The Hamburg S-Bahn is a critical component of public transport in northern Germany, intertwining with regional and national railway systems while serving the city’s urban and suburban districts. Four of its most vital and iconic lines—S1, S3, S21, and S31—form the backbone of daily passenger movement, with each offering unique operational characteristics, geographic coverage, and historical relevance. These lines are not standalone; rather, they intersect, complement, and contrast with one another, creating a unified yet dynamic rail network that defines the Hamburg metropolitan region’s rail-based mobility. The S1 is one of the most significant lines, stretching from Wedel in the west, through central Hamburg, and terminating at Hamburg Airport and Poppenbüttel in the northeast. This route is unique in that it offers direct access to Hamburg Airport—a rare integration of airport service within a conventional S-Bahn line. What makes the S1 particularly interesting is how it splits at Ohlsdorf, with some trains heading toward the airport and others continuing to Poppenbüttel. Operationally, this demands high precision in scheduling and signal management. Electrified throughout and served by DB BR 474 and 490 units, the S1 runs largely on dedicated S-Bahn tracks within city limits and shares infrastructure with regional and long-distance trains on certain outer sections, notably in the Wedel area. The S3, in contrast, is one of the longest lines in the Hamburg S-Bahn network, stretching from Pinneberg in Schleswig-Holstein, through Hamburg’s central core, and extending all the way to Stade in Lower Saxony. The section between Neugraben and Stade is operated under a different electrification system (diesel-electrified via dual-voltage DB BR 474.3 and later DB BR 490 units), making it one of the few S-Bahn lines in Germany that transitions between electric third rail and overhead wire sections. This transition happens at Neugraben, requiring advanced dual-system traction and seamless operational transition. The S3’s length and inter-state nature give it the character of both a commuter S-Bahn and a regional service, with relatively fewer stops between Neugraben and Stade, compared to the dense inner-city segment through Hauptbahnhof, Jungfernstieg, and Altona. Its role is not just intra-urban, but inter-regional, connecting rural areas with the core of Hamburg's economic and cultural hubs. The S21, formerly part of the unified S2 line before structural changes, primarily serves the southeastern corridor from Elbgaustraße to Aumühle. Unlike the S1 and S3, the S21 does not reach the airport or distant suburbs across state lines, but it plays an essential role in linking the densely populated eastern districts to Hamburg Hauptbahnhof and the western city areas. Historically, the S21 has evolved through infrastructural adaptations and timetabling strategies to absorb peak-hour demands, especially on its eastern section past Bergedorf. The section between Hamburg Hauptbahnhof and Aumühle is significant for being one of the first electrified lines in the region and is used heavily by both S-Bahn and regional trains. The S21 often supports the core network by providing high-frequency service through the city’s underground “city tunnel,” the shared spine used by most S-Bahn services between Berliner Tor and Altona via Jungfernstieg. The S31, closely mirroring the S21 in structure, is distinct in that it acts as a relief and reinforcement line. Operating between Altona and Harburg Rathaus (and sometimes Neugraben), it primarily serves commuter flows during peak hours, and in some cases supplements the service of the S3. While it overlaps with the S3 on the southern section through Harburg, the S31 terminates earlier and focuses more on the high-density corridors. The line plays a crucial role in managing inner-city congestion and ensuring resilience within the network. It’s part of the coordinated effort by Hamburger Verkehrsverbund (HVV) and Deutsche Bahn to maintain balance and capacity in central Hamburg—particularly during rush hour, sporting events, or disruptions on other lines. Unlike the longer-range S3 or airport-connected S1, the S31 remains a line tailored for high-frequency urban commuting, and it usually does not operate on weekends. All four lines converge in the central axis of Hamburg, using the deeply built “City-S-Bahn Tunnel” that connects key stations such as Hamburg Hbf, Jungfernstieg, Stadthausbrücke, and Landungsbrücken. This shared infrastructure means that any disruption or delay in one line can cascade to others, necessitating precise real-time management and frequent updates. The tunnel is one of the busiest railway corridors in northern Germany, with trains arriving and departing in intervals as tight as two minutes during rush hours. Technologically, the Hamburg S-Bahn network utilizes a third rail DC power system (1,200 V DC) on most sections, except for the extension to Stade, which uses 15 kV AC overhead wires. This mixed system requires hybrid or dual-voltage rolling stock, making Hamburg unique among German S-Bahn systems. The fleet modernization program has introduced DB BR 490 units, which support both electrification systems and incorporate modern passenger information systems, air conditioning, and greater acceleration performance compared to their predecessors. In essence, the S1, S3, S21, and S31 lines together create a resilient and complex network that not only serves as the daily lifeline for millions but also integrates rural-urban connectivity, multimodal transport (such as airport transfers), and technical diversity. Their interplay within shared corridors and their adaptation to changing urban demands reflect Hamburg’s commitment to efficient, future-proof rail transport, making the Hamburg S-Bahn a benchmark in German commuter rail operations. Route Map Rolling Stock DB BR 474 DB BR 490 DB BR 472 (seprate add on) Scenarios Airport Express Duration: 35 minutes Time: 09:00 Train: DB BR 490 Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ Description: Take control of a mid-morning S1 service from Hamburg Hbf to Hamburg Airport ✈️. With calm weather and light traffic, this is a perfect run for getting used to the modern BR 490. Keep your timetable sharp and enjoy the clean glide into the Flughafen tunnel. Rush Hour Tunnel Chaos Duration: 45 minutes Time: 17:10 Train: DB BR 474 Difficulty: ★★★★☆ Description: Evening rush has hit hard. Run an S3 through Hamburg’s underground core from Altona to Berliner Tor . With congested platforms, red signals, and tight turnarounds, you'll need maximum focus to stay on time and avoid bottlenecks. Riverbank Run to Stade Duration: 65 minutes Time: 13:30 Train: DB BR 490 Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ Description: Head out of the city and into the scenic lower Elbe marshes . This long-distance S3 from Hamburg Hbf to Stade gives you high-speed cruising through rural sections with a few brief stops. Watch for distant signals and delays near the river crossings. ️ Vintage Commute (Requires BR 472 Add-On) Duration: 40 minutes Time: 07:25 Train: DB BR 472 Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ Description: Experience the morning commute as it once was . Drive an early S21 from Elbgaustraße to Aumühle aboard the classic BR 472. With manual braking, old-school acceleration and full stop accuracy, this scenario is a nostalgic challenge for retro fans. ️ Fog at the Flughafen Duration: 30 minutes Time: 06:00 Train: DB BR 474 Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ Description: Early morning fog has settled over Hamburg. Drive an S1 from Ohlsdorf to the airport in near-zero visibility . Timetable pressure, slippery rails, and low light will push your braking precision and focus to the limit. ️ Hamburg Express Duration: 25 minutes Time: 15:15 Train: DB BR 490 Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ Description: Operate a short S31 run from Altona to Harburg Rathaus through the city tunnel . This fast-paced urban trip tests your acceleration skills and station approaches. Stay sharp during peak traffic in Hamburg’s busiest corridor. Timetables S1: Wedel – Hamburg Airport / Poppenbüttel Duration: ~45–50 minutes full run Time Range: 04:30 – 00:30 (every 10 mins peak, 20 mins off-peak) Rolling Stock: DB BR 474, DB BR 490 Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ Description: The signature north–south axis of Hamburg’s S-Bahn. Trains split at Ohlsdorf: some continue to the Airport ✈️, others to Poppenbüttel. Underground in the center, then suburban branches on either end. Great for learning inner-city timing and outer-area cruising. S3: Pinneberg – Stade Duration: ~75 minutes full run Time Range: 04:45 – 01:00 (every 10–20 mins in core, every 30 mins to Stade) Rolling Stock: DB BR 474, DB BR 490 Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ Description: The longest and most varied line. It combines underground running, major hubs, and long-distance sprints across rural Lower Saxony . Includes Elbbrücken, Harburg, and the scenic stretch to Buxtehude and Stade. Occasionally affected by regional traffic. ️ S21: Elbgaustraße – Aumühle Duration: ~45–50 minutes Time Range: 05:00 – 00:00 (10–15 min frequency during peak) Rolling Stock: DB BR 474, DB BR 490 Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ Description: A vital line for southeastern suburbs. Runs through Hamburg Hbf and Berliner Tor before heading to Bergedorf and Aumühle . Mixed stop spacing and consistent urban traffic make this a timing-focused commuter line. Often busy during school and work hours. S31: Altona – Harburg Rathaus Duration: ~25–30 minutes Time Range: 05:30 – 23:00 (peak & midday only) Rolling Stock: DB BR 474, DB BR 490 (and DB BR 472 with Add-on) Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ Description: Primarily a peak-time reinforcement for the S3 corridor. Short but intense runs entirely underground through the city center . Focus is on short headways, fast stops, and navigating closely packed traffic. ️ Classic Timetable Layer: BR 472 (Add-on) Used on: S1, S21, S31 (circa 1990s–early 2020s layers) Rolling Stock: DB BR 472 Frequency: Same as modern pattern, with retro sounds and physics Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ Description: A nostalgic layer option where the BR 472 replaces current trains during a selectable historical timetable . A unique driving experience with different braking curves and older cab tech—ideal for retro service recreations and long-time Hamburg S-Bahn fans. AI Layers DB BR 112/ cab car, DB BR 218 pulling in/ out of Hamburg Hbf (Haupstrecke Hamburg - Lubeck/ DB BR 218 loco addon required) Why DTG should consider this route to come to TSW5 DTG should seriously consider bringing the Hamburg S-Bahn network—focusing on the S1, S3, S21, and S31 lines—into Train Sim World 5 because this route is one of the most dynamic, high-energy, and gameplay-rich urban rail systems in all of Germany, packed with everything that makes a TSW route shine: complex city driving, diverse operations, unique infrastructure, distinctive safety systems, and multiple complete end-to-end runs with a mix of underground, suburban, and even inter-regional operations that constantly keep you on your toes. This isn't just another "S-Bahn city line"—this is a living, breathing transport ecosystem that demands attention, engagement, and skill from the player from the second you roll out of the cab. What makes this route stand out beyond all others is that it blends fast-paced metro-style driving through the ultra-dense underground Hamburg city tunnel system with long-distance regional-style commuter rail running across marshlands, river crossings, and even into another federal state—Lower Saxony—reaching the town of Stade. The S3 is a monster of a route, stretching from Pinneberg to Stade, offering varied scenery, distant signaling challenges, and a timetable that's never dull. On the opposite end of the gameplay spectrum, the S31 and S21 blast through the central core with minute-to-minute station stops, red signal delays, and junction conflicts that force you to think like a real S-Bahn driver under pressure. You get to serve Hamburg Airport directly, a huge unique point for gameplay, via the S1. Driving underground through steep ramps and emerging to take a sharp dive into the airport branch is simply cool—no other TSW route gives you this kind of intermodal interaction where you bring people directly to their flight gates. That’s an entire gameplay moment DTG hasn’t explored yet: airport rail operations from a rapid transit perspective. That includes short dwells, high demand, and brutal schedule keeping. It’s intense, and it’s fresh. Then there’s the rolling stock. Start the core release with the DB BR 474 and DB BR 490, which are already interconnected with shared depots and overlapping services. The 474 offers that classic S-Bahn power, whereas the 490 brings in modern tech, crisp acceleration, sleek cab systems, and even dual-voltage readiness. You’re not just getting cosmetic variety—you’re offering different driving experiences with different physics, brake systems, and audio feedback. But that’s not even the final spice. The DB BR 472, added later as a retro DLC, is the time capsule everyone wants. You give players the chance to recreate the 1990s/2000s Hamburg S-Bahn scene in full. Manual control quirks, heavy braking curves, old-school interiors—it’s the nostalgia trip TSW needs, and it brings a completely different rhythm to the line. But here's where it really becomes next-level: the gameplay density. There are multiple full-length routes you can drive end to end—none of this "short loop" stuff. The S3 alone is over 120 km from Pinneberg to Stade. The S1 splits at Ohlsdorf, creating two separate northern branches, both offering rich service trees. The core city tunnel—shared by all lines—gives DTG the perfect opportunity to create high-traffic moments, red signal chains, overtakes, holds, and platform swaps. You can have layered AI services with tight headways (like S11, S2), and even mix in Metronom or freight AI traffic passing through Hamburg Hbf and Harburg. That kind of traffic interaction is rarely seen in existing TSW routes. You can feel the stress of running on time in a real urban rail environment. That’s what players love. And yes, the scenery matters too—because this route is jaw-dropping. From the urban jungle of Hamburg Hbf, through the dense tunnel system lit by sharp fluorescent underground stations, to the industrial interchanges around Wilhelmsburg and Harburg, and finally out into the marshy plains and low river crossings on the way to Buxtehude and Stade, it’s a continuous visual shift. That’s not just a treat for the eyes—it’s feedback for your brain. You know where you are based on what you’re seeing. It gives purpose to every minute of your drive. Then there’s unique system familiarity, with Hamburg S-Bahn operating on third-rail DC power—not overhead wires. That’s rare in Germany and sets the route apart electrically and visually. Plus, you’re dealing with HVV-specific timetables, tight U-Bahn interchanges, realistic crowd patterns, and true-to-life mixed-urban routing. You can deliver passengers from quiet countryside stations to the heart of Hamburg’s commercial district in one uninterrupted, fully playable run. No fantasy needed—this is real-world variety and depth that you can build a product around. This isn’t a route where you just sit back and coast—it’s a route where you’re constantly watching your clocks, juggling fast-moving signals, hearing the clatter of third-rail shoegear in tight curves, and threading through one of Europe’s busiest intermodal passenger cities. It’s not about just looking pretty—though it does that in spades—it’s about how the driving feels: demanding, reactive, satisfying. If you want a route that captures everything TSW5 is meant to be—realistic modern rolling stock, relentless urban challenge, long-distance regional diversity, complex scheduling, technical uniqueness, and layered historical expansion opportunities—the Hamburg S-Bahn with lines S1, S3, S21, and S31 is the absolute definition of that experience. This route doesn’t just deserve to be in TSW—it needs to be. It's already a complete, gameplay-rich, multi-era playground just waiting to be brought to life.
we need more Hamburg in this game, thats for sure... I mean, it is one of the busiest stations in all of Germany, so
thought so but wasnt sure cos Berlin, Koln, Munich, Stuttgart and Frankfurt Hbf are also very complex and busy
If i remember right its not even close to another stations daily passenger numbers. While Frankfurt has arou d 500k passangers per day, Hamburg has around 700k. I would pay double to get something with Hamburg. Especially the S3 is special but might be too long and too complex. Maybe the northern half from Hbf to Pinneberg with S1 to Wedel and then the route to Kiel or Itzehoe. As long as we get the 474.3 i dont care about the Details.
I would also welcome sth like Hamburg - Bremen or sth that has both highspeed LZB and regional PZB traffic, sth that would fry our PCs like Frankfurt S-Bahn does now lol
Think of it as combining American and British third rail with German/Austrian PZB. Rush Hour chaos would be problematic for the console players because you need to know when to acknowledge PZB if not emergency brake applied by PZB
Before suggesting anything, it would be great to proof-read what ChatGPT wrote for you. Ohlsdorf to Airport is 3 minutes away from each other. No station between. Why exactly should be the duration of this scenario 30 minutes instead?
