Germany (Hamburg) - 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

Hamburg-Altona avoiding line: Pinneberg (Hamburg-Langenfelde Bbf) – Hamburg Dammtor (Abzw Rainweg)

[103, 130] (119A3) DE21/051

This north to east curve is used by trains between the Elmshorn line and Hamburg Dammtor which are not booked to call at Hamburg-Altona. Most trains between Hamburg Hbf and Kiel Hbf or Flensburg use this route. RE services to Westerland mostly start and terminate at Hamburg-Altona. It is intended to close Hamburg-Altona station, replacing it with a new through station to the north, which is planned to open in 2027. That will result in this curve being replaced by a new line to the south.

Hamburg-Wandsbek – Hamburg Hbf (via Horn, Hamburg-Rothenburgsort and Abzw Ericus)

[104] (119D2-119C3) DE21/052

This is an alternative route between Hamburg Hbf and the Lübeck line, using part of the Hamburg Ring line. It is common with DE21/053 between Hamburg Hbf and Hamburg Rothenburgsort Ro.

D1		IC2027	16:37 Lübeck Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf
D2		IC2415	Fehmarn-Burg - 16:37 Lübeck Hbf - Hamburg Hbf

D1: 13 December - 25 March and 2 November - 11 December

D2: TWThX 26 March - 13 June and 11 September - 1 November; daily 14 June - 10 September

Hamburg-Bergedorf (Rothenburgsort Rop) - Hamburg Hbf (via Abzw Ericus)

[100, 102] (119C3-119D3) DE21/053

This is an alternative route between Hamburg Hbf and the Büchen line, and is the only one available for trains using platforms on the west side of Hamburg Hbf (numbered 11 and higher). It is common with DE21/052 between Rothernburgsort Ro and Hamburg Hbf. The following trains are scheduled to use this route:

[Entry being prepared]

Hamburg-Harburg (Abzw Oberhafen) – Hamburg-Bergedorf (Rothenburgsort)

[100, 120] (119C3-119D3) DE21/054

This line is used by trains between the Hamburg-Harburg and Büchen lines, if not calling at Hamburg Hbf. Trains may join or leave the main line to Büchen by line 1280 at Hamburg-Rothenburgsort Tk (Tiefstack) or further west, via line 1291, at Hamburg-Rothenburgsort Rop. The following trains use this route between 17 July and 13 August:

D	SuX	ICE1577	Stralsund Hbf - 08:09 Hamburg-Bergedorf - Karlsruhe Hbf
D		IC2217	Züssow (MSO)/Greifswald (MSSuX)/Stralsund (SuO) - 10:07 Hamburg-Bergedorf - Stuttgart Hbf
D		IC2213	Ostseebad Binz - 14:24 Hamburg-Bergedorf - Stuttgart Hbf
D		ICE1675	Stralsund Hbf - 16:08 Hamburg-Bergedorf - Karlsruhe Hbf
D		ICE1677	Stralsund Hbf - 18:07 Hamburg-Bergedorf - Frankfurt (Main) Hbf
D		IC2212	Koblenz Hbf - 11:03 Hamburg-Harburg - Ostseebad Binz
D		IC2216	Offenburg (SSuX)/Stuttgart Hbf (SSuO) - 15:03 Hamburg-Harburg - Stralsund Hbf (SX)/Greifswald (SO)
D		ICE1578	Karlsruhe Hbf - 17:21 Hamburg-Harburg - Stralsund Hbf (SX)/Greifswald (SO)
D	FSX	ICE1576	Karlsruhe Hbf - 19:18 Hamburg-Harburg - Stralsund Hbf

Hamburg Hbf – Hamburg-Harburg (Abzw Oberhafen/Abzw Norderelbbrücke) (via goods line)

[110, 120, 121] (119C3-120D4) DE21/055

Between Hamburg Hbf and Hamburg-Harburg there are, in addition to the S-Bahn tracks, two pairs of tracks - one designated Pz-Gl (passenger line) and the other Gz-Gl (goods line), the latter being located between the S-Bahn tracks and the Pz-Gl.

All four tracks are used for passenger trains as operating convenience requires, although use of the Pz-Gl is more usual. They share common alignment south of Abzw Oberhafen (where the goods line from Rothenburgsort joins), but north-west of there, the Pz-Gl are at higher level, whereas the Gz-Gl follow a slightly different alignment at ground level via Abzw Ericus. A single-track connection from Abzw Ericus passes under the Pz-Gl and joins the southbound Pz-Gl at Abzw Norderelbbrücke.

The Gz-Gl are used, as required, by passenger trains to avoid conflicting moves at Hamburg Hbf. The connection to Abzw Norderelbbrücke, in particular, enables trains from platforms 8, 11 & 12 at Hamburg Hbf to reach the southbound Pz-Gl without crossing the northbound track on the level.

Route indicators associated with signals at the south end of Hamburg Hbf show the line to be used. 'P' indicates use of the Pz-Gl and 'H' the Gz-Gl.

Hamburg Hbf (Abzw Wilhelmsburg) – Hamburg-Harburg (via harbour line)

[121] (120D3-120D4) DE21/056

South of Abzw Wilhelmsburg an additional pair of tracks, designated Hafen-Gl (harbour line), run broadly parallel to the main line on the approach to Hamburg-Harburg. They are normally used by RE5 Cuxhaven line trains, which now run through to and from Hamburg Hbf every day, except between 17 July and 13 August when they run to and from Hamburg-Harburg only, and so do not use this line.

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

Pinneberg (Hamburg-Eidelstedt En) - Hamburg Hbf (via Hamburg-Lokstedt and Hamburg-Rothenburgsort)

[131] (120B1-119C3) DE20/060

This route comprises the Hamburg Ring line from the Elmshorn line around the north and east sides of the city. No passenger trains have been identified as using it in the current timetable.

Trains between Hamburg Hbf and Elmshorn are diverted this way when the main line via Dammtor is blocked.

Hamburg-Harburg (Abzw Oberhafen) – Hamburg-Bergedorf (Rothenburgsort)

[100, 120] (119C3-119D3) DE20/061

This line is used by trains between the Hamburg-Harburg and Büchen lines, if not calling at Hamburg Hbf. Most trains run via Hamburg-Rothenburgsort Ro, so joining or leaving the main line to Büchen at Hamburg-Rothenburgsort Tk (Tiefstack). Some do not have a timing point at Hamburg-Rothenburgsort Ro, so may join or leave the main line further west, via line 1291, at Hamburg-Rothenburgsort Rop.

All trains between the Harburg and Büchen lines reverse at Hamburg Hbf in the current timetable, so there is no scheduled passenger use of this route.