Germany (Rheinland-Pfalz) - 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
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.