The builders of the station assumed that the new facilities would provide sufficient capacity for many decades.
In fact, the volume of traffic developed more rapidly than assumed as indicated in the table below.

Since the rapid increase in traffic could barely be handled, the first expansion of facilities was planned prior to the start of the First World War.
In 1914, the Saxon Parliament approved funds for the expansion, but the beginning of the war prevented its realisation.
The extension could not be started until the late 1920s.

One obstacle to operations until then was that it was difficult to reach the terminal tracks in the eastern precinct.
As a remedy, a new through track was built through the north hall between platforms 10 and 11, replacing a luggage platform.
This would henceforth be used for the passage of additional trains to the eastern precinct and for the passage of unattached locomotives and freight traffic.
To take advantage of the sharp rise in through passenger traffic, the covered side hall next to the south hall was demolished, so that the two freight train tracks could be moved on to an outer track on a new concrete structure over the pavement and the released space could be used for an island platform.

The signal box equipment was modernised at that time.
New electromechanical systems replaced the mechanical systems and a new command signal box tower was built on the Hohe Brücke (bridge) that at that time carried an extension of Hohe Straße over the station's western track field.
The architecture of the station was also transformed.
Numerous decorations and structures were replaced by modern plain surfaces.
The builders of the station assumed that the new facilities would provide sufficient capacity for many decades. In fact, the volume of traffic developed more rapidly than assumed as indicated in the table below.
Since the rapid increase in traffic could barely be handled, the first expansion of facilities was planned prior to the start of the First World War. In 1914, the Saxon Parliament approved funds for the expansion, but the beginning of the war prevented its realisation. The extension could not be started until the late 1920s.
One obstacle to operations until then was that it was difficult to reach the terminal tracks in the eastern precinct. As a remedy, a new through track was built through the north hall between platforms 10 and 11, replacing a luggage platform. This would henceforth be used for the passage of additional trains to the eastern precinct and for the passage of unattached locomotives and freight traffic. To take advantage of the sharp rise in through passenger traffic, the covered side hall next to the south hall was demolished, so that the two freight train tracks could be moved on to an outer track on a new concrete structure over the pavement and the released space could be used for an island platform.
The signal box equipment was modernised at that time. New electromechanical systems replaced the mechanical systems and a new command signal box tower was built on the Hohe Brücke (bridge) that at that time carried an extension of Hohe Straße over the station's western track field. The architecture of the station was also transformed. Numerous decorations and structures were replaced by modern plain surfaces.
Dresden Hauptbahnhof