Border Crossings: Germany - Russia
Sassnitz Fährhafen DB - Ust Luga RZD {train ferry}
A 1520 mm gauge train ferry route to this newly constructed Russian Port to the west of St Peterburg commenced in 2006 when the previous service to Klaipėda LG was diverted here, allegedly so that RZD would have better control as no other country is transited. But with just one train ferry, "MS Petersburg" (ex Mukran) and a 1222 km sea crossing taking 38 hours including an intermediate call at Baltijsk [see next entry], it runs only once a week. Bogies are changed or traffic transhipped at Sassnitz, where a few 1520 mm gauge locomotives are retained for shunting wagons on and off the ferries.
Sassnitz Fährhafen DB - Baltijsk RZD {train ferry}
The timetable in force as at February 2020 on the Sassnitz Fährhafen website Train Ferry section confirmed the 1520 mm gauge train ferry to Ust Luga calls at Baltijsk in both directions. Further details of Baltijsk operations would be welcomed but visitors there in July 2013 observed that a branch heading towards the docks was shiny. However, with just one ferry, "MS Petersburg" (ex Mukran), the service runs only once a week. Bogies are changed or traffic transhipped at Sassnitz, where a few 1520 mm gauge locomotives are retained for shunting wagons on and off the ferries.
This service is suspended as at December 2021