Netherlands - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services
Introduction
This list is based on the timetable timetable valid from 10 December 2017, unless otherwise shown. Standard abbreviations are explained in General Information.
Obscure services
Diemen Zuid (Venserpolder aansluiting) — Halte ArenA — Bijlmer (Duivendrecht aansluiting)
(ERA 34A3) NL18/1
There are separate east-to-south and south-to-east curves — both reversibly signalled. The more westerly of the two has a halt to serve the nearby ArenA stadium, which is used by football specials, in season, for supporters of the visiting team, as advertised locally. Dates for Ajax games at AreanA can be found at the Ajax website (home games show Ajax first).
This curve may also be used if there is engineering work on the Schiphol - Amsterdam Zuid - Duivendrecht line. Replacement trains may run between Amsterdam Bijlmer and Almere and/or Hilversum. See the Reisinformatie, Geplande werkzaamheden page for NS engineering work for approximately the next 3 months.
Utrecht Overvecht — Bilthoven (Blauwkapel Oost aansluiting)
[16] (ERA 34C1) NL18/2
This section is quadruple track with two raised tracks and two tracks at ground level. The ground level tracks (the original alignment) cross the Lunetten - Hilversum line by means of a flat crossing (Blauwkapel Kruispunt). This crossing is used by eastbound stopping trains from Utrecht CS (Centraal) to Amersfoort and Baarn, and also the trains in NL18/3.
Utrecht Nederlands Spoorwegmuseum — Bilthoven (Blauwkapel Oost aansluiting)
(ERA 34C1) NL18/3
This is the northern stub of a freight line which used to avoid Utrecht on the east side. A shuttle service operates between Utrecht Centraal station and the Nederlands Spoorwegmuseum (Netherlands Railway Museum), located at the former Maliebaan station. Trains run hourly (reversing at Blauwkapel Oost aansluiting) on Tuesdays to Sundays, and also Mondays during school holidays. Information can be found on the Museum website.
Gouda — Waddinxveen
[17] (ERA 34C1) NL18/4
The single track Alphen aan den Rijn branch takes a separate alignment (about 200 m away) from the main line west of Gouda for a distance of about 1 km. The lines then come together, with a connecting crossover (251 points), before the branch diverges northwards. Since 4 September 2017, the increased service of 4 trains per hour requires trains to cross on this section. As a result only trains from Alphen aan den Rijn to Gouda use the separate single track section.
Dordrecht: Stadspolder — Baanhoekweg
(ERA 36C5) NL18/5
On the Saturday and Sunday of Dordt in Stoom, which functions in May/June every even numbered year (25 - 27 May 2018), a shuttle service usually operates from Dordrecht Centraal over this short portion of the De Staart branch, to reach a model railway exhibition. Click on "Plattegrond" for a map showing the route.
Schiedam Centrum (Dhsa (DelfsHaven Schiebrug aansluiting) 171 points) — Rotterdam Noord (Dhsa 409 points)
(ERA 36B5) NL18/6
The line - to the west of and avoiding Rotterdam Centraal - has no regular public passenger trains but may be used by diverted IC trains between Den Haag and Utrecht when the direct line between Den Haag and Gouda is blocked for engineering work. See the Reisinformatie, Geplande werkzaamheden page for NS engineering work approximately 3 months in advance.
It is known locally as the 'Bokito' Curve, named after a gorilla which escaped from the nearby zoo!
It is used approximately twice a week by the Amsterdam Dinner Train from Amsterdam Centraal. Note that the route is clockwise via Breukelen, Woerden, Gouda, Rotterdam Avoider [Bokito curve], Den Haag HS, Leiden, Haarlem, Amsterdam Centraal; this is shown correctly on the Dutch language page but incorrectly on the English version.
Den Haag HS (Binckhorst aansluiting) — Voorburg
[1] (ERA 34B1) NL18/7
This is the "Binckhorstboog" (servicing yard curve) meant for ecs workings but on Thursday and Friday mornings the night train service between Den Haag HS and Rotterdam uses it as well, running via Gouda (where it reverses) on these two nights. The curve may also be used by diverted IC trains between Rotterdam and Utrecht when the direct line between Rotterdam and Gouda is blocked for engineering work. However, recently buses have been provided rather than trains diverted. See the Reisinformatie, Geplande werkzaamheden page for NS engineering work for approximately the next 3 months.
D1 | ThFO | IC 1401 | 01:44 Den Haag HS - Utrecht C |
D1 | ThFO | IC 1405 | Utrecht C. - 02:44 Den Haag HS - Rotterdam C. |
D1 | ThFO | IC 1409 | Utrecht C. - 03:44 Den Haag HS - Rotterdam C. |
D1 | ThFO | IC 1413 | Utrecht C. - 04:44 Den Haag HS - Rotterdam C. |
D1 | ThFO | IC 1412 | Rotterdam C. - 01:57 Gouda - Utrecht C. |
D1 | ThFO | IC 1414 | Rotterdam C. - 02:57 Gouda - Utrecht C. |
D1 | ThFO | IC 1418 | Rotterdam C. - 03:57 Gouda - Utrecht C. |
D1 Not 10 and 11 May 2018
Kijfhoek — Botlek — Maasvlakte
(ERA 36B5) NL18/8
This major freight branch serves the Port of Rotterdam
One weekend a year, usually in early September, during the Wereldhavendagen (World Port Days), steam hauled shuttle services usually operated on this line. However, there will be no trains for the Wereldhavendagen on 7-9 September 2018 and, it would seem, not in the future.
This entry will therefore be deleted at the end of 2018.
Betuweroute: Geldermalsen — Meteren aansluiting — Valburg Oost aansluiting — Elst
[14] (ERA 37A5) NL18/9
Much of the Betuweroute freight line is barred to passenger traffic owing to the presence of tunnels which do not allow for the evacuation of passengers if required. However, this middle section of the line has no tunnels and can therefore be used by passenger trains. It will be used in August 2018 by ICEs between Amsterdam/Utrecht and Germany diverted owing to engineering work between Utrecht and Arnhem.
Note that the NS website states that these trains are available only for international ticket holders, so prospective passengers may be prevented from boarding at Arnhem or travelling to there, and hence prefer to travel to/from Germany.
D4 | ICE121/131 | 06:02 Amsterdam C - Frankfurt(M) Hbf | |
D1 | ICE405 | 07:02 Amsterdam C - Basel SBB | |
D3 | ICE105 | 07:32 Amsterdam C - Basel SBB | |
D2 | ICE123/133 | 10:36/10:41 Utrecht C - Frankfurt(M) Hbf | |
D2 | ICE125/135 | 12:39/12:41 Utrecht C - Frankfurt(M) Hbf | |
D1 | ICE137 | 14:09/14:11 Utrecht C - Frankfurt(M) Hbf | |
D3 | ICE127 | 14:39/14:41 Utrecht C - Frankfurt(M) Hbf | |
D1 | ICE139 | 16:09 Utrecht C - Frankfurt(M) Hbf | |
D3 | ICE129 | 16:39 Utrecht C - Frankfurt(M) Hbf | |
D2 | ICE221/341 | 18:39 Utrecht C - Frankfurt(M) Hbf | |
D2 | ICE222/342 | Frankfurt(M) Hbf/Köln Hbf - 08:30 Arnhem - Utrecht C | |
D3 | ICE220 | Frankfurt(M) Hbf - 10:30 Arnhem - Utrecht C | |
D1 | ICE340 | Frankfurt(M) Hbf - 11:00 Arnhem - Utrecht C | |
D1 | ICE128/138 | Frankfurt(M) Hbf - 12:30 Arnhem - Utrecht C | |
D2 | ICE126/136 | Frankfurt(M) Hbf - 14:30 Arnhem - Utrecht C | |
D3 | ICE124 | Frankfurt(M) Hbf - 16:30 Arnhem - Utrecht C | |
D1 | ICE134 | Frankfurt(M) Hbf - 16:59 Arnhem - Utrecht C | |
D3 | ICE122 | Frankfurt(M) Hbf - 19:30 Arnhem - Amsterdam C | |
D1 | ICE132 | Frankfurt(M) Hbf - 20:00 Arnhem - Amsterdam C | |
D3 | ICE104 | Basel SBB - 21:00 Arnhem - Amsterdam C | |
D1 | ICE404 | Basel SBB - 21:30 Arnhem - Amsterdam C | |
D6 | ICE120 | Frankfurt(M) Hbf - 22:30 Arnhem - Amsterdam C | |
D7 | ICE130 | Frankfurt(M) Hbf - 23:00 Arnhem - Amsterdam C |
D1: 11, 12, 20 - 26 August 2018
D2: 11 - 26 August 2018
D3: 13 - 19 August 2018
D4: 11, 13 – 18, 20 - 25 August 2018
D5: 13 - 17 August 2018
D6: 13 - 17, 19 August 2018
D7: 12, 20 - 24, 26 August 2018
HSL Zuid: Barendrecht (Kijfhoek Noord aansluiting) — Lage Zwaluwe (Zevenbergschen Hoek aansluiting)
[103, 120] (ERA 36B5-C5) NL18/10
This section of the HSL Zuid avoiding Dordrecht is used by all high speed international trains to/from Belgium, which continue further south on the HSL, and also by domestic IC services non-stop between Rotterdam and Breda, which use the classic line south of Zevenbergschen Hoek aansl. Note that there is a lengthy flyover on the northbound connection as the HSL has left hand running whereas the classic line has right hand running.
Trams
See Netherlands - Tram services over obscure routes
Other sparse services
43: Roodeschool - Eemshaven
Deletions since previous edition
None