line intersects with the U-Bahn line U1, which was built in the 1930s. Two platforms were completed in 1973 for the new U2 Diameter line (Durchmesserstrecke) of the Hamburg U-Bahn below the route of the City-S-Bahn line. Therefore, the infrastructure of the S-train station had to be built between the two levels of the U-Bahn tunnels. Despite these difficulties, the Hauptbahnhof–Landungsbrücken section was opened on 1 June 1975. It was operated as interim S-Bahn line S10. Besides the actual line, the two end points of the line at Hauptbahnhof and Altona station also had to be upgraded. Before the construction of the City S-Bahn the existing Altona station was a terminus with ten tracks, two reserved for the S-Bahn. First, the S-Bahn facilities were demolished and an underground station was built. Subsequently the rest of the station building was demolished because the risk of its collapse due to the driving of the tunnel under it was considered to be unacceptable. The new station and the last remaining tunnel sections between Landungsbrücken and Altona became operational on 19 April 1979. During the construction of the tunnel it was decided to extend the S-Bahn to Harburg, requiring increased capacity at the Hauptbahnhof. A two-track underground station was built next to the main hall of the Hauptbahnhof for S-Bahn trains running towards Altona, one track to the City S-Bahn line and one track to the Link line. The two S-Bahn tracks in the Hauptbahnhof’s main hall were rearranged for trains running from Altona. These arrangements facilitated transfer of passengers between S-Bahn services on the Link line and City S-Bahn line. The new underground S-Bahn platform was completed in 1981. Future Following the example of Munich's Trunk line 2, a second city tunnel is planned for Hamburg; linking the Hauptbahnhof with a new station in Altona-Nord at a cost of €3 billion. Intermediate stations would be located at Dammtor, Schlump and Doormannsweg. Notes References External links Photos of the tunnel portals Railway lines in Hamburg Hamburg S-Bahn Railway lines opened in 1975 1975 establishments in West Germany Underground commuter rail