[Documentary] Tram Dessau (2019)

Description

Dessau-Roßlau is the third largest city in Saxony-Anhalt, which is also home to the third largest tram company in the country. Two lines with a route of 12.5 kilometers run here. Starting from the central station, the west and south of the city are covered. In this documentary, the vehicles and routes of the Dessau tram are introduced to you.

The Dessau tram is one of the smallest tram networks in Germany. The network stretches 12.5 km, making it the 10th smallest in the country. However, in Saxony-Anhalt, the third-largest city is Dessau-Rosslau. The tram system we are examining today also operates in Rosslau. This city has a population of 82,000 and covers an area of 244 square kilometers. Throughout the documentary, we will explore the city's sights along the route. In 2019, the Dessau tram network consisted of two lines. Line 1 runs from the central station through the museum area to Dessau South. Line 3 also begins at the central station, passing the museum, the vocational school center, and the lower town clinic on its way to Junkers Park. Over the years, the Dessau tram has seen many changes. The first tram in Dessau was a gas-powered vehicle that started service on November 15, 1894, between the post office and the cemetery via the museum.

A year later, the line to the central station and the sugar refinery was extended. Due to problems with the gas-powered railway, this service was discontinued on March 24, 1901, and electrical operation began on March 26, 1901. In 1907, an additional line to Rosslau was put into service. During World War II, both the city and its tram system suffered severe damage. Afterward, the tracks to Rosslau were closed to rebuild the tram line in the city center. In 1951, plans were made to shut down the entire tram system and convert it to US standards. However, this plan was not carried out, and only one line to Rosenhof was closed. Following proposals for new lines in 1980, the so-called Kreuzberg line started operating around 1987. This line was closed on July 2, 2016, due to a significant decline in the Kreuzberg residential area's population, though most of the tracks remain. The last extension of the DAU line occurred in 2002 with the opening of the second section to Zoberberg, which added 6.1 km and doubled the Dessau tram network. Around that same time, between 2001 and 2002, ten low-floor trams were delivered — the first for Dessau — which have operated the entire line since then. These trams, built by Bombardier, are part of the Flex City Classic series and are known locally as ngt6de. Similar models are used in other cities such as Plauen and Halle.

The short, two-car vehicles are approximately 21 meters long and have a width of 2.3 meters. Their top speed is 70 km/h. Since the vehicle is designed for a single occupant, the entrance is only on the right side, which is secured by two large double-swing doors and a single door at the rear. The interior accommodates 120 passengers, with 52 seats available. Now, let's take a quick look at the route network and the special features of the Dessau tram. Our starting point will be the stop in front of Dessau Central Station. This station is a vital hub in Saxony-Anhalt, served by eight regular regional transport lines. It has six tracks and is operated by the Central Germany S-Bahn (suburban railway). The station building, built in the Bauhaus style, is red and houses several snack bars. Directly in front of the building is a tram line and the Dessau Central Station tram stop, which has two tracks. Lines 1 and 3 frequently change routes here, alternating continuously. Since each line runs every 15 minutes, departures from the central station occur every 7.5 minutes. The turnaround loop is spacious, encircling a park and partially crossing the station forecourt. To examine the inner-city tram route more closely, let's take this tram to the first stop on the way to the museum. This stop is called the Theater. Next to the stop is the Anhalt Theater, which gives the stop its name. The theater hosts multiple performances, including drama, musical theatre, ballet, and concerts, with a total capacity of 1100 people. The theater visible here was rebuilt after destruction in World War II, opening in 1949, directly opposite the port.

The Friedensplatz is a park next to the Anhaltisches Theater. But we are now going one stop further; please go to the city center. Near the city center of Dessau is the Bauhaus Museum stop. Right next to the stop is the Dessau Town Hall Center, which houses various shops. Directly behind it is the Dessau Market Square, where several restaurants are also located. The center of the square features a spring runoff. On the north side of the market is the Dessau Town Hall. The Town Hall was opened in 1902 but had to be renovated just 10 years later because of a significant fire. Its tower is 73 meters high and is the tallest tower in the building. A viewing platform is located at a height of 41 meters. A few hundred meters further, on a square, is the Barienkirche, which is also a landmark of Dessau. The foundation stone for the construction of this church was laid in 1506; however, after remodeling between 1780 and 84 and destruction in the Second World War, it was rebuilt between 1989 and 1998. The last stop on the main line section is called the Museum. Here, you will find the Museum of Natural History and Prehistory. This building is notable mainly for its tall square tower, decorated with books and red paint.

In the museum, you will find collections on Earth's history, ecology, as well as man and the environment. Here at the Museum station, the two lines split, heading north and west. Next, we want to look at the next section of line 1 from this station. The first thing that is a bit strange is that line 1 has its next stop called Desus immediately after crossing the intersection. Line 1 now continues straight along Franzstraße and then along Heidestraße, with stops at Friedhof 3 and Dessauer Verkehrs GmbH. The former triangular junction where the Kreuzberg line branched off has also been located there. Parts of this triangular junction were removed, making it no longer passable.

The tram depot is also situated at the Verkehrs GmbH depot, where trams are serviced. Here, you'll also find historic vehicles and company vehicles parked. This gives you a glimpse behind the scenes of the trams. Three stops further, you'll reach the terminus of line 1 in Dessau Süd on Tempelhofer Straße. There are two stops in the turning loop: a double-track alighting stop at the entrance and a stop at the exit for boarding. When a new tram arrives at the loop, another departs, creating overlapping walls to prevent delays. Next to the loop, there's a small church building. But let's return to the Museum stop. Here, line 3 heads west, and we'll explore this section as well. The first part of this route runs on tracks in the middle of the street, including the first three stops toward Junkerspark. The next stop is at the main entrance of the tram center. Just before the vocational school center's main entrance, the route switches to an independent track on the right side of the road. The vocational school center has two stops: the main entrance and the sports hall. The following stop is Kleine Schaft. Shortly after, you encounter a triangular junction used for turning maneuvers, leading to a single-track section between Kleine Schaft and Lindenstraße stops.

The stop in the opposite direction remains on the single track, while the stop in our direction is already on a double track. This section feels like a slight cross-country stretch, positioned between green areas and an allotment society. From Lindenstraße to Junkerspark, the tracks are entirely independent. However, only the Lindenstraße segment from Zoborberg Mitte features two tracks. From Zoborberg Mitte, the line 3 turning loop begins, continuing through the Halallell School in Zoborberg and Ellerbreite to Junkerspark. The route operates in one direction only, making it resource-efficient and enhancing connections between the new development area and the stop. Junkerspark is located at the edge of the new building development.

Stops

Dessauer Verkehrs → Hauptbahnhof → Tempelhofer Straße → Dessau Center → Friedhof lll → Bauhaus Museum → Junkerspark.

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