Germany (Hessen) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services
Introduction
This list is based on the timetable dated from 11 December 2016 to 9 December 2017, unless otherwise stated. Standard abbreviations are explained in General Information. Map references relate to the 2014 issue of the Schweers+Wall Eisenbahnatlas Deutschland.
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.
Eichenberg avoiding line: Friedland (Han) (Abzw Eichenberg Nordkopf) – Arenshausen (Abzw Eichenberg Ostkopf)
[540.1] (55B3) DE17/501
This north to east curve links the Göttingen and Nordhausen lines and is used by through trains between Göttingen and Leinefelde (generally every two hours).
Bad Sooden-Allendorf (Abzw Eschwege-Wehre) – Wehretal-Reichensachsen (Abzw Eschwege-Stegmühle)
(55B4) DE17/502
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 use the Schnellfahrstrecke, so the only passenger trains to use the main line, bypassing Eschwege, are overnight ones.
D1 | WO | EN452 | Moskva Belorusskaja - 21:09/21:59 (ThO) Berlin Hbf - Paris Est |
D | FSO | IC479 | Kiel Hbf - 01:23 Göttingen - Karlsruhe Hbf/Basel Bad Bf |
D | FSO | IC489 | Flensburg - 01:23 Göttingen - Karlsruhe Hbf/Basel Bad Bf |
D2 | EN471 | Hamburg-Altona - 23:37 Halle (Saale) Hbf - Zürich HB | |
EN491 | Hamburg-Altona - 22:59 Göttingen - Wien Hbf | ||
MO | ICE271 | Hamburg-Altona - 03:07 Göttingen - Basel SBB/Chur | |
D2 | EN470 | Zürich HB - 01:47 Fulda - Hamburg-Altona | |
D3 | FO | EN453 | Paris Est - 01:02 (SO) Frankfurt am Main Süd - Moskva Belorusskaja |
SuO | ICE990 | München Hbf - 02:25/02:28 (MO) Bad Hersfeld - Hamburg Hbf | |
D | FO | IC478 | Basel Bad - 03:34 (SO) Fulda - Kiel Hbf |
D | SO | IC488 | Basel Bad - 03:34 (SuO) Fulda - Flensburg |
EN490 | Wien Hbf – 03:00 Würzburg Hbf – Hamburg-Altona |
D1: Runs via this route when departing Berlin 15 December to 29 June and on 31 August
D2: 10 February (northbound) and 11 February (southbound) to 29 June
D3: Diverted via this route when departing Paris on 1 September
Bebra avoiding line: Ludwigsau-Friedlos (Abzw Blankenheim) – Ronshausen (Abzw Faßdorf)
[605, 610] (66 insert) DE17/503
This south to east curve enables trains between Fulda and Eisenach to avoid reversal at Bebra. It is used by trains (an ICE/IC service at least hourly) running non-stop between Fulda or Bad Hersfeld and Eisenach, plus:
D4 | EN471 | Hamburg-Altona - 01:30 Erfurt Hbf - Zürich HB | |
D5 | WO | EN452 | Moskva Belorusskaya - 23:22 (ThO) Erfurt Hbf - Paris Est |
D4 | EN470 | Zürich HB – 02:09 Fulda – Hamburg-Altona | |
D6 | FO | EN453 | Paris Est - 01:56 (SO) Frankfurt am Main Süd - Moskva Belorusskaya |
D4: 11 December to 9 February (northbound) and 10 February (southbound) and 30 June to 9 December
D5: Uses this route when departing Erfurt 6 July to 24 August and 7 September to 7 December
D6: Does not run this way when departing Paris on 1 September
Gießen avoiding line: Dutenhofen – Großen Linden (Gießen Bergwald Stw Gs)
[445, 630] (65A4) DE17/504
This west to south curve enables trains to run between Wetzlar and Friedberg (Hess) without reversing at Gießen.
SSuX | RE24901 | Siegen – 05:47 Wetzlar – Frankfurt am Main West | |
SSuX | RE24900 | Frankfurt am Main Hbf – 17:58 Bad Nauheim – Siegen |
Neuhof (Kr Fulda) (Fulda-Bronnzell) – Fulda via Flyover
[615] (78C1) DE17/505
The flyover south of the station allows trains to run from the northbound line from Hanau into the low-numbered platforms at Fulda, without crossing the Schnellfahrstrecke on the level. It is used by most RE trains via Flieden terminating at Fulda.
Flieden – Sterbfritz (Elm Bbf)
(78C1-78C2) DE17/506
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 passenger trains only during the night.
EN491 | Hamburg-Altona - 22:59 Göttingen - Wien Hbf | ||
EN490 | Wien Hbf – 03:00 Würzburg Hbf – Hamburg-Altona |
Wolfgang (Kr Hanau) – Hanau Hbf (via Abzw Rauschwald)
[615] (153D2) DE17/507
This route enables trains to and from the Fulda line to use the south side platforms (101 to 106) at Hanau Hbf.
SSuX | RB15641 | Bad Soden-Salmünster – 07:23 Wolfgang (Kr Hanau) – Frankfurt am Main Hbf |
Hanau West (Weiche 403/404) – Hanau Hbf (Nordseite)
[640] (153D2) DE17/508
This route is used by trains between the Maintal and Fulda lines, except those routed via Abzw Rauschwald (route DE17/507). 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, links with platforms 2 to 7 and is used by certain trains starting and terminating at Hanau. These are arrivals every two hours 06:57 to 20:57, also at 15:57 SSuX, and departures at 06:00, 06:29 SSuX, 07:03, 08:01, 09:03 and every two hours until 21:03 (13:03 is SSuO).
IC and ICE trains via Hanau may use the Offenbach or Maintal lines and routing is variable, depending on engineering work and other other circumstances.
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 Niederrader Brücke or the Main-Neckar-Brücke, about 2 km further upstream. The line over the Niederrader 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 a new spur under construction is expected to allow trains to use 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 Niederrader 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 Niederrader 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.
DIVERSIONS FEBRUARY TO APRIL 2017
Engineering work on the line between Frankfurt am Main Hbf and Frankfurt am Main Süd via the Main-Neckar-Brücke at weekends between 10 February and 2 April resulted in changes to train services. Many trains were diverted via the Niederrader Brücke and Abzw Forsthaus, with others running direct between Frankfurt am Main Süd and Frankfurt Stadion, not stopping at the Hauptbahnhof. Some Darmstadt line trains were diverted to Frankfurt am Main Hbf Süd. There were similar, but not quite so extensive, changes over the Easter weekend, 14 to 17 April. Similar diversions may operate from time to time at weekends.
Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Frankfurt am Main Süd
[615, 615.1, 640] (151C3-151D3) DE17/509
Most trains run via Main-Neckar-Brücke. The following trains run via Niederrader Brücke and Abzw Forsthaus:
D | FSO | IC479 | Kiel Hbf - 03:33 (SSuO) Hanau Hbf - Karlsruhe Hbf/Basel SBB |
D | FO | IC489 | Flensburg - 03:33 (SSuO) Hanau Hbf - Karlsruhe Hbf/Basel SBB |
D7 | SSuX | IC2393 | Fulda – 08:03 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Frankfurt am Main Hbf |
D8 | ICE1636 | Berlin Hbf – 11:01 Frankfurt am Main Süd – Frankfurt am Main Hbf | |
D7 | ICE228 | Wien Hbf – 13:20 Hanau Hbf – Frankfurt am Main Hbf | |
D9 | FO | IC1071 | Berlin Ostbahnhof - 14:41 Fulda – Frankfurt am Main Hbf |
D7 | ICE28 | Wien Hbf - 15:20 Hanau Hbf – Frankfurt am Main Hbf | |
D10 | SuO | ICE1075 | Berlin Südkreuz - 16:38 Fulda - Frankfurt am Main Hbf |
D11 | ICE1997 | Berlin Südkreuz - 16:40/17:02 Fulda - Frankfurt am Main Hbf | |
FO | ICE1197 | Berlin Südkreuz - 20:16 Hanau Hbf/21:29 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Frankfurt am Main Hbf | |
D12 | FSuO | ICE775 | Hamburg-Altona - Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe - Frankfurt am Main Hbf |
D | FO | IC478 | Basel Bad Bf - 02:20 (FO) Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Kiel Hbf |
D | SO | IC488 | Basel Bad Bf – 02:20 (SuO) Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Flensburg |
D7 | FO | IC1972 | 12:15 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Hamburg-Altona |
D7 | ICE29 | 14:16 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Wien Hbf | |
D13 | FO | IC1070 | 16:14 Frankfurt am Main Süd – Berlin Ostbf |
D7 | ICE229 | 16:14 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Wien Hbf | |
SX | ICE776 | 17:16 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Oldenburg (Oldb) Hbf | |
D10 | SuO | ICE1076 | 18:16 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Berlin Ostbf |
D7 | FO | IC1992 | 18:16 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Berlin Ostbf |
D7 | ThO | ICE1998 | 18:16 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Berlin Ostbf |
D7 | MTWO | IC2394 | 18:16 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Fulda |
D7: 28 August to 9 December
D8: 25 & 27 May, 3, 10 & 15 June
D9: 16 December to 12 March, 19 May to 28 July and 1 September to 8 December
D10: 3 September to 3 December
D11: 13 April, 24 May, 14 June and FO 4 August to 8 December
D12: 10 February to 9 April and 1 September to 8 December
D13: 16 December to 12 March and 19 May to 28 July
Although trains from Groß-Umstadt Wiebelsbach to Frankfurt am Main Hbf, departing Frankfurt am Main Süd at 5 minutes past the hour, are allowed 15 minutes to the Hauptbahnhof, they run via Main Neckar Brücke, but with a pathing stop en route.
Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Neu Isenburg (via Abzw Forsthaus)
[650, 650.2] (151C3-151C4) DE17/510
Most trains to and from Neu Isenburg, other than S-Bahn, run via Main-Neckar-Brücke, but the following are scheduled via Niederrader Brücke:
D | IC2391 | 16:50 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Stuttgart Hbf | |
D20 | SuO | IC1956 | Leipzig Hbf - 17:59 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Karlsruhe Hbf |
FSuO | IC2171 | Hamburg-Altona - 20:15 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Stuttgart Hbf | |
D | IC2390/2392 | Stuttgart Hbf - 08:41 Darmstadt Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf | |
D21 | SuO | IC2412 | Stuttgart Hbf - 11:24 Darmstadt Hbf - Berlin Ostbf |
D20: Not 3 September
D21: 3 September to 29 October 2017
The following services are diverted this way between 1 July and 13 August 2016:
D | SSuX | IC2278 | Karlsruhe Hbf - 06:54 Heidelberg Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf |
D | TGV9583 | Marseille St Charles - 14:54 Karlsruhe Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf | |
D | ICE9553 | Paris Est - 16:19 Mannheim Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf | |
D | SX | ICE9555 | Paris Est - 20:19 Mannheim Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf |
D | ICE9557/TGV9559 | Paris Est - 22:19 Mannheim Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf | |
D | SSuX | ICE9558 | 05:38 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Paris Est |
D | SO | ICE9586 | 06:42 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Paris Est |
D | SO | ICE9566 | 08:26 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Paris Est |
D | SSuX | ICE9556 | 08:37 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Paris Est |
D | SSuO | ICE9554 | 10:38 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Paris Est |
D | TGV9552 | 12:38 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Paris Est | |
D | TGV9560 | 16:50 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Paris Est | |
D | SSuX | ICE9550 | 18:38 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Paris Est |
Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Frankfurt am Main Stadion
[471, 472, 655, 655.1] (151C3-151B4) DE17/511
Most trains (and particularly RE and RB ones) run via Niederrader 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 run via Main-Neckar-Brücke and Abzw Forsthaus:
- ICE trains from Mannheim Hbf to Frankfurt am Main Hbf hourly 07:29/07:32 to 21:29/21:32 and every two hours 07:16 to 17:16;
- ICE trains from Frankfurt Flughafen Fernbf to Frankfurt am Main Hbf every two hours 06:41 to 20:41;
- ICE trains from Frankfurt am Main Hbf to Mannheim Hbf hourly 05:50 to 20:50;
- ICE trains from Frankfurt am Main Hbf to Frankfurt Flughafen Fernbf hourly 08:10 to 22:10 (except 09:10 & 12:10)
Other trains via this route are:
FSX | ICE990/1590 | München Hbf - 00:31 SSuX Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf/Hamburg Hbf | |
FSO | RJ1066 | Budapest Keleti - 00:31 SSuO Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf | |
SSuX | ICE827 | Köln Hbf - 04:35 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf - München Hbf | |
D | IC2419 | Köln Hbf - 04:42 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf/Stuttgart Hbf | |
ICE618/1018 ICE1118/1218 | München Hbf - 05:17 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf - Köln Hbf/Essen Hbf/Dortmund Hbf | ||
ICE521 | Köln Hbf - 05:34 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf - München Hbf | ||
MO | ICE1092 | Karlsruhe Hbf - 05:28 Mannheim Hbf - Berlin Ostbf | |
D14 | SuX | ICE834 | Stuttgart Hbf - 06:01 Mannheim Hbf - Hamburg-Altona |
D | ICE1587/1597 | Wiesbaden Hbf/Mainz Hbf - 09:01 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf - Leipzig Hbf/Dresden Hbf | |
D14 | ICE830 | Stuttgart Hbf - 10:07 Mannheim Hbf - Hamburg-Altona | |
D14 | ICE938 | Stuttgart Hbf - 12:00 Mannheim Hbf - Hamburg-Altona | |
D14 | ICE936 | Stuttgart Hbf - 14:00 Mannheim Hbf - Hamburg-Altona | |
ICE1653 | Wiesbaden Hbf - 15:01 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf – Dresden Hbf | ||
D14 | SO | ICE934 | Stuttgart Hbf - 16:00 Mannheim Hbf - Hamburg-Altona |
ICE1655 | Wiesbaden Hbf – 17:01 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf – Dresden Hbf | ||
D14 | ICE932 | Stuttgart Hbf - 18:00 Mannheim Hbf - Hamburg-Altona | |
D15 | ICE376 | Interlaken Ost - 19:16 Mannheim Hbf - Hamburg-Altona | |
D14 | SuO | ICE930 | Stuttgart Hbf - 20:06 Mannheim Hbf - Hamburg-Altona |
D | SSuO | ICE251 | Amsterdam C – 23:02 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf – Frankfurt am Main Hbf |
ICE887/1087 | Kiel Hbf - 00:13 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Wiesbaden Hbf | ||
D | ICE2095 | Berlin Hbf - 02:41 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Stuttgart Hbf/München Hbf | |
D | IC2220/2320/2330 | 05:42 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Koblenz Hbf/Köln Messe Deutz/Hamburg-Altona/Lübeck Hbf | |
ICE1594 | Dresden Hbf/Leipzig Hbf - 20:42 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Wiesbaden Hbf | ||
ICE695/1093 | Berlin Ostbf/Hbf - 21:51 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Stuttgart Hbf/München Hbf |
D14: 1 July to 13 August 2017
D15: 11 December 2016 to 30 June 2017
Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Frankfurt-Höchst (via Abzw Mainzer Landstraße)
[466, 627, 646] (50A3, 151C3-151B3) DE15/512
All 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. Most of those to and from Limburg (Lahn) run via Abzw Gutleuthof to use platforms 1–8 on the south side of the Hauptbahnhof.
Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Frankfurt-Rödelheim (via Abzw Mainzer Landstraße)
[637] (50A3, 151C3-152D2) DE16/513
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. S-Bahn trains between Frankfurt-Rödelheim and Frankfurt am Main Hbf run via Frankfurt West.
Frankfurt am Main Süd (Abst Anlage) – Frankfurt-Louisa
[650, 650.2] (151D3-151C4) DE17/514
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.
FO | ICE1179 | Hamburg-Altona - 18:00/18:12 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Stuttgart Hbf | |
D20 | LOC1819 | Berlin-Lichtenberg - 19:37 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Stuttgart Hbf | |
D16 | SuO | ICE1564 | Dresden Hbf - 20:46 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Saarbrücken Hbf |
D16 | SSuO | ICE1582 | Dresden Hbf- 23:00 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Stuttgart Hbf |
D21 | LOC1818 | Stuttgart Hbf - 08:04 Darmstadt Hbf - Berlin-Lichtenberg | |
D16 | SO | ICE1567 | Saarbrücken Hbf - 08:48 Darmstadt Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Süd |
FO | IC1970 | Stuttgart Hbf - 13:46 Darmstadt Hbf – Stralsund Hbf |
D16: 11 February to 2 April 2017
D20: MTWX until 6 April, then daily. Service was suspended from 11 May 2017, but recommences TWX on 24th August 2017.
D21: TWThX until 6 April, then daily. Service was suspended from 12 May 2017, but recommences WThX on 25th August 2017.
Trains to and from Erbach (Odenw) via Darmstadt Nord used this curve and Frankfurt am Main Süd station, instead of the Hauptbahnhof, at weekends from 11 February to 2 April 2017.
Frankfurt am Main Stadion – Neu Isenburg (via Abzw Forsthaus)
[471, 650] (151B4-151C4) DE17/515
This route is used by trains between Frankfurt am Main Stadion and Neu Isenburg if not booked to call at Frankfurt am Main Hbf.
SSuX | ICE1223 | 06:48 Darmstadt Hbf - Dortmund Hbf |
Frankfurt am Main Stadion – Frankfurt am Main Süd (via Abzw Forsthaus)
[640, 655.1] (151B4-151D3) DE17/516
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. These are ICE trains every two hours, though the exact departure time may vary by up to 3 minutes:
- Frankfurt am Main Süd to Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf: 07:39 to 21:40
- Frankfurt am Main Süd to Mannheim Hbf: 10:05 to 22:05
- Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf to Frankfurt am Main Süd: 08:11 to 18:11
- Mannheim Hbf to Frankfurt am Main Süd: 07:12 to 17:12
The trains between Mannheim Hbf and Frankfurt am Main Süd are routed this way only between 1 July and 13 August.
The route is also used by:
EN470 | Zürich HB - 23:59 Mannheim Hbf - Hamburg-Altona | ||
FO | EN453 | Paris Est - 00:44 (SO) Karlsruhe Hbf - Moskva Belorusskaja | |
SSuX | RB15211 | 07:05 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Regionalbf – Hanau Hbf | |
D14 | ICE972 | Stuttgart Hbf - 08:11 Mannheim Hbf - Kiel Hbf | |
SSuX | RB15219 | 09:13 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Regionalbf – Hanau Hbf | |
SSuX | RB15239 | 15:13 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Regionalbf – Hanau Hbf | |
ICE1643 | 16:10 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf – Leipzig Hbf | ||
SSuX | RB15249 | 17:13 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Regionalbf – Hanau Hbf | |
D10 | SuO | ICE1021 | Essen Hbf - 20:35 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf – München Hbf |
EN421 | Düsseldorf Hbf - 23:53 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Regionalbf – Innsbruck Hbf | ||
WO | EN452 | Moskva Belorusskaja – 01:40/02:18 (FO) Frankfurt am Main Süd – Paris Est | |
EN420 | Innsbruck Hbf - 02:46 Nürnberg Hbf - Düsseldorf Hbf | ||
EN471 | Hamburg-Altona - 04:02 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Zürich HB | ||
SSuX | RB15206 | Aschaffenburg Hbf – 06:40 Frankfurt am Main Süd – Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Regionalbf | |
SSuX | RB15298 | Kahl (Main) – 08:41 Frankfurt am Main Süd – Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Regionalbf | |
SSuX | RB15238 | Hanau Hbf – 14:39 Frankfurt am Main Süd – Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Regionalbf | |
SSuX | RB15246 | Hanau Hbf – 16:42 Frankfurt am Main Süd – Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Regionalbf |
D10: 3 September to 3 December
D14: 1 July to 13 August
Frankfurt am Main Hbf avoiding line: Frankfurt West (Galluswarte) – Frankfurt-Niederrad
(151C3-151B3) DE16/517
This line provides a link between Frankfurt West and lines to the south, for trains not required to call at the Hauptbahnhof.
D16 | SuO | ICE1181 | Berlin Südkreuz - 18:35 Frankfurt am Main West - Stuttgart Hbf |
D16 | SuO | ICE1095 | Berlin Hbf - 20:35 Frankfurt am Main West - Stuttgart Hbf |
D16: 11 February to 2 April, also 17 April
ICE route 20 and 22 trains (Kiel/Hamburg - Frankfurt am Main - Stuttgart/Basel) are diverted via this route between 29 April and 1 May 2017, the services concerned calling at Frankfurt am Main West instead of the Hauptbahnhof.
Frankfurt am Main Hbf avoiding line: Frankfurt West (Galluswarte) – Frankfurt-Louisa (Main-Neckar Brücke)
(151C3) DE16/517A
This line provides an alternative link between Frankfurt West and lines to the south, but particularly via Darmstadt, for trains not required to call at the Hauptbahnhof. The following were diverted and some may have run via this route, but there was some use of route DE16/517 via the Niederrader Brücke and Abzw Forsthaus.
D21 | FO | IC2271 | Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe - 09:00 Frankfurt am Main West - Heidelberg Hbf |
D21 | FO | IC2277 | Hamburg-Altona - 11:01 Frankfurt am Main West - Heidelberg Hbf |
D22 | MFSSuO | IC2279 | Stralsund Hbf/Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe - 13:00 Frankfurt am Main West - Heidelberg Hbf |
D22 | MFSSuO | IC2371 | Hamburg-Altona - 15:00 Frankfurt am Main West - Heidelberg Hbf |
D22 | MFSSuO | IC2373 | Stralsund Hbf - 17:00 Frankfurt am Main West - Heidelberg Hbf |
D22 | MFSSuO | IC2375 | Westerland (Sylt) - 19:00 Frankfurt am Main West - Heidelberg Hbf |
D22 | MFSSuO | IC2376 | 07:46 Heidelberg Hbf - Stralsund Hbf/Ostseebad Binz |
D22 | MFSSuO | IC2374 | 09:46 Heidelberg Hbf - Westerland (Sylt) |
D22 | MFSSuO | IC2372 | 11:46 Heidelberg Hbf - Stralsund Hbf |
D23 | FSO | IC2370 | 13:46 Heidelberg Hbf - Hamburg-Altona |
D24 | MO | IC2276 | 15:46 Heidelberg Hbf - Hamburg-Altona |
D22 | MFSSuO | IC2274 | 17:46 Heidelberg Hbf - Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe/Hamburg-Altona |
D24 | MO | IC2172 | 19:46 Heidelberg Hbf - Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe |
D21: 14 April 2017 only
D22: 14 to 17 April 2017
D23: 14 and 15 April 2017
D24: 17 April 2017 only
Wiesbaden avoiding line: Wiesbaden-Biebrich – Wiesbaden Ost
[466] (151B1-151C1) DE17/518
This route is used by trains running between Frankfurt or Mainz and the east bank of the Rhein (Rechte Rheinstrecke) without calling at Wiesbaden Hbf.
D17 | SuO | IC2412 | Stuttgart Hbf - 12:00 Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Berlin Ostbahnhof |
D17 | FO | IC2415 | Dortmund Hbf - 15:25 Eltville - Stuttgart Hbf |
D17: 1 September to 29 October 2016
Limburg Süd (Abzw Breckenheim) - Wiesbaden Hbf (Wiesbaden-Wäschbach)
[472] (151B1 - 151D1) DE17/519
This branch off the Köln - Frankfurt Schnellfahrstrecke is used by ICE trains between Köln and Wiesbaden Hbf.
SSuX | ICE711 | Köln Hbf - 06:57 Limburg Süd - Stuttgart Hbf | |
SSuX | ICE1228 | Dortmund Hbf - 18:21 Limburg Süd - Frankfurt am Main Hbf | |
SSuX | ICE712 | Mainz Hbf - 06:23 Wiesbaden Hbf - Köln Hbf | |
SSuX | ICE710 | Stuttgart Hbf - 16:45 Wiesbaden Hbf - Köln Hbf |
Hochheim (Main) (Abzw Kostheim) – Mainz Hbf (Abzw Kaiserbrücke Ost)
[471] (151C2) DE17/520
This route allows trains from the north bank of the River Main to access the Kaiserbrücke over the River Rhein to Mainz, allowing trains to 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, but no passenger trains are scheduled to do so at present.
D18 | SSuX | ICE1587 | 08:35 Mainz Hbf - Leipzig Hbf |
D | SO | IC2317 | 07:00 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Stuttgart Hbf |
D18 | FO | RE29648 | 15:30 Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Bad Kreuznach |
D18 | FSSuX | RE29650 | 17:35 Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Bad Kreuznach |
D18: 14 August to 22 September 2017
Between 14 August and 24 September 2017 RE trains from Saarbrücken Hbf to Frankfurt am Main Hbf reverse at Mainz Hbf and use this route. Departures from Mainz are every two hours 07:05 to 21:05 and at 06:01, 08:05 SSux and 16:05 SSuX.
Mainz-Bischofsheim (Abzw Kostheim Ost) – Mainz-Kastel (Abzw Kostheim)
[645.8-9, 651] (151D2-151C2) DE17/521
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 DE17/520 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 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 DE17/520.
Kelsterbach – Frankfurt am Main Stadion (Abzw Frankfurt Schwanheim)
[471] (152C3-152D3) DE17/522
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 | RE29553 | Kirn – 06:56 Rüsselsheim – Frankfurt am Main Hbf | |
D19 | FO | RE29648 | 15:30 Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Bad Kreuznach |
D19 | FSSuX | RE29650 | 17:35 Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Bad Kreuznach |
D19: Not 14 August to 22 September 2017
Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Regionalbahnhof – Frankfurt am Main Stadion (Abzw Frankfurt Schwanheim)
[471] (151A4-151B4) DE17/523
Most trains between Frankfurt am Main Stadion and Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Regionalbahnhof use the flyover over the main line from Kelsterbach. Trains, other than S-Bahn, from the airport to the main station at Frankfurt am Main Hbf or via Abzw Forsthaus are likely to use this connection directly onto the main line. These include all RE trains from Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Regionalbahnhof to Frankfurt am Main Hbf.
Raunheim (Abzw Mönchwald) – Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf (Abzw Mönchhof)
[471] (152B4) DE17/524
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 an hourly IC service for most of the day.
Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf – Zeppelinheim
[655.1] (152D3) DE17/525
This 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 principally hourly ICE trains between Köln and Basel or München and two-hourly ICE trains between Frankfurt am Main and Stuttgart (which reverse at Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf).
Groß Gerau – Groß Gerau-Dornberg
[660] (154A2) DE17/526
IC and EC trains between Mainz and Mannheim (not calling at Frankfurt am Main Flughafen) normally run via Worms, but are diverted via Groß Gerau and Groß Gerau-Dornberg on Saturdays and Sundays 7 October to 3 December 2017. Relief IC trains may also use this west to south curve. Following signalling alterations at Mannheim Hbf, it is no longer possible to determine there whether a train to Mainz is to run via Groß Gerau.
Weiterstadt (Abzw Darmstadt Stockschneise) – Darmstadt Nord – Darmstadt-Kranichstein
(154C2) DE17/527
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.
Arheilgen – Darmstadt-Nord
[641] (49B1, 154C2) DE15/528
This north to east curve connects the Frankfurt am Main and Aschaffenburg lines north of Darmstadt Hbf. It is used by through trains between Groß-Umstadt Wiebelsbach and Frankfurt am Main Hbf via Darmstadt Nord, generally every two hours.
Darmstadt Hbf – Weiterstadt (Abzw Darmstadt Bergschneise and Abzw Weiterstadt Stockschneise)
[651] (154C3-154C2) DE17/529
Darmstadt Hbf is connected to the line towards Mainz by three geographically separate tracks, of which two technically constitute a widely separated double track flying junction and the third is reversible.
The Darmstadt to Mainz track (line 3537) 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. The Mainz to Darmstadt track (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 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 line 3530. Trains towards Mainz from platforms 6 and 7 can use either the reversible track to Abzw Bergschneise or line 3537. The latter route is longer but allows higher speeds; nevertheless the shorter Bergschneise route is usually used because it does not conflict with use of line 3605 to Frankfurt. 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. The compilers would welcome any confirmation of use of the latter route.
Darmstadt Hbf – Darmstadt-Kranichstein
(154C3-154C2) DE17/530
A shuttle service may operate between Darmstadt Hbf and Darmstadt-Kranichstein in connection with special events at the Darmstadt-Kranichstein railway museum. These trains normally use a completely different route from normal passenger services, which operate to and from platforms on the west side of Darmstadt Hbf. The shuttles use platform 1, on the east side of the Hauptbahnhof, and the goods line via Darmstadt Nord (including part of DE17/528). For details of future events, see the museum website.