Around and About Berlin - Turmstraße gets a Tower

Posted on August 22, 2010

Turmstraße in Berlin-Moabit has been known as such since 1827 and was reputedly given this name because on a clear day, a tower could be seen at both ends of it. The area had been in decline for years and was defined a regeneration area by the Berlin Senate. The area south of Turmstraße towards the Spree has seen much investment and gentrification, but the area to the north of Turmstraße as far as the S-Bahn ring at Beusselstraße and Westhafen stations is still termed a ‘problem area’, although around U-Bhf Birkenstraße a new ’student scene’ is developing and next year a large shopping complex is to be opened.

U-Bhf Turmstraße has recently been converted to a barrier-free station with the provision of a lift down to the U9 platform area. At the same time and perhaps to celebrate the occasion, two support columns have been re-tiled with reliefs depicting what I presume are local scenes.

Turmstraße station was conceived and built as an interchange station for the E and G lines, today’s U5/U9. The shell of U5 platform area is complete and now waits for the tunnels to be extended from Hauptbahnhof. Whether or not the U5 or a tram extension from Hauptbahnhof is eventually built, or both, is still a controversial and yet undecided matter between the transport experts and the politicians.

Light grey-pink, similar to the original tiling, has been chosen as a background colour. The tiles used are glossy, which I personally don’t find too attractive (I think matt tiles would have been better), and have differing reliefs.

Take a look at the Berlin Senate Department for Urban Development site

©IsarSteve 2010 - All Images my Copyright

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Out of Berlin - Hamburg

Posted on August 16, 2010

I was in Hamburg last weekend. I thought I’d post a couple of photos of my visit. With a high quality system of RE and S-Bahn trains, U-Bahn and bus services, Hamburg can be proud of it’s transport system, which was I think the first system to join up as a combine in 1967. The last trams ran in 1978. Recent plans to introduce a new Stadtbahn type tramway system seem to have floundered over the last few months.

I do find the HHA livery very pleasing.

As a comparison, a 1980s style HHA Schnellbus working in Berlin in 2009 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the wall.

Van Hool AGG 300 double articulated vehicle in XXL livery

On these double articulated vehicles, the engine is located in the driving section of the bus. I think the Hochbahn livery suits these vehicles very much.

The Elbphilharmonie building is behind schedule, even so it has already taken on impressive dimensions.

©IsarSteve 2010 - All Images my Copyright

» Filed Under Buses, Out of Berlin, Transport, U-Bahn | Leave a Comment

Happy 719th Birthday Switzerland

Posted on August 1, 2010

Today is the Swiss National Day, the 719th Anniversary (at least Legend has it) of the swearing of an oath of co-operation and assistance by Werner Stauffacher, Walter Fürst und Arnold von Melchtal by the Cantons of Uri, Schwyz und Unterwalden, which became the foundation of the Swiss Confederation.

Earlier this week I noticed that a ‘mountain’ had appeared on the roof of the Swiss Embassy.

Since returning to Berlin from Bonn at the end of the last century, it has become a tradition for the Swiss Embassy in Berlin to celebrate by opening it’s doors to Berliners in a open day. The Embassy also gained a reputation for hosting extravagant soirées as well the first diplomatic scandal and notoriety of the new Capital. That at least, was the case during the time of Shawne Borer-Fielding, the American born, Swiss Ambassador’s wife. Unfortunately, those days are gone and with them Ms Borer-Fielding, but the Embassy has continued the open days, which these days are expressly for children and their families. Perhaps a way of countering any possible claims of a return of the Borer-Fielding days..?

Click here for the Swiss Embassy in Berlin Open Day link