Düsseldorf Stadtbahn

The Dusseldorf Stadtbahn, together with the S -Bahn the backbone of public transport (LPT ) of the North Rhine - Westphalian capital Dusseldorf. This is supplemented by numerous tram lines and buses on. Individual lines run across the city and beyond to the neighboring cities of Düsseldorf Neuss, sea bush, Krefeld and Duisburg.

The light rail is part of the Stadtbahn Rhein -Ruhr and was developed from the existing tram network out. The first tunnel section was in 1981 in the forward mode, the switch of the Duesseldorf route network took place in the wake of the release of the downtown tunnel in 1988. Since a separation between the road and the rail network exists.

Of the six planned trunk routes today two are in operation, another, called Wehrhahnlinie, is under construction and is scheduled to open on 30 October 2015.

At the end of 2010, the route length of 68.5 km light rail network and the line length of 144.4 kilometers. The seven lines are operated with 135 vehicles by the Rhine and on the railway line U79 together with the Duisburg transport company in the field of the transport association Rhein-Ruhr ( VRR).

• 2.1 First and second trunk route 2.1.1 Northern line
• 2.1.2 downtown tunnel
• 2.1.3 Tunnel direction Eller
• 2.1.4 Tunnel Oberbilk
• 2.1.5 route to Krefeld (K- rail)
• 2.1.6 route to Duisburg (D -Bahn )
• 2.1.7 route to Neuss

• 3.1 lines 3.1.1 Current line network
• 3.1.2 line network before using the light rail tunnel in 1988
• 3.1.3 line network by putting the light rail tunnel in 1988

• 3.2.1 Overview
• 3.2.2 GT8SU
• 3.2.3 LRVs B
• 3.2.4 Low-floor vehicles

• 4.1 depot Heerdt
• 4.2 depot Lierenfeld
• 4.3 Planned depot
• 4.4 Abstellanlage Sportpark Nord / Europe Square
• 4.5 Abstellanlage underground station Heinrich -Heine -Allee

• 5.1 cable fire underground station Heinrich -Heine -Allee
• 5.2 derailment at Central Station

• 6.1 construction 6.1.1 Wehrhahnlinie
• 6.1.2 U -Dax

• 6.2.1 Fair bypass
• 6.2.2 Circle Line
• 6.2.3 Tunnel Kennedy dam

• 6.3.1 subway station Heinrich -Heine -Allee
• 6.3.2 Metro Station Anger arc

History

Metro planning

The original plans of the 1960s saw in front of a subway system for Dusseldorf. 1959 considered the city of Dusseldorf based on the results of a special commission formed by the city administration, police and the Rhine railway, a total of 47 km of classic metro network consists of five lines. Following your designs to have this with only three additional bus routes to replace the tram completely and make the roads of the state capital car justice. Does this were a number of leading in different parts of the city sections of track that had been bundled into two trunk routes in the city. Such link was provided at a central metro station in today's Heinrich -Heine -Allee. These plans have been modified by the influence of the North Rhine-Westphalian government financial sponsors in favor of a light rail system in the Rhine -Ruhr area.

Stadtbahn Rhein- Ruhr

The planning of a city in the Ruhr Ruhr railway were in the late 1960s at an advanced stage, as the Düsseldorf planning into the overall system ( now Stadtbahn Rhein- Ruhr) were added. According to the construction work has already begun on Duisburg city Düsseldorf plans had to be adjusted. Instead of beginning in the south of the urban area with a connection to the university to the city center, the construction of the northern part of today's main line at the old exhibition was preferred. The network planning has now been extended to four trunk routes.

The first trunk route should lead the overland line from Duisburg through the city and into southern Oberbilk located Himmelgeist. The second trunk line should cause the compounds from Krefeld and Neuss by the Düsseldorf city center after Lierenfeld. For these first two original routes a common four-track tunnel was provided in the section between Heinrich -Heine -Allee and Central Station. The third main line provided for a connection of the inner city situated in the south Benrath and the Grafenberg district in the east. The fourth main line should run from the south of downtown Bilk located to the north in the district sub- Rath. This should link points at Dusseldorf -Bilk (3rd and 4th ) Station, on East Road Metro Station (1st, 2nd and 4th ) at the Heinrich- Heine- Allee Underground Station (1st, 2nd and 3rd ) and the Jacobi Underground Station / Pempelforter street (3rd and 4th ) arise.

The construction of the tunnel sections of the first and second main line were largely completed in 2002. Until the extension of the downtown tunnel after Oberbilk that year right behind the ramp, the aboveground station steel street was east of the main railway station served. Between the two tracks towards the station, a four-track system was sweeping with a parking capacity for a total of 12 light rail vehicles, which was also abandoned.

For the third main line, the Wehrhahnlinie, construction began in November 2007. Completion of the core region is expected for 2014. The plans for the fourth main line are not pursued. There were also no Bauvorleistungen created during the construction of the Metro station, East Street, as was done at the Heinrich -Heine -Allee subway station with the construction of a third underground level. In addition to individual route amendments is instead about another manager one additional common route from Düsseldorf Main Station in the media harbor. This was included in the transport plan of the city (2002-2007).

The original subway plans saw before, to lead the main line 1 of Oberbilk coming through the later Federal Garden Show - grounds of South Park. There, a larger building measure was planned with residential houses in front planning for the BuGa. This route would have had a connection of the Heinrich -Heine -Universität result. However, these plans were not pursued. In the years 2005 and 2006, the student bodies of the Düsseldorf universities put on a massive scale for a direct connection of all high school sites in the city and organized for this purpose a petition. The local transport plan 2002-2007 foresaw already to create this connection. The Düsseldorf City Council had made a positive decision to build this route ultimately in 2006.

This began in 2009 and was completed a year later. Now the U79 from their previous termination stop Kaiserslauterner road over the route of the U74 was, U77 led to the breakpoint Werstener village street and pivoted from there along the route of the tram lines 701 and 713 For only the installation of a junction between these two lines was necessary. Along the route, then the existing branch lines 707 and 716 to the stop Universität Ost was used. The cost of this measure were estimated by the city to 8.6 million euros.

Stretch

The Düsseldorf Stadtbahn network was originally designed with four trunk routes. Since 1988, the first and second main line in operation.

The third main line ( Wehrhahnlinie ) is since 2007 under construction, the opening is expected for 2015. The planning of the fourth main line was abandoned. Here are two other routes were included in the long-term planning, the main line 5 ( U81 ) and the main line 6

First and second trunk route

The light rail in operation since 1988, leads all the lines together in a common tunnel. It is at the northern route ( Duisburg ) about the first trunk route Düsseldorf Stadtbahn. The second main line is the name of the relation Krefeld / Neuss - Central Station - Eller.

North route

The first Come for the execution of tunnel was located north of downtown. The completed in 1981 and used with a forward mode tunnel began with a ramp in front of the Opera House. Then the tunnel crossed the courtyard and reached the North Subway Station Road in PEMPELFORT district. The next stop was the underground station Victoria / Klever Straße, the time of opening yet without the additional name Victoria Square. Shortly before the Kenneydamm the track reached the surface again. The next section to Reeser Platz is also provided for an underground route. The Tunnelweiterbau was prepared according structurally by this weiterverläuft below the ramp. The subsequent route to Freiligrathplatz or until the fair was equipped in the 1990s with high platforms and put on their own route on rail standard. The road branching off there to the fair and to the ESPRIT arena was last prepared in 2004 by the construction of the station LTU arena / Messe Nord on a network expansion. There is a previously branched off at the height of North Park track meet again on existing tracks. In addition, a Rhine crossing is planned with connections to Neuss and Krefeld bush and sea. The rest of the route north to Duisburg already complies largely with the valid rail standard. The remaining stations will also be equipped with high platforms.

Downtown tunnel

The core of Düsseldorf city rail network was commissioned in 1988. The downtown tunnel begins with a ramp at the level of art academy. From there, the lines from Neuss, Krefeld and the left-bank districts of Düsseldorf on the Oberkasseler bridge come. After a stop at the Tonhalle they are led into the tunnel. At the level of Ratingen door, the tracks of the Northern line to be threaded. The first stop is the link station Heinrich -Heine -Allee. Here hold on to two central platforms the lines just described on four tracks. In the overlying basement there is a shopping arcade. In the third underground level inputs have already been built in the shape of a tunnel piece to allow the transition to the lines of the third main line. The tunnel now holds in its further course along the running track in a common direction pairs. The result is a two-storey tunnel. So now the following stations Stone Street / King Avenue and East Street including distribution levels are running three storeys. Only at the main train station, the tracks are again on one level, as at the Heinrich -Heine -Allee station side by side on two platforms.

Am Hauptbahnhof transfer connections exist to all Düsseldorf S -Bahn lines and the regional and long distance trains of Deutsche Bahn. The tunnel now further leads to an underground parking area. At the time of its opening, the tracks led behind the Central Station Ramps back to the surface. By further expanding direction Eller and Oberbilk but these were dismantled along with the above-ground station steel street again.

Former turning plant steel mill road (August 2008)

Tunnel direction Eller

In 1993, the extension of the downtown tunnel towards Eller was put into operation. Here, the tunnel to the east was continued with a subsequent swing to the south. The first additional Metro Station Commercial Center / Moscow street was built with split levels. This unthreading of the later built towards Oberbilk tunnel was made possible. The leading towards the city center route stops at the higher platform. In the context of the new station a center for international trade should arise, whose plans have been implemented to date (2007) only in parts. In the course of the route of the Metro Station Kettwiger road was built. Here offers connecting flights to tram and bus. Shortly after this a ramp leads the route back to the surface. After a short distance on its own rail body with a stop at a station with high platform, the route will continue on streets without their own area. A further construction of the tunnel is planned or an extension with its own rail body is not possible because of the cramped conditions.

Tunnel Oberbilk

Between 1996 and 2002, the diversion of the tunnel was built behind the main station by Oberbilk using a tunnel drill. It emerged three metro stations and in a second section further three aboveground breakpoints. Metro Station Oberbilker Market / Warschauer Straße forms the prelude from the direction of downtown. Two entrances lead to a gallery, of which the two side platforms can be achieved. The construction of this, due to the construction of a tunnel boring machine, is not yet a novelty in Düsseldorf city rail system. It also emerged in the stations Ellerstraße and Oberbilk applicants. Latter opens up the event hall Mitsubishi Electric Halle ( formerly Philips Hall ) and provides the Oberbilk S-Bahn station a link to the S- Bahn and the tram ago. In the further south along the trail, reached via a ramp system the surface. In the following, in addition to a parking area three high-level platforms and its own independent track area were built. The section south of the crossing A 46 was, however, not equipped in the 1990s with its own track system with high platforms. An extension of up to that ending in Holthausen rail to Benrath was implemented in October 2009.

Route to Krefeld (K- rail)

→ Main article: K- train

The K- train takes its name from the time of commencement of the Düsseldorf tram. The overland routes in the surrounding towns were early to offer the Düsseldorf transport. So these were awarded to help distinguish the intra- urban trains running tram lines not with numbers, but with letters. These were based on the target cities. So led the line to Krefeld and the letter K was generally parlance for K- rail. Today, under this name, the lines U70, U74, U76 and U77 can be summarized. They run in Dusseldorf from the districts Holthausen, Oberbilk and center of town, in the left-bank districts and on to the sea and bush Krefeld.

Route to Duisburg (D -Bahn )

→ Main article: D -Bahn

The second still existing overland route was built to the northern neighboring city of Duisburg. At the D -Bahn began construction in the city two cities. In Duisburg began to surface sections, in Dusseldorf, the tunnel of the Northern route was preferred to the start of construction in the south of the city. Today the U79 line connecting the city center of Dusseldorf with that of Duisburg, where she is part of the Stadtbahn Duisburg. Furthermore, operates on this route the line U78, which connects the Düsseldorf Main Station and the exhibition site and the ESPRIT arena. For the future, an extension in the south to the university and to the north is scheduled to linksrheinische sea bush.

Route to Neuss

→ Main article: rail route Dusseldorf -Neuss

The line of Dusseldorf on top Kassel was opened to Neuss already on 5 August 1901. 16 The opening of the South Bridge on 12 October 1929 reversed the former line from now on as a ring line from Düsseldorf Main Station on Upper Kassel, Heerdt, Neuss, Southern Cemetery and Count -Adolf-Straße Düsseldorf Central Station. With the restructuring of the network in the 1970s, the line was renamed 16 in line 5. Through a renewed interruption of the ring traffic in the 1980s remained the line 5 on the northern conducted by Oberkassel part of the ring. The southern part of the South Bridge took on a new line. With the opening of the downtown tunnel 1988 line 5, which has been renamed by the creation of the VRR 1980 in 705, was installed in the tunnel. The then south from the main station on the former steelworks road ramp in Oberbilk ending 705 commutes now since the opening of the tunnel " Mart - Ronsdorfer St." on 26 September 1993 as U75 between Neuss and Eller.

Routes with independent roadbed

The following routes are or will be equipped with an independent roadbed:

Stations

→ Main article: List of Düsseldorf Metro Stations

The lines of Düsseldorf Stadtbahn operate a total of 98 stations. These are located both on Düsseldorf, as well as at Neuss, Meerbuscher, Krefeld and Duisburg city.

Twenty-six stations were built in as subway stations or underground justice developed breakpoints. To ensure independent operation of the railways, no crossing facilities across the tracks are also present in such above-ground stops. Instead, the achievement of the platforms is only possible over-or underpasses. In total, twelve metro stations on Duisburg city. Of these, six underground and six aboveground created. The aboveground are up to the exception Metro Station St. Anna Hospital, all in high position, ie they have been built on a bridge. Fourteen other underground stations are located on the city of Düsseldorf. Here are three railway stations were built above ground, which are on the ground at street level.

Operation

Lines

Current line network

→ Main article: List of Düsseldorf Stadtbahn lines

Currently operate seven lines, the Düsseldorf city rail network. Of these lines all leave except for the U77 and U78, the Düsseldorf city and connecting it to the neighboring cities of Neuss, sea bush, Krefeld and Duisburg.

The operating concept used does not match the original concept of trunk routes. Thus, the lines of the original route 2 from the left-bank part of Düsseldorf operate almost completely the parts of the original route 1 south-east of the main station.

The curves of the two original routes could be operated separately through the downtown tunnel. According to the original plan, the lines should be auseinandergefädelt back behind the main train station. The coming of Krefeld line should use the branch direction Eller or after Lierenfeld.

A change in regular service has meant that this separation was not implemented. In order to achieve a better integration of lines, each circulating in one direction lines were pooled in one plane. Today, the coming of Neuss line U75, which meets at Belsen place in Upper Kassel on the other line of the second trunk line, according to Eller leads. The lines from Krefeld operate together with the line from Duisburg U79 originally only for the latter intended route Oberbilk. According to this revised concept of operations can speak of three main compounds that are based on the originally planned two original routes.

Three other rail lines will go after completion of the Wehrhahnlinie in the year 2015. Two other lines with connection of the fairgrounds and the airport are in the planning stage.

Line network before using the light rail tunnel in 1988

Lines before the opening of the underground section of Dusseldorf Hbf - Heinrich -Heine -Allee, before the line was renamed U- designation

Line network by putting the light rail tunnel in 1988

Lines that the section Dusseldorf main station since the opening of the underground route on May 7, 1988 - Heinrich -Heine -Allee use, among other things, renaming of individual lines in the U- label.

Rolling stock

Survey

The following table contains all rail cars ever used, sorted by vehicle number.

The vehicles of Duisburg Transport Company ( DVG ) run on the line U79. In order to test the rail car type B, the vehicle was temporarily 5027 (now 5128 ) EVAG in Dusseldorf.

GT8SU

For the initial operating on the Northern line opened in 1981 in addition to the already delivered 12 cars of the type B80D also type cars GT8SU were used. This had already been procured as GT8S 1973/4 in two series. For 36 of these originally designed for the normal tram service vehicles equipped trains, tunnels were built: they received higher bogies to adjust the floor height of the raised platforms. In addition, folding steps have been built on the doors with 4 steps, as they were already at the vehicles in Hanover and Frankfurt / Main in use. But most characteristic feature of these cars was the new, asymmetric front end: To keep also the first wing of the front door in the platform escape, the faces of the vehicles were widened on one side. Thus, the vehicles are still in use today ( car numbers: 3201-3236 ). The four dining car GT8S the line D in 1981 converted to GT8SU, but have been retired and scrapped after interim extension of the kitchen around 2000 around. At this time all GT8SU for a few months had to be withdrawn from the market because after accidents with total losses in the tunnel had to be revised, the bogies. The initial considerations to perform a tram forward operation to be finished in the following years, routes, however, were adjusted. Thus, high-level platforms were built in the subway stations right at the beginning, in some stations in the Ruhr and in Cologne we took over the operation still on lower platform heights to also use trams on the finished tunnels can. Since early 2012, all vehicles of this type to be modernized so that they can still remain in use until at least 2017. Thus, the passenger compartment is fitted with new, blue upholstered seats. Furthermore, the vehicles are now equipped with fire detectors and sprinkler systems. Visually, the vehicles change. You have received a light gray / red color paint. They should be visually closer to the silver low-floor parking. The modernization of all 32 vehicles costing the Rheinbahn about 10.5 million euros. By 2013 [ deprecated] to the entire series are available in the revised version.

LRVs B

In Dusseldorf, however, was set at the beginning of rail cars with folding door. This can allow a stepless entry both in the tunnel as well as to overhead high platforms. An above-ground stops that were not yet equipped with high platforms, take out the built in below the stairs and doors allow access from two or at the newer models on three levels.

Low-floor vehicles

The durable mixed operation between urban and trams made ​​in the expansion of the rail network, a new decision in principle required. The future -using lines of the tunnel of Wehrhahnlinie webs on the surface sections use the same tracks as the now largely redenominated low-floor tram network. So a permanent mixed operation of high-floor light rail vehicles and low floor trams would have been an undesirable development. So the decision was made, the new rail line, similar to the last Dortmund city railway line ( U43/U44 ) to perform well in low-floor technology. So for the new routes of the lines U71, U72 and U73 vehicles were ordered, which is a further development of the developed for the tram network type NF10. On April 18, 2007, the first new vehicles of the type NF8U have the line started operation in the tram network ( 3301-3303 ). As of 2015, these are used on the Wehrhahnlinie.

Depots

The vehicles were the Düsseldorf Stadtbahn and are used from the depots Heerdt and Lierenfeld.

Depot Heerdt

The 1928-1929 depot was built according to the plans of the Düsseldorf architects Eduard Lyonel Wehner and is since 1997 under monument protection. Located in the same neighborhood on the Handweiser Depot houses - for the exclusive operation of the route to Neuss main station with light rail - mainly rail railcar of type series B80 and GT8SU. In addition, individual tramcars that come on the lines 704 and 709 are used, stationed in Heerdt. The hallmark of the depot in the Fahrzeugumläufen is "H".

Depot Lierenfeld

The depot is located at the Lierenfeld Lierenfelder road and is currently the newest depot Rheinbahn. He has replaced the former depot Their village. The depot has exits to Erkrather road and the Karl- Beggars Street. Its hallmark in the Fahrzeugumläufen is "LS" ( for Lierenfeld rail). Following closure of the depot " Am Steinberg " it is the only depot for the Düsseldorf tram. Being shipped tags around the car of the future Wehrhahnlinie accommodate.

Planned depot

In the original light rail plans of the 1970s, a new depot in Itter district was provided. The connection of these should be carried out on the root sections 1 and 3. The plans were discussed again in the 1990s. The resistance in the population led to a reduced version, which was presented a few years later. This project ultimately failed in the financing. In the meantime, other locations were discussed for the foreseeable growing fleet of light rail, these included sites in the districts of Holthausen and Bilk. In the latter area, the existing depot is On Steinberg. Here the new depot was to be built in close proximity to a motorway junction. Also an extension of the existing depot was being considered at this time. The high financial cost at the same time absence of support from the Land NRW led to a more cost effective solution. Thus, the depot Lierenfeld has been extended until 2010.

Abstellanlage Sportpark Nord / Europe Square

Before the reconstruction of the station Sportpark Nord / Europe Square in 2004 ( formerly: Fair / Rhein Stadion) was there a running parallel two-track system. The outer track led directly to the station. The inner track could be achieved via a switch and included a turning loop. After the construction of multifunctional ESPRIT arena, a new above-ground subway station was built, which takes over the task of the station Messe / Stadion Rhein now. Before the construction of the new arena was the stop Umschlageplatz between the Rhine stadium and exhibition Dusseldorf. With the conversion of the stop turning loop disappeared and there remained a single-track station, which is used from now on only in the direction ESPRIT Arena / Messe Nord.

Sidings underground station Heinrich -Heine -Allee

To the north, the underground station Heinrich -Heine -Allee is a two-track system includes turning on, but only very rarely used. In most cases this system only comes on Carnival Monday used. On this day drives a special train between stations Heinrich -Heine -Allee and Dusseldorf Hbf There usually strung B80 trains come with four cars used. This is also in this section only possible because the light rail Dusseldorf was initially planned as a full - underground and therefore the platforms have been designed accordingly longer.

To the south is a single-track siding joins, which was initially designed as a connecting track to Wehrhahnlinie. However, during the construction of the subway classified the compound as a non- profitable.

Accidents

Cable fire underground station Heinrich -Heine -Allee

A cable fire on 20 October 1991 at the Heinrich- Heine -Allee subway station caused a complete blockage of the Düsseldorf tunnel network. Over the next nine days, the tram lines ended already at surface stops. It was not until the 29th October, the rail lines went back through the tunnel, but do not hold at the Heinrich -Heine -Allee station. This happened again until 30 November, when the Rheinbahn resumed "normal" urban rail system.

Derailment at Central Station

On 10 August 2001, coming from the inverse system steelworks Underground rail cars B80 derailed with number 4001 just before the main train station and crashed so hard that the car was torn into two parts in the former ramp steelworks road. Since the car was not yet in regular service, no passengers were injured, nevertheless there were major delays during rush hour.

Extension

Construction work

Wehrhahnlinie

→ Main article: Wehrhahnlinie

The largest current construction project of Düsseldorf Stadtbahn is designated as Wehrhahnlinie third main line. Your route is already clear from the first U -Bahn planning. She was supposed to be built as the first tunnel section in the 1970s and opened in 1988.

Instead, the construction of the first and second trunk line with the two-story downtown tunnel was preferred. To keep the subsequent effort for Wehrhahnlinie as low as possible, originated in the area of ​​underground station Heinrich -Heine -Allee both the lower level (-3 ) for the Wehrhahnlinie and a short tunnel section (about 160 m). Since a central platform has been structurally prepared at this time, a central platform is at this stop, as the only subway station along the Wehrhahnlinie be built.

After the start of construction of the tunnel Oberbilker, the Düsseldorf City Council dealt with the third main route in the city train network. The foreseeable high cost of a, in the downtown area, fully guided route in the tunnel led to alternative considerations to the original planning. So council majority in 1997 was decided by the Red-Green to investigate an operated only in sections in the tunnel section under the title " Heinrich -Heine- line ". The results of the study, however, led to no satisfactory result, so that even before the then upcoming municipal election on 19 August 1999 approved a SPD - CDU majority to build a "great" solution under the familiar name Wehrhahnlinie. This saw a tunnel starting at the level of light street in the north -east and ending at Moore Square in the south of the city before. In the course of detailing the plans and registering for the promotion of the Land North Rhine -Westphalia, it became clear that the allocations of funds in the amount of DM 1.2 billion at that time would not be sufficient for a tunnel of this length. So the city council after adjusting the plans to a much shorter tunnel variant of the public and the Düsseldorf City Council.

The variant is now located in the realization is based on a 3.4 km long tunnel, making it the largest construction projects in the rail network over the past few years. After operated by the City of Dusseldorf from September to November 2004 planning approval process of the zoning decision by the district government of Dusseldorf in March 2007 was granted. After the groundbreaking ceremony on 28 November 2007 on the site of the future subway station Graf- Adolf-Platz, which began in February 2008. The new track begins with an above-ground station at Dusseldorf Wehrhahn station. At this joins to the west on the already sloping road tunnel ramp. Then the subway station Jacobistraße / Pempelforter road follows. Originally two separate metro stations were / planned at the crossroads Pempelforter / Am Wehrhahn and Jacobistraße Radiovägen cock. The latter should be the main line 4 according to early plans of crossing station. For cost reasons, the two metro stations were merged into the street Am Wehr cock at a train station at the height of East Road. The nearest railway station is named Schadowstraße. At the Heinrich -Heine- Allee Underground Station, the first two light rail lines are crossed. Then the stations Benrather road, Graf- Adolf-Platz and churchyard follow. Before the S-Bahnhof Dusseldorf -Bilk the route reappears from the underground and stops there an aboveground station.

An opening of the line is scheduled for 30 October 2015. In contrast to the previous, hochflurig designed, light rail lines in Dusseldorf operation is provided with low-floor vehicles of the type NF8U on the Wehrhahnlinie. This has been specially ordered for operation on this rail route from the Rhine Railway and the first cars are since 18 April 2007 at the power of the Düsseldorf tram network in use.

U -Dax

Construction of Düsseldorf Stadtbahn is accompanied since the first sod by the figure of the "U -Dax " as a mascot. It is a roof in the shape of a construction worker with blue dungarees and matching color helmet. On the chest the logo of the Stadtbahn Rhein- Ruhr is displayed in white. This is used both as a role model in information materials as represented by people wearing costume also on special occasions. In addition, the issue of collectible figures made ​​of hard rubber comes to special occasions in the course of the light rail construction.

The first of these figures was, as part of the first ground-breaking ceremony in Fischerstraße, issued on 24 March 1973. This shows the U -Dax with a jackhammer in hand. Two or three years later the work unit switched to a spade, which the U -Dax wears on his shoulder. This figure was published in reference to the underpass of the Hofgarten in two editions, the difference lies only in the bright or dark shade of blue. The groundbreaking for the underground station Heinrich -Heine -Allee 13 January 1979, the reason for the third edition. Here the figure is based on a diversion sign, to indicate associated with the tunneling temporary path changes. In the same year the King- trench is drained to the king avenue, vice uses the area as a device area for construction. The relocation of swans is based there on the subject for another figure, which appears in the September of the same year. Here, a U -Dax wearing a swan in her arms, the ground on which he stands is decorated with the King Avenue.

One year later on 20 September 1980, the groundbreaking ceremony for the renovation of the Düsseldorf main station. The node between light rail and commuter rail is symbolized by his outfit with cap and Winkerkelle railway ( S-Bahn logo). The construction of the tunnel between Heinrich -Heine -Allee Allee King and made ​​an underpass of Wilhelm Marx House and a Abfangbauwerk below this necessary. Therefore, the figure in 1981 published braces a model of the building in height and wearing a yellow helmet. The follow figure was, as already the second edition, issued twice and appeared in the context of the construction of two underground stations Stone Street / King Avenue and East Street. The version from March 1983 bears for the first time instead of the light rail logos Düsseldorf's city crest on the dungarees. The U -Dax shows itself in motion and stretches the thumbs-up. The second edition in September 1985 differs in two points. Thus, the light rail logo is back and on the safety helmet is the logo of the company involved in the construction Strabag.

After all the characters have so far been issued at the beginning of construction, as was done on May 7, 1988, a release of the next character to commissioning of Düsseldorf Stadtbahn. The U -Dax sporting the gray Schaffner cap with Rheinbahn logo and a hand tool for ticket sales. After a two year break, the city railway construction on the road Erkrather / Ronsdorfer road was continued in the direction Eller. The laying of the tracks in the tunnel allows in many places the planting of trees. Have a privilege to be borne by the published in December 1990 U -Dax in his hand. Seven years later, starting in January 1997, the construction of the tunnel Oberbilker. The hochgestemmte tubbing illustrates the design first used here in Dusseldorf of shield tunneling.

For the first time in the history of the district railway construction, a construction project will be started on 12 January 2004, which is locates exclusively above ground. The connection of the ESPRIT arena should be done by a new, three-pronged Metro Station. To this end, the figure is a model of the arena has been completed, in which the opposite U -Dax looks into it. The facial features and the body have changed significantly with this issue. The start of construction of the work on the Wehrhahnlinie is celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony on 28 November 2007 at the Graf- Adolf-Platz. The formative for the square tower GAP 15 complements the accreting the ground-breaking U- Dax. The most recent figure appeared on 1 March 2010, here is the U -Dax presented with outstretched hands the cutting wheel of the shield machine for tunneling of Wehrhahnlinie. The occasion was the beginning of the drive plate and the baptism of the tunnel, which begins north of the station Bilk. Thus, 13 different characters are so far published, count the second rests in the years 1976 and 1985 are added to it even 15 pieces.

Planning

Fair bypass

→ Main article: original route 1

The connection of the south entrance of the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre on the rail network is being accelerated since the 1990s. Both an aboveground and an underground route have been investigated and discussed in order to take the wishes of the fair society for a better transport links into account. The aided by a red-green majority council plans envisaged a continuous overground route. In the municipal elections in 1999, the discussion between an aerial and a tunnel solution of a citizens' initiative was discussed and a city-wide issue. As a result of the election and the change to a black and yellow Council majority, the concept for an above ground solution was discarded and the administrative charge of the investigation conducted in a tunnel section.

In both variants, was and is a junction between the stations " Reeser Platz " and " North Park / Aquazoo " planned in the tunnel solution using a ramp. At the level of a formerly used by the British Army area, the route is to be conducted by the Kaiser Strasse to the west. Development of these passes the so-called " English Meadow " on the southern edge of the northern parks and pivoted just before the bank of the Rhine to the north in the Rotterdam street. In the course of which they passed the entrance to the fair South, where the subway station Messe-Süd is to be built. Shortly before reaching the " Heinz- Ingenstau Street " in the amount of Rheinhalle the route should lead back to the surface. After pivoting to the east of the completed in 2004 Metro Station ESPRIT Arena / Messe Nord and thus the existing rail network is achieved.

According to announcements by the state government of North Rhine -Westphalia, however, a full-fledged promotion of the tunnel project is not expected. Therefore, consideration was given to align the promotion of an aboveground route and let the resulting additional costs through the tunnel carry alone from the state capital Dusseldorf.

On 11 February 2009, the majority of the CDU and FDP decided to build the track, with estimated costs in the amount of 85 million euros in Düsseldorf's transport committee. This decision was, however, offset again in the same year. Given the difficult economic situation was the Mayor of Düsseldorf, Elbers a shift in the planning for five to six years in view. Increase the chances of realizing this route, however, with the plans for a connection between fair and airport. The envisaged for the operation line U80 to start at the main station and reach of the exhibition center the airport. This can allow but only with a bypass of the fairgrounds.

Circle Line

→ Main article: original route 5

The new line to be built for this route starts today, Metro Station ESPRIT Arena / Messe Nord and is there to cross a new bridge on the Rhine. Left of Rhine crosses it in Loerick the route of the lines U70, U74 and U76 and binds in the further course of the southern sea bush. Subsequently it reaches the existing and served by the U75 stop Am Handweiser.

The implementation of the plan was adopted by the City of Dusseldorf in connection with the Olympic bid Council on 27 September 2001. This route is considered by the district government as particularly valuable, yet available for the implementation currently no financial resources of the country are available.

The discussion also is an extension of this planning beyond the trade fair to the airport and S- Ratingen Ost station. The Trassierungsplanungen of the fair to the airport are largely completed by the year 2005/ 2006. For the other end of the line there are plans to extend the route along the Rhine Neuss port to the planned Hammfeld business and Rheinparkcenter. Recently, a small solution of the ESPRIT arena / Messe is discussed to the airport.

Kennedy tunnel dam

→ Main article: original route 1

The first city built railway tunnel, which ends far behind the Metro Station Victoria / Klever Straße, is to be extended beyond the Kennedy dam addition. Subsequently, the new metro stations Kennedy boulevard and Theodor Heuss Bridge would arise. A ramp would be just before the breakpoint Reeser Platz allow the connection to the existing route, which has a private track body from there. The stop Golzheimer place would be closed upon completion.

The existing tunnel ends far in front of the crossing busy Kennedy dam. Thus, the webs are regularly forced to wait. In the course of the road, the rail divides the road space with private transport, spatially separated by road markings in part. The three stops in this area are the city railway standard so far not fair. They correspond by their location on the edge of the road still a poorly equipped tram stop.

In the municipal election campaign in 2004, a variant of this route was discussed. This saw before, better to join the resident along the Kennedy dam jobs via a pivot route to the west.

The plans were, however, returned in spite of an entry in the local transport plan 2002-2007 for the indefinite future.

Bauvorleistungen

Underground station Heinrich -Heine -Allee

The underground station Heinrich -Heine -Allee has a non-public third level. These constructed provisions is intended for Wehrhahnlinie. Their construction was already planned at completion of the station in 1988 and is due for completion in 2015. The expansion of state before recording the construction activities for the Wehrhahnlinie was only rudimentary. There were only built two tunnel sections and stair access from the platforms of the trunk routes 1 and 2. A complete platform did not exist. Due to the already established tunnel sections, however, this must be run as a central platform. The other stations along the tunnel route under construction, however, are equipped with side platforms. The tunnel area has been only used for a press conference in which the construction of the Wehrhahnlinie was demanded. This station is mainly the reason for the purchase of new trains NF8U which allow with doors on both sides to get started on the left side.

Anger Arch Underground Station

The plans of the 1970s saw on Duisburg city area between the stations Kesselberg and St. Anne's Hospital before a commuter town for several thousand inhabitants. For this purpose, at the time a station for today's line U 79 was planned and constructed. As the planning for the large housing estate were not followed, there was no significant catchment area for the station and the already completed station never went into operation.