Germany (Niedersachsen and Bremen) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services: Difference between revisions

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(→‎Lehrte – Sehnde: complete rewrite for factual accuracy and clarity)
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D4: 13 December – 15 July; 4 - 14 October 2022
D4: 13 December – 15 July; 4 - 14 October 2022


===Lehrte – Sehnde===
===Lehrte – Sehnde / Hämelerwald (Abzw Ramhorst) / Immensen-Arpke===
[360.3] (ERA-E 48B4 partly shown; ERA-R 100A5; S+W ''122D4'') DE22/160
[360.3] (ERA-E 48B4 partly shown; ERA-R 100A5; S+W ''122D4'') DE22/160


East of Lehrte, the lines from Braunschweig and Hildesheim join with the line from Gifhorn in a complex flying junction. Trains '''from''' Lehrte towards Braunschweig or Hildesheim dive under the Gifhorn line and follow the original alignment of the Braunschweig line. Trains '''towards''' Lehrte generally diverge to the north and fly ''over'' the Gifhorn line about 500m further north, although they have been reported to use the south side of the junction on occasions.
East of Lehrte, the lines from Hildesheim and Braunschweig join with the line from Wolfsburg in a complex flying junction.


Conversely, trains from Hildesheim that terminate at Lehrte platform 3 will use the south side of the flying junction in the ''inbound'' direction. These are at 14:04 and hourly to 17:04 (all SSuX) from Hildesheim Hbf.
Lehrte station is in two parts, with the south-side platforms 1 to 3 reached by different routes from those to the north-side platforms 11-14.
 
'''To/from Sehnde (Hildesheim line)'''<br>(''S3'': hourly with weekday peak extras)
 
Trains '''towards''' Hildesheim at 51 minutes past each hour from Lehrte depart from platform 11 on the north side of the main station island. They pass under the Wolfsburg line and then use a ladder crossing to the south side of the Braunschweig line to reach the west to south curve to the Hildesheim line.
 
Additional peak-hour trains start from Lehrte platform 3 and run directly from the Wolfsburg line onto the Braunschweig line and then the curve to the Hildesheim line. These trains depart Lehrte at 06:30, 07:36 and hourly from 14:34 until 17:34, all SSuX.
 
Trains '''from''' Hildesheim arriving at Lehrte at 05 minutes past each hour fly over the eastbound Braunschweig line, joining the westbound flyover from Braunschweig shortly before it crosses over the Wolfsburg line, then diverge to the north to run into platform 13.
 
Peak-hour trains from Hildesheim that terminate at Lehrte platform 3 can either use the south side of the flying junction in the westbound direction, or use the flyover and the connection to the Wolfsburg line as used by trains from Braunschweig. These depart Hildesheim at 07:01, then hourly from 14:04 to 17:04, all SSuX.
 
'''To/from Hämelerwald (Braunschweig line)'''<br>(''RE60/RE70'': generally twice per hour; occasionally hourly, especially on weekend mornings)
 
Trains '''towards''' Braunschweig leave from platform 2 and head in a straight alignment onto the Braunschweig line, following this line's original route.
 
Trains '''from''' Braunschweig diverge to the north at Abzw Ramhorst and fly over the Wolfsburg line about 500 m further north of the eastbound line, taking a connection onto the Wolfsburg line to arrive in platform 1.
 
There are no trains between the Braunschweig line and the north-side platforms.
 
'''To/from Immensen-Arpke (Wolfsburg line)'''<br>(''RE30'': hourly with occasional extras)
 
Local services arrive and depart from platforms 1 and 2 respectively, using the main line connection to the Wolfsburg route. There is also a flying junction from the Wolfsburg line to the high-numbered platforms, with the eastbound line passing under the main line. As ''IC/ICE'' services between Berlin and Amsterdam/the Ruhr also use the main line route, it appears that the connections to platforms 11-14 are only used by freight.


===Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe (Abzw Siekweg) – Göttingen east side platforms===
===Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe (Abzw Siekweg) – Göttingen east side platforms===

Revision as of 12:24, 15 September 2022

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

Saline – Westen

(ERA-E 42B3; ERA-R 87C5; S+W 9B3) DE22/151

This is a branch off DB's only metre-gauge line, on the island of Wangerooge. Passenger trains normally run only between the quay at Westanleger and Wangerooge town, but may run to Westen when required by pre-booked parties staying at the Youth Hostel or other accommodation there. Excursions have been known to run between Wangerooge and Westen during the summer season; however DB's Wangerooge website has no mention of any such trips in summer 2022.

Emden Hbf – Emden Außenhafen

[395,396] (ERA-E 42A1; ERA-R 87B4; S+W 18B4) DE22/152

This branch line is used by trains connecting with the ferry to and from Borkum. Dates and times of operation vary considerably. There are several RE services, mainly to and from Münster (Westf) Hbf or Bremen Hbf, and a few IC services with various origins and destinations. Times are shown in DB Kursbuch Table 396 and the Westfalen Bahn timetable.

Hamburg-Harburg – Buchholz (Nordheide) via Jesteburg

[120, 123] (ERA-E 45C4-43B1; ERA-R 89A4-89B4; S+W 21D2-21C2) DE22/153

This is an alternative route between Hamburg-Harburg and Buchholz (Nordheide). It is used by RB38 trains from Hamburg-Harburg to Soltau (Han.) hourly 07:51 to 23:51 on Saturdays and Sundays only. This is so that the train can be overtaken by an IC or ICE train leaving Hamburg-Harburg for Bremen at 57 minutes past the hour.

Bremen-Sebaldsbrück – Bremen Hbf (via Abzw. Vahr)

[380] (ERA-E 43A1 not shown; ERA-R 88B3 not shown; S+W 9C2-9B2) DE22/154

Trains from the Hannover line to platforms 1, 2 or 3 at Bremen Hbf may use this spur, which crosses from the north side of the line to the south side by passing under both the main Hannover line and the Osnabrück line. They may, alternatively, use crossovers at the approach to Bremen Hbf. The route via Abzw. Vahr has been used by RE trains from Hannover to Bremen and also by IC trains from Hannover to Oldenburg. Trains in the opposite direction normally use the flat junction at Hastedt but, if the departure signal at Bremen Hbf platforms 1, 2 or 3 shows speed restriction 4 (= 40 km/h), that may indicate use of this route. There is no passenger use of the connections between Bremen-Hemelingen and Bremen Hbf via Abzw. Vahr known to the compilers.

Bremen avoiding line: Ottersberg (Han.) (Abzw. Sagehorn) – Dreye (Abzw. Bremen-Gabelung)

[120, 385] (ERA-E 43A1; ERA-R 88B3-88B2; S+W 9D1-9C3) DE22/155

Most trains between Hamburg and Osnabrück call at Bremen Hbf, but this route enables those that do not to avoid a lengthy detour.

SSuX ICE1031 Hamburg-Altona – 06:11 Hamburg Hbf – Köln Hbf
ICE1021 Ostseebad Binz/Stralsund Hbf/Hamburg-Altona – 16:09/16:10 Hamburg Hbf – Nürnberg Hbf
IC2409 Lübeck Hbf – 18:08 Hamburg Hbf – Köln Hbf
ICE1038 Köln Hbf – 07:04 Essen Hbf – Hamburg-Altona
IC2408 Köln Hbf – 11:47 Münster (Westf) Hbf – Lübeck Hbf
ICE1020 Passau Hbf/Regensburg Hbf/Nürnberg Hbf – 13:47 Münster (Westf) Hbf – Hamburg-Altona
FSuO ICE732 Köln Hbf – 15:47 Münster (Westf) Hbf – Hamburg-Altona
ICE730 Köln Hbf – 19:47 Münster (Westf) Hbf – Hamburg-Altona

Flixtrain services between Hamburg and Köln formerly used this route but these trains now all call at Bremen Hbf.

Lüneburg Westseite (West station)

[110] (ERA-E 43C1 not shown; ERA-R 89B3; S+W 22C3) DE22/156

This is a separate station to the west of the main station. Connections to north and south link the Westseite station to the main Hamburg to Hannover line.

The north-end connection is used by most Hamburg local trains (RB31) starting or terminating at Lüneburg. A few late evening and early morning trains run to and from the main station. Services using the Westseite are those shown as using platforms 6 or 7 in the DB journey planner.

Both connections are used by the following service:

SSuX RB81607 Hamburg Hbf – 05:16 Bardowick – Uelzen

The Westseite is also used to by all trains to and from Dannenberg Ost.

Osnabrück Schinkel and Löhner Curves: Osnabrück ob Bf – Wissingen (Bbf Lüstringen)

[385] (ERA-E 47B4; ERA-R 96C5; S+W 40C3) DE22/157

This is a curve from the high level station at Osnabrück to the Hannover line. Click on the thumbnail for a full size diagram.

SuX IC2241 Münster (Westf) Hbf – 06:04 Osnabrück Hbf – Berlin Ostbahnhof
SuO IC245/2245 Münster (Westf) Hbf – 08:04 Osnabrück Hbf – Berlin Ostbahnhof
D1 SuX IC245 Amsterdam Centraal – 09:03 Osnabrück Hbf – Berlin Ostbahnhof
D2 SuO IC141 Amsterdam Centraal – 11:03 Osnabrück Hbf – Berlin Ostbahnhof
D2 SuO IC143 Amsterdam Centraal – 13:03 Osnabrück Hbf – Berlin Ostbahnhof
D1 IC145 Amsterdam Centraal – 15:03 Osnabrück Hbf – Berlin Ostbahnhof
D1 IC147 Amsterdam Centraal – 17:03 Osnabrück Hbf – Berlin Ostbahnhof
D1 IC149 Amsterdam Centraal – 19:03 Osnabrück Hbf – Berlin Ostbahnhof
D1 IC241 Amsterdam Centraal – 21:03 Osnabrück Hbf – Hannover Hbf/Berlin Ostbahnhof (SuO)
D2 SuO IC243 Amsterdam Centraal – 23:03 Osnabrück Hbf – Hannover Hbf
D1 SuX IC242 Hannover Hbf – 06:30 Bünde (Westf) – Amsterdam Centraal
D1 IC240 Berlin Ostbahnhof – 08:30 Bünde (Westf) – Amsterdam Centraal
D1 IC148 Berlin Ostbahnhof – 10:30 Bünde (Westf) – Amsterdam Centraal
D1 IC146 Berlin Ostbahnhof – 12:30 Bünde (Westf) – Amsterdam Centraal
D2 SuO IC144 Berlin Ostbahnhof – 14:30 Bünde (Westf) – Amsterdam Centraal
D1 IC142 Berlin Ostbahnhof – 16:30 Bünde (Westf) – Amsterdam Centraal
D1 IC140 Berlin Ostbahnhof – 18:30 Bünde (Westf) – Amsterdam Centraal
IC2242 Berlin Ostbahnhof – 21:35 Bünde (Westf) – Münster (Westf) Hbf
SuO IC2240 Berlin Ostbahnhof – 23:35 Bünde (Westf) – Münster (Westf) Hbf

D1: 25 June – 4 August 2022

D2: 26 June – 31 July 2022

Ahlten (Abzw. Lehrte West) – Aligse (Lehrte Nordgruppe, former Stw Lnf)

[360.6.7] (ERA-E 48B4; ERA-R 100A5; S+W 122D4) DE22/158

This west to north curve is used by the hourly S6 service between Hannover and Celle which runs non-stop between Hannover Karl-Wiechert-Allee and Aligse. Note that the S7 service which alternates with the S6 reverses at Lehrte and thus does not use this curve.

Lehrte (Abzw Lehrte West) – Misburg – Abzw Waldheim – Hannover Messe/Laatzen (Hannover Wülfel)

(ERA-E 48B4; ERA-R 100A5; S+W 122D4-122D3) DE22/159

This route forms the eastern part of the ring line round the south side of Hannover. It is used by the following trains to avoid reversal at Hannover Hbf.

D3 NJ470 Zürich HB – 03:16 Göttingen – Berlin Hbf
D3 ICE876 Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe – 07:06 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof
D4 SSuX ICE1598 05:58 Frankfurt (Main) Hbf – Berlin Ostbahnhof
D3 MO ICE998 Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe – 08:09 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof
D3 ICE270 Basel SBB (MO) / Karlsruhe Hbf (MX) – 09:06 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof
D3 ICE374 Basel SBB – 11:06 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof
D3 ICE372 Interlaken Ost – 13:06 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof
D3 ICE370 Basel SBB – 15:06 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof
FSuO IC1174 Stuttgart Hbf (FO) / Basel SBB (SuO) – 15:50 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof
D3 ICE278 Interlaken Ost – 17:06 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof
D3 ICE276 Basel SBB – 19:06 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof
D3 ICE794 Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen Fernbf – 18:09 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof
D3 ICE792 Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen Fernbf – 20:09 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof
D3 ICE274 Basel SBB – 21:06 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof
D3 SuO ICE292 Zürich HB – 23:04 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof
D3 SSuX ICE275 Berlin Ostbahnhof – 05:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Interlaken Ost
D3 ICE277 Berlin Ostbahnhof – 07:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Basel SBB
D3 ICE791 Berlin Ostbahnhof – 07:47 Berlin-Spandau – Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen Fernbf
D3 ICE279 Berlin Ostbahnhof – 09:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Basel SBB
D3 ICE371 Berlin Ostbahnhof – 11:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Interlaken Ost
D3 ICE373 Berlin Ostbahnhof – 13:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Interlaken Ost
D3 ICE375 Berlin Ostbahnhof – 15:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Basel SBB
D3 ICE377 Berlin Ostbahnhof – 17:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Basel SBB
D3 ICE877 Berlin Ostbahnhof – 19:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Frankfurt (Main) Hbf (SX) / Karlsruhe Hbf (SO)
D3 ICE997 Berlin Südkreuz – 19:46 Berlin-Spandau – Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe
D3 SO ICE879 Berlin Ostbahnhof – 21:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Karlsruhe Hbf
D3 NJ471 Berlin Hbf – 21:03 Berlin Südkreuz – Zürich HB

D3: 14 October – 10 December 2022

D4: 13 December – 15 July; 4 - 14 October 2022

Lehrte – Sehnde / Hämelerwald (Abzw Ramhorst) / Immensen-Arpke

[360.3] (ERA-E 48B4 partly shown; ERA-R 100A5; S+W 122D4) DE22/160

East of Lehrte, the lines from Hildesheim and Braunschweig join with the line from Wolfsburg in a complex flying junction.

Lehrte station is in two parts, with the south-side platforms 1 to 3 reached by different routes from those to the north-side platforms 11-14.

To/from Sehnde (Hildesheim line)
(S3: hourly with weekday peak extras)

Trains towards Hildesheim at 51 minutes past each hour from Lehrte depart from platform 11 on the north side of the main station island. They pass under the Wolfsburg line and then use a ladder crossing to the south side of the Braunschweig line to reach the west to south curve to the Hildesheim line.

Additional peak-hour trains start from Lehrte platform 3 and run directly from the Wolfsburg line onto the Braunschweig line and then the curve to the Hildesheim line. These trains depart Lehrte at 06:30, 07:36 and hourly from 14:34 until 17:34, all SSuX.

Trains from Hildesheim arriving at Lehrte at 05 minutes past each hour fly over the eastbound Braunschweig line, joining the westbound flyover from Braunschweig shortly before it crosses over the Wolfsburg line, then diverge to the north to run into platform 13.

Peak-hour trains from Hildesheim that terminate at Lehrte platform 3 can either use the south side of the flying junction in the westbound direction, or use the flyover and the connection to the Wolfsburg line as used by trains from Braunschweig. These depart Hildesheim at 07:01, then hourly from 14:04 to 17:04, all SSuX.

To/from Hämelerwald (Braunschweig line)
(RE60/RE70: generally twice per hour; occasionally hourly, especially on weekend mornings)

Trains towards Braunschweig leave from platform 2 and head in a straight alignment onto the Braunschweig line, following this line's original route.

Trains from Braunschweig diverge to the north at Abzw Ramhorst and fly over the Wolfsburg line about 500 m further north of the eastbound line, taking a connection onto the Wolfsburg line to arrive in platform 1.

There are no trains between the Braunschweig line and the north-side platforms.

To/from Immensen-Arpke (Wolfsburg line)
(RE30: hourly with occasional extras)

Local services arrive and depart from platforms 1 and 2 respectively, using the main line connection to the Wolfsburg route. There is also a flying junction from the Wolfsburg line to the high-numbered platforms, with the eastbound line passing under the main line. As IC/ICE services between Berlin and Amsterdam/the Ruhr also use the main line route, it appears that the connections to platforms 11-14 are only used by freight.

Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe (Abzw Siekweg) – Göttingen east side platforms

(ERA-E 48B2 not shown; S+W 55A2-55B2) DE22/161

This 2 km link (line 1803) leaves the Kassel Schnellfahrstrecke south of Göttingen and then crosses the Eichenberg line before joining the eastern platforms at Göttingen. It is normally used by northbound trains stopping at platform 4 at Göttingen. Click on the thumbnail for a full size diagram

The following train is booked to use platform 4 at Göttingen, but may not always do so.

D5 SuX ICE272 Zürich HB – 22:45 Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe – Hamburg-Altona

D5: Not 7-28 January 2022

Göttingen east side platforms – Friedland(Han) (Abzw Grone) [– Eichenberg]

(ERA-E 48B2 not shown; ERA-R 100A2; S+W 55A2-55B2) DE22/162

This previously freight-only connection (line 1800) diverges south of Göttingen station from the line to Abzw Siekweg (DE22/161) and runs to the west of the main line to Eichenberg, joining it at Abzw Grone, 2.3 km from Göttingen.

Trains to the Eichenberg line at Göttingen which depart from platforms 5 and 6 generally use this route, in the southbound direction only.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size diagram.

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

Osnabrück Schinkel and Stahlwerks Curves: Osnabrück ob Bf – Osnabrück unt Bf

[385] (ERA-E 47B4; ERA-R 96C5; S+W 40C3) DE22/181

These curves allow trains to run between the Münster and Rheine lines, passing through both the high-level and low-level platforms at Osnabrück. The route may be used by IC trains if the direct line between Münster (Westf) and Rheine is blocked. This is indicated by an extended journey time and local trains being replaced by buses. Click on the thumbnail for a full size diagram.

Osnabrück Münster Curve: Wissingen (Lüstringen Bbf) – Hasbergen (Osnabrück ob Bf Süd)

[375] (ERA-E 47B4; ERA-R 96C5; S+W 40C3) DE22/182

This is an alternative route from the Hannover line to the Münster line at Osnabrück, instead of via the Löhner and Schinkel curves (DE22/157). Use of this route means that trains cannot call at Osnabrück Hbf.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size diagram.

Lehrte (Abzw Lehrte West) – Misburg – Abzw Waldheim – Hannover-Linden - Wunstorf

(ERA-E 48B4; ERA-R 100A5; S+W 31D4-31B4) DE22/183

This is a ring line around the south side of Hannover. It is occasionally used by diverted IC trains between the Lehrte and Minden lines, this being indicated by omission of the usual stop at Hannover Hbf.

Hannover Hbf (Hannover Kurve) – Ahlem – Empelde

[360.5] (ERA-E 48B4; ERA-R 100A5; S+W 122B2-122D3) DE22/184

This route forms part of the ring line round the south side of Hannover, with the curve to the Hameln line. The hourly S5 trains between Hannover Hbf and Paderborn may be diverted this way if the route via Hannover-Linden is blocked. This occurs between 2 and 19 April and between 6 May and 11 June 2022.

Northeim (Han) – Edesheim (Leine)

(ERA-E 48B2; ERA-R 100A2; S+W 55B1) DE22/185

Connections between the old main line and the Schnellfahrstrecke at Edesheim (Leine), north of Northeim (Han), are sometimes used by ICE trains during engineering work. Use of the old main line instead of the Schnellfahrstrecke results in an extended journey time between Göttingen and Hannover, but it is not normally possible to tell from public information which connection is being used.

Norten-Hardenburg – Northeim (Han)

(ERA-E 48B2 not shown; ERA-R 100A2; S+W 55B1-55B2) DE22/186

Connections between the old main line and the Schnellfahrstrecke at Norten-Hardenberg, south of Northeim (Han), are sometimes used by ICE trains during engineering work. Use of the old main line instead of the Schnellfahrstrecke results in an extended journey time between Göttingen and Hannover, but it is not normally possible to tell from public information which connection is being used.

Uelzen W750 – Uelzen W23 (Veerßer Kurve)

[305] (ERA-E 48C5; ERA-R 89C2; S+W 32C1) DE22/187

The Stendal – Salzwedel – Uelzen – Bremen line crosses under the Hannover – Hamburg main line just south of Uelzen and curves north to serve the west side of Uelzen station. A direct curve (the Veerßer Kurve) from the Stendal line to the east side of Uelzen station was opened in November 2013, giving a non-conflicting connection towards Hamburg.

All RE20 trains between Stendal and Uelzen use the original line to and from the west side of Uelzen station. With the withdrawal of the IRE services between Berlin and Hamburg now permanent, no services are booked to use the Veerßer Kurve. It is occasionally used by diverted EC/IC/ICE services between Berlin and Hamburg when the usual route via Ludwigslust is not available; however no such services have been identified in the current timetable.

Bremen Hbf – Bremen-Oslebshausen via Bremen Rbf

[127] (ERA-E 43A1; ERA-R 88B3 S+W 9B2-9A1) DE22/188

The route through Bremen Rbf (Rangierbahnhof = marshalling yard) is rarely used by passenger trains. Its use can be discerned, at least for local RS1 stopping trains, by the call at Bremen-Walle being omitted. Trains can either run via single Line 1410 to the east and north of Bremen Rbf, which runs close to the passenger lines but diverges onto a separate alignment towards the north end of the yard, or on double track Lines 1401/1422 which run on the far side of the yard from the passenger lines.

At least one of the routes through the yard is expected to be used on on the nights/early mornings of Friday/Saturday 3/4 and Saturday/Sunday 4/5 September 2022. Affected trains are those departing Bremen Hbf for Bremen-Vegesack or Bremen-Farge between 23.06 and 06.34, and trains departing Bremen-Oslebshausen for Bremen Hbf between 23.17 and 06.47.

During this time RB28 services between Bremen Hbf and Hamburg Hbf and RS2 services to/from Bremerhaven Hbf are also likely to be diverted via the Rbf, but as they are not booked to call at Bremen-Walle and journey times are unaffected, this cannot be confirmed.

See also