Hanoverian Southern Railway
The network then developed quickly. In 1845 the Lehrte–Celle line opened and that was followed by the Lehrte–Hildesheim line in 1846. Since they are perpendicular to the Brunswick line, the lines are referred to as the Kreuzbahn (German for "cross railway"). In 1847 Celle–Harburg line was opened, followed five months later by the Hanover–Minden line, connecting to Cologne, creating the first rail connection between Berlin and Cologne. Also opened in 1847 was the Bremen–Hanover line. In 1853 the Hanoverian Southern Railway to Kassel was opened as the first line built from a branch in Hanover.