Germany (Thüringen) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services
Introduction
This list is based on the timetable dated from 9 December 2018 to 14 December 2019, 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
Grimmenthal – Ritschenhausen
[815] (79C1) DE19/551
This line is used by RE7 services between Erfurt Hbf, Schweinfurt Hbf and Würzburg Hbf, to avoid reversal at Meiningen. These run every two hours.
Grimmenthal: connections at west and east ends of station
[570] (67D4) DE19/552
Just west of Grimmenthal station, the Meiningen – Themar line crosses over the Schweinfurt – Suhl line, each route having its own platforms at Grimmenthal. It is not possible for trains to run direct between Schweinfurt and Themar, but connecting spurs at the west and east ends of the station enable through running between Meiningen and Suhl. Most trains between Meiningen and Suhl are scheduled to use the western connection, but the following use the eastern one:
SSuX | STB81269/81111 | Zella-Mehlis - 06:14 Rohr (Thür) - Eisenach | |
SSuX | STB81272 | Meiningen - 04:15 Grimmenthal - Erfurt |
The 06:14 Rohr (Thür) runs as STB81269 up to Grimmenthal, thence as STB81111
Obscure services: Lines used on an occasional basis for engineering work diversions
Gotha Ost - Seebergen (Gotha Abzw Gk W)
[604, 605] (68A2) DE19/581
This north to east curve enables trains to run directly between Bad Langensalza and Neudietendorf without needing to reverse at Gotha. Trains between Göttingen and Erfurt, which normally reverse at Gotha, were diverted via this curve from 19 April until 16 June 2017. This diversion does not happen very often, but the route may also be used on occasions when there is engineering work between Erfurt and Bad Langensalza via Döllstädt.