It was a movie and TV star when it passed over the viaducts at Landungsbrücken or Baumwall. The DT3 train took its passengers quickly and comfortably through Hamburg for 55 years. In the meantime, the vehicle type has been retired and replaced by modern DT5 trains. Nevertheless, we are looking back here at a silver era:

The opening of the underground line to Wandsbek Markt in October 1962 marked the beginning of the era of rapid network expansion. In 1966, the U2 was extended to Hagenbeck's Tierpark, and two years later service began between Hauptbahnhof Nord and Berliner Tor, while the then U3 was gradually extended by seven stops from Berliner Tor to Merkenstraße station, which opened in 1970.

This rapid growth naturally required new trains. The DT3 was modeled on its predecessor, the DT2, which had been in service in Hamburg since 1962. With its silver sheet steel trim and bold red color scheme, its successor looked identical but offered more space. Each DT3, which reached a top speed of 80 km/h with a weight of 46 tons, had 92 seats and 273 standing places (DT2: 82 and 106).

After trials in the summer of 1966, the new trains began regular service in 1968. By 1971, HOCHBAHN had procured a total of 127 units. Since then, the DT3s have been extensively modernized several times, with new fronts, modern technology and new seats. With the introduction of the new DT4 and DT5 trains, however, the number of "old" double railcars was gradually reduced. The models scrapped today already had an average of 3.85 million kilometers on the clock.

The good news for all fans: Despite the scrapping, the DT3 will not disappear completely from Hamburg. The HOCHBAHN is keeping a reserve of ten vehicles for booster trips. A vehicle for the museum has also already been parked.