U3 (Nuremberg U-Bahn)

While the original plans of the U-Bahn network to be all called for at least three main trunk lines on their entire dedicated corridors, financial constraints and the decision not to abandon the Tramway network as had been planned at the time the U-Bahn began construction, made it clear after the construction of U2 that a third trunk line would be economical only if the Tram network was abandoned after all. A political consensus emerged to keep the Tram network, but still expand the U-Bahn system, if a bit slower and more moderately. Therefore it was decided to use parts of existing tunnels for the U3 instead of building an entire dedicated tunnel. However, as it was deemed impossible to reduce frequency and the existing signaling system was at its limits along U2 the decision was taken to automate the existing line to allow for higher throughput. The new U3 thus opened as the first fully automated U-Bahn in Germany and has been fully driverless from its first day of commercial operations. The U2 was automated in the following two years whereas U1, the oldest and longest line in the system and the only one to operate outside the municipal boundaries of Nuremberg is still fully driver operated. U3 which forms a rough C-shape with both branches lying to the West of downtown has been extended twice on its northern branch, first in 2011 with the two new stations Kaublachplatz and Friedrich Ebert Platz and then in 2017 with the two new stations Klinikum Nord and Nordwestring. An extension of the southern branch is underway with a tentative opening date of 2019 and is already displayed on many subway maps. Further extensions are planned along the southern branch of U3.

Out of all Nuremberg U-Bahn lines, U3 is the youngest and the only one with extensions currently under construction. After the northern branch reached an endpoint for the time being at Nordwestring in May 2017, construction is ongoing along the southern branch west towards Großreuth bei Schweinau with a tentative opening date in 2019. Further extensions towards Kleinreuth bei Schweinau is planned to commence when the former station opens for service. There is a longstanding plan to use part or all of the old Bibertbahn right of way for further extensions. An expansion of the Northern branch is not planned as of 2018 but variously debated and suggested politically.[1]

Logo U3

• 28 January 1984: Plärrer ↔ Rothenburger Straße (as part of U2)
• 23 September 1988: Plärrer ↔ Hauptbahnhof (as part of U2)
• 24 September 1990: Hauptbahnhof ↔ Rathenauplatz (as part of U2)
• 14 June 2008: Gustav-Adolf-Straße ↔ Rothenburger Straße (opening of U3)
• 14 June 2008: Rathenauplatz ↔ Maxfeld (opening of U3)
• 11 December 2011: Maxfeld ↔ Friedrich-Ebert-Platz
• 22 May 2017: Friedrich Ebert Platz ↔ Nordwestring
• planned 2020: Gustav-Adolf-Straße ↔ Großreuth bei Schweinau

Wikimedia Commons has media related to U3 (Nürnberg).

• Nuremberg U-Bahn
• U1 (Nuremberg U-Bahn)
• U2 (Nuremberg U-Bahn)
• Nuremberg S-Bahn
• S1 (Nuremberg)
• S2 (Nuremberg)
• S3 (Nuremberg)
• S4 (Nuremberg)