QUOTE (John Webb @ 8 Jun 2006, 20:00) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Is it really the 'biggest in Europe'? It only seems to have 6 platforms, which looks rather less than Waterloo, Clapham Junction or even York. (Don't think the curve at Berlin is quite as sharp as York!) Or do they count the volume of the blocks over the station as part of the station, even if they are offices?
Regards,
John Webb
Further up this thread there is reference to more lines and platforms below ground.
The latest edition of "Modern Railways" (a UK magazine) has a big feature on this station, several pages long with many photos.
There are photos from different stages of construction, which show the lower and upper lines before everything was covered over and before the office blocks were built.
Basically there are two through lines, one North-South and the other East-West, which meet at this new station.
The above ground line with its 6 platforms, shown in the photo at the beginning of this thread, is at the highest level of the actual station.
The lower line and its platforms are at the lowest level of the station.
In-between are several levels of shops/stores, cafe's & restaurants, plus the station facilities like ticketing and waiting facilities. The station is also a tram and bus interchange.
I still don't know how many platforms are on the lower level, but if it's also 6, then the total is 12 platforms.
Waterloo and Paddington have more than 12, however they are all bay platforms, i.e. "end of the line", whereas the new Berlin station has through lines.
The advantage of the through lines is that you don't have trains blocking the platform while they wait for the next service or for a path out to storage sidings/depot etc.
I suppose that's how the new Berlin station handles so many trains a day. Trains pass through, stopping for less time at the platform, and without the delays caused by complex crossing manouvres on the station approaches.
![]()
Regards,
John Webb
Further up this thread there is reference to more lines and platforms below ground.
The latest edition of "Modern Railways" (a UK magazine) has a big feature on this station, several pages long with many photos.
There are photos from different stages of construction, which show the lower and upper lines before everything was covered over and before the office blocks were built.
Basically there are two through lines, one North-South and the other East-West, which meet at this new station.
The above ground line with its 6 platforms, shown in the photo at the beginning of this thread, is at the highest level of the actual station.
The lower line and its platforms are at the lowest level of the station.
In-between are several levels of shops/stores, cafe's & restaurants, plus the station facilities like ticketing and waiting facilities. The station is also a tram and bus interchange.
I still don't know how many platforms are on the lower level, but if it's also 6, then the total is 12 platforms.
Waterloo and Paddington have more than 12, however they are all bay platforms, i.e. "end of the line", whereas the new Berlin station has through lines.
The advantage of the through lines is that you don't have trains blocking the platform while they wait for the next service or for a path out to storage sidings/depot etc.
I suppose that's how the new Berlin station handles so many trains a day. Trains pass through, stopping for less time at the platform, and without the delays caused by complex crossing manouvres on the station approaches.
