germany

The Munich U-Bahn is an electric rail rapid transit network in Munich, Germany. The system began operation in 1971, and is operated by the municipally owned Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft. The network is integrated into the Münchner Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund and interconnected with the Munich S-Bahn. The U-Bahn currently comprises eight lines, serving 96 stations, and encompassing 103.1 kilometres (64.1 mi) of routes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nuremberg U-Bahn</span> Rapid transit system

The Nuremberg U-Bahn is a rapid transit system run by Verkehrs-Aktiengesellschaft Nürnberg, which itself is a member of the Verkehrsverbund Großraum Nürnberg. The Nuremberg U-Bahn is Germany's newest metro system, having begun operation in 1972, although the Nuremberg-Fürth route (U1) uses part of the right of way of the Bavarian Ludwig Railway, Germany's first passenger railway opened in 1835. The current network of the U-Bahn is composed of three lines, serving 49 stations, and comprising 38.2 kilometres (23.7 mi) of operational route, making it the shortest of the four metro systems in Germany, behind Berlin, Hamburg and Munich.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aufseßplatz station</span>

Aufseßplatz station is a Nuremberg U-Bahn station, located on the U1 line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flughafen station</span>

Flughafen station is a Nuremberg U-Bahn station, located on the U2, serving Nuremberg Airport. Since 2008 when Berlin Tempelhof Airport shut down, Nuremberg has been the only city in Germany whose airport is connected to the subway network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rathenauplatz station</span>

Rathenauplatz station is a Nuremberg U-Bahn station, located on the U2 and U3. The station is named for the nearby square which was in turn named for the assassinated industrial leader and foreign minister of Germany Walther Rathenau. A portrait of Rathenau adorns the walls of the station and there is also a portrait of the father of Zionism, Theodor Herzl. When traveling in a northerly direction, Rathenauplatz is the last station served by both U2 and U3 and it is therefore a busy interchange station. Late night U3 trips short turn here from Großreuth bei Schweinau station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rothenburger Straße station</span>

Rothenburger Straße station is a Nuremberg U-Bahn station, located on the U2 and U3. When traveling in a southerly direction it is the last station to be served by both U2 and U3. The station is connected to the Nürnberg Rothenburgerstraße station of the Nuremberg S-Bahn

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plärrer station</span>

Plärrer station is the only Nuremberg U-Bahn station apart from Nürnberg Hauptbahnhof to have an interchange with all the U-Bahn lines – the U1, U2, and U3. Like Aufseßplatz, Hauptbahnhof and Friedrich Ebert Platz orange tiles indicate its intended use as an interchange station between different subway main lines. The station is named after the Plärrer, long an important interchange of various types of transportation including the site of the Nuremberg terminus for the Bavarian Ludwig Railway. Despite folk etymology linking the name to the local word "plärren" for screaming, it likely derives from Plarre a now disused word for a square.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nürnberg Hauptbahnhof</span> Railway station in Nuremberg, Germany

Nürnberg Hauptbahnhof or Nuremberg Central Station is the main railway station serving the city of Nuremberg in Germany. It is the largest station in north Bavaria and belongs to the 20 stations in the highest category of importance allocated by DB Station&Service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nuremberg S-Bahn</span> S-Bahn network

The Nuremberg S-Bahn is an S-Bahn network covering the region of Nuremberg, Fürth and Erlangen which started operations in 1987 and is now integrated into the Greater Nuremberg Transport Association. The full length of the five current lines is about 277.6 kilometres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Friedrich-Ebert-Platz station</span>

Friedrich-Ebert-Platz station is a Nuremberg U-Bahn station. It was the northern terminus of the U3 line from its opening on 10 December 2011 until 2017, when the extension towards Nordwestring opened. It offers interchange to Tramway line 4. Like Aufseßplatz, Hauptbahnhof and Plärrer orange tiles were used in the walls of this station to indicate a possible future interchange station. However, as of 2021 no such interchange to another subway line is planned for the foreseeable future.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U1 (Nuremberg U-Bahn)</span>

The U1 is an underground line in Nuremberg. The first part of the line was opened on 1 March 1972. It is about 18.5 kilometres (11.5 mi) long and has 27 stations. The termini are Langwasser Süd in the southeast and Fürth Hardhöhe in the northwest. Until 11 December 2016 it shared tracks with the former booster line U11 between Eberhardshof and Messe. Those services are still run but no longer designated U11, instead being signed U1 like trains doing the full Langwasser-Hardhöhe run. Unlike U2 and U3 all trains are operated by a driver and there are no plans to automate U1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U2 (Nuremberg U-Bahn)</span>

The U2 is an underground line in Nuremberg, opened on 28 January 1984 and the last station along the line to open was Flughafen (Airport) in 1999. The line is about 13.1 kilometres (8.1 mi) long and has 16 stations; the termini are Röthenbach and Flughafen. Since 2010 all trains in regular operations are run driverless. At 2,388 metres (7,835 ft) the stretch between Ziegelstein station and Flughafen station is the longest interval between two stations in the network and the only single track section on any subway line in Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U12 (Berlin U-Bahn)</span>

The U12 is an inactive Berlin U-Bahn line. It existed between 1993 and June 2003, as a peak-time and night line between Ruhleben and Warschauer Straße stations. The route remains available for temporary use when it is not possible to run a full U1 or U2 service for reasons such as maintenance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trams in Nuremberg</span> Overview of the tram system of Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany

The Nuremberg tramway network is a network of tramways forming part of the public transport system in Nuremberg, a city in the federal state of Bavaria, Germany. The system reached the neighboring city of Fürth from its opening year to almost a century later when construction of the U1 subway line led to the withdrawal of tram service to and within Fürth. During that era and referring to it historically in literature or nostalgic activities, the system was known as “Nürnberg-Fürther Straßenbahn“. For example, a local association dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of the tram network as well as old rolling stock calls itself “Freunde der Nürnberg-Fürther Straßenbahn“ The system is planned to cross the municipal boundaries of Nuremberg once more, if and when the extension to Erlangen and from there to Herzogenaurach dubbed "Stadtumlandbahn" opens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U1 (Vienna U-Bahn)</span> Metro line in Vienna

Line U1 is a line on the Vienna U-Bahn metro system. Opened in 1978, it currently has 24 stations and a total length of 19.3 km (12.0 mi), from Oberlaa to Leopoldau. When the extension to Oberlaa was completed in 2017, the line became the longest on the network, surpassing the length of U6.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U3 (Vienna U-Bahn)</span> Metro line in Vienna

Line U3 is a line on the Vienna U-Bahn metro system. Opened in 1991, it currently has 21 stations and a total length of 13.4 km (8.3 mi), from Ottakring to Simmering, making it the shortest line on the network. It is connected to U1 at Stephansplatz, U2 at Volkstheater, U4 at Landstraße and U6 at Westbahnhof.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Großreuth bei Schweinau station</span>

Großreuth bei Schweinau station is a Nuremberg U-Bahn station, located on the U3. Named for the borough Großreuth bei Schweinau. The distance to the previous station, Gustav Adolf Straße is 898 metres (2,946 ft) as the crow flies. Opening in October 2020 it was the 49th station of Nuremberg U-Bahn to open and serves as the terminus for line U3 until the opening of further extensions towards Gebersdorf.

References

  1. "Nürnberg: Kehrt die Straßenbahn zurück in die Pirckheimerstraße?".
  2. "Straßenbahn-Reaktivierung: Eine Chance für die Linie 9?".
  3. "U3-Ausbau: Großauftrag für Max Bögl und Hochtief".
  4. "Vorstoß für U-Bahnverbindung nach Neu-Wetzendorf".
  5. "Jetzt nach Großreuth bei Schweinau: Verlängerung der Nürnberger U-Bahn". 15 October 2020.
  6. "Tunnelanschlag zur Verlängerung der U3 in Nürnberg". 7 August 2020.
  7. "Die Erweiterung der U-Bahnlinie U3 - Bauabschnitt 2.2 im Südwesten (Kleinreuth bei Schweinau bis Gebersdorf) - U-Bahnbau".
  8. "U3-Ausbau: Großauftrag für Max Bögl und Hochtief".
  9. "Jetzt nach Großreuth bei Schweinau: Verlängerung der Nürnberger U-Bahn". 15 October 2020.
  10. "Tunnelanschlag zur Verlängerung der U3 in Nürnberg". 7 August 2020.
  11. "Die Erweiterung der U-Bahnlinie U3 - Bauabschnitt 2.2 im Südwesten (Kleinreuth bei Schweinau bis Gebersdorf) - U-Bahnbau".
  12. "U3-Ausbau: Großauftrag für Max Bögl und Hochtief".