User:Reuben/U1 (Munich U-Bahn)

The U1 Line is one of the six lines of the Munich U-Bahn.

In 1980, U1 commenced operation together with U8 (now U2). At the beginning it was only operating on a section of U2's track. When the branch to Rotkreuzplatz was opened, it became a separate line. Today the U1 has a length of 12.2 km.

Route and stations
The U1 line starts at Olympia-Einkaufszentrum in the district of Moosach. The U3 will be extended to the same station (but on a different level) in 2007. On the way south it follows Hanauer Straße to Georg-Brauchle-Ring, which has been desingned by Franz Ackermann, reaching Westfriedhof. It continues via Gern to Rotkreuzplatz, which was its terminus from 1983 to 1998. Below the Nympenburger Straße it goes on to Maillingerstraße and Stiglmaierplatz and finally merges into the U2 track at München Hauptbahnhof.

On the busy city section, U1 and U2 run with a 5 minute offset, yielding 5 minute intervals even beyond peak hours. At Central Station, it also crosses the S-Bahn and U4/5. At the next station, Sendlinger Tor, it passes below U3/6. There U1/2 platforms lie in tunnels which are far from each others, the platforms are connected through a pedestrian tunnel.

Fraunhoferstraße, the next station, is also reached in separate tunnels, which had to be excavated using tunneling shields due to the proximity of the River Isar. However, the two tubes are connected by the platform, which demanded large pillars that are characteristic for this station. The next station, Kolumbusplatz, is a junction which has three tracks. Here U1 branches off U2 again.

The southbound branch line was opened in 1997 and traverses the colourful station Candidplatz, eventually reaching Wettersteinplatz. The following station, St.-Quirin-Platz has an extraordinary architecture as it is covered by a large, shell-like structure made from glass and steel, which is drawn nearly down to track level on one side. Below Neupliastraße, there is the terminus of U1, Mangfallplatz.

Line Chronicle
Source: Municipiality of Munich, Construction Office.

Further Plans

 * U1 (South): Extension Mangfallplatz - Laurinplatz - Harlaching Hospital
 * Although the plans for this extension are quite advanced, low passenger prognosises lead to the abandonment in favour of a tram or light rail from Schwanseestraße.