1st Advent 2011

Posted on November 27, 2011

On this 1st Advent, one of my favourites .. Gaudete. This traditional carol was composed sometime during the 16th century. The song was published in Piae Cantiones, a collection of Finnish/Swedish sacred songs in 1582.

”Audete, gaudete! Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete!”

”Rejoice, rejoice! Christ is born
Of the Virgin Mary — rejoice!”

Tempus adest gratiæ
Hoc quod optabamus,
Carmina lætitiæ
Devote reddamus.

The time of grace has come—
This that we have desired,
Verses of joy
Let us devoutly return.

Deus homo factus est
Natura mirante,
Mundus renovatus est
A Christo regnante.

God has become man,
To the wonderment of Nature,
The world has been renewed
By the reigning Christ.

Ezechiel is porta
Clausa pertransitur,
Unde lux est orta
Salus invenitur.

The closed gate of Ezechiel
Is passed through,
Whence the light is born,
Salvation is found.

Ergo nostra contio
Psallat iam in lustro;
Benedicat Domino:
Salus Regi nostro.

Therefore let our gathering
Now sing in brightness
Let it give praise to the Lord:
Greeting to our King.

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Berlin in Motion: 50 Years of the U-Bahn between Zoologischer Garten and Wedding

Posted on August 28, 2011

Fifty Years ago today, a few days earlier than planned, a U-Bahn service was introduced between Spichernstraße in Wilmersdorf and Leopoldplatz in Wedding. Originally known as Line G, it connected the centre of West Berlin around Zoo and Kurfürstendamm with Wedding, providing an Underground connection from the North to the South West of Berlin, avoiding the Soviet sector of Berlin (East Berlin). The sudden division of Berlin on 13th August 1961 had re-enforced the need and importance of the new line and it’s opening, planned for 2nd September, was brought forward to 28th August 1961.

No attempt was made to amend the publicity, which still mentioned 2nd September as the opening date. Berlin was still in shock after the closure of the border between East & West two weeks earlier. BVG Publicity - My Collection

To celebrate, two preserved units of the original ‘D’ stock used on Line G in 1961, provided an extra service between Zoologischer Garten & Osloer Straße.

D 2000, delivered in 1956 is seen here at Zoologischer Garten. Now preserved, this unit was withdrawn from service in 1999.

Senator für Bau- und Wohnungswesen Publicity - My Collection.

The other preserved unit in use was 2021, new in 1958, it is preserved in a later condition than 2000.

The original section of Line G consisted of nine stations, five of which were brand new - My Collection.

The Berlin U-Bahn map as from 1st September 1961 - My Collection.

This map was no doubt printed before the events of 13th August and therefore is the last map (until 1990) to show the stations on Line C (U6) and Line D (U8) in East Berlin as still in use.

Line G was renamed and numbered as Line 9 from 1966. An extension southwards to Walther-Schreiber-Platz on the Friedenau- Steglitz border was opened on 29th January 1971, followed three years later on 30th September 1974, by a further extension to Rathaus Steglitz. In the North, an extension from Leopoldplatz to Osloer Straße was opened on 30th April 1976. After the takeover by the BVG of the S-Bahn in West Berlin on 9th January 1984, Line 9 was once again re-branded, this time as the U9.
An extension to Lankwitz from Steglitz is still planned, but is not high on the priority list of future transport developments in Berlin and is unlikely to proceed for at least the next thirty to forty years.

Associated links:
Around and About Berlin: Berlin Bus and Tram Maps 1931 - 2011

And lastly U-Bhf Zoologischer Garten in 1961, as seen on a commercial postcard

©IsarSteve & IsarSteve Collection 2011 - All images my copyright unless otherwise stated

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Books on Berlin: Endstation Mauerbau

Posted on August 13, 2011

To coincide with the 50th anniversary of the division of Berlin. I’d like to recommend a book which deals with the run-up to the construction of the barrier between the two city halves on 13th August 1961. How it was possible to split the city’s S-Bahn railway into two separate operations overnight, without causing major chaos on this vital ‘backbone’ of Berlin’s transport network.

Manuel Jacob’s book also explains the effects that the division of the city, by what later became known as the Berlin Wall, had on the S-Bahn. Published by Velag Bernd Neddermeyer at 19,90€. This interesting book, in German, contains scores of documents, photographs as well as maps of the Berlin S-Bahn during this sad period of it’s history. A must for those interested in Berlin’s history and public transport.

©IsarSteve Collection 2011 - All images my copyright unless otherwise stated

Associated Link: You might also be interested in this book

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Berlin Snapshot: Bomb Disposal at Breitscheidplatz

Posted on August 11, 2011

A 100 kilo Russian bomb was found during building work behind the Bikini-Haus yesterday. It was decided to wait until this evening to make it safe, as an area of about 250m radius needed to be cleared. And that, right in the centre of Berlin’s City-West. All went well and the bomb was made safe.

All public transport in the area, including Long Distance, S-Bahn and U-Bahn trains were withdrawn for ca. one and a half hours.
S-Bhf Zoologischer Garten this evening

©IsarSteve 2011 - All images my copyright

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Around and About Berlin: U-Bahn in August

Posted on August 9, 2011

A couple of shots of the Berlin U-Bahn this August.

U-Bhf Südstern U7

During recent renovation work at Südstern station, the original 1924 ‘Hasenheide’ (or Hare Heath) station name signs were uncovered.

Opened on 14th December 1924 as Hasenheide, this station has had four names since then. On 3rd June 1933 it was renamed Kaiser-Friedrich-Platz and again on 1st January 1939 it was re-named Gardepionierplatz. During World War Two, two direct hits on 24th May 1944 badly damaged the track and another hit in April 1945 severely damaged the station building and roof. The station was back in use by June 1945 and received it’s current name ‘Südstern’ in 1947.

Re-opening of U-Bhf Ruhleben U2 U12

The long delayed re-opening of Ruhleben station occured on 1st August. Delayed when the construction company went broke. Workmen are still putting the finishing touches to the building, which first opened in 1929, making it 100% barrier-free. Currently the service is provided by the temporary U12.

©IsarSteve 2011 - All images my copyright

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Berlin Snapshot: Musicians

Posted on August 6, 2011

©IsarSteve 2011 - All images my copyright

» Filed Under Berlin, Berlin Snapshot, Berliners, Music | 2 Comments

Berlin in Motion: Temporary terminal at Nordbahnhof in Service

Posted on August 2, 2011

The temporary tram terminal at S-Bhf Nordbahnof/Invalidenstraße for routes M8 & 12 came into service on 1st August 2011. Necessary because of the rebuilding of Invalidenstraße and the extension of tram routes M6, M8 & M10 to Alt Moabit via Hauptbahnhof, due to be completed 2013/14.

Click here on the photo for the earlier posting on the last M8 trams to Schwartzkopffstraße

©IsarSteve 2011 - All images my copyright

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Berlin Snapshot: Moabiter Leihhaus

Posted on July 29, 2011

An interesting use of old 1950s store signs at the Moabiter Leihhaus. Removed from the facade, they now decorate the windows of the Pawnshop on Turmstraße in Moabit.

The old ‘Leihhaus’ neon sign looks very stylish

Tram route 2 last served Turmstraße in May 1960, but survived in Moabit until 1964.

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Then and now: Potsdamer Straße, Potsdamer Platz

Posted on July 28, 2011

I like this late 1920s/early 1930s view of Potsdamer Platz very much. No doubt taken from the upper deck of a bus, alongside a Route 71 tram en route to it’s Weissensee (Rennbahnstraße) terminus, as well as a taxi and a couple of commercial vehicles. Berlin’s and Germany’s first traffic light light (tower) can be seen on the left.

This photo from Benicektoo. My thanks to him!

Associated Link:
Tram Map of the Central Area in March 1931.

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Berlin Snapshot: Fire at Berlin Ostbahnhof

Posted on July 27, 2011

A fire broke out yesterday on a service locomotive at Berlin Ostbahnhof station. The Class 114 locomotive #114 009 was working a RE1 service to Brandenburg/Havel. The driver unsuccessfully tried to quell the fire which also effected the first coach on the train.