Germany (Berlin and Brandenburg) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services
Introduction
This list is based on the timetable dated from 13 December 2020 to 11 December 2021, unless otherwise stated. Standard abbreviations are explained in General Information. Map references relate to the 2017 issue of the Schweers+Wall Eisenbahnatlas Deutschland.
Obscure services
Routes are listed generally in the following order: (i) Berlin central area; (ii) the Berlin Outer Ring (Außenring) and connections to or from it, in anti-clockwise order starting from Biesdorfer Kreuz; (iii) all others outside the Außenring.
Berlin central area
Berlin-Charlottenburg – Berlin-Halensee (Halensee Kurve)
[200.41, 200.42] (ERA-E 51B3 not shown; ERA-R 93C3;128B3) DE21/251
This south to east curve links the S-Bahn Ringbahn and Stadtbahn lines. It is used by a pair of Ringbahn trains entering or leaving service at Berlin-Charlottenburg.
- From Berlin-Halensee: 01:27 SSuX
- From Berlin-Charlottenburg: 03:55 SSuX
Berlin-Lichtenberg – Berlin Ostkreuz
[209.12, 209.24, 209.25, 209.26] (ERA-E 51B4-51B3 not shown; ERA-R 94B3-94A3;129B3-129C3) DE21/252
There are two routes for main line trains between Berlin-Lichtenberg and Berlin Ostkreuz. One runs via the Ringbahn to the high-level platforms at Berlin Ostkreuz. The other runs parallel with the S-Bahn to low level platforms 7 and 8 at Berlin Ostkreuz. The low-level route is used by RB trains to and from Küstrin-Kietz, Templin Stadt and Werneuchen. The connection to/from the high-level platforms has no passenger use until 10 July, but from that date, RB24 services between Bestensee and Eberswalde via Berlin Ostkreuz revert to running via Berlin-Lichtenberg, and hence use this route.
Berlin-Lichtenberg/Berlin Ostkreuz – Berlin Gesundbrunnen/Bernau (b. Berlin) (Abzw Bornholmer Straße) (Ringbahn Ferngleis)
[209.9, 209.24, NEB RB54/209.54] (ERA-E 51B4-51B3; ERA-R 94B3-94A4;129A1-129C3) DE21/253
This is the north-eastern quadrant of the Ringbahn Ferngleis between Berlin Ostkreuz (high level) and Berlin Gesundbrunnen. There is an east-to-north connection from Berlin-Lichtenberg to Abzw Frankfurter Allee, north of Berlin Ostkreuz, and an east-to-north connection from Abzw Schönhauser Allee, east of Berlin Gesundbrunnen, to the Eberswalde line at Abzw Bornholmer Straße.
Berlin Ostkreuz - Berlin Gesundbrunnen is used by the twice-hourly FEX (Flughafen Express) services between Flughafen BER - Terminal 1-2 and Berlin Hbf (tief/low level).
Berlin-Lichtenberg - Abzw Frankfurter Allee - Berlin Gesundbrunnen is used by the following RB54 services, which have run all year round since the December 2019 timetable change.
RB61187 | 07:45 Berlin-Lichtenberg - Rheinsberg (Mark) | ||
D1 | SSuX | RB61200 | Rheinsberg (Mark) - 22:01 Berlin Gesundbrunnen - Berlin-Lichtenberg |
D2 | SSuO | RB61198 | Rheinsberg (Mark) - 23:15 Berlin Gesundbrunnen - Berlin-Lichtenberg |
D1: From 21 December
D2: From 20 December
Berlin Ostkreuz - Abzw Schönhauser Allee - Abzw Bornholmer Straße is used by the hourly RB24 services between Senftenberg and Eberswalde which run non-stop between Ostkreuz and Bernau (b. Berlin). These services revert to running via the Außenring on 10 July 2021, which will leave the curve from Schönhauser Allee to Bornholmer Straße without passenger use.
Berlin Gesundbrunnen (Abzw Berlin-Wedding) – Berlin Jungfernheide (Abzw Moabit Ost)
[206] (ERA-E 51B3; ERA-R 94A4;128D1-128C2) DE21/254
This section of the Ringbahn Ferngleis is used by hourly RE6 services running direct between Berlin Gesundbrunnen and Berlin-Spandau, not via Berlin Hbf.
The route is also used by the following:
Note 1 | SO | IC1958/ICE758 | Ostseebad Binz - 13:54 Berlin Gesundbrunnen - Köln Hbf |
Note 2 | SuO | IC2250/ICE750 | Stralsund Hbf - 17:56 Berlin Gesundbrunnen - Köln Hbf |
Note 3 | SuO | IC1932/ICE1132 | Stralsund Hbf - 19:40 Berlin Gesundbrunnen - Oldenburg (Oldb) Hbf |
Note 1: This service runs as IC1958 until 4 September and as ICE758 from 11 September. Between 17 April and 10 July this service departs Berlin Gesundbrunnen at 13:56
Note 2: This service runs as IC2250 until 5 September and as ICE750 from 12 September
Note 3: This service runs as IC1932 until 5 September and as ICE1132 from 12 September
Berlin-Spandau – Berlin-Staaken (Nennhauser Damm)
[209.13, ODEG RE4] (ERA-E 51B2; ERA-R 93C4;124D4-124C4) D21/255
There are two routes between Berlin-Spandau and Staaken. The more northerly route makes a junction with the line from Falkensee about 1 km to the west of Berlin-Spandau. The southern route, mostly following the alignment of the Lehrter Bahn, converges with the main line at the west end of Berlin-Spandau station. Trains using the southern route can call only at platform 6, or use a non-platform track outside the station roof. IC, ICE and EC trains use the northern route in both directions. RE and RB trains generally use the northern route westbound and the southern route eastbound. If an eastbound train is to use the northern route, signal 8942 at Staaken (just east of the station) displays speed restriction ‘6’ (= 60 km/hr) above the main aspect.
Berlin Außenring (Outer Ring) and connections
Details are given of trains using connections on and off the Außenring at each of the junctions. Services referred to, generally operating hourly, are thus:
RE2 | Wismar - Wittenberge - Spandau - Alexanderplatz - Königs Wusterhausen - Cottbus | 202 |
RE5 | Rostock/Stralsund - Oranienburg - Gesundbrunnen - Südkreuz - Elsterwerda | 205 |
RE6 | Wittenberge - Neuruppin - Hennigsdorf (reverse) - Spandau - Gesundbrunnen | 206 |
RE7 | Dessau/Jüterbog - Alexanderplatz - Flughafen BER-Terminal 1-2 - Wünsdorf-Waldstadt | 207 |
RB12 | Ostkreuz - Lichtenberg - Oranienburg - Templin Stadt | 209.12 |
RB14 | Nauen - Spandau - Alexanderplatz - Flughafen BER-Terminal 1-2 | 209.14 |
RB20 | Oranienburg - Hennigsdorf (reverse) - Potsdam Hbf (Monday to Friday only) | 209.20 |
RB21 | Friedrichstraße/Potsdam Hbf - Golm - Wustermark | 209.21 |
RB22 | Potsdam Hbf - Golm (reverse) - Flughafen BER-Terminal 1-2 - Königs Wusterhausen | 209.21 |
RB24 | Eberswalde - Bernau (b. Berlin) - Ostkreuz - Königs Wusterhausen - Senftenberg | 209.24 |
RB25 | Ostkreuz - Lichtenberg - Werneuchen | 209.25 |
Biesdorfer Kreuz
(ERA-E 51B4;129D2) DE21/261
Biesdorfer Kreuz West - Biesdorfer Kreuz Nord is used by services RB12 and RB25. RB24 runs via the Ringbahn Ferngleis until 9 July, then by this curve and the Außenring from 10 July 2021.
Biesdorfer Kreuz West - Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd West - Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd: There are two single lines between Biesdorfer Kreuz West and Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd. The short curve (line 6071) is reversible, but the long curve (line 6076) can only be used by trains towards Berlin-Lichtenberg. Generally, the long curve is only used if other movements prevent use of the short one. Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd West is an intermediate junction on the short curve, where it is joined by the line from Rummelsburg. Since the diversion to Berlin Hbf via Erfurt of Flixtrain services from Stuttgart in December 2019, there is no longer any passenger use of either curve.
Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd West - Biesdorfer Kreuz Nord is a single track parallel with the Außenring which is used by trains between Rummelsburg and the north side of the ring. No passenger use of this line has been identified in this timetable period.
There is no passenger use of the curves to the Außenring from Biesdorfer Kreuz Ost, nor of the Außenring between Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd and Biesdorfer Kreuz Nord.
Karower Kreuz
(ERA-E 51A3;125C2) DE21/262
Berlin-Karow Ost - Berlin-Karow (east to north) was used by RB24 until December 2019, when it was diverted to run via Ostkreuz high level and the Ringbahn. From 10 July 2021 RB24 reverts to running by this route, but until then there is no scheduled passenger use of this curve.
Berlin-Blankenburg - Berlin-Karow West (south to west) is used by RE5 and IC trains between Berlin and Rostock.
Berlin-Karow Ost - Berlin-Karow West (Außenring ) is used by RB12.
There is no scheduled passenger use of the south to east or north to west curves.
Abzw Hohen Neuendorf
(ERA-E 51A3;125A1) DE21/263
Schönfließ West - Birkenwerder (east to north) is used by RE5, RB12 and IC trains between Berlin and Rostock. There are two routes. The Lange Kurve runs parallel with the S-Bahn via Hohen Neuendorf, passing below the Außenring. The Kleine Kurve is a direct east to north connection from the Außenring to Birkenwerder. Both routes are reversible single tracks. The Kleine Kurve is used by all northbound trains. Southbound RB12 trains normally run via the Lange Kurve, but others use the Kleine Kurve unless it is necessary to avoid conflict with a westbound freight on the Außenring.
Hohen Neuendorf West - Birkenwerder (west to north) is used by RB20. There are two routes. The Kleine Kurve is used in both directions by RB20 in order to call at Hohen Neuendorf West, whose single platform lies on this line, although it is also possible to regain the main line and thence the Lange Kurve. This branches south from and then passes below the Außenring having described three-quarters of a circle. It no longer sees regular use.
There is normally no passenger use of the Außenring between Schönfließ West and Hohen Neuendorf West.
Abzw Hennigsdorf
(ERA-E 51A2;124D2) DE21/264
Hennigsdorf Nord (Hdo) - Hennigsdorf (east to south) is used by RB20
Hennigsdorf Nord (Hdw) - Hennigsdorf (west to south) is used by RE6 and RB20
There is no scheduled passenger use of the Außenring between Hdo and Hdw, avoiding Hennigsdorf, although it is occasionally used for diverted services from the Elsterwerda or Oranienburg lines to Berlin via Spandau.
Falkenhagener Kreuz
(51A1-51A2;124B3) DE21/265
Falkenhagen - Finkenkrug (north to east) is used by RE6
Falkenhagen - Brieselang Hasselberg (Außenring ) is used by RB20
There is no passenger use of the curves to the Außenring from Brieselang.
Abzw Wustermark
(ERA-E 51B1;124A4) DE21/266
Wustermark - Priort (west to south) is used by RB21 and the following Nightjet services:
D3 | NJ470 | Zürich HB - 04:59 Braunschweig Hbf - Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
D3 | NJ471 | Berlin Ostbahnhof - 21:33 Potsdam Hbf - Zürich HB |
D3: 23 April - 7 November
Wustermark Awf - Priort (Außenring ) is used by RB20
There is no passenger use of the curves to the Außenring from Wustermark Rbf and Elstal.
Potsdam
(ERA-E 51C1;126A2) DE21/267
Potsdam Park Sanssouci - Golm (east to north) is used by RB20, RB21 and RB22.
Postdam Wildpark West - Werder (Havel) (south to west) has been used by passenger trains on Saturdays and Sundays during the “Baumblütenfest” (Blossom Festival) in Werder. The 2020 event was cancelled but the 2021 festival is due to go ahead in late April and early May. RB22 may be diverted to Werder (Havel), instead of Golm, or other arrangements may be made.
Golm - Potsdam Wildpark West (Außenring ) is used by RB22.
There is no passenger use of the north to west curve from Golm to Werder (Havel), nor of the connections from the Außenring to the Belzig line at Wilhelmshorst and Saarmund.
Abzw Genshagener Heide
(ERA-E 51C3;127A3) DE21/268
Großbeeren Süd - Genshagener Heide Mitte (north to east) is a loop west of the Berlin - Leipzig main line used by RE5 and by IC/EC trains between Berlin and Dresden.
Großbeeren Süd - Genshagener Heide (north to west) was used by a summer weekend ICE train pair to and from Ostseebad Binz in 2020, but no scheduled use of this curve has been identified in this timetable period. It is occasionally used for diverted services between Berlin and Braunschweig when the route via Berlin-Wannsee is blocked.
Genshagener Heide - Genshagener Heide Mitte (Außenring) is used by RB22.
There is no passenger use of any of the other curves at Genshagener Heide.
Abzw Glasower Damm
(ERA-E 51C3;127C3) DE21/269
Glasower Damm West - Blankenfelde (Glasower Damm Süd) is used by RE5 and by the two-hourly EC trains between Kiel, Hamburg or Berlin and Praha via Dresden.
Glasower Damm West - Glasower Damm Ost (Außenring) is used by RB22 and the two-hourly IC services between Rostock, Berlin and Dresden. These trains run via Abzw Selchow Süd to/from Flughafen BER - Terminals 1-2, where the IC services reverse.
Glasower Damm Ost - Glasower Damm Süd is used by RE7 and the Rostock - Berlin - Dresden IC services. RE7 towards Wunstorf-Waldstadt and the IC services in both directions run via the northern junction at Glasower Damm Ost. The connection to the southern pair of tracks is used by RE7 towards Berlin Ostkreuz and Dessau, and the following services:
D4 | SuX | IC2432 | Cottbus - 05:47 Finsterwalde (Niederlausitz) - Norddeich Mole |
D5 | RJ256/RE50256 | Graz Hbf - 20:41 Doberlug-Kirchhain - Berlin-Charlottenburg |
D4: 10 July to 10 September
D5: 13 December to 15 January
Abzw Selchow
(ERA-E 51C3;127C3) DE21/270
Abzw Selchow - Abzw Selchow Süd is used by RE7 from Wunstorf-Waldstadt towards Dessau Hbf via Berlin Ostkreuz only. RE7 services in the other direction and IC services in both directions between Rostock, Berlin and Dresden (which reverse at Flughafen BER - Terminals 1-2) use the northern pair of tracks between Abzw Selchow and Glasower Damm rather than this spur.
Abzw Selchow - Grünauer Kreuz Süd (Außenring) is no longer used by most passenger trains, which now run via Flughafen BER Terminals 1-2. It is still used by the following services:
D6 | MO | RB18137 | 23:03 Königs Wüsterhausen - Potsdam Hbf |
D7 | TO | RB18139 | 00:11 Königs Wüsterhausen - Potsdam Hbf |
D6 | MO | RB18138 | Potsdam Hbf - 23:22 Ludwigsfelde-Struveshof - Königs Wüsterhausen |
D4 | SuX | IC2432 | Cottbus - 05:47 Finsterwalde (Niederlausitz) - Norddeich Mole |
D5 | RJ256/RE50256 | Graz Hbf - 20:41 Doberlug-Kirchhain - Berlin-Charlottenburg |
D4: 10 July to 10 September
D5: 13 December to 15 January
D6: Until 6 September
D7: Until 7 September
Grünauer Kreuz
(ERA-E 51B4;127D2) DE21/271
Grünauer Kreuz Süd - Berlin-Grünau (south to east) was used by RB22, but since 31 October 2020 almost all of these have run via Flughafen BER - Terminals 1-2 to/from Abzw Bohnsdorf Süd. The following trains still use this route late on Monday nights only:
D6 | MO | RB18137 | 23:03 Königs Wüsterhausen - Potsdam Hbf |
D7 | TO | RB18139 | 00:11 Königs Wüsterhausen - Potsdam Hbf |
D6 | MO | RB18138 | Potsdam Hbf - 23:38 Flughafen BER-Terminal 5 (Schönefeld) - Königs Wüsterhausen |
D6: Until 6 September
D7: Until 7 September
Grünauer Kreuz Nord - Berlin-Grünau (north to east) is used by RE2, RE7 and RB14
Grünauer Kreuz Süd - Grünauer Kreuz Nord (Außenring ) was used by RE7 and RB14, but since 31 October 2020 these have run via Flughafen BER - Terminals 1-2 to/from Abzw Bohnsdorf Nord leaving this section without regular passenger use.
It is used by the following services on certain dates:
D4 | SuX | IC2432 | Cottbus - 05:47 Finsterwalde (Niederlausitz) - Norddeich Mole |
D5 | RJ256/RE50256 | Graz Hbf - 20:41 Doberlug-Kirchhain - Berlin-Charlottenburg |
D4: 10 July to 10 September
D5: 13 December to 15 January.
There is no passenger use of the curves to the Außenring from Berlin-Schöneweide.
Wuhlheide
(ERA-E 51B4;129D4) DE21/272
Berlin-Eichgestell - Berlin-Ostendgestell (south to west) is used by RE2, RE7, RB14 and:
D8 | SX | IC2431 | Emden Außenhafen - 18:40 Berlin Ostbahnhof - Cottbus |
D9 | SuX | IC2432 | Cottbus - 06:51 Königs Wusterhausen - Norddeich Mole |
D4 | SuX | IC2432 | Cottbus - 05:47 Finsterwalde (Niederlausitz) - Norddeich Mole |
D5 | RJ256/RE50256 | Graz Hbf - 20:41 Doberlug-Kirchhain - Berlin-Charlottenburg |
D4: 10 July to 10 September
D5: 13 December to 15 January
D8: Not 11 July to 10 September (runs via Südkreuz). Between 23 April and 9 July departs Berlin Ostbahnhof at 18:52
D9: Not 10 July to 10 September
Berlin Stadtforst - Eichgestell Nord (north to east) was used in 2020 by trains EN440 FSuO Moskva - Berlin-Lichtenberg and EN441 MSO Berlin-Lichtenberg - Moskva. In the 2020/2021 timetable period they run direct between Berlin Ostbahnhof and the Frankfurt (Oder) line and so do not use this curve. No other passenger use has been identified in the current timetable.
Berlin-Eichgestell - Eichgestell Nord (Außenring) has no regular passenger use. It is used by the trains between Berlin and Moskva when they are diverted via Cottbus. No such diversions have been identified in this timetable period.
There is no passenger use of the south to east curve from Berlin-Eichgestell to Berlin-Stadtforst.
Berlin Ostbahnhof (Rummelsburg Rgbv) - Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd West
(ERA-E 51B4;129C3-129D3) DE21/273
There is no west to north curve at Wuhlheide, but this line enables trains to run between Berlin Ostbahnhof and the north side of the Außenring or Berlin-Lichtenberg. With the diversion from December 2019 of Flixtrain services from Stuttgart to run to Berlin Hbf via Erfurt, there is no longer any passenger use of this connection.
Other lines outside the Außenring
Rheinsberg (Mark) - Stechlinsee
[NEB RB54] (ERA-E 44C1;25D3) DE21/280
For the last few years one return service has run on this line on summer weekends. Special tickets are required, which are available on the train. The 2019 service operated between 22 June and 1 September. No service operated in 2020. As at the end of December 2020, the Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn website states that a decision on whether services will operate in 2021 has not yet been taken. If services are to run, they will be shown on the website and this entry updated in due course.
Berlin-Staaken – Stendal – Wolfsburg
[ODEG RE4, 301] (ERA-E 51B2-48C4;124C4 to 32D4) DE21/281
On this route the double track Schnellfahrstrecke runs alongside one or two other tracks for most of the way. Between Berlin-Staaken and Elstal local passenger trains use a double line immediately south of the Schnellfahrstrecke. There is a single-track local line between Elstal and Wustermark. All passenger trains use the Schnellfahrstrecke between Wustermark and Rathenow. There is no passenger use of the parallel track from Wustermark to Abzw. Ribbeck (east of Buschow), which is not electrified, or from Abzw. Bamme (west of Nennhausen) to Rathenow. RB34 trains between Rathenow and Stendal use the parallel non-electrified single line. All others use the Schnellfahrstrecke. Between Hämerten (Abzw. Staffelde) and Vinzelberg (Abzw. Nahrstedt) the Schnellfahrstrecke follows a separate route to the south of Stendal, which is used by all trains not calling there. All RB trains west of Stendal use the single, non-electrified line. The two routes diverge slightly at a number of places, particularly at Oebisfelde.
Cottbus Hbf
The three lines into Cottbus Hbf from the west all split into separate routes to the south side platforms, 1 to 4, and to the middle and north side platforms, 5 to 10, as shown on this map.
Services are as follows:
RE2 (hourly) | Cottbus - Lübbenau (Spreewald) - Berlin - Wittenberge - Wismar | ODEG RE2 |
RE10 (two-hourly) | Cottbus - Calau (Nl) - Falkenberg (Elster) - Leipzig | 209.43 |
RE18 (two-hourly) | Cottbus - Ruhland - Großenhain - Dresden | 208 |
RB41 (hourly) | Cottbus - Lübbenau (Spreewald) (all stations). This service is operated by replacement bus during this timetable period. | ODEG RB41 (SEV) |
RB43 (two-hourly) | Cottbus - Calau (Nl) - Falkenberg (Elster) (thence as RE3 to Jüterbog) | 209.43 |
RB49 (two-hourly) | Cottbus - Ruhland - Elsterwerda-Biehla - Falkenberg (Elster) | 208 |
To/from Lübbenau (Spreewald) and Berlin
(ERA-E 50B3 not shown;49B4) DE21/282
South side platforms 1 to 4
Reached by the main line via former Stw W20 (line 6142).
Used by RE2 arrivals (except those shown below as arriving at platforms 5 to 10)
and the following services:
D9 | RE63959 | 03:56 Cottbus Hbf - Wismar | |
D9 | RE63931 | 04:56 Cottbus Hbf - Wittenberge | |
D9 | SuX | RE63949 | 05:32 Cottbus Hbf - Wismar |
D9 | SuX | IC2432/RE62432 | 06:04/06:05 Cottbus Hbf - Norddeich Mole |
D9 | SSuX | RE63949 | 06:12 Cottbus Hbf - Berlin Friedrichstraße |
D9 | SX | IC2431/RE62431 | Emden Außenhafen - 19:34 Lübbenau (Spreewald) - Cottbus Hbf |
D9 | RB18374 | Eberswalde - 22:25 Kolkwitz - Cottbus Hbf |
D9: Not 10 July to 10 September
Middle and north side platforms 5 to 10
Reached by a spur from Abzw Cbn via former Stw W10 (lines 6203 and 6201).
Used by RE2 departures, except as shown above, and the following RE2 arrivals:
D9 | FO | RE63952 | Berlin-Zoologischer Garten - 16:38 Kolkwitz - Cottbus Hbf |
D9 | FSSuX | RE63954 | Berlin Zoologischer Garten - 18:38 Kolkwitz - Cottbus Hbf |
D9: Not 10 July to 10 September
To/from Calau (Niederlausitz) and Leipzig
(ERA-E 50B3 not shown;49B4) DE21/283
South side platforms 1 to 4
Reached by a connection (line 6204) from Abzw Cfw via former Stw W9 to the main line from Lübbenau.
No passenger use of this connection has been determined in this timetable period
Middle and north side platforms 5 to 10
Reached by the main line (line 6345) or parallel loop (line 6203) via former Stw B12.
Used by RE10 and RB43
To/from Ruhland and Dresden
(ERA-E 50B3 not shown;49B4) DE21/284
South side platforms 1 to 4
Reached by a connection (line 6202) from former Südwest Stw B2 via former Stw W20.
Used by RE18 and RB49 except as shown below
Middle and north side platforms 6 to 10
Reached by a diveunder (line 6253) from former Südwest Stw B2 via former Stw B12
Used by certain RE18 and RB49 trains as follows:
RB18420 | Falkenberg (Elster) - 05:33 Leuthen (b. Cottbus) - Cottbus Hbf | ||
RE18404 | Dresden Hbf - 08:28 Drebkau - Cottbus Hbf | ||
RE18408 | Dresden Hbf - 12:28 Drebkau - Cottbus Hbf | ||
RE18416 | Dresden Hbf - 20:28 Drebkau - Cottbus Hbf | ||
RE18401 | 05:18 Cottbus Hbf - Dresden Hbf | ||
RB18423 | 06:11 Cottbus Hbf - Falkenberg (Elster) | ||
RE18405 | 09:18 Cottbus Hbf - Dresden Hbf | ||
RE18409 | 13:18 Cottbus Hbf - Dresden Hbf |
Falkenberg (Elster)
The Hoyerswerda to Lutherstadt Wittenberg and Leipzig to Cottbus lines cross at Falkenberg (Elster), passing through low-level (unt Bf) and high-level (ob Bf) platforms respectively. A series of curves south-east of the station allow trains to and from the Hoyerswerda line to use the high-level platforms (6 and 7) and those to and from the Cottbus line to use the low-level ones (3 and 4).
Uebigau (Falkenberg (Elster) Stw B3) – Falkenberg (Elster) unt Bf (Stw W17)
[209.43] (ERA-E 50A2;59C1) DE21/285
This combination of curves provides an east to north route, on the south side of the Cottbus – Leipzig line, connecting that line with the low-level station at Falkenberg (Elster). It is used by those RB43 services to Cottbus that start at Herzberg (Elster), but not in the other direction. RB43 services that start at Falkenberg (Elster) use high-level platform 6.
RB18074 Cottbus - 23:03 Uebigau - Herzberg (Elster) also uses these curves to run to platform 4.
RE10 trains, which run through to or from Leipzig Hbf, use the high-level platforms.
A full sized diagram is here.
Bad Liebenwerda (Falkenberg (Elster) Stw W15) – Falkenberg (Elster) ob Bf (Stw W2)
[208] (ERA-E 50A2;59C1) DE21/286
This south to west curve connects the line from Elsterwerda-Biehla with the high-level platforms at Falkenberg (Elster). It is used by S4 trains from Hoyerswerda to Wurzen via Leipzig, but not in the opposite direction, generally every two hours. A full sized diagram is here.
Falkenberg (Elster) unt Bf (Stw W17) – Falkenberg (Elster) ob Bf (Stw W2)
[208] (ERA-E 50A2;59C1) DE21/287
This route is a combination of parts of the previous two. It allows trains to run in a spiral between the high-level and low-level platforms at Falkenberg (Elster). It is used by:
- S4 trains every two hours from Leipzig to Hoyerswerda, but not in the opposite direction, which pass through the high-level platforms at Falkenberg without stopping and use this route to call at the low-level platforms, where they reverse.
- Those RB43 trains from Cottbus that terminate at Herzberg (Elster), but not in the opposite direction, which call at the high-level platforms and run through the low level without stopping. Exception: RB18074 Cottbus - 23:03 Uebigau - Herzberg (Elster), which runs directly to the low-level platforms via DE21/285.
A full sized diagram is here.
Walddrehna (Abzw Doberlug-Kirchhain Nord) - Finsterwalde (Niederlausitz) (Abzw Hennersdorf West)
[205 Süd] (ERA-E 50A2;47D4) DE21/288
This north to east curve links the Berlin - Dresden main line with the Leipzig - Cottbus line. It is used by RE5 services between Berlin Hbf, Luckau-Uckro and Finsterwalde (Niederlausitz), every two hours in the morning and evening peaks on Mondays to Fridays only. It is also used by the following IC service:
D4 | SuX | IC2432 | Cottbus - 05:47 Finsterwalde (Niederlausitz) - Norddeich Mole |
D4: 10 July to 10 September
Kamenz (Sachs) - Hosena
(ERA-E 50B1-50B2;60C3-60B2) DE21/289
This freight line is used once again in 2021 by a summer weekend train pair between Dresden and Senftenberg. This line is mostly within Land Sachsen.
D10 | SSuO | RB73861 | Dresden Hbf - 10:25 Kamenz (Sachs) - Senftenberg |
D10 | SSuO | RB73899 | Senftenberg - 17:07 Hosena - Dresden Hbf |
D10: 24 July to 5 September
Obscure services: Lines used on an occasional basis for engineering work diversions
Berlin Außenring
DE21/291
The Außenring and its connections to all of the lines radiating from Berlin provide scope for many diversions, including the following:
Karower Kreuz - Berlin-Gesundbrunnen: Trains from the Oranienburg or Bernau lines may be diverted via Berlin-Hohenschönhausen and Berlin-Lichtenberg. This has happened frequently in recent years. Such diversions result in an extended journey time.
Karower Kreuz - Berlin Hbf: A less common diversion of trains between Bernau and Berlin is via Falkenhagener Kreuz. In that event they use the curve between Berlin-Karow and Berlin-Karow West and the sections of the Außenring between Schönfließ West and Hohen Neuendorf West and between Hennigsdorf Nord Hdo and Hennigsdorf Nord Hdw. Such a diversion is likely to result in a longer journey time and any call at Berlin-Gesundbrunnen is omitted, but there may be an additional stop at Berlin-Spandau. This has happened on a few occasions in recent years.
Birkenwerder - Berlin Hbf: Trains between Oranienburg and Berlin Hbf may also be diverted via Falkenhagener Kreuz. In that event they use the section of the Außenring between Hennigsdorf Nord Hdo and Hennigsdorf Nord Hw. Such a diversion may not result in a significantly different journey time, but any call at Berlin-Gesundbrunnen is omitted and there may be an additional stop at Berlin-Spandau. It is possible that trains would use the long curve between Hohen Neuendorf West and Birkenwerder.
Brieslang - Wustermark: Trains between Nauen and Berlin may be diverted via the curves Brieselang to Brieselang-Hasselburg and Wustermark Awf to Elstal in event of engineering work on the line via Falkensee. This may not affect the journey time of express trains between Berlin and Hamburg significantly. Use of this route is best indicated by local trains via Falkensee being replaced by buses.
Elstal - Priort - Golm - Werder: RE1 services may be diverted between Charlottenburg and Werder, calling additionally at Golm.
Saarmund - Golm: RB22 trains may be diverted via Michendorf (reverse) and the Wilhelmshorst curve.
Genshagener Heide - Blankenfelde: In event of an extended journey time between Berlin-Lichterfelde Ost and Blankenfelde, RE5 trains can be expected to reverse at Ludwigsfelde and use the curve between Birkengrund Süd and Genshagener Heide Ost.
Falkenberg (Elster) – Glaubitz (b Riesa) (Abzw. Zeithain Bogendreieck)
(ERA-E 50A2-50A1;59C1-59C3) DE21/292 [the southern portion of this line is in Sachsen]
This part of the original rail route from Berlin to Dresden links Falkenberg with the Leipzig – Dresden main line near Riesa. The local passenger service was withdrawn in 2004, but when there is engineering work on the main line to/from Berlin via Elsterwerda, all EC, EN and IC trains between Berlin and Dresden are diverted by this route. This occurred frequently in recent years while the main line was upgraded. Although the upgrade has been completed since December 2019, occasional diversions still occur.
Ferch-Lienewitz (Abzw Lienewitz Lia) - Beelitz Heilstätten
[207] (ERA-E 51A1;47A1) DE21/293
This north to south-west curve is occasionally used by RE7 services between Dessau and Berlin if engineering work is taking place on the direct line between Seddin and Griebnitzsee Ost, requiring diversion via Ferch-Lienewitz and Potsdam Hbf. On such occasions trains are not advertised to make the usual stops between Beelitz Heilstätten and Berlin-Wannsee.
Berlin-Wannsee (Abzw Berlin-Grunewald Gds) - Berlin Hbf (tief) (Abzw Moabit Ost)
[206] (ERA-E 51B3;128A3-128C2) DE21/294
This line is used by trains between the Potsdam line and Berlin Hbf (tief) when they are not able to use the Stadtbahn via Berlin-Zoo.