Germany (Hessen) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services
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.
Eichenberg avoiding line: Friedland (Han) (Abzw Eichenberg Nordkopf) – Arenshausen (Abzw Eichenberg Ostkopf)
[540.1] (ERA-E 48B1; ERA-R 100A1; S+W 55B3) DE22/501
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)
(ERA-E 48B1; ERA-R 107A5; S+W 55B4) DE22/502
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.
ICE1689 | Hamburg Hbf - 01:13 Göttingen - München Hbf | ||
NJ471 | Berlin Ostbahnhof - 00:22 Göttingen - Zürich HB | ||
D | MO | ICE1271 | Hamburg-Altona - 03:07 Göttingen - Chur |
NJ491 | Hamburg-Altona - 22:59 Göttingen - Wien Hbf | ||
NJ470 | Zürich HB - 01:49 Fulda - Berlin Ostbahnhof | ||
SuO | ICE990 | München Hbf - 02:24 MO Bad Hersfeld - Hamburg Hbf | |
ICE1688 | München Hbf - 01:20 Würzburg Hbf - Hamburg-Altona | ||
NJ490 | Wien Hbf – 02:50 Würzburg Hbf – Hamburg-Altona |
Urlaubs Express trains to and from Hamburg are likely to use this route.
Bebra avoiding line: Ludwigsau-Friedlos (Abzw Blankenheim) – Ronshausen (Abzw Faßdorf)
[605, 610] (ERA-E 54B5; ERA-R 107A4; S+W 66 inset [2020 edition: 67 inset]) DE22/503
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.
Gießen avoiding line: Dutenhofen – Großen Linden (Gießen Bergwald Stw Gs)
[445] (ERA-E 53C4; ERA-R 106A3; S+W 65A4) DE22/504
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 | HLB24931 | Siegen – 05:47 Wetzlar – Frankfurt am Main Hbf | |
SSuX | HLB24930 | Frankfurt am Main Hbf – 18:00 Bad Nauheim – Siegen |
Neuhof (Kr Fulda) (Fulda-Bronnzell) – Fulda via Flyover
[615] (ERA-E 54B4 not shown; ERA-R 107A3; S+W 78C1) DE22/505
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. These run hourly.
Flieden – Sterbfritz (Elm Bbf)
(ERA-E 54A4-54B4; ERA-R 107A2; S+W 78C1-78C2) DE22/506
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.
NJ491 | Hamburg-Altona - 22:59 Göttingen - Wien Hbf | ||
ICE1689 | Hamburg Hbf - 01:13 Göttingen - München Hbf | ||
ICE1688 | München Hbf - 01:20 Würzburg Hbf - Hamburg-Altona | ||
NJ490 | Wien Hbf – 02:50 Würzburg Hbf – Hamburg-Altona |
Urlaubs Express trains to and from Hamburg may use this route.
The Fulda - Würzburg Schnellfahrstrecke is closed for for extensive periods in 2022, mostly in the autumn, for engineering work. At these times daytime express trains are diverted via the old main line and use this route, with an extended journey time.
Hanau West (Weiche 403/404) – Hanau Hbf (Nordseite)
[640] (ERA-E 54A3 not shown; ERA-R 122B4 not shown; S+W 153D2) DE22/507
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.
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.
SSuX | ICE1658 | Erfurt Hbf - 06:44 Fulda - Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf | |
ICE791 | Berlin Ostbf - 10:47 Fulda - Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf/Frankfurt am Main Hbf | ||
ICE1285/1683 | Hamburg-Altona - 15:15 Hanau Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf | ||
ICE795 | Berlin Ostbf - 14:46 Fulda - Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf | ||
ICE797 | Berlin Ostbf - 16:46 Fulda - Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf | ||
D | SuO | IC1085 | Hamburg-Altona/Hannover Hbf - 19:25 Hanau Hbf - Karlsruhe Hbf |
D | ICE1590 | Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf - 08:20 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Braunschweig Hbf/Berlin Ostbf | |
ICE992 | Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf - 10:20 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Braunschweig Hbf/Berlin Ostbf | ||
ICE798 | Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf - 12:20 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Berlin Ostbf | ||
ICE796 | Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf - 14:20 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Berlin Ostbf | ||
ICE794 | Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf - 16:20 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Berlin Ostbf | ||
D | EC218 | Graz Hbf - 16:14 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Erfurt Hbf | |
D | ICE1594 | 16:14 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Hamburg-Altona/Kiel Hbf | |
D | SuO | IC2194 | 16:14 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Hamburg-Altona |
D | IC2398 | München Hbf - 16:15 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Hamburg-Altona/Kiel Hbf | |
D | ICE776 | Frankfurt am Main Hbf - 17:15 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Oldenburg (Oldb) Hbf | |
D | ICE776 | Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf - 17:16 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Oldenburg (Oldb) Hbf | |
ICE792 | Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf - 18:20 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Berlin Ostbf |
Hanau West (Weiche 403/404) – Hanau Hbf (Südseite)
[640] (ERA-E 54A3; ERA-R 122B4 not shown; S+W 153D2) DE22/508
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) DE22/509
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 (Main) Hbf and Offenbach Ost are diverted to run to and from Frankfurt am Main Hbf via Frankfurt am Main Süd and this line.
From Offenbach (Main) Hbf: 00:40 MO, 01:12 MO and 01:39 MO
From Offenbach (Main) Ost: 23:58 SuO, 00:28 MO and 00:58 MO
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 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 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.
Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Frankfurt am Main Süd
[615, 615.1, 640] (ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122B2-122B3; S+W 151C3-151D3) DE22/511
Most trains run via Main-Neckar-Brücke. The following trains are scheduled via Niederrader Brücke and Abzw Forsthaus:
D1 | FO | ICE1285 | Hamburg-Altona/Hannover Hbf - 15:15 Hanau Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf |
D | ThFO | ICE1683 | Hamburg-Altona - 15:15 Hanau Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf |
D2 | SSuX | ICE1598 | 05:53 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Berlin Ostbf |
D | SuO | IC2194 | 16:14 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Hamburg-Altona |
D | ThFSuO | ICE1594 | 16:14 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Hamburg-Altona/Kiel Hbf |
D | EC218 | Graz Hbf - 16:15 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Erfurt Hbf | |
D | FSSuX | IC2398 | München Hbf - 16:15 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Erfurt Hbf |
D | SX | ICE776 | 17:01 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Oldenburg (Oldb) Hbf |
D1: 17 June to 14 October 2022
D2: 27 May to 15 July 2022
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) DE22/512
Most trains to and from Neu Isenburg, other than S-Bahn, run via Main-Neckar-Brücke, but the following are scheduled via Niederrader Brücke:
MO | IC2286 | Rottweil/Stuttgart Hbf - 08:47 Darmstadt Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf | |
D3 | EC218 | Graz Hbf - 15:24 Darmstadt Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf/Erfurt Hbf | |
D | IC2398 | München Hbf - 15:24 Darmstadt Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf/Erfurt Hbf | |
D4 | FO | EC112 | Klagenfurt Hbf - 19:24 Darmstadt Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf |
D5 | FO | IC2392 | München Hbf - 19:24 Darmstadt Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf |
D6 | SuO | ICE1575 | 11:14 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Karlsruhe Hbf |
D7 | FO | IC1291 | 16:10 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - München Hbf |
D8 | IC1995 | 16:51 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Stuttgart Hbf | |
D9 | IC2183 | 17:50 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Karlsruhe Hbf |
D3: Via Niederrader Brücke when continuing to Erfurt and on 6, 13 and 20 August 2022
D4: 5 to 26 August 2022
D5: 27 May to 29 July 2022
D6: 29 May to 6 June 2022
D7: 27 May to 26 August 2022
D8: Runs on an occasional basis in connection with trade fairs
D9: 30 May to 25 August, but not 6, 15 and 16 June 2022
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) DE22/513
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 are scheduled via Main-Neckar Brücke:
- ICE trains from Frankfurt am Main Hbf to Mannheim Hbf hourly 05:50 to 21:50
- ICE trains from Frankfurt am Main Hbf to Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof hourly 07:10 to 22:10
- ICE trains from Mannheim Hbf to Frankfurt am Main Hbf hourly 06:32 to 22:32, every two hours 06:41 to 20:41 and every two hours 07:16 to 19:16, but not when the 19:16 terminates at Frankfurt am Main Hbf
Timings from Mannheim may vary by a few minutes, because of engineering work.
The following trains are also scheduled to use this route:
NJ470 | Zürich HB - 23:42/23:47 Mannheim Hbf - Berlin Ostbf | ||
ICE698 | München Hbf - 02:29 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof - Berlin-Gesundbrunnen | ||
ICE672 | Wiesbaden Hbf - 05:33 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof - Hamburg-Altona | ||
MO | ICE696 | Karlsruhe Hbf - 05:28 Mannheim Hbf - Berlin-Gesundbrunnen | |
ICE1557 | Wiesbaden Hbf - 09:02 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof - Dresden Hbf | ||
ICE27 | Dortmund Hbf - 12:02 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof - Wien Hbf | ||
ICE887/1087 | Hamburg-Altona - 00:13 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Wiesbaden Hbf | ||
SuO | ICE879 | Berlin Ostbf - 00:50 MO Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Karlsruhe Hbf | |
ICE699 | Hamburg-Altona - 02:25 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - München Hbf | ||
NJ471 | Berlin Hbf - 03:58/04:00 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Zürich HB | ||
ICE826 | 05:40 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Essen Hbf | ||
D | FSSuX | ICE1511 | 06:55 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Stuttgart Hbf |
D | SSuX | IC1911 | 06:55 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Stuttgart Hbf |
SSuX | ICE1097 | Hamburg-Altona/Hannover Hbf - 09:34 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf | |
SSuX | ICE1128 | München Hbf - 20:10 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Wiesbaden Hbf | |
ICE1554 | Dresden Hbf - 20:42 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Wiesbaden Hbf |
Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Frankfurt-Höchst (via Abzw Mainzer Landstraße)
[466, 627, 646] (ERA-E 57B2 not shown; ERA-R 122B3-122B2 not shown; S+W 151C3-151B3) DE22/514
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] (ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122B2; S+W 151C3-152D2) DE22/515
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.
Frankfurt am Main Süd (Abst Anlage) – Frankfurt-Louisa
[650, 650.2] (ERA-E 57C2; ERA-R 122B3; S+W 151D3-151C4) DE22/521
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.
Trains between Frankfurt am Main and Groß-Umstadt Wiebelsbach via Darmstadt Nord are diverted to start and terminate at Frankfurt am Main Süd, using this route, 12 June to 26 August 2022.
D10 | IC2393 | 08:19 Frankfurt am Main Süd - München Hbf | |
D11 | EC113 | 08:19 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Klagenfurt Hbf | |
ThFO | ICE1079 | Hamburg-Altona - 17:55 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Stuttgart Hbf | |
SuO | IC1956 | Leipzig Hbf - 17:55 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Karlsruhe Hbf | |
D12 | SuX | IC2375 | Westerland (Sylt) - 19:18 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Karlsruhe Hbf |
SuO | ICE1085 | Hamburg-Altona - 19:45 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Karlsruhe Hbf | |
D13 | SSuX | IC2298 | Stuttgart Hbf - 07:42 Darmstadt Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Süd |
D12 | SX | IC2374 | Karlsruhe Hbf - 10:24 Darmstadt Hbf - Westerland (Sylt) |
ThFSuO | IC1174 | Basel SBB/Stuttgart Hbf - 13:46 Darmstadt Hbf - Berlin Ostbf | |
D14 | SX | ICE1570 | Karlsruhe Hbf - 20:24 Darmstadt Hbf - Kassel Wilhelmshöhe/Hannover Hbf |
D10: 1 & 2 August 2022
D11: 3 to 26 August 2022
D12: 27 May to 26 August 2022, also 28 May northbound and 29 May southbound
D13: 2 to 26 August 2022
D14: 27 May to 26 August 2022, not 5 June
Trains between Frankfurt am Main Süd and Frankfurt am Main Flughafen or Mannheim, without calling at Frankfurt am Main Hbf, normally run via line 3650. The following diverted services are scheduled to run via Frankfurt-Louisa, and do so 5 March to 4 May 2022 unless shown otherwise and with exceptions noted.
D15 | ICE71 | Hamburg-Altona - 10:03 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Chur | |
D16 | IC928 | Passau Hbf - 11:33 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Dortmund Hbf | |
D17 | ICE73 | Kiel Hbf/Hamburg-Altona - 12:03 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Zürich HB | |
D16 | ICE228 | Wien Hbf - 13:33 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Dortmund Hbf | |
D18 | ICE75 | Kiel Hbf/Hamburg-Altona - 14:03 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Chur | |
D | ICE77 | Kiel Hbf - 16:03 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Zürich HB | |
D | ICE79 | Hamburg-Altona - 18:03 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Zürich HB | |
D | ICE1171 | Kiel Hbf - 20:03 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Basel SBB | |
D19 | ICE273 | Hamburg-Altona - 22:03 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Karlsruhe Hbf/Basel SBB | |
D | ICE474 | Basel SBB - 07:24 Mannheim Hbf - Kiel Hbf | |
D | ICE78 | Zürich HB - 09:26/09:27 Mannheim Hbf - Hamburg Altona | |
D | ICE76 | Zürich HB - 11:26/11:27 Mannheim Hbf - Hamburg Altona | |
D | ICE72 | Chur - 15:26/15:27 Mannheim Hbf - Hamburg Altona | |
D | ICE70 | Chur - 17:26/17:27 Mannheim Hbf - Hamburg Altona | |
D20 | ICE927 | Hamburg-Altona - 18:01 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf - Passau Hbf | |
D21 | SX | ICE376 | Interlaken Ost - 19:26/19:27 Mannheim Hbf - Hamburg Hbf |
D15: 3 March to 4 May 2022, not 15 April
D16: 27 May to 10 June 2022
D17: Not 16 April 2022
D18: Not 16, 23 & 30 April 2022
D19: Not 11 & 12 April 2022
D20: 27 May to 16 October 2022
D21: Not 15 & 17 April 2022
Frankfurt am Main Stadion – Neu Isenburg (via Abzw Forsthaus)
[471, 650] (ERA-E 57B2-57C2; ERA-R 122B2-122B3; S+W 151B4-151C4) DE22/522
This route is used by trains between Frankfurt am Main Stadion and Neu Isenburg if not booked to call at Frankfurt am Main Hbf.
SSuX | ICE1223 | 06:47 Darmstadt Hbf - Düsseldorf Hbf (continues to München via Kassel) |
Frankfurt am Main Stadion – Frankfurt am Main Süd (via Abzw Forsthaus)
[640] (ERA-E 57B2-57C2; ERA-R 122B2-122B3; S+W 151B4-151D3) DE22/523
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. There are ICE and local trains that do so throughout the day.
See route DE22/521 (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) DE22/524
This branch off the Köln - Frankfurt Schnellfahrstrecke is used by ICE trains between Köln and Wiesbaden Hbf.
SSuX | ICE711 | Köln Hbf - 06:54/06:55 Limburg Süd - Stuttgart Hbf | |
SSuX | ICE1224 | Düsseldorf Hbf - 18:20 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/Köln Messe Deutz |
Wiesbaden avoiding line: Wiesbaden-Biebrich - Wiesbaden Ost
[466] (ERA-E 57A2; ERA-R 122B1; S+W 151C3-151B3) DE22/525
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.
From Mainz-Kastel: 07:36, 08:34, 15:34, 16:34, 17:34, 18:34 all SSuX
From Wiesbaden-Biebrich: 06:15, 07:15, 08:15, 09:15, 16:15, 17:15 all SSuX
The following trains are diverted this way between 6 June and 29 August 2022.
D | MSSuO | NJ421 | Amsterdam C - 23:46 Koblenz Hbf - Innsbruck Hbf |
D | MSSuO | NJ403 | Amsterdam C - 00:49 MTSuO Koblenz Hbf - Zürich HB |
D | MSSuO | ICE1021 | Ostseebad Binz/Stralsund Hbf - 20:48 Koblenz Hbf - Nürnberg Hbf |
D | MSSuO | IC2215 | Westerland (Sylt) - 21:28 Koblenz Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf |
D | MSSuO | ICE1627 | Dortmund Hbf - 22:48 Koblenz Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf |
D | MSSuO | ICE920 | Frankfurt am Main Hbf - 00:03 MTSuO Mainz Hbf - Hamburg-Altona |
D | MSSuO | NJ402 | Zürich HB - 03:33 MTSuO Mainz Hbf - Amsterdam C |
D | MSSuO | NJ420 | Innsbruck Hbf - 03:42 MTSuO Frankfurt am Main Süd - Amsterdam C |
D | SuO | IC1910 | München Hbf - 20:52 Mainz Hbf - Dortmund Hbf |
D | MSuO | IC2210 | Karlsruhe Hbf/Stuttgart Hbf - 21:20 Mainz Hbf - Dortmund Hbf |
D | MSSuO | ICE22 | Wien Hbf - 22:20 Mainz Hbf - Dortmund Hbf |
Mainz-Bischofsheim (Abzw Kostheim Ost) – Mainz-Kastel (Abzw Kostheim)
[645.8-9, 651] (ERA-E 57A1-57A2; ERA-R 122C1; S+W 151D2-151C2) DE22/526
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 DE21/527 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 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 DE22/527.
Hochheim (Main) (Abzw Kostheim) – Mainz Hbf (Abzw Kaiserbrücke Ost)
[471] (ERA-E 57A2; ERA-R 122C1; S+W 151C2) DE22/527
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 has been used since 9 December 2018 by an hourly RE service 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) DE22/528
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 | RE29553 | Kirn – 06:56 Rüsselsheim – Frankfurt am Main Hbf | |
SSuX | RE29205 | Alzey – 07:41 Rüsselsheim – Frankfurt am Main Hbf | |
D22 | MSSuO | NJ420 | Innsbruck Hbf - 03:43 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Amsterdam C |
D22: 6 June to 29 August 2022
Frankfurt am Main Gateway Gardens - Frankfurt am Main Stadion
[471] (ERA-E 57B2 not shown; ERA-R 122B2 not shown; S+W 152D3) DE22/529
Where the new line from Frankfurt Flughafen Regionalbf converges with the old main line via Kelsterbach west of Frankfurt am Main Stadion two routes are possible. Trains to the S-Bahn tunnel route under the city centre cross the Kelsterbach line on a flyover. Some RE trains to the Hauptbahnhof main station use a single track connection directly to the line from Kelsterbach.
Raunheim (Abzw Mönchwald) – Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf (Abzw Mönchhof)
[471] (ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122C2; S+W 152B4) DE22/530
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 an hourly IC service for most of the day.
Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf – Zeppelinheim
[655.1] (ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122B2; S+W 152D3) DE22/531
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 ICE services at least hourly.
Weiterstadt (Abzw Darmstadt Stockschneise) – Darmstadt Nord – Darmstadt-Kranichstein
(ERA-E 57B1; ERA-R 122C2-122C3; S+W 154C2) DE22/532
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 trains between Mainz and Aschaffenburg.
Arheilgen – Darmstadt-Nord
[641] (ERA-E 57B1; ERA-R 122C2-122C3; S+W 154C2) DE22/533
This north to east curve connects the Frankfurt am Main and Aschaffenburg lines north of Darmstadt Hbf. It is used by through trains between Groß-Umstadt Wiebelsbach and Frankfurt am Main Hbf 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) DE21/534
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. A report in November 2021 confirmed that the 08:12 service 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. The compilers would welcome any further reports of which route is taken by these two trains.
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) DE20/541
This line is used occasionally to allow trains to run between the Aschaffenburg and Fulda or Friedberg lines without reversal at Hanau Hbf. Overnight trains between Hamburg and Wien were diverted this way during summer and autumn 2019.
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) DE22/542
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.
The following diverted services are scheduled to use this route from 27 May to 26 August 2022 unless shown otherwise and with exceptions noted.
D31 | SSuX | ICE1571 | Kassel Wilhelmshöhe - 07:08 Frankfurt am Main West - Karlsruhe Hbf |
D31 | SuX | ICE1573 | Hannover Hbf/Kassel Wilhelmshöhe - 09:06 Frankfurt am Main West - Karlsruhe Hbf |
D31 | SuX | IC2185 | Oldenburg (Oldbg) Hbf/Hamburg-Altona - 11:06 Frankfurt am Main West - Karlsruhe Hbf |
D32 | ICE1577 | Stralsund Hbf/Kassel Wilhelmshöhe - 13:06 Frankfurt am Main West - Karlsruhe Hbf | |
D33 | ICE1577 | Oldenburg (Oldbg) Hbf/Bremen Hbf - 13:06 Frankfurt am Main West - Karlsruhe Hbf | |
D | ICE1579 | Hamburg-Altona/Bremen Hbf - 15:06 Frankfurt am Main West - Karlsruhe Hbf | |
D | ICE1671 | Ostseebad Binz - 17:06 Frankfurt am Main West - Karlsruhe Hbf | |
D34 | SuX | IC2375 | Hamburg-Altona - 18:43 Friedberg (Hess) - Karlsruhe Hbf |
D | SuO | IC1999 | Berlin Ostbf - 20:10 Frankfurt am Main West - Ulm Hbf |
D35 | ICE1672 | Karlsruhe Hbf - 08:24 Darmstadt Hbf - Ostseebad Binz | |
D36 | SX | IC2374 | Karlsruhe Hbf - 10:46 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Westerland (Sylt) |
D | ICE1578 | Karlsruhe Hbf - 12:24 Darmstadt Hbf - Bremen Hbf/Stralsund Hbf | |
D | ICE1576 | Karlsruhe Hbf - 14:24 Darmstadt Hbf - Hamburg-Altona/Stralsund Hbf | |
D37 | ICE1574 | Karlsruhe Hbf - 16:24 Darmstadt Hbf - Hannover Hbf/Rostock Hbf | |
D31 | SuX | IC2184 | Karlsruhe Hbf - 16:24 Darmstadt Hbf - Hannover Hbf/Hamburg-Altona |
D | ICE1572 | Karlsruhe Hbf - 18:24 Darmstadt Hbf - Kassel Wilhelmshöhe/Hamburg-Altona |
D31: Not 6 June 2022
D32: 27 May to 10 June 2022
D33: 11 June to 26 August 2022
D34: 27 May to 10 June 2022, not 3 June
D35: Not 29 May, 5 & 6 June 2022
D36: Also 28 May and 4 June 2022
D37: 29 May, 5 & 6 June 2022
Frankfurt am Main Hbf avoiding line: Frankfurt West (Galluswarte) – Frankfurt-Niederrad
(ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122B2; S+W 151C3-151B3) DE21/543
This line provides a link between Frankfurt West and lines to the south via Niederrader Brücke, for trains not required to call at the Hauptbahnhof. It is sometimes 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 DE22/542 is more likely.
Limburg Süd (Caltex) - Kelsterbach (Brunnenschneise)
(ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122C2-122B2; S+W 152B3) DE21/544
This north to east curve allows trains to run between the Köln - Frankfurt Schnellfahrstrecke and the old main line between Mainz and Frankfurt. Some trains were, quite exceptionally, diverted this way during autumn 2019. 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) DE22/545
IC and EC trains between Mainz and Mannheim (not calling at Frankfurt am Main Flughafen) normally run via Worms, but are sometimes diverted via Groß Gerau and Groß Gerau-Dornberg. Relief IC trains may also use this west to south curve, and it has been used at short notice when there is an operating or infrastructure problem on the Worms route. 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. If local trains via Worms are replaced by buses, it is likely that IC and EC trains will use this route.
Groß Gerau-Dornberg – Klein Gerau (Abzw Klein Gerau Eichmühle)
[655] (ERA-E 47B1; ERA-R 122C2; S+W 154A2) DE21/546
This is the east to south curve at Groß Gerau. On 13/14 and 19-21 March 2021, RE70 services between Mannheim Hbf and Frankfurt were diverted to/from Frankfurt am Main Süd via this curve, reversing at Darmstadt Hbf, where there was a public call.