The Deutsche Bahn installed at the S-Bahn station Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz in Leipzig the fourth and final new escalator. According to Deutsche Bahn, these are particularly long units, measuring around 55 metres in length, connecting the deep-level station with the surface. The lift marks visible progress in the ongoing modernisation of the City Tunnel, which covers several stations in 2026.
According to consistent local reports, the overnight lifting operation took place in the early hours of Thursday. A component weighing several tonnes was carefully lowered into place. Deutsche Bahn stresses that the mechanical installation is only an interim step. Before the new units can enter regular service, installation work and tests must be followed by approval from TÜV. Temporary closures and diversions will remain necessary at times while this work is carried out.
The escalator replacement is part of a programme to upgrade the City Tunnel. According to the company, several escalators and lifts are being replaced overall to make the stations more resilient and more accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. Access is to be maintained during construction: at least one lift or escalator will remain in service at each entrance. During temporary closures, passengers are advised to use the Hauptbahnhof (low-level platforms) or Markt stations instead.
The measure is needed because of the unusual location and depth of the City Tunnel stationswhich require particularly long escalators. According to Deutsche Bahn, the new units are intended to reduce maintenance requirements and prevent breakdowns. Deutsche Bahn has not yet given specific dates for the full commissioning of the Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz escalators. It expects to bring the remaining components into service in stages by the end of 2026, following successful testing.
The work is of immediate importance to Leipzig and S-Bahn Mitteldeutschland: the City Tunnel brings together key interchange links between the city centre and the surrounding region. With the escalators hoisted into place at this hub, attention is turning to the next project phase – handing the equipment over for operational use. Until then, the city and transport operators will continue to provide updates on restrictions and routes through the S-Bahn station.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).