Germany (Berlin and Brandenburg) - 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

Routes are listed generally in the following order: (i) Berlin central area; (ii) the Berlin Outer Ring (Außenring) and connections to or from it, in anti-clockwise order starting from Biesdorfer Kreuz; (iii) all others outside the Außenring.

Berlin central area

Berlin-Charlottenburg – Berlin-Halensee (Halensee Kurve)

[200.41, 200.42] (128B3) DE21/251

This south to east curve links the S-Bahn Ringbahn and Stadtbahn lines. It is used by a pair of Ringbahn trains entering or leaving service at Berlin-Charlottenburg.

• From Berlin-Halensee: 01:27 SSuX
• From Berlin-Charlottenburg: 03:55 SSuX

Berlin-Lichtenberg – Berlin Ostkreuz

[209.12, 209.24, 209.25, 209.26] (129B3-129C3) DE21/252

There are two routes for main line trains between Berlin-Lichtenberg and Berlin Ostkreuz. One runs via the Ringbahn to the high-level platforms at Berlin Ostkreuz. The other runs parallel with the S-Bahn to low level platforms 7 and 8 at Berlin Ostkreuz. The low-level route is used by RB trains to and from Küstrin-Kietz, Templin Stadt and Werneuchen. The connection to/from the high-level platforms has no passenger use until 10 July, but from that date, RB24 services between Bestensee and Eberswalde via Berlin Ostkreuz revert to running via Berlin-Lichtenberg, and hence use this route.

Berlin-Lichtenberg/Berlin Ostkreuz – Berlin Gesundbrunnen/Bernau (b. Berlin) (Abzw Bornholmer Straße) (Ringbahn Ferngleis)

[209.9, 209.24, NEB RB54/209.54] (129A1-129C3) DE21/253

This is the north-eastern quadrant of the Ringbahn Ferngleis between Berlin Ostkreuz (high level) and Berlin Gesundbrunnen. There is an east-to-north connection from Berlin-Lichtenberg to Abzw Frankfurter Allee, north of Berlin Ostkreuz, and an east-to-north connection from Abzw Schönhauser Allee, east of Berlin Gesunbrunnen, to the Eberswalde line at Abzw Bornholmer Straße.

Berlin Ostkreuz - Berlin Gesundbrunnen is used by the twice-hourly FEX (Flughafen Express) services between Flughafen BER - Terminal 1-2 and Berlin Hbf (tief/low level).

Berlin-Lichtenberg - Abzw Schönhauser Allee - Berlin Gesundbrunnen is used by the following RB54 services, which now run all year round.

		RB61187	07:45 Berlin-Lichtenberg - Rheinsberg (Mark)
D1	SSuX	RB61200	Rheinsberg (Mark) - 22:01 Berlin Gesundbrunnen - Berlin-Lichtenberg
D2	SSuO	RB61198	Rheinsberg (Mark) - 23:15 Berlin Gesundbrunnen - Berlin-Lichtenberg

D1: From 21 December

D2: From 20 December

Berlin Ostkreuz - Abzw Schönhauser Allee - Abzw Bornholmer Straße is used by the hourly RB24 services between Senftenberg and Eberswalde which run non-stop between Ostkreuz and Bernau (b. Berlin). These services revert to running via the Außenring on 10 July 2021, which will leave the curve from Schönhauser Allee to Bornholmer Straße without passenger use.

Berlin Gesundbrunnen (Abzw Berlin-Wedding) – Berlin Jungfernheide (Abzw Moabit Ost)

[206] (128D1-128C2) DE21/254

This section of the Ringbahn Ferngleis is used by hourly RE6 services running direct between Berlin Gesundbrunnen and Berlin-Spandau, not via Berlin Hbf.

The route is also used by the following:

Note 1	SO	IC1958/ICE758	Ostseebad Binz - 13:54 Berlin Gesundbrunnen - Köln Hbf
Note 2	SuO	IC2250/ICE750	Stralsund Hbf - 17:56 Berlin Gesundbrunnen - Köln Hbf
Note 3	SuO	IC1932/ICE1132	Stralsund Hbf - 19:40 Berlin Gesundbrunnen - Oldenburg (Oldb) Hbf

Note 1: This service runs as IC1958 until 4 September and as ICE758 from 11 September. Between 17 April and 10 July this service departs Berlin Gesundbrunnen at 13:56

Note 2: This service runs as IC2250 until 5 September and as ICE750 from 12 September

Note 3: This service runs as IC1932 until 5 September and as ICE1132 from 12 September

Berlin-Spandau – Berlin-Staaken (Nennhauser Damm)

[209.13, ODEG RE4] (124D4-124C4) D21/255

There are two routes between Berlin-Spandau and Staaken. The more northerly route makes a junction with the line from Falkensee about 1 km to the west of Berlin-Spandau. The southern route, mostly following the alignment of the Lehrter Bahn, converges with the main line at the west end of Berlin-Spandau station. Trains using the southern route can call only at platform 6, or use a non-platform track outside the station roof. IC, ICE and EC trains use the northern route in both directions. RE and RB trains generally use the northern route westbound and the southern route eastbound. If an eastbound train is to use the northern route, signal 8942 at Staaken (just east of the station) displays speed restriction ‘6’ (= 60 km/hr) above the main aspect.

Berlin Außenring (Outer Ring) and connections

Details are given of trains using connections on and off the Außenring at each of the junctions. Services referred to, generally operating hourly, are thus:

RE2	Wismar - Wittenberge - Spandau - Alexanderplatz - Königs Wusterhausen - Cottbus	202
RE5	Rostock/Stralsund - Oranienburg - Gesundbrunnen - Südkreuz - Elsterwerda	205
RE6	Wittenberge - Neuruppin - Hennigsdorf (reverse) - Spandau - Gesundbrunnen	206
RE7	Dessau/Jüterbog - Alexanderplatz - Flughafen BER-Terminal 1-2 - Wünsdorf-Waldstadt	207
RB12	Ostkreuz - Lichtenberg - Oranienburg - Templin Stadt	209.12
RB14	Nauen - Spandau - Alexanderplatz - Flughafen BER-Terminal 1-2	209.14
RB20	Oranienburg - Hennigsdorf (reverse) - Potsdam Hbf (Monday to Friday only)	209.20
RB21	Friedrichstraße/Potsdam Hbf - Golm - Wustermark	209.21
RB22	Potsdam Hbf - Golm (reverse) - Flughafen BER-Terminal 1-2 - Königs Wusterhausen	209.21
RB24	Eberswalde - Bernau (b. Berlin) - Ostkreuz - Königs Wusterhausen - Senftenberg	209.24
RB25	Ostkreuz - Lichtenberg - Werneuchen	209.25

Biesdorfer Kreuz

(129D2) DE21/261

Biesdorfer Kreuz West - Biesdorfer Kreuz Nord is used by services RB12 and RB25. RB24 runs via the Ringbahn Ferngleis until 9 July, then by this curve and the Außenring from 10 July 2021.

Biesdorfer Kreuz West - Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd West - Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd: There are two single lines between Biesdorfer Kreuz West and Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd. The short curve (line 6071) is reversible, but the long curve (line 6076) can only be used by trains towards Berlin-Lichtenberg. Generally, the long curve is only used if other movements prevent use of the short one. Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd West is an intermediate junction on the short curve, where it is joined by the line from Rummelsburg. Since the diversion to Berlin Hbf via Erfurt of Flixtrain services from Stuttgart in December 2019, there is no longer any passenger use of either curve.

Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd West - Biesdorfer Kreuz Nord is a single track parallel with the Außenring which is used by trains between Rummelsburg and the north side of the ring. No passenger use of this line has been identified in this timetable period.

There is no passenger use of the curves to the Außenring from Biesdorfer Kreuz Ost, nor of the Außenring between Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd and Biesdorfer Kreuz Nord.

Karower Kreuz

(125C2) DE21/262

Berlin-Karow Ost - Berlin-Karow (east to north) was used by RB24 until December 2019, when it was diverted to run via Ostkreuz high level and the Ringbahn. From 10 July 2021 RB24 is due to revert to this route, but until then there is no scheduled passenger use of this curve.

Berlin-Blankenburg - Berlin-Karow West (south to west) is used by RE5 and IC trains between Berlin and Rostock.

Berlin-Karow Ost - Berlin-Karow West (Außenring ) is used by RB12.

There is no scheduled passenger use of the south to east or north to west curves.

Abzw Hohen Neuendorf

(125A1) DE21/263

Schönfließ West - Birkenwerder (east to north) is used by RE5, RB12 and IC trains between Berlin and Rostock. There are two routes. The Lange Kurve runs parallel with the S-Bahn via Hohen Neuendorf, passing below the Außenring. The Kleine Kurve is a direct east to north connection from the Außenring to Birkenwerder. Both routes are reversible single tracks. The Kleine Kurve is used by all northbound trains. Southbound RB12 trains normally run via the Lange Kurve, but others use the Kleine Kurve unless it is necessary to avoid conflict with a westbound freight on the Außenring.

Hohen Neuendorf West - Birkenwerder (west to north) is used by RB20. There are two routes. The Kleine Kurve is used in both directions by RB20 in order to call at Hohen Neuendorf West, whose single platform lies on this line, although it is also possible to regain the main line and thence the Lange Kurve. This branches south from and then passes below the Außenring having described three-quarters of a circle. It no longer sees regular use.

There is normally no passenger use of the Außenring between Schönfließ West and Hohen Neuendorf West.

Abzw Hennigsdorf

(124D2) DE21/264

Hennigsdorf Nord (Hdo) - Hennigsdorf (east to south) is used by RB20

Hennigsdorf Nord (Hdw) - Hennigsdorf (west to south) is used by RE6 and RB20

There is no scheduled passenger use of the Außenring between Hdo and Hdw, avoiding Hennigsdorf, although it is occasionally used for diverted services from the Elsterwerda or Oranienburg lines to Berlin via Spandau.

Falkenhagener Kreuz

(124B3) DE21/265

Falkenhagen - Finkenkrug (north to east) is used by RE6

Falkenhagen - Brieselang Hasselberg (Außenring ) is used by RB20

There is no passenger use of the curves to the Außenring from Brieselang.

Abzw Wustermark

(124A4) DE21/266

Wustermark - Priort (west to south) is used by RB21 and the following Nightjet services:

D3		NJ470	Zürich HB - 04:59 Braunschweig Hbf - Berlin Ostbahnhof
D3		NJ471	Berlin Ostbahnhof - 21:33 Potsdam Hbf - Zürich HB

D3: 23 April - 7 November

Wustermark Awf - Priort (Außenring ) is used by RB20

There is no passenger use of the curves to the Außenring from Wustermark Rbf and Elstal.

Potsdam

(126A2) DE21/267

Potsdam Park Sanssouci - Golm (east to north) is used by RB20, RB21 and RB22.

Postdam Wildpark West - Werder (Havel) (south to west) has been used by passenger trains on Saturdays and Sundays during the “Baumblütenfest” (Blossom Festival) in Werder. The 2020 event was cancelled but the 2021 festival is due to go ahead in late April and early May. RB22 may be diverted to Werder (Havel), instead of Golm, or other arrangements may be made.

Golm - Potsdam Wildpark West (Außenring ) is used by RB22.

There is no passenger use of the north to west curve from Golm to Werder (Havel), nor of the connections from the Außenring to the Belzig line at Wilhelmshorst and Saarmund.

Abzw Genshagener Heide

(127A3) DE21/268

Großbeeren Süd - Genshagener Heide Mitte (north to east) is a loop west of the Berlin - Leipzig main line used by RE5 and by IC/EC trains between Berlin and Dresden.

Großbeeren Süd - Genshagener Heide (north to west) was used by a summer weekend ICE train pair to and from Ostseebad Binz in 2020, but no scheduled use of this curve has been identified in this timetable period. It is occasionally used for diverted services between Berlin and Braunschweig when the route via Berlin-Wannsee is blocked.

Genshagener Heide - Genshagener Heide Mitte (Außenring) is used by RB22.

There is no passenger use of any of the other curves at Genshagener Heide.

Abzw Glasower Damm

(127C3) DE21/269

Glasower Damm West - Blankenfelde (Glasower Damm Süd) is used by RE5 and by the two-hourly EC trains between Kiel, Hamburg or Berlin and Praha via Dresden.

Glasower Damm West - Glasower Damm Ost (Außenring) is used by RB22 and the two-hourly IC services between Rostock, Berlin and Dresden. These trains run via Abzw Selchow Süd to/from Flughafen BER - Terminals 1-2, where the IC services reverse.

Glasower Damm Ost - Glasower Damm Süd is used by RE7 and the Rostock - Berlin - Dresden IC services. Reports indicate that these services usually run via the northern junction at Glasower Damm Ost. The connection to the southern pair of tracks is used by the following services:

D4	SuX	IC2432	Cottbus - 05:47 Finsterwalde (Niederlausitz) - Norddeich Mole
D5		RJ256/RE50256	Graz Hbf - 20:41 Doberlug-Kirchhain - Berlin-Charlottenburg

D4: 10 July to 10 September

D5: 13 December to 15 January

Abzw Selchow

(127C3) DE21/270

Abzw Selchow - Abzw Selchow Süd is occasionally used by RE7 and by the two-hourly IC services between Rostock, Berlin and Dresden which reverse at Flughafen BER - Terminals 1-2. Reports indicate that these trains normally use the northern pair of tracks between Abzw Selchow and Glasower Damm, therefore not using this spur.

Abzw Selchow - Grünauer Kreuz Süd (Außenring) is no longer used by most passenger trains, which now run via Flughafen BER Terminals 1-2. It is still used by the following services:

D6		RB18137	23:03 Königs Wüsterhausen - Potsdam Hbf
D7	TO	RB18139	00:11 Königs Wüsterhausen - Potsdam Hbf
D6		RB18138	Potsdam Hbf - 23:22 Ludwigsfelde-Struveshof - Königs Wüsterhausen
D4	SuX	IC2432	Cottbus - 05:47 Finsterwalde (Niederlausitz) - Norddeich Mole
D5		RJ256/RE50256	Graz Hbf - 20:41 Doberlug-Kirchhain - Berlin-Charlottenburg

D4: 10 July to 10 September

D5: 13 December to 15 January

D6: Until 10 September

D7: Until 7 September

Grünauer Kreuz

(127D2) DE21/271

Grünauer Kreuz Süd - Berlin-Grünau (south to east) was used by RB22, but almost all of these now run via Flughafen BER - Terminals 1-2 to/from Abzw Bohnsdorf Süd. The following trains still use this route:

D6		RB18137	23:03 Königs Wüsterhausen - Potsdam Hbf
D7	TO	RB18139	00:11 Königs Wüsterhausen - Potsdam Hbf
D6		RB18138	Potsdam Hbf - 23:22 Ludwigsfelde-Struveshof - Königs Wüsterhausen

D6: Until 10 September

D7: Until 7 September

Grünauer Kreuz Nord - Berlin-Grünau (north to east) is used by RE2, RE7 and RB14

Grünauer Kreuz Süd - Grünauer Kreuz Nord (Außenring ) was used by RE7 and RB14, but these now run via Flughafen BER - Terminals 1-2 to/from Abzw Bohnsdorf Nord leaving this section without regular passenger use.

It is used by the following services on certain dates:

D4	SuX	IC2432	Cottbus - 05:47 Finsterwalde (Niederlausitz) - Norddeich Mole
D5		RJ256/RE50256	Graz Hbf - 20:41 Doberlug-Kirchhain - Berlin-Charlottenburg

D4: 10 July to 10 September

D5: 13 December to 15 January.

There is no passenger use of the curves to the Außenring from Berlin-Schöneweide.

Wuhlheide

(129D4) DE21/272

Berlin-Eichgestell - Berlin-Ostendgestell (south to west) is used by RE2, RE7, RB14 and:

D8	SX	IC2431	Emden Außenhafen - 18:40 Berlin Ostbahnhof - Cottbus
D9	SuX	IC2432	Cottbus - 06:51 Königs Wusterhausen - Norddeich Mole
D4	SuX	IC2432	Cottbus - 05:47 Finsterwalde (Niederlausitz) - Norddeich Mole
D5		RJ256/RE50256	Graz Hbf - 20:41 Doberlug-Kirchhain - Berlin-Charlottenburg

D4: 10 July to 10 September

D5: 13 December to 15 January

D8: Not 11 July to 10 September (runs via Südkreuz). Between 23 April and 9 July departs Berlin Ostkreuz at 18:52

D9: Not 10 July to 10 September

Berlin Stadtforst - Eichgestell Nord (north to east) was used in 2020 by trains EN440 FSuO Moskva - Berlin-Lichtenberg and EN441 MSO Berlin-Lichtenberg - Moskva. In the 2020/2021 timetable period they run direct between Berlin Ostbahnhof and the Frankfurt (Oder) line and so do not use this curve. No other passenger use has been identified in the current timetable.

Berlin-Eichgestell - Eichgestell Nord (Außenring) has no regular passenger use. It is used by the trains between Berlin and Moskva when they are diverted via Cottbus. No such diversions have been identified in this timetable period.

There is no passenger use of the south to east curve from Berlin-Eichgestell to Berlin-Stadtforst.

Berlin Ostbahnhof (Rummelsburg Rgbv) - Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd West

(129C3-129D3) DE21/273

There is no west to north curve at Wuhlheide, but this line enables trains to run between Berlin Ostbahnhof and the north side of the Außenring or Berlin-Lichtenberg. With the diversion from December 2019 of Flixtrain services from Stuttgart to run to Berlin Hbf via Erfurt, there is no longer any passenger use of this connection.

Other lines outside the Außenring

Rheinsberg (Mark) - Stechlinsee

[NEB RB54] (25D3) DE21/280

For the last few years one return service has run on this line on summer weekends. Special tickets are required, which are available on the train. The 2019 service operated between 22 June and 1 September. No service operated in 2020. Currently the Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn website states that a decision on whether services will operate in 2021 has not yet been taken. If services are to run, they will be shown on the website and this entry updated in due course.

Berlin-Staaken – Stendal – Wolfsburg

[ODEG RE4, 301] (124C4 to 32D4) DE21/281

On this route the double track Schnellfahrstrecke runs alongside one or two other tracks for most of the way. Between Berlin-Staaken and Elstal local passenger trains use a double line immediately south of the Schnellfahrstrecke. There is a single-track local line between Elstal and Wustermark. All passenger trains use the Schnellfahrstrecke between Wustermark and Rathenow. There is no passenger use of the parallel track from Wustermark to Abzw. Ribbeck (east of Buschow), which is not electrified, or from Abzw. Bamme (west of Nennhausen) to Rathenow. RB34 trains between Rathenow and Stendal use the parallel non-electrified single line. All others use the Schnellfahrstrecke. Between Hämerten (Abzw. Staffelde) and Vinzelberg (Abzw. Nahrstedt) the Schnellfahrstrecke follows a separate route to the south of Stendal, which is used by all trains not calling there. All RB trains west of Stendal use the single, non-electrified line. The two routes diverge slightly at a number of places, particularly at Oebisfelde.

Cottbus Hbf

The three lines into Cottbus Hbf from the west all split into separate routes to the south side platforms, 1 to 4, and to the middle and north side platforms, 5 to 10, as shown on this map.

Services are as follows:

RE2 (hourly)	Cottbus - Lübbenau (Spreewald) - Berlin - Wittenberge - Wismar	ODEG RE2
RE10 (two-hourly)	Cottbus - Calau (Nl) - Falkenberg (Elster) - Leipzig	209.43
RE18 (two-hourly)	Cottbus - Ruhland - Großenhain - Dresden	208
RB41 (hourly)	Cottbus - Lübbenau (Spreewald) (all stations). This service is operated by replacement bus during this timetable period.	ODEG RB41 (SEV)
RB43 (two-hourly)	Cottbus - Calau (Nl) - Falkenberg (Elster) (thence as RE3 to Jüterbog)	209.43
RB49 (two-hourly)	Cottbus - Ruhland - Elsterwerda-Biehla - Falkenberg (Elster)	208

To/from Lübbenau (Spreewald) and Berlin

(49B4) DE21/282

South side platforms 1 to 4

Reached by the main line via former Stw W20 (line 6142).

Used by RE2 arrivals except those shown below as arriving at platforms 5 to 10

and the following services:

D9		RE63959	03:56 Cottbus Hbf - Wismar
D9		RE63931	04:56 Cottbus Hbf - Wittenberge
D9	SuX	RE63949	05:32 Cottbus Hbf - Wismar
D9	SuX	IC2432/RE62432	06:04/06:05 Cottbus Hbf - Norddeich Mole
D9	SSuX	RE63949	06:12 Cottbus Hbf - Berlin Friedrichstraße
D9	SX	IC2431/RE62431	Emden Außenhafen - 19:34 Lübbenau (Spreewald) - Cottbus Hbf
D9		RB18374	Eberswalde - 22:25 Kolkwitz - Cottbus Hbf

D9: Not 10 July to 10 September

Middle and north side platforms 5 to 10

Reached by a spur from Abzw Cbn via former Stw W10 (lines 6203 and 6201).

Used by RE2 departures, except as shown above, and the following RE2 arrivals:

D9	FO	RE63952	Berlin-Zoologischer Garten - 16:38 Kolkwitz - Cottbus Hbf
D9	FSSuX	RE63954	Berlin Zoologischer Garten - 18:38 Kolkwitz - Cottbus Hbf

D9: Not 10 July to 10 September

To/from Calau (Niederlausitz) and Leipzig

(49B4) DE21/283

South side platforms 1 to 4

Reached by a connection (line 6204) from Abzw Cfw via former Stw W9 to the main line from Lübbenau.

No passenger use of this connection has been determined in this timetable period

Middle and north side platforms 5 to 10

Reached by the main line (line 6345) or parallel loop (line 6203) via former Stw B12.

Used by RE10 and RB43

To/from Ruhland and Dresden

(49B4) DE21/284

South side platforms 1 to 4

Reached by a connection (line 6202) from former Südwest Stw B2 via former Stw W20.

Used by RE18 and RB49 except as shown below

Middle and north side platforms 6 to 10

Reached by a diveunder (line 6253) from former Südwest Stw B2 via former Stw B12

Used by certain RE18 and RB49 trains as follows:

		RB18420	Falkenberg (Elster) - 05:33 Leuthen (b. Cottbus) - Cottbus Hbf
		RE18404	Dresden Hbf - 08:28 Drebkau - Cottbus Hbf
		RE18408	Dresden Hbf - 12:28 Drebkau - Cottbus Hbf
		RE18416	Dresden Hbf - 20:28 Drebkau - Cottbus Hbf
		RE18401	05:18 Cottbus Hbf - Dresden Hbf
		RB18423	06:11 Cottbus Hbf - Falkenberg (Elster)
		RE18405	09:18 Cottbus Hbf - Dresden Hbf
		RE18409	13:18 Cottbus Hbf - Dresden Hbf

Falkenberg (Elster)

The Hoyerswerda to Lutherstadt Wittenberg and Leipzig to Cottbus lines cross at Falkenberg (Elster), passing through low-level (unt Bf) and high-level (ob Bf) platforms respectively. A series of curves south-east of the station allow trains to and from the Hoyerswerda line to use the high-level platforms (6 and 7) and those to and from the Cottbus line to use the low-level ones (3 and 4).

Uebigau (Falkenberg (Elster) Stw B3) – Falkenberg (Elster) unt Bf (Stw W17)

[209.43] (59C1) DE21/285

This combination of curves provides an east to north route, on the south side of the Cottbus – Leipzig line, connecting that line with the low-level station at Falkenberg (Elster). It is used by those RB43 services to Cottbus that start at Herzberg (Elster), but not in the other direction. RB43 services that start at Falkenberg (Elster) use high-level platform 6.

RB18074 Cottbus - 23:03 Uebigau - Herzberg (Elster) also uses these curves to run to platform 4.

RE10 trains, which run through to or from Leipzig Hbf, use the high-level platforms.

A full sized diagram is here.

Bad Liebenwerda (Falkenberg (Elster) Stw W15) – Falkenberg (Elster) ob Bf (Stw W2)

[208] (59C1) DE21/286

This south to west curve connects the line from Elsterwerda-Biehla with the high-level platforms at Falkenberg (Elster). It is used by S4 trains from Hoyerswerda to Wurzen via Leipzig, but not in the opposite direction, generally every two hours. A full sized diagram is here.

Falkenberg (Elster) unt Bf (Stw W17) – Falkenberg (Elster) ob Bf (Stw W2)

[208] (59C1) DE21/287

This route is a combination of parts of the previous two. It allows trains to run in a spiral between the high-level and low-level platforms at Falkenberg (Elster). It is used by:

• S4 trains every two hours from Leipzig to Hoyerswerda, but not in the opposite direction, which pass through the high-level platforms at Falkenberg without stopping and use this route to call at the low-level platforms, where they reverse.
• Those RB43 trains from Cottbus that terminate at Herzberg (Elster), but not in the opposite direction, (and Jüterbog as RE3? Check t/t pdf & Hafas) which call at the high-level platforms and run through the low level without stopping. Exception: RB18074 Cottbus - 23:03 Uebigau - Herzberg (Elster), which runs directly to the low-level platforms via DE21/285.

A full sized diagram is here.

Walddrehna (Abzw Doberlug-Kirchhain Nord) - Finsterwalde (Niederlausitz) (Abzw Hennersdorf West)

[205 Süd] (47D4) DE21/288

This north to east curve links the Berlin - Dresden main line with the Leipzig - Cottbus line. It is used by RE5 services between Berlin Hbf, Luckau-Uckro and Finsterwalde (Niederlausitz), every two hours in the morning and evening peaks on Mondays to Fridays only. It is also used by the following IC service:

D4

SuX

IC2432

Cottbus - 05:47 Finsterwalde (Niederlausitz) - Norddeich Mole

D4: 10 July to 10 September

Kamenz (Sachs) - Hosena

(60C3-60B2) DE21/289

This freight line is used once again in 2021 by a summer weekend train pair between Dresden and Senftenberg. This line is mostly within Land Sachsen.

D10	SSuO	RB73861	Dresden Hbf - 10:25 Kamenz (Sachs) - Senftenberg
D10	SSuO	RB73899	Senftenberg - 17:07 Hosena - Dresden Hbf

D10: 24 July to 5 September

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

Berlin Außenring

DE20/291

The Außenring and its connections to all of the lines radiating from Berlin provide scope for many diversions, including the following:

Karower Kreuz - Berlin-Gesundbrunnen: Trains from the Oranienburg or Bernau lines may be diverted via Berlin-Hohenschönhausen and Berlin-Lichtenberg. This has happened frequently in recent years. Such diversions result in an extended journey time.

Karower Kreuz - Berlin Hbf: A less common diversion of trains between Bernau and Berlin is via Falkenhagener Kreuz. In that event they use the curve between Berlin-Karow and Berlin-Karow West and the sections of the Außenring between Schönfließ West and Hohen Neuendorf West and between Hennigsdorf Nord Hdo and Hennigsdorf Nord Hdw. Such a diversion is likely to result in a longer journey time and any call at Berlin-Gesundbrunnen is omitted, but there may be an additional stop at Berlin-Spandau. This has happened on a few occasions in recent years.

Birkenwerder - Berlin Hbf: Trains between Oranienburg and Berlin Hbf may also be diverted via Falkenhagener Kreuz. In that event they use the section of the Außenring between Hennigsdorf Nord Hdo and Hennigsdorf Nord Hw. Such a diversion may not result in a significantly different journey time, but any call at Berlin-Gesundbrunnen is omitted and there may be an additional stop at Berlin-Spandau. It is possible that trains would use the long curve between Hohen Neuendorf West and Birkenwerder.

Brieslang - Wustermark: Trains between Nauen and Berlin may be diverted via the curves Brieselang to Brieselang-Hasselburg and Wustermark Awf to Elstal in event of engineering work on the line via Falkensee. This may not affect the journey time of express trains between Berlin and Hamburg significantly. Use of this route is best indicated by local trains via Falkensee being replaced by buses.

Elstal - Priort - Golm - Werder: RE1 services may be diverted between Charlottenburg and Werder, calling additionally at Golm.

Saarmund - Golm: RB22 trains may be diverted via Michendorf (reverse) and the Wilhelmshorst curve. Between 5 October and 12 December 2020, ICE trains between Berlin Südkreuz and Bitterfeld (thence to/from Halle (Saale) or Leipzig) are diverted over the Saarmund - Michendorf connection as they are running via Dessau owing to engineering work on the main line towards Bitterfeld.

Genshagener Heide - Blankenfelde: In event of an extended journey time between Berlin-Lichterfelde Ost and Blankenfelde, the train can be expected to reverse at Ludwigsfelde and use the curve between Birkengrund Süd and Genshagener Heide Ost.

Falkenberg (Elster) – Glaubitz (b Riesa) (Abzw. Zeithain Bogendreieck)

(59C1-59C3) DE20/292 [the southern portion of this line is in Sachsen]

This part of the original rail route from Berlin to Dresden links Falkenberg with the Leipzig – Dresden main line near Riesa. The local passenger service was withdrawn in 2004, but when there is engineering work on the main line to/from Berlin via Elsterwerda, all EC, EN and IC trains between Berlin and Dresden are diverted by this route. This occurred frequently in the last few years while the main line was upgraded. Although the upgrade has now been completed, further occasional diversions may occur in future.

Ferch-Lienewitz (Abzw Lienewitz Lia) - Beelitz Heilstätten

[207] (47A1) DE20/293

This north to south-west curve is occasionally used by RE7 services between Dessau and Berlin if engineering work is taking place on the direct line between Seddin and Griebnitzsee Ost, requiring diversion via Ferch-Lienewitz and Potsdam Hbf. On such occasions trains are not advertised to make the usual stops between Beelitz Heilstätten and Berlin-Wannsee.

Between 5 and 30 October 2020, RE7 trains are diverted this way, calling additionally at Potsdam Hbf.

Berlin-Wannsee (Abzw Berlin-Grunewald Gds) - Berlin Hbf (tief) (Abzw Moabit Ost)

[206] (128A3-128C2) DE20/294

This line is used by trains between the Potsdam line and Berlin Hbf (tief) when they are not able to use the Stadtbahn via Berlin-Zoo. No use has been identified in the current timetable but it may be used by diverted trains when the Stadtbahn is closed.