76 minutes on a subway line – and that’s not even the longest route! Meet Germany’s longest U-Bahn!

The Hamburg U1 is officially the longest subway line in Germany. And you notice that quickly when looking at the travel time. A trip from Norderstedt Mitte to Ohlstedt takes around 76 minutes, while the full journey to Großhansdorf takes about 84 minutes. For a subway line, that’s unusually long and almost feels closer to a regional railway.

The line has a long history. It first opened in 1914, making it one of the oldest subway lines in Hamburg. Today the route stretches over roughly 55 kilometers. Starting in the north at Norderstedt Mitte, it runs south into the city center with key stations such as Jungfernstieg and Hauptbahnhof Süd, before continuing northeast out of the city.

One of the most interesting parts of the route is around Volksdorf, where the line splits into two branches. The left branch goes to Ohlstedt, while the right branch leads to Großhansdorf. In total, the line includes 47 stations, making it one of the most important transport links for commuters, residents and visitors traveling across Hamburg.

For simulation fans, the route is also special because the entire U1 is available as an add-on for Train Simulator. In the simulation you can drive the full line yourself, from the northern starting point to both final destinations. It’s a bit like traveling across the whole city and watching how the surroundings change along the way: residential areas, busy city districts and quieter suburbs.

In the add-on you operate the DT5 or DT4, a modern electric train used by Hamburg’s metro system. Introduced in 2012, the DT5 replaced older vehicles and introduced features such as air conditioning and walk-through carriages. In the simulator the train includes many functional systems such as an onboard computer, manual door controls, platform camera views and automated station announcements.

During your journey you will also encounter several AI-operated trains on the network. These include the DT3N, the Class 474, an AKN VTA diesel locomotive, an AL2 battery locomotive, and even an aircraft flying near Fuhlsbüttel Nord station on its way to Hamburg Airport.

Looking at the entire route, the U1 almost feels like a journey across Hamburg itself. From suburbs to residential districts and into the busy city center, the scenery constantly changes. That variety is exactly what makes the line so interesting – both in real life and inside the simulator.

Pictures:

Link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2288624/Tr…rf_Route_AddOn/

Did you know the U1 is Germany’s longest subway line? Have you ever ridden the U1 in Hamburg? Would you drive the entire route in the simulator? Have you seen the DT5 train in real life?