Germany (Hessen) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

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Introduction

This list is based on the timetable dated from 10 December 2023 to 14 December 2024, unless otherwise stated. Standard abbreviations are explained here.

Map references for each route entry are given in parentheses ( ). References prefixed "ERA-E" refer to the European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition) by M.G. Ball. References prefixed "ERA-R" refer to the European Railway Atlas (Regional Series: Book 2) by M.G. Ball. References prefixed "S+W", or in italic, refer to Eisenbahnatlas Deutschland by Schweers + Wall.

Obscure services

Routes are ordered geographically. In the Frankfurt area, routes in and out of the Hauptbahnhof are considered first and then the various avoiding lines. In both cases, routes are ordered clockwise round the city, from Frankfurt am Main Süd to Frankfurt am Main West.

Note During the complete closure of the Riedbahn (Frankfurt – Mannheim via Biblis) between 2 and 22 January and between 16 July and 14 December 2024, local and long-distance services in the entire area between Frankfurt, Mainz, Darmstadt and Mannheim are severely affected. This site will attempt to incorporate these alterations into the appropriate entries as much as possible.

Eichenberg avoiding line: Friedland (Han) (Abzw Eichenberg Nordkopf) – Arenshausen (Abzw Eichenberg Ostkopf)

[540.1] (ERA-E 48B1; ERA-R 100A1; S+W 55B3) DE24/501

This north to east curve links the Göttingen and Nordhausen lines and is used by through trains between Göttingen, Leinefelde and Glauchau (Sachs), generally every two hours. Note that between Göttingen and Leinefelde, these trains stop only at Heilbad Heiligenstadt.

Bad Sooden-Allendorf (Abzw Eschwege-Wehre) – Wehretal-Reichensachsen (Abzw Eschwege-Stegmühle)

(ERA-E 48B1; ERA-R 107A5; S+W 55B4) DE24/502

Since the reopening of Eschwege Stadtbahnhof in 2009, all local trains between Eichenberg and Bebra reverse there, leaving and returning to the main line at a triangular junction at Eschwege West. Daytime expresses normally use the Schnellfahrstrecke, so the only passenger trains to use the main line, bypassing Eschwege, regularly are overnight ones.

D1 NJ471 Hamburg-Altona – 00:03/01:32 Göttingen - Zürich HB
D2 NJ473 Hannover Hbf – 00:05 Göttingen - Zürich HB
ICE1081 Hamburg-Altona – 01:13 Göttingen – München Hbf
D3 SuO ICE1271 Hamburg-Altona – 02:18 (MO) Göttingen – Chur
NJ491 Hamburg-Altona – 22:59 Göttingen – Wien Hbf
D4 SuO ICE1970 Rastatt – 00:57 (MO) Fulda – Hamburg-Altona
D5 SuO/MSuO ICE4 Zürich HB – 00:57 (MO) Fulda – Hamburg-Altona
ICE1080 München Hbf – 01:19 Würzburg Hbf – Hamburg-Altona
D6 ICE990 München Hbf – 01:45/01:48/02:28 Bad Hersfeld – Hamburg-Altona
NJ490 Wien Hbf – 02:36 Würzburg Hbf – Hamburg-Altona
D7 NJ470 Zürich HB – 02:43 Würzburg Hbf – Hamburg-Altona
D8 NJ470 Zürich HB – 02:31 Hanau Hbf – Hannover Hbf / Hamburg-Altona

D1: Dep. Göttingen 01:32 10 December 2023 - 9 March 2024, 29 March - 8 August; 30 August - 14 December 2024; dep. Göttingen 00:03 9 - 29 August 2024

D2: 10 - 28 March 2024

D3: 21 July - 8 December 2024

D4: 18, 25 August 2024

D5: MSuO 1 - 21 January, SuO 1 September - 8 December 2024 (one day later from Fulda)

D6: SuO 10 - 26 December 2023, 28 January - 25 February, 2 March - 12 June 2024 (dep Bad Hersfeld 01:45 following day); daily 14 June- 14 July (dep Bad Hersfeld 01:48 following day); SuO 21 - 8 December 2024 (dep Bad Hersfeld 02:28 following day)

D7: 9 - 29 August 2024

D8: 11 December 2023 - 27 March 2024, 1 April - 16 May, 30 August - 14 December 2024

Urlaubs Express trains to and from Hamburg are likely to use this route.

Bebra avoiding line: Ludwigsau-Friedlos (Abzw Blankenheim) – Ronshausen (Abzw Faßdorf)

[no table] (ERA-E 54B5; ERA-R 107A4; S+W 67 inset) DE24/503

This south to east curve enables trains between Fulda and Eisenach to avoid reversal at Bebra. It is used at least hourly by ICE services between Frankfurt am Main and Leipzig, which run non-stop between Fulda or Bad Hersfeld and Eisenach.

Gießen avoiding line: Dutenhofen – Großen Linden (Gießen Bergwald Stw Gs)

[445] (ERA-E 53C4; ERA-R 106A3; S+W 65A4) DE24/504

This west to south curve enables trains to run between Wetzlar and Friedberg (Hess) without reversing at Gießen. It is used by IC trains every two hours between Frankfurt am Main Hbf and destinations via Siegen and also by:

SSuX HLB RE24531 Siegen – 05:47 Wetzlar – Frankfurt am Main Hbf
SSuX HLB RE24530 Frankfurt am Main Hbf – 18:00 Bad Nauheim – Siegen

Fulda area

[615] (ERA-E 54B4 not shown; ERA-R 107A3; S+W 78C1) DE24/505

Neuhof (Kr Fulda) (Fulda-Bronnzell) – Fulda via flyover

The flyover south of Fulda station allows trains northbound from Flieden access to the low-numbered platforms at Fulda without crossing the Schnellfahrstrecke on the level. It is used by most RE50 trains from Frankfurt am Main Hbf terminating at Fulda which run hourly.

Southbound RE50 services to Frankfurt am Main Hbf starting from Fulda platform 1 use the same track as inbound terminating services via the flyover and rise as if heading that way, but then drop down to run underneath the flyover parallel with the southbound main line. Some travellers may also consider this to be a separate route.

Neuhof (Kr Fulda) via southbound platform loop

Local hourly stopping services from Fulda towards Frankfurt am Main Hbf must use the loop of the main line to call at Platform 3 as there is no platform on the southbound main line. This loop line is on a separate alignment well to the west of the main line.

Flieden – Sterbfritz (Elm Bbf)

(ERA-E 54A4-54B4; ERA-R 107A2; S+W 78C1-78C2) DE24/506

This is part of the former main line between München and Hamburg. Daytime expresses now use the Schnellfahrstrecke and diversion of Gemünden local trains to Schlüchtern, instead of Fulda, has left the route with regular passenger trains only during the night, plus occasional diversions.


Hanau West (Weiche 403/404) – Hanau Hbf (Nordseite)

[640] (ERA-E 54A3 not shown; ERA-R 122B4 not shown; S+W 153D2) DE24/507

This route is used by trains between the Maintal and Fulda lines. There are two spurs linking the Maintal line to Hanau Hbf Nordseite (Fulda line). The southerly one is for eastbound trains via platform 7 only. The other is reversible and links with platforms 2 to 7. Most local trains via Maintal Ost terminating or starting at Hanau Hbf normally use the reversible connection and platform 5. Trains from beyond Hanau that use platform 6 may use this connection if they call at Maintal Ost or run non-stop to Frankfurt am Main Süd.

Most IC and ICE trains run via Offenbach (Main), but some are routed via Maintal. The following are scheduled to run via Maintal Ost and Hanau Hbf Nordseite. (List to follow)


Hanau West (Weiche 403/404) – Hanau Hbf (Südseite)

[640] (ERA-E 54A3; ERA-R 122B4 not shown; S+W 153D2) DE24/508

This route is used by RB trains between Aschaffenburg and Frankfurt am Main via the Maintal line.

Offenbach (Main) Hbf - Offenbach (Main) Ost

[645.8-9] (ERA-E 57C2; ERA-R 122B3; S+W 153B2) DE24/509

This 1.7km connecting line links the main Frankfurt - Hanau line at Offenbach Hbf with the S-Bahn line at Offenbach Ost. Early on Monday mornings certain S8 trains between Frankfurt am Main Hbf and Offenbach Ost run to and from Frankfurt am Main Hbf (high level) via Frankfurt am Main Süd and this line.

From Offenbach (Main) Hbf: 00:39, 01:12 and 01:39, all MO

From Offenbach (Main) Ost: 23:58 SuO; 00:28 and 01:01, both MO

Note that these trains do not run between 16 June and 15 July 2024.

Frankfurt am Main Hbf

Trains between Frankfurt am Main Hbf and Frankfurt am Main Stadion, Neu Isenburg or Frankfurt am Main Süd may use two routes over the River Main, crossing the Niederräder Brücke or the Main-Neckar-Brücke, about 2 km further upstream. The line over the Niederräder Brücke gives access to platforms 1a through 8 on the south side (via Abzw Gutleuthof), platforms 15 through 24 on the north side of the Hauptbahnhof and the S-Bahn underground station. The Main-Neckar-Brücke gives access to platforms 4 through 13, but following construction of a new spur it may be possible for trains to run to platforms 1 to 3 as well. Platforms 4 through 8 are accessible from both bridges.

Trains via Frankfurt am Main Süd and Neu Isenburg mainly use the Main-Neckar-Brücke and those via Frankfurt am Main Stadion mainly the Niederräder Brücke. There is little difference in journey time between Frankfurt am Main Stadion and the Hauptbahnhof via either bridge. However, there is a significant difference between Frankfurt am Main Süd and the Hauptbahnhof, with trains via Niederräder Brücke being scheduled at least 10 minutes, rather than 6 or 7 minutes for the Main-Neckar-Brücke route.

Many long-distance trains reverse at Frankfurt and, in the lists below, trains using a route inward are shown before those using it outward.

Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Frankfurt am Main Süd

[615, 615.1, 640] (ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122B2-122B3; S+W 151C3-151D3) DE23/511

Most trains run via Main-Neckar-Brücke. The following trains are scheduled via Niederräder Brücke and Abzw Forsthaus: List to follow


Local trains taking longer than ten minutes between Frankfurt am Main Hbf and Frankfurt am Main Süd can be expected to run via Frankfurt Niederrad.

Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Neu Isenburg (via Abzw Forsthaus)

[650, 650.2] (ERA-E 57B2-57C2; ERA-R 122B2-122B3; S+W 151C3-151C4) DE23/512

Most trains to and from Neu Isenburg, other than S-Bahn, run via Main-Neckar-Brücke, but the following are scheduled via Niederräder Brücke: (List to follow)


Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Frankfurt am Main Stadion

[471, 472, 655, 655.1] (ERA-E 57C2-57B2 not shown; ERA-R 122B3-122B2; S+W 151C3-151B4) DE24/513

Most trains (and particularly RE and RB ones) run via Niederräder Brücke. Most RE and RB trains use platforms 15–24 on the north side of the Hauptbahnhof. Most S-Bahn S7 services and many IC and ICE trains run via Abzw Gutleuthof and use platforms 1–8 on the south side of the Hauptbahnhof.

The following trains are scheduled via Main-Neckar Brücke: (List to follow)


Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Frankfurt-Höchst

[466, 627, 646] (ERA-E 57B2 not shown; ERA-R 122B3-122B2 not shown; S+W 151C3-151B3 partly shown) DE24/514

Most trains, other than S-Bahn, between Frankfurt-Höchst and Frankfurt am Main Hbf run via Abzw Mainzer Landstraße.

Most of those to and from Koblenz and Wiesbaden use the connection between Abzw Mainzer Landstraße and platforms 15–24 on the north side of Frankfurt am Main Hbf. A new westbound alignment to the north of the carriage sidings at Frankfurt Außenbahnhof, including a flyover over the western exit lines from the Außenbahnhof, came into use on 29 November 2021. The previously bidirectional single line is now used only for trains heading towards Frankfurt am Main Hbf.

Most trains to and from Limburg (Lahn) run via Abzw Gutleuthof to use platforms 1–8 on the south side of the Hauptbahnhof.

Generally only S-Bahn services to and from the low-level station at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf use the route via Frankfurt-Griesheim.

Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Frankfurt-Rödelheim (via Abzw Mainzer Landstraße)

[637] (ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122B2; S+W 151C3-152D2) DE24/515

This route is used by the through trains between Brandoberndorf, Grävenwiesbach and Frankfurt am Main Hbf, all of which arrive and depart at the north side platforms. These run on Mondays to Fridays, peak hours only. S-Bahn trains between Frankfurt-Rödelheim and Frankfurt am Main Hbf run via Frankfurt West. A new westbound alignment to the north of the carriage sidings at Frankfurt (Main) Außenbahnhof, including a flyover over the western exit lines from the Außenbahnhof, came into use on 29 November 2021. The previously bidirectional single line is now used only for trains heading towards Frankfurt am Main Hbf.

Frankfurt am Main Süd (Abstellbahnhof) – Frankfurt-Louisa

[650, 650.2] (ERA-E 57C2; ERA-R 122B3; S+W 151D3-151C4) DE24/521

This east to south curve provides a link between Frankfurt am Main Süd and the Darmstadt line. There is a frequent S-Bahn service over tracks parallel to this route. List to follow.


Frankfurt am Main Stadion – Neu Isenburg (via Abzw Forsthaus)

[471, 650] (ERA-E 57B2-57C2; ERA-R 122B2-122B3; S+W 151B4-151C4) DE23/522

This route is used by trains between Frankfurt am Main Stadion and Neu Isenburg if not booked to call at Frankfurt am Main Hbf. List to follow:


Frankfurt am Main Stadion – Frankfurt am Main Süd (via Abzw Forsthaus)

[640] (ERA-E 57B2-57C2; ERA-R 122B2-122B3; S+W 151B4-151D3) DE24/523

This route is used by trains between Frankfurt am Main Stadion and Frankfurt am Main Süd if not booked to call at Frankfurt am Main Hbf. It is used by the hourly RB58 services between Rüsselsheim Opelwerk and Laufach and on Mondays to Fridays by the two-hourly RB59 services between Frankfurt am Main Flughafen and Hanau Hbf.

See route DE24/521 (above) for details of trains that run via Frankfurt-Louisa, instead of the direct route via line 3650.

Limburg Süd (Abzw Breckenheim) - Wiesbaden Hbf (Wiesbaden-Wäschbach)

[472] (ERA-E 57A2; ERA-R 122B1; S+W 151B1 - 151D1) DE23/524

This branch off the Köln - Frankfurt Schnellfahrstrecke is used by ICE trains between Köln and Wiesbaden Hbf. Owing to the closure of the Riedbahn (Frankfurt – Biblis – Mannheim) during the second half of the year, many more trains than usual are using this connection. List to follow:


Wiesbaden avoiding line: Wiesbaden-Biebrich - Wiesbaden Ost

[466] (ERA-E 57A2; ERA-R 122B1; S+W 151C3-151B3) DE24/525

This line allows trains to run between Frankfurt am Main and the Rechte Rheinstrecke (via Rüdesheim) without reversal at Wiesbaden Hbf. It is used by Monday to Friday RE peak trains between Frankfurt am Main Hbf and Eltville or Rudesheim which do not call at Wiesbaden Hbf. The north and southbound routes differ significantly south of Wiesbaden Ost.

From Mainz-Kastel: 08:35, 16:35, 18:35 all SSuX

From Wiesbaden-Biebrich: 07:15, 09:15, 17:15 all SSuX

Note that Table 466 shows an hourly service towards Eltville in the morning and evening peaks, but the journey planner only shows three trains in either direction.

Mainz-Bischofsheim (Abzw Kostheim Ost) – Mainz-Kastel (Abzw Kostheim)

[645.8-9, 651] (ERA-E 57A1-57A2; ERA-R 122C1; S+W 151D2-151C2) DE24/526

This connection across the Main splits in two parts at Abzw Kostheim Ost just north of the river. The two main tracks fly over the Höchst line and turn west to touch it briefly (Abzw Kostheim) before turning north to become route DE24/527 to the Kaiserbrücke over the Rhein. There is also a single-track south-to-west curve (line 3531) that avoids the flyover and diverges from the Höchst line to the south at Abzw Kostheim. This is used by trains from Mainz-Kastel to Bischofsheim, but all trains from Bischofsheim use the main track until Abzw Kostheim. The eastbound main track from Abzw Kostheim to Abzw Kostheim Ost is only used by trains coming from the Mainz Kaiserbrücke via route DE24/527.

Hochheim (Main) (Abzw Kostheim) – Mainz Hbf (Abzw Kaiserbrücke Ost)

[471] (ERA-E 57A2; ERA-R 122C1; S+W 151C2) DE24/527

This route allows trains from the north bank of the River Main to access the Kaiserbrücke over the River Rhein to Mainz, so trains can run between Mainz Hbf and the Frankfurt area via Frankfurt-Höchst. This line can also be used to allow trains to run between Mainz-Bischofsheim and Mainz-Mombach without passing through Mainz Hbf.

The line is used by RE4 services, generally every two hours with peak extras, between Frankfurt am Main Hbf and Mainz Hbf via Hochheim (Main).

Kelsterbach – Frankfurt am Main Stadion

[471] (ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122B2; S+W 152C3-152D3) DE24/528

This is part of the original main line and is used by trains between Mainz Hbf and the Frankfurt area via Kelsterbach, which stop at neither of the stations at Frankfurt am Main Flughafen.

SSuX RE29243 Kirchheimbolanden – 06:56 Rüsselsheim – Frankfurt am Main Hbf
SSuX RE29205 Alzey – 07:41 Rüsselsheim – Frankfurt am Main Hbf

Frankfurt am Main Gateway Gardens - Frankfurt am Main Stadion

[471] (ERA-E 57B2 not shown; ERA-R 122B2 not shown; S+W 152D3) DE24/529

Where the new line from Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Regionalbahnhof converges with the old main line via Kelsterbach west of Frankfurt am Main Stadion, two routes are possible. Trains to and from the S-Bahn tunnel route under the city centre cross the Kelsterbach line on a flyover. There is also a single track connection directly to the line from Kelsterbach which is used by certain RE trains to the Hauptbahnhof high-level station.

It is used additionally by the hourly RB58 services between Rüsselsheim Opelwerk and Laufach via Hanau, also on Mondays to Fridays by the two-hourly RE59 services between Frankfurt Flughafen Regionalbf and Hanau Hbf. These trains run via platforms 4 and 5 at Frankfurt am Main Stadion, where RE59 makes a call, and Frankfurt am Main Süd, avoiding Frankfurt am Main Hbf.

Raunheim (Abzw Mönchwald) – Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf (Abzw Mönchhof)

[471] (ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122C2; S+W 152B4) DE24/530

This spur connects the old main line from Mainz Hbf to the Schnellfahrstrecke from Köln. It is used by trains calling at both Mainz Hbf and Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf. There is a generally hourly ICE service for most of the day. Services will be altered during the closure of the Riedbahn via Biblis between 2 and 22 January and between 16 July and 14 December 2024; details to follow.


Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf – Zeppelinheim

[655.1] (ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122B2; S+W 152D3) DE24/531

This grade-separated south to west curve is from Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf to the line to Mannheim via Biblis. It is used by trains running direct between Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf and Mannheim. These are ICE services at least hourly. Services will be altered during the closure of the Riedbahn via Biblis between 2 and 22 January and between 16 July and 14 December 2024; details to follow.

Weiterstadt (Abzw Darmstadt Stockschneise) – Darmstadt Nord – Darmstadt-Kranichstein

(ERA-E 57B1; ERA-R 122C2-122C3; S+W 154C2) DE24/532

This west to east route connects the Mainz and Aschaffenburg lines north of Darmstadt Hbf. Between Darmstadt Nord and Darmstadt-Kranichstein it has its own alignment, different from the one used by local passenger trains. The Darmstadt-Kranichstein railway museum sometimes runs a shuttle service between Groß-Gerau and Kranichstein during its annual Bahnwelttage event in May.

The route is also occasionally used for diversion of RB75 trains between Mainz and Aschaffenburg.

Arheilgen – Darmstadt-Nord

[641] (ERA-E 57B1; ERA-R 122C2-122C3; S+W 154C2) DE24/533

This north to east curve connects the Frankfurt am Main and Aschaffenburg lines north of Darmstadt Hbf. It is used by through trains between Frankfurt (Main) Hbf and Groß-Umstadt Wiebelsbach via Darmstadt Nord, generally hourly.

Darmstadt Hbf – Weiterstadt (Abzw Darmstadt Bergschneise and Abzw Weiterstadt Stockschneise)

[651] (ERA-E 57B1 partly shown; S+W 154C3-154C2) DE24/534

Darmstadt Hbf is connected to the line towards Mainz by three geographically separate tracks, of which two constitute a widely separated double track flying junction and the third is reversible.

The Darmstadt to Mainz track diverges from the main track towards Frankfurt (line 3605) north of Darmstadt Hbf, at about the the place where it passes over the Aschaffenburg – Mainz line. It then makes a 135° curve to the left and joins the Aschaffenburg – Mainz line from the north at Abzw Stockschneise. It was formerly numbered as line 3537 but is now numbered as 3530 as the Mainz-bound track of the double-track Darmstadt to Mainz line. The Mainz to Darmstadt track of line 3530 diverges to the south at Abzw Stockschneise directly to the Hauptbahnhof, where it eventually becomes platform 9.

Between these two tracks, there is a reversible track (line 3541) which splits from the Mainz - Aschaffenburg line on the flat at Abzw Bergschneise, 1 km east of Abzw Stockschneise. At Darmstadt Hbf it arrives between the tracks from/to Darmstadt Nord, which eventually become platforms 7 and 8.

Trains from Mainz use the short curve of line 3530. Trains towards Mainz from platforms 8 and 9 (which are most of them) can only use the reversible Bergschneise route as line 3605 and therefore the Stockschneise route cannot be reached from these platforms.

Only two services at 06:12 and 08:12 (both SSuX) depart from platform 7 and so can use either route. The Stockschneise route is longer but allows higher speeds. Reports in the last couple of years have confirmed that both trains took the Stockschneise route and therefore the 'long curve'. Which route is used can be seen from the position of the scissors crossover points just north of the platforms – left for the Bergschneise route, right for the Stockschneise route.

Obscure services: Lines used on an occasional basis for engineering work diversions

Hanau avoiding line: Großkrotzenburg - Hanau Nord (Rauschwald)

(ERA-E 54A3; ERA-R 122B4; S+W 151D2) DE24/541

This line is used occasionally, particularly by overnight trains, to allow trains to run between the Aschaffenburg and Fulda or Friedberg lines without reversal at Hanau Hbf. List to follow.

Frankfurt am Main Hbf avoiding line: Frankfurt am Main West (Galluswarte) – Frankfurt-Louisa (Main-Neckar Brücke)

(ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122B3; S+W 151C3) DE24/542

This line provides a link between Frankfurt West and lines to the south, but particularly via Darmstadt, for trains not required to call at the Hauptbahnhof. Use of this route is indicated by trains calling at Frankfurt am Main West instead of the Hauptbahnhof.

Frankfurt am Main Hbf avoiding line: Frankfurt West (Galluswarte) – Frankfurt-Niederrad / Frankfurt Griesheim

(ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122B2; S+W 151C3-151B3) DE24/543

This line provides a link between Frankfurt West and lines to the south via Niederräder Brücke or to the west via Griesheim, for trains not required to call at the Hauptbahnhof.

This route is sometimes also used by IC trains when there is engineering working in the Hauptbahnhof area. However, as most IC trains via Frankfurt West also run via Darmstadt, use of route DE24/542 is more likely.

Frankfurt am Main Hbf avoiding line: Frankfurt-Niederrad – Frankfurt-Höchst

(ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122B2; S+W 151C4-152C2) DE24/544 <---CHECK FOR ANY FV USE IN 2024--->

There are two possible routes between Niederräder Brücke and Frankfurt-Höchst – a south to east curve to the S-Bahn line via Frankfurt-Griesheim and a south to north link to the main line at Abzw. Mainzer Landstraße.

On various dates the following overnight services are booked to run via Niederräder Brücke and Höchst; however it is unclear which of the two routes they will take in between these points. Whether trains will run via one or other of these routes can be confirmed by their omitting calls at both Mainz Hbf and Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf.


Limburg Süd (Caltex) - Kelsterbach (Brunnenschneise)

(ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122C2-122B2; S+W 152B3) DE24/544

This north to east curve allows trains to run between the Köln - Frankfurt Schnellfahrstrecke and the old main line between Mainz and Frankfurt. Use by passenger trains is extremely rare and further diversions are unlikely soon, but are indicated by a stop at Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf being omitted.

Groß Gerau – Groß Gerau-Dornberg

[660] (ERA-E 47B1; ERA-R 122C2; S+W 154A2) DE24/545

This west to south curve links the Mainz to Darmstadt line with the Frankfurt am Main to Mannheim Riedbahn.

IC and EC trains between Mainz and Mannheim not calling at Frankfurt am Main Flughafen normally run via Worms, but are sometimes diverted via this curve. Relief IC trains may also run this way, and it has been used at short notice when there is an operating or infrastructure problem on the Worms route. If local trains via Worms are replaced by buses, it is likely that IC and EC trains will use this route.

Between 11 and 24 March 2024, IC/EC/ICE trains between Mainz Hbf and Mannheim Hbf are diverted this way, not calling at Worms Hbf.


Groß Gerau-Dornberg – Klein Gerau (Abzw Klein Gerau Eichmühle)

[655] (ERA-E 47B1; ERA-R 122C2; S+W 154A2) DE24/546

This is the east to south curve at Groß Gerau. Occasionally, RE70 services between Mannheim Hbf and Frankfurt are diverted to/from Frankfurt am Main Süd via this curve, reversing at Darmstadt Hbf, with a public call there.

Note that during the total closure of the Riedbahn between 2 and 22 January and between 16 July and 14 December 2024, it will not be possible to divert any trains via this route.

See also