Erstlinien

Erstlinien (German for “first lines”) is a term used primarily in the history of German railway development to denote the original main routes that were constructed during the early phase of railway expansion in the 19th century. These lines formed the backbone of the nascent rail network, connecting major industrial centres, ports and political capitals, and they served as the template for subsequent secondary and branch lines.

The concept emerged in the 1830s when private entrepreneurs and state authorities began to recognize the economic potential of rail transport. The first officially designated Erstlinien in the German Confederation included the Leipzig–Dresden Railway (opened 1839), the Bavarian Ludwig Railway between Nuremberg and Fürth (opened 1835), and the Berlin–Potsdam line (opened 1838). Their construction was financed through a combination of private capital, municipal contributions and, increasingly after the 1860s, state subsidies.

Erstlinien were characterized by relatively straight alignments, generous curvature radii and robust engineering standards, reflecting their anticipated high traffic volumes. They facilitated the rapid movement of coal, iron, and manufactured goods, thereby accelerating industrialisation in regions such as the Ruhr and Saxony. The success of these routes prompted the expansion of a dense railway grid, with later lines often branching off from the original Erstlinien.

In contemporary usage the term may also refer to the primary service routes of modern public‑transport networks, especially in urban rapid‑transit systems where “Erstlinien” denote the core lines that carry the highest passenger numbers. While many of the historic Erstlinien have been upgraded or realigned, several original alignments remain in operation, preserving their legacy as the foundational arteries of Germany’s rail infrastructure.