Germany (Berlin and Brandenburg) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services
Introduction
This list is based on the timetable in force from 13 December 2015 until 10 December 2016, unless otherwise stated. Standard abbreviations are explained in General Information.
In the heading to each entry the map reference for the line in the Schweers+Wall Eisenbahn Atlas (2011 edition) is shown, in italic, in addition to the reference to M.G. Ball's European Railway Atlas.
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)
[S-Bahn S46, S47] (31B2, 128B3) DE16/251
The limited scheduled service over this south to east S-Bahn curve, withdrawn in June 2002, was reinstated from 29 May 2006. Departures are:
- From Halensee: 00:34, 00:54
- From Berlin-Charlottenburg: 04:38 SSuX, 04:58 SSuX, 05:38 SO, 05:58 SO, 06:58 SuO, 07:18 SuO
Berlin-Lichtenberg – Berlin-Gesundbrunnen
[209.54](32A2 not shown, 129A1-129C3) DE16/252
This is the north-eastern quadrant of the Ringbahn Ferngleis.
| D1 | EN453 | Paris Est - 07:13 Berlin Hbf - Moskva Belorusskaja | |
| E | RB61198 | Rheinsberg (Mark) - 22:38 Berlin-Gesundbrunnen - Berlin Lichtenberg | |
| E | RB61187 | 07:51 Berlin-Lichtenberg - Rheinsberg (Mark) | |
| D1 | EN452 | Moskva Belorusskaja - 20:46 Berlin Lichtenberg - Paris Est |
D1: These trains are diverted via the Berlin Stadtbahn and do not use this route when departing Paris on 26 & 27 March, 21 & 22 May, 31 July, 19, 20, 26 & 27 November and when departing Moskva on 24 & 25 March, 19 & 20 May and 17, 18 24 & 25 November
This route is also used (i) quite often by short term engineering works announced locally and on the Fahrplanänderungen page of DB and (ii) when international trains to/from Poland are diverted via Küstrin/Kostrzyn.
Berlin-Spandau – Berlin-Staaken (Nennhauser Damm)
[209.13, ODEG RE4] (31B2, 124D4-124C4) DE16/253
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. IC, ICE and EC trains use the northern route. RE and RB trains generally use the northern route westbound and the southern route eastbound. If an eastbound local 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. Any trains towards Wustermark from platform 6 at Berlin-Spandau, have to use the southern route, but currently all use other platforms.
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 | 209.24 |
| RE5 | Rostock/Stralsund - Oranienburg - Gesundbrunnen - Südkreuz - Elsterwerda | 205 |
| RE6 | Wittenberge - Neuruppin - Hennigsdorf (reverse) - Spandau - Gesundbrunnen | 206 |
| RE7 | Dessau/Jüterbog - Alexanderplatz - Schönefeld Flughafen - Wünsdorf-Waldstadt | 207 |
| RB12 | Ostkreuz - Lichtenberg - Oranienburg - Templin Stadt | 209.12 |
| RB14 | Nauen - Spandau - Alexanderplatz - Schönefeld Flughafen | 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) - Schönefeld Flughafen - Königs Wusterhausen | 209.22 |
| RB24 | Eberswalde - Lichtenberg - Ostkreuz - Königs Wusterhausen - Senftenberg | 209.24 |
| RB25 | Ostkreuz - Lichtenberg - Werneuchen | 209.25 |
From 4 May until (probably) 11 June 2016 service RB22 is altered to operate: Potsdam Hbf - Golm (reverse) - Wilhelmshorst - Michendorf (reverse) Schönefeld Flughafen. This is because of damage caused by a lorry to a bridge near Saarmund.
Biesdorfer Kreuz
(32A2, 129D2) DE16/261
Biesdorfer Kreuz West - Biesdorfer Kreuz Nord is used by services RB12, RB24 and RB25.
Biesdorfer Kreuz West - Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd and the Außenring to Wuhlheide are used by:
| D6 | EN453 | Paris Est - 07:50 Berlin-Lichtenberg - Moskva Belorusskaja | |
| D2 | D1819 | 14:29 Berlin-Lichtenberg - Stuttgart Hbf | |
| D2 | D1818 | Stuttgart Hbf - 13:15 Berlin Ostbahnhof - Berlin Lichtenberg | |
| D6 | EN452 | Moskva Belorusskaja - 19:27 Frankfurt (Oder) - Paris Est |
D2: Planned to operate from September 2016, by Locomore.
D6: These trains are diverted via the Berlin Stadtbahn and do not use this route when departing Paris on 26 & 27 March, 21 & 22 May, 31 July, 19, 20, 26 & 27 November and when departing Moskva on 24 & 25 March, 19 & 20 May and 17, 18 24 & 25 November
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 to Berlin-Lichtenberg. Generally, the long curve is only used if other movements prevent used of the short one.
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
(32A3, 125C2) DE16/262
Berlin-Karow Ost - Berlin-Karow (east to north) is used by RB24.
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 passenger use of the south to east curve from Berlin-Blankenburg to Berlin-Karow Ost.
Abzw Hohen Neuendorf
(31B3, 125A1) DE16/263
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 RE5 trains normally use the Kleine Kurve (unless there is a westbound freight or other train on the Außenring), but southbound RB12 trains normally use the Lange Kurve.
Hohen Neuendorf West - Birkenwerder (west to north) is used by RB20. There are two routes. The Lange Kurve branches south from and then passes below the Außenring having described three-quarters of a circle. It no longer sees regular use. The schedule for RB20 only permits use of the Kleine Kurve.
There is no passenger use of the Außenring between Schönfließ West and Hohen Neuendorf West.
Abzw Hennigsdorf
(31B3, 124D2) DE16/264
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 passenger use of the Außenring between Hdo and Hdw.
Falkenhagener Kreuz
(31A3, 124B3) DE16/265
Falkenhagen - Finkenkrug (north to east) is used by RE6
Falkenhagen - Brieslang Hasselberg (Außenring ) is used by RB20
There is no passenger use of the curves to the Außenring from Brieslang.
Abzw Wustermark
(31A2, 124A4) DE16/266
Wustermark - Priort (west to south) is used by RB21
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
(31A1, 126A2) DE16/267
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 2016 festival took place between 30 April and 8 May. On 30 April, 1, 7 & 8 May from 10:00 RB22 trains used this curve and reversed at Werder (Havel) instead of Golm.
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). There is normally no use of the connections from the Außenring to the Belzig line at Wilhelmshorst and Saarmund, but these are used temporarily by RB22 4 May to (probably) 11 June 2016.
Abzw Genshagener Heide
(31B1, 127A3) DE16/268
Großbeeren Süd - Genshagener Heide Mitte (north to east) is a loop west of the Berlin - Leipzig main line used by RE5 and IC/EC trains between Berlin and Dresden.
Genshagener Heide Ost - Birkengrund Süd (east to south) is used by:
| D3 | EN456 | Praha hl. n. - 21:14 Dresden-Neustadt - Köln Hbf |
D3: 5 August to 10 December 2016
There is no passenger use of any of the other curves at Genshagener Heide.
Abzw Glasower Damm
(32A1, 127C3) DE16/269
Glasower Damm West - Blankenfelde (Glasgower Damm Süd) is used by RE5 and IC/EC trains between Berlin and Dresden.
Glasower Damm Ost - Blankenfelde (Glasgower Damm Süd) is used by RE7 and:
| D4 | EN456 | Praha hl. n. - 21:14 Dresden-Neustadt - Köln Hbf |
D4: 13 December 2015 to 4 August 2016
Glasower Damm West - Glasower Damm Ost (Außenring ) is used by RB22 and:
| D3 | EN456 | Praha hl. n. - 21:14 Dresden-Neustadt - Köln Hbf |
D3: 5 August to 10 December 2016
Grünauer Kreuz
(32B2, 127D2) DE16/270
Grünauer Kreuz Süd - Berlin-Grünau (south to east) is used by RB22 (service via this curve temporarily suspended 4 May to (probably) 11 June 2016)
Grünauer Kreuz Nord - Berlin-Grünau (north to east) is used by RE2
Grünauer Kreuz Süd - Grünauer Kreuz Nord (Außenring ) is used by RE7, RB14 and:
| EN456 | Praha hl. n. - 21:14 Dresden-Neustadt - Köln Hbf |
There is no passenger use of the curves to the Außenring from Berlin-Schöneweide.
Wuhlheide
(32A2, 129D4) DE16/271
Berlin-Eichgestell - Berlin-Ostendgestell (south to west) is used by RE2, RE7, RB14 and:
| EN456 | Praha hl. n. - 21:14 Dresden-Neustadt - Köln Hbf |
Berlin Stadtforst - Eichgestell Nord (north to east) is used by the trains between Paris and Moskva detailed under DE16/261.
There is no passenger used of the south to east curve from Berlin-Eichgestell to Berlin Stadtforst or of the Außenring between Berlin-Eichgestell and Eichgestell Nord.
Berlin-Rummelsburg - Biesdorfer Kreuz Sud-West
(32A2, 129C3-129D3) DE16/272
This line links the Stadtbahn with the north-eastern quadrant of the Außenring, in absence of a west to north curve at Wuhlheide. It sees daily use by the empty stock of night trains between Berlin Ostbahnhof and Berlin-Lichtenberg, but the only planned passenger use is by:
| D2 | D1819 | 14:29 Berlin-Lichtenberg - Stuttgart Hbf | |
| D2 | D1818 | Stuttgart Hbf - 13:15 Berlin Ostbahnhof - Berlin Lichtenberg |
D2: Planned to operate from September 2016, by Locomore.
Other lines outside the Außenring
Berlin-Staaken – Stendal – Wolfsburg
[ODEG RE4, 301] (27B3 to 29B3, 124C4 to 32D4) DE16/281
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. RB 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
The three lines into Cottbus from the west all split into separate routes to the south side platforms, 1 to 4, and to the higher-numbered middle and north side platforms.
Cottbus station, one of the most confusing in Europe, is to be rebuilt. This may impact significantly on use of the following routes, both during reconstruction and, on a permanent basis, thereafter.
Cottbus station – Stw W10 – Kolkwitz (Cottbus Abzw. Cbn)
[ODEG RE2] (30B1, 49B4) DE16/282
This spur (lines 6203 and 6201) links the Lübbenau line to the middle and north side platforms.
All departures from Cottbus until the 07:01 to Wittenberge use the southern platforms. All later departures are from platform 5, in the middle.
Arrivals from Lübbenau use the southern platforms at Cottbus, except the following use platform 5:
| 63842 | Wittenberge - 06:55 Kolkwitz - Cottbus | ||
| SSuX | 63882 | Berlin Zoologischer Garten - 18:38 Kolkwitz - Cottbus |
Cottbus (Stw W9) – Kolkwitz Süd (Cottbus Abzw Cfw)
[209.43] (30B1, 49B4) DE16/283
The main line from Leipzig leads to the middle and north platforms at Cottbus, which are used by all trains. There is currently no scheduled passenger use of the spur to Stw W9, which leads to the south platforms.
Cottbus (Nordseite Stw B12) – Leuthen (b Cottbus) (Cottbus Südwest Stw B2)
[208] (30B1, 49B4) DE16/284
The main line from Dresden leads to the middle and north platforms at Cottbus, but a spur gives access to south side platforms. Over half of the trains now use the southern platforms. Those still using the middle or north platforms are:
| SSuX | RB28741 | 04:15 Cottbus - Falkenberg(Elster) (via Ruhland) | |
| RE18401 | 05:15 Cottbus - Dresden Hbf | ||
| RB28743 | 06:07 Cottbus - Ruhland/Falkenberg (Elster) | ||
| RB28745 | 08:07 Cottbus - Ruhland/Falkenberg (Elster) | ||
| RE18405 | 09:15 Cottbus - Dresden Hbf | ||
| RE18407 | 11:15 Cottbus - Dresden Hbf | ||
| RB28749 | 12:07 Cottbus - Falkenberg (Elster) (via Ruhland) | ||
| RB28757 | 20:07 Cottbus - Ruhland/Falkenberg (Elster) | ||
| RB28759 | 22:07 Cottbus - Elsterwerda | ||
| RB28740 | Falkenberg (Elster)/Ruhland – 05:41 Leuthen (b Cottbus) – Cottbus | ||
| RB28742 | Falkenberg (Elster)/Ruhland – 07:41 Leuthen (b Cottbus) – Cottbus | ||
| RE18404 | Dresden Hbf – 08:28 Drebkau – Cottbus | ||
| RE18406 | Dresden Hbf – 10:28 Drebkau – Cottbus | ||
| RB28746 | Falkenberg (Elster)/Ruhland – 11:41 Leuthen (b Cottbus) – Cottbus | ||
| D5 | FO | RE18412 | Dresden Hbf – 16:29 Drebkau – Cottbus |
| RB28754 | Falkenberg (Elster)/Ruhland – 19:41 Leuthen (b Cottbus) – Cottbus | ||
| RE18416 | Dresden Hbf – 20:28 Drebkau – Cottbus | ||
| RB28756 | Falkenberg (Elster)/Ruhland – 21:41 Leuthen (b Cottbus) – Cottbus |
D5: RE18412 uses the southern platforms at Cottbus FX.
Uebigau (Falkenberg (Elster) Stw B3) – Falkenberg (Elster) unt Bf (Stw W17)
[209.43, 215] (43B3, not shown, 59C1) DE16/285
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 through trains between Cottbus and Herzberg (Elster) and by the following trains to and from Cottbus via Finsterwalde, starting or terminating at Falkerberg (Elster):
- Arrivals: 00:16 (RB28898) & 22:12 (RB28896)
- Departures: 03:52 SSuX (RB28881), 04:51 (RB28883), 06:52 (RB28887), 08:52 SSuO (RB28889), 16:52 (RB28897) & 18:52 (RB28899)
Other Cottbus via Finsterwalde trains, including RB28889 on Mondays to Fridays, use the high-level platforms.
Bad Liebenwerda (Falkenberg (Elster) Stw W15) – Falkenberg (Elster) ob Bf (Stw W2)
[208] (43B3, not shown, 59C1) DE16/286
This south to west curve connects the line from Elsterwerda-Biehla with the high level platforms at Falkenberg (Elster) and is used by through trains between Leipzig and Hoyerswerda. All other trains between Elsterwerda-Biehla and Falkenberg (Elster) use the low level station.
Falkenberg (Elster) – Glaubitz (b Riesa) (Abzw. Zeithain Bogendreieck)
(43B3, 59C1-59C3) DE16/287 [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 has been withdrawn, but owing to engineering work between Berlin and Elsterwerda, which will last until 2017, many long-distance trains between Berlin and Dresden are diverted by this route.
The following trains use this route throughout the year:
| D3 | EN477 | Berlin Hbf - 18:21/19:06 Berlin Südkreuz - Budapest-Keleti | |
| D4 | EN476 | Budapest-Keleti - 06:00 Decin hl. n. - Berlin Hbf | |
| SuO | IC2015 | Dresden Hbf - 13:45 Dresden-Neustadt - Köln Hbf |
D3: Not 7 to 13 November 2016
D4: Not 6 to 12 November 2016
The following trains are diverted via this route from 5 August until 10 December 2016:
| EC171 | Berlin Hbf - 07:10 Berlin Südkreuz - Praha hl. n. | ||
| EC173 | Hamburg-Altona - 09:10 Berlin Südkreuz - Budapest-Keleti | ||
| EC379 | Kiel Hbf - 11:10 Berlin Südkreuz - Praha hl. n. | ||
| EC175 | Berlin Hbf - 13:11 Berlin Südkreuz - Praha hl. n. | ||
| EC177 | Hamburg-Altona - 15:10 Berlin Südkreuz - Praha hl. n. | ||
| EC179 | Hamburg-Altona - 17:10 Berlin Südkreuz - Praha hl. n. | ||
| FO | IC1918 | Köln Hbf - 18:09 Berlin Südkreuz - Dresden Hbf | |
| D5 | IC2079 | Berlin Hbf - 19:06 Berlin Südkreuz - Dresden Hbf | |
| WSX | IC2073 | Westerland (Sylt) - 21:07 Berlin Südkreuz - Dresden Hbf | |
| WO | IC2077 | Berlin Hbf - 21:07 Berlin Südkreuz - Dresden Hbf | |
| SuX | IC2078 | Dresden Hbf - 06:13 Dresden-Neustadt - Berlin Hbf | |
| ThSuX | IC2072 | Dresden Hbf - 07:01 Dresden Neustadt - Westerland (Sylt) | |
| ThSuO | IC2076 | Dresden Hbf - 07:01 Dresden-Neustadt - Berlin Hbf | |
| EC178 | Praha hl. n. - 09:01 Dresden Neustadt - Berlin Hbf | ||
| EC176 | Praha hl. n. - 11:01 Dresden Neustadt - Hamburg-Altona | ||
| EC174 | Praha hl. n. - 13:01 Dresden Neustadt - Hamburg-Altona | ||
| EC378 | Praha hl. n. - 15:01 Dresden Neustadt - Kiel Hbf | ||
| EC172 | Budapest-Keleti - 17:01 Dresden Neustadt - Hamburg-Altona | ||
| EC170 | Praha hl. n. - 19:01 Dresden Neustadt - Berlin Hbf | ||
| EN456 | Dresden Hbf - 21:14 Dresden Neustadt - Zürich HB |
D5: 7 to 13 November only; on other dates IC2079 runs as part of EN477.
Senftenberg (Brieske) - Hosena
[225] (44A3, 60B2) DE16/288
This line enables trains to run direct between Senftenberg and Hoyerswerda. There is no longer a regular passenger service on this line, but from 30 January until 24 September 2016 trains between Ruhland and Hoyerswerda are diverted this way, with reversal at Senftenberg.
