Germany (Rheinland-Pfalz) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

From EGTRE
Jump to navigationJump to search

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

Mainz-Mombach – Mainz Abzw Kaiserbrücke West

[680] (ERA-E 57A2; ERA-R 122C1; S+W 151B2) DE25/401

This west to north curve links the line from Koblenz via Bingen with the Kaiserbrücke over the Rhein. It may be used by trains to Hochheim (Main) or Mainz-Bischofsheim if not calling at Mainz Hbf. Various types of older carriages are not permitted through the tunnels at Mainz, so any excursion or charter trains including such vehicles are likely to be diverted this way.

The following train is the rear portion of a service that divides at Budenheim.

SSuX RB33 29681 Bad Kreuznach – 07:14 Budenheim – Wiesbaden Hbf

Ludwigshafen (Rhein) Hbf – Ludwigshafen (Rhein) BASF Nord

[670.1] (ERA-E 53C1-61C2; ERA-R 111A2; S+W 159A2-158D1) DE25/402

S44 trains operate between Ludwigshafen Hbf and the BASF chemical works. Many trains in the peak operate through to/from other stations such as Karlsruhe Hbf or Germersheim.

From Ludwigshafen (Rh) Hbf:

  • SSuX: 04:50, frequent until 07:55; 09:03 and hourly until 15:03, then 17:03, 18:15
  • SSuO: 04:50, 05:37, 17:03

From Ludwigshafen (Rh) BASF Nord:

  • SSuX: 05:19, 05:58, 08:46 and hourly until 14:46, then frequent until 17:43, 18:45
  • SSuO: 05:19, 05:58, 17:43

Use of these trains is officially restricted to those with works passes. Smoking and photography are strictly forbidden within the works.

Ludwigshafen west curve: Ludwigshafen-Oggersheim (Überleitung Nord) – Ludwigshafen-Mundenheim

[659] (ERA-E 53C1 not shown; ERA-R 111A2; S+W 158D2) DE25/403

This pair of curves, via the low level west side platforms at Ludwigshafen (Rhein) Hbf, is used by through trains between the Worms and Schifferstadt lines. There is an RE service between Mainz and Karlsruhe via Germersheim every two hours for most of the day. Northbound trains run via platform 6 and the diveunder route to the Worms line, whereas southbound trains run via the direct curve to platforms 8 or 9.

Schifferstadt avoiding line: Limburgerhof (Abzw Limburgerhof) – Böhl-Iggelheim (Abzw Böhl-Iggelheim)

[670] (ERA-E 53C1; ERA-R 111A1; S+W 158D3-158C4) DE25/404

This line is used by trains between Mannheim / Ludwigshafen and Neustadt (Weinstraße) / Kaiserslautern not calling at Schifferstadt.

Enkenbach – Kaiserslautern Hbf

[672.2] (ERA-E 53B1; ERA-R 112C4; S+W 155C4-155D3) DE25/405

Most services between Enkenbach and Kaiserslautern Hbf are not booked to call at Hochspeyer, so run on the direct line via Eselsfürth. Only the following trains run via Hochspeyer.

SSuX RB65 12700 Bad Kreuznach – 05:54 Enkenbach – Kaiserslautern Hbf
SSuX RB65 12704 Bad Kreuznach – 06:24 Enkenbach – Kaiserslautern Hbf
SSuX RB65 12706 Bingen (Rhein) Hbf – 06:56 Enkenbach – Kaiserslautern Hbf
SSuX RB65 12712 Bingen (Rhein) Hbf – 07:54 Enkenbach – Kaiserslautern Hbf
SSuX RE15 12386 Mainz Hbf – 14:04 Enkenbach – Kaiserslautern Hbf
SSuX RE15 29540 Mainz Hbf – 18:05 Enkenbach – Kaiserslautern Hbf
SSuX RE17 12746 Bingen (Rhein) Hbf (as RB65 12744) – 18:37 Enkenbach – Kaiserslautern Hbf
SO RB65 12705 05:16 Kaiserslautern Hbf – Mainz Hbf
SSuX RB65 12711 06:37 Kaiserslautern Hbf – Bingen (Rhein) Hbf
SSuX RE15 12383 07:08 Kaiserslautern Hbf – Mainz Hbf / Bad Kreuznach
SSuX RB65 12745 17:36 Kaiserslautern Hbf – Bingen (Rhein) Hbf

Hochspeyer curve: Frankenstein (Pfalz) (Hochspeyer Ost) – Enkenbach (Hochspeyer Nord)

[672.2, 676] (ERA-E 53B1; ERA-R 112C4; S+W 155D4) DE25/406

This east to north curve links the Neustadt (Weinstraße) and Bingen (Rhein) lines east of Hochspeyer.

D1 SuO RE WX81493 Koblenz Hbf – 11:06 Rockenhausen – Wissembourg
D1 SuO RE WX81494 Wissembourg – 18:17 Neustadt (Weinstraße) Hbf – Koblenz Hbf

D1: 6 April to 26 October 2025, plus holidays

Trier Hbf - Ehrang Ort / Kordel

[690] (ERA-E 52C2 not shown; ERA-R 111C5; S+W 155D1) DE25/407

There are two routes between Trier Hbf and the Moselstrecke to Koblenz, or the Eifelstrecke towards Köln. The main line runs via Ehrang Bahnhof, but there is also a single line that runs on the far (east) side of the marshalling yard (Rbf) at Ehrang. The eastern route is sometimes used by RE trains from Trier to Koblenz, non-stop to Schweich.

This route is often used by diverted trains to/from Kyllburg, Wittlich or Koblenz, sometimes in one direction only. Whether trains are due to take this route can be ascertained by calls at Pfalzel and Ehrang being omitted by RB services.

Koblenz-Moselweiß (Koblenz Mosel Gbf) - Koblenz-Lützel

[470,690] (ERA-E 53B4; ERA-R 105B2; S+W 150C2) DE25/408

This west to north curve links the Moselstrecke from Trier to the Linke Rheinstrecke via Bonn Hbf, avoiding Koblenz Hbf. It is used by a pair of RE12 services between Trier and Köln.

D1 RE4188 Trier Hbf – 19:36 Wittlich Hbf – Köln Messe/Deutz
D1 RE4189 Köln Messe/Deutz – 07:19 Koblenz-Lützel – Trier Hbf

D1: Until 3 January and from 1 February 2025

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

Koblenz-Ehrenbreitstein (Pfaffendorf) - Niederlahnstein

[465.1, 465.2] (ERA-E 53B4; ERA-R 105B2; S+W 150D2) DE25/431

If trains are diverted via the Rechte Rheinstrecke they normally cross back to the left bank to call at Koblenz Hbf. Exceptionally, they may use this route and not call at Koblenz. Diverted trains can be readily identified because they stop at Bonn-Beuel and Neuwied instead of Bonn Hbf and Koblenz Hbf.

See also