Germany (Berlin and Brandenburg) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services
Introduction
This list is based on the timetable in force until 10 December 2011, 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 (2007/2008 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 clockwise order starting from Abzw Hennigsdorf; (iii) all others fully outside the Außenring.
Berlin-Charlottenburg – Berlin-Halensee (Halensee Kurve)
[200.41, 200.42, 200.46, 200.47] (31B2, 128B3) DE11/251
The limited scheduled service over this south to east S-Bahn curve, withdrawn in June 2002, was reinstated from 29 May 2006.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: 00:54 daily, 08:57 Mon-Fri, 20:11 Mon-Fri
- From Berlin-Charlottenburg: 04:40 Mon-Fri, 05:00 Mon-Fri, 06:00 Sat, 06:20 Sat, 07:00 Sun, 07:20 Sun, 13:36 Mon-Fri, 13:56 Mon-Fri, 14:16 Mon-Fri
The Halensee curve is also used on the Panorama S-Bahn unit Berlin sightseeing tours where the route is described as Stadtbahn or Stadtring. However, the service is suspended until March 2012 at the earliest, because of lack of capacity in the S-Bahn depots to maintain the special train that is used.
Berlin-Lichtenberg (B1) – Berlin-Gesundbrunnen
[209.54] (32A2-32A3 not shown, 129C3-128D1) DE11/252
This is the north-eastern quadrant of the Ringbahn Ferngleis.
| CNL1259 | Zürich HB - 06:38 Lutherstadt Wittenberg - Berlin-Lichtenberg/Ostseebad Binz | ||
| E | RB18598 | Rheinsberg (Mark) – 22:37 Berlin-Gesundbrunnen – Berlin-Lichtenberg | |
| E | RB18599 | 07:50 Berlin-Lichtenberg – Rheinsberg (Mark) | |
| CNL1258 | Ostseebad Binz/21:47 Berlin-Lichtenberg - Zürich HB |
Note that seated passengers without reservations are conveyed on CNL1258 and CNL1259 between Erfurt Hbf and Berlin-Lichtenberg.
Berlin-Gesundbrunnen (Abzw Berlin-Wedding) – Berlin-Jungfernheide (Berlin-Moabit)
[203] (32A2, 128D1-128C2) DE11/253
This section of the Ringbahn Ferngleis connects the routes from Berlin Hbf to Stralsund and to Hamburg:
| E | SO | RE28793 | 13:23 Berlin-Spandau – Rheinsberg (Mark) |
| SuO | IC1932 | Stralsund – 19:41 Berlin-Gesundbrunnen – Oldenburg (Oldb) Hbf | |
| E | SO | RE28790 | Rheinsberg (Mark) – 12:25 Berlin-Gesundbrunnen – Berlin-Spandau |
Berlin-Spandau (Berlin Wiesendamm) – Berlin-Wannsee (Grunewald Gds)
(31B2 not shown in full, 128A2-128A3) DE11/254
This section of the Ringbahn Ferngleis, and connections off it, link the routes from Berlin to Potsdam and to Hamburg. It is used by a winter Autozüge service between Hamburg-Altona and Schwarzach-St Veit via Berlin-Wannsee.
Berlin-Spandau – Berlin-Staaken
[202] (31B2, 124D4-124C4) DE11/255
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. Eastbound RE and RB trains using platform 6 at Berlin-Spandau may use either route. If a 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. Westbound trains from Berlin-Spandau platform 6 can only use the southern route.
Hohen Neuendorf West – Birkenwerder
[209.20] (31B3, 125A1) DE11/256
There are two routes between Hohen Neuendorf West and Birkenwerder. 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. Local trains between Oranienburg and Hennigsdorf use connections to and from the northbound S-Bahn track at Birkenwerder in order to call at the station, so always use the direct Kleine Kurve.
Birkenwerder – Berlin-Hohenschönhausen (Abzw Schönfließ West)
[209.12] (31B1, 125A1) DE11/257
There are two routes between Birkenwerder and the east side of the Außenring. 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 and, when possible, by southbound ones. However, subject to punctual running, southbound RE5 and RB12 trains usually run via the Lange Kurve in order to avoid conflict with northbound services.
Berlin-Karow Ost – Berlin-Karow
[209.60] (32A3, 125C2) DE11/258
This east to north curve links the east side of the Außenring with the line to Bernau and Angermünde. It is used by the trains listed under route DE09/259 and service RB60 hourly between Berlin-Lichtenberg and Eberswalde.
Berlin Ostbahnhof (Abzw Rummelsburg Rgbv) – Berlin-Hohenschönhausen (Abzw Biesdorfer Kreuz Nord
[203] (32A2, 129C3-129D2) DE11/259
This route links Berlin Ostbahnhof with the north side of the Außenring.
| RE5800 | Belzig – 08:10 Berlin Ostbahnhof – Szczecin Glowny | ||
| D18596 | Berlin Zoologischer Garten – 09:07 Berlin Ostbahnhof – Swinoujscie Centrum | ||
| D18594 | Berlin Zoologischer Garten – 17:02 Berlin Ostbahnhof – Swinoujscie Centrum | ||
| D18595 | Swinoujscie Centrum – 14:25 Bernau (b Berlin) – Berlin Zoologischer Garten | ||
| D18597 | Swinoujscie Centrum – 20:26 Bernau (b Berlin) – Berlin Zoologischer Garten | ||
| RE5803 | Szczecin Glowny – 22:13 Bernau (b Berlin) – Potsdam Hbf |
Berlin Ostbahnhof (Abzw Rummelsburg Rgbv) – Berlin-Lichtenberg (Abzw Biesdorfer Kreuz West) (via Abzw Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd West)
(32A2, 129C3-129C2) DE11/260
Overnight trains running between Berlin Ostbahnhof and Berlin-Lichtenberg have to do so via the Außenring. Only the S-Bahn runs direct.
| CNL1247 | 20:49 Berlin-Lichtenberg – München Ost | ||
| CNL1246 | München Ost – 22:46 Augsburg Hbf – Berlin-Lichtenberg |
Berlin-Lichtenberg (Abzw Biesdorfer Kreuz West) – Berlin-Köpenick (Abzw Stadtforst) (via Wuhlheide Rbf)
[209.35] (32B2, 129C2-36C3) DE11/261
This route connects Berlin-Lichtenberg with the line to Frankfurt (Oder) via the Außenring.
| SSuO | OE87921 | 08:41 Berlin-Lichtenberg – Bad Saarow-Pieskow | |
| SSuO | OE79238 | Bad Saarow-Pieskow – 23:12 Erkner – Berlin Lichtenberg |
Berlin-Lichtenberg (Abzw Biesdorfer Kreuz West) – Berlin-Schönefeld Flughafen or Berlin-Grünau Eichgestell Stw Egb)
[209.14, 209.36] (32A2, 125B-125D) DE11/262
This is the route for trains between Berlin-Grünau or Berlin-Schönefeld Flughafen and Berlin-Lichtenberg via the Außenring.
At present the alternative route via Berlin-Schöneweide is not available, because the Ferngleis (main line) between Baumschulenweg and Ostkreuz is closed. All trains run via Biesdorfer Kreuz, where there are two routes between Abzw Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd and Abzw Biesdorfer Kreuz West. There is a direct south to west curve, but the Lange Kurve from Abzw Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd joins the Ostbahn (from Kostrzyn) at Abzw Bkl east of the Außenring. Both lines are reversible, but trains to Berlin-Lichtenberg normally use the Lange Kurve and those in the opposite direction the direct route.
| SSuX | OE79411 | 05:06 Berlin-Lichtenberg – Frankfurt (Oder) (via Beeskow) | |
| D | SSuO | OE79415 | 07:06 Berlin-Lichtenberg – Beeskow/Frankfurt (Oder) |
| FSSuO | OE79449 | 23:06 Berlin-Lichtenberg – Beeskow | |
| OE79438 | Frankfurt (Oder)/Beeskow – 22:24 Königs Wusterhausen – Berlin-Lichtenberg | ||
| D | FSSuO | OE79440 | Frankfurt (Oder) – 23:24 Königs Wusterhausen – Berlin-Lichtenberg |
Königs Wusterhausen (Abzw Grünau) – Berlin-Schönefeld Flughafen (Abzw Grünauer Kreuz Süd)
[209.14] (32B2, 127D2) DE11/263
This east to south curve links the Außenring and the Königs Wusterhausen line. It is normally used by RB14 trains (hourly) between Nauen and Senftenberg via Berlin Ostbahnhof, reversing at Berlin-Schönefeld Flughafen. The is currently no service via this curve, because the line between Königs Wusterhausen and Lübbenau (Spreewald) is closed for reconstruction.
Großbeeren – Genshagener Heide Ost (via Großbeeren West and Genshagener Heide Nord) and Glasower Damm West – Blankenfelde (Kr Teltow-Flaming) (Glasower Damm Süd)
[203, 240] (31B1 not shown & 32A1, 127A3 & 127C3) DE11/264
These are, respectively, a north to east connection between the Berlin – Leipzig main line and the Außenring, and a west to south curve between the Außenring and the Dresden main line. They are used by EC/IC trains between Berlin Hbf (low level) and Dresden and RE trains to Wünsdorf-Waldstadt and Elsterwerda. The curve from Großbeeren to Großbeeren West was brought into use in May 2006.
Großbeeren – Genshagener Heide and Saarmund - Werder (Havel)
[260] (31A1 & 31B1, 126A2 to 127A3) DE11/265
For various periods during 2011 many IC trains between Hannover, Magdeburg and Berlin are diverted via the southwestern quadrant of the Außenring and the west to north curve at Genshagener Heide. Dates of diversions are when trains call additionally at Berlin Südkreuz.
| E | SuX | IC240 | Berlin Hbf - 05:46 Berlin Südkreuz - Schiphol |
| E | IC148 | Berlin Hbf - 07:46 Berlin Südkreuz - Schiphol | |
| E | SuO | IC1115 | Berlin Hbf - 09:02 Berlin Südkreuz - Tübingen Hbf |
| E | IC146 | Berlin Hbf - 09:46 Berlin Südkreuz - Schiphol | |
| D | FO | IC1991 | Berlin Hbf - 10:02 Berlin Südkreuz - Frankfurt am Main Hbf |
| E | FSX | IC1111 | Berlin Hbf - 11:07 Berlin Südkreuz - Tübingen Hbf |
| E | IC144 | Berlin Hbf - 11:46 Berlin Südkreuz - Schiphol | |
| E | SuO | IC1017 | Berlin Hbf - 13:01 Berlin Südkreuz - Karlsruhe Hbf |
| E | FO | IC1211 | Berlin Hbf - 13:04 Berlin Südkreuz - Köln Hbf |
| D | SuO | ICE1191 | 13:08 Berlin Südkreuz - Stuttgart Hbf |
| E | IC142 | Berlin Hbf - 13:46 Berlin Südkreuz - Schiphol | |
| E | SuO | IC1119 | Berlin Hbf - 14:04 Berlin Südkreuz - Köln Hbf |
| E | SuO | IC1023 | Berlin Hbf - 15:04 Berlin Südkreuz - Köln Hbf |
| E | FO | IC1227 | Berlin Hbf - 15:07 Berlin Südkreuz - Köln Hbf |
| D | SuO | IC1997 | Berlin Hbf - 15:41 Berlin Südkreuz - Stuttgart Hbf |
| E | IC140 | Berlin Hbf - 15:46 Berlin Südkreuz - Schiphol | |
| D | FSuO | IC1015 | Berlin Hbf - 16:02 Berlin Südkreuz - Köln Hbf |
| E | SuO | IC1027 | Berlin Hbf - 16:02 Berlin Südkreuz - Köln Hbf |
| E | SuO | IC1129 | Berlin Hbf - 17:03 Berlin Südkreuz - Köln Hbf |
| E | IC2242 | Berlin Hbf - 17:46 Berlin Südkreuz - Osnabrück Hbf/Münster (Westf) Hbf | |
| D | SuO | IC1999 | Berlin Hbf - 18:02 Berlin Südkreuz - Frankfurt am Main Hbf |
| E | SuO | IC1932 | Stralsund - 19:02 Berlin Südkreuz - Oldenburg (Oldbg) Hbf |
| E | SSuX | CNL450 | 19:04 Berlin Südkreuz - Paris Est |
| E | SuO | IC2240 | Berlin Hbf - 19:46 Berlin Südkreuz - Münster (Westf) Hbf |
| E | CNL451 | Paris Est - 00:58 Saarbrücken Hbf - Berlin Südkreuz | |
| E | SuX | IC2241 | Münster (Westf) Hbf - 08:46 Magdeburg Hbf - Berlin Hbf |
| E | SuX | IC2243 | Bad Bentheim - 10:46 Magdeburg Hbf - Berlin Hbf |
| E | SuO | IC2343 | Osnabrück Hbf - 10:46 Magdeburg Hbf - Berlin Hbf |
| E | IC141 | Schiphol - 12:46 Magdeburg Hbf - Berlin Hbf | |
| E | IC143 | Schiphol - 14:46 Magdeburg Hbf - Berlin Hbf | |
| E | SuO | IC1212 | Köln Hbf - 14:03 Hannover Hbf - Berlin Hbf |
| D | IC2010 | Tübingen Hbf/Köln Hbf/Düsseldorf Hbf - 14:51 Hannover Hbf - Berlin Hbf | |
| E | IC145 | Schiphol - 16:46 Magdeburg Hbf - Berlin Hbf | |
| E | IC1124 | Frankfurt am Main Hbf - 16:03 Hannover Hbf - Berlin Hbf | |
| E | IC1118 | Aachen Hbf - 16:03/17:01 Hannover Hbf - Berlin Hbf | |
| E | FO | ICE1172 | Darmstadt Hbf - 15:50 Göttingen - Berlin Südkreuz |
| D | SuO | IC1994 | Frankfurt am Main Hbf - 17:05 Hannover Hbf - Berlin Hbf |
| E | IC147 | Schiphol - 18:46 Magdeburg Hbf - Berlin Hbf | |
| E | SuO | IC1122 | Frankfurt am Main Hbf - 18:03 Hannover Hbf - Berlin Hbf |
| E | FO | IC1216 | Salzburg Hbf - 18:03 Hannover Hbf - Berlin Hbf |
| D | SuO | IC1994 | Frankfurt am Main Hbf - 19:05 Hannover Hbf - Berlin Hbf |
| D | FO | IC1990 | Frankfurt am Main Hbf - 19:05 Hannover Hbf - Berlin Hbf |
| E | IC149 | Schiphol - 20:46 Magdeburg Hbf - Berlin Hbf | |
| E | FO | IC1112 | Düsseldorf Hbf - 20:02 Hannover Hbf - Berlin Hbf |
| D | FO | IC1912 | Düsseldorf Hbf - 20:02 Hannover Hbf - Berlin Hbf |
| E | SuO | IC1014 | Köln Hbf - 20:03 Hannover Hbf - Berlin Hbf |
| D | ThO | IC1998 | Frankfurt am Main Hbf - 21:14 Hannover Hbf - Berlin Hbf |
| E | FSuO | IC241 | Schiphol - 22:46 Magdeburg Hbf - Berlin Hbf |
Ludwigsfelde – Saarmund (Genshagener Heide West)
(32A1, 127A3) DE11/266
This south to west curve links the Außenring to the Berlin – Leipzig main line. It is used by a winter Autozüge service between Berlin-Wannsee and Bolzano.
Beelitz-Heilstatten – Ferch-Lienewitz (Abzw Lia)
[207] (31A1, 126A4) DE11/267
This north to west curve connects the Berlin – Belzig and Potsdam – Beelitz Stadt lines.
| SSuX | RE5800 | Belzig – 06:57 Beelitz-Heilstatten – Szczecin Glowny |
Berlin-Staaken – Stendal – Wolfsburg
[202, 301] (27B3 to 29B3, 124C4 to 32D4) DE11/268
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 SFS. 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 non-electrified parallel track from Wustermark to Abzw Ribbeck (east of Buschow) or from Abzw Bamme (west of Nennhausen) to Rathenow. RB trains between Rathenow and Stendal use the parallel 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.
Berlin-Schöneweide (Abzw Grünau) – Berlin ILA-Bahnhof (Schönefeld Flughafen Süd)
(32B1 not shown, 127D2) DE11/269
This branch has no regular passenger service but a special shuttle service from central Berlin runs in conjunction with the ILA (Internationale Luft- und Raumfahrtausstellung), held in even-numbered years. Details from: Messe Berlin GmbH. The next ILA will be from 11 to 16 September 2012.
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.
The railway is closed for reconstruction between Königs Wusterhausen and Lübbenau until 15 July 2011, with trains to and from Berlin diverted via Finsterwalde and Zossen. Platform arrangements are likely to change thereafter.
Cottbus (Stw W10) – Kolkwitz (Cottbus Abzw Cbn)
[202] (30B1, 49B4) DE11/270
Most trains to and from Lübbenau use the southern platforms at Cottbus but this spur links into the north side platforms. It is used by departures from Cottbus at 09:17, 11:17, 15:17, 19:17 and 20:17, and by arrivals at 10:46, 14:46, 18:46 and 19:46.
Cottbus (Stw W9) – Kolkwitz Süd (Cottbus Abzw Cfw)
[209.43, 215] (30B1, 49B4) DE11/271
The main line from Leipzig leads to the middle and north platforms at Cottbus but this spur gives access to south side platforms. It is used by the following trains to or from Falkenberg (Elster):
| RE18456 | 09:03 Cottbus – Leipzig Hbf | ||
| RE18458 | 11:03 Cottbus - Leipzig Hbf | ||
| RB28892 | 16:02 Cottbus - Falkenberg (Elster) | ||
| RE18466 | 19:03 Cottbus – Leipzig Hbf | ||
| RB28895 | Falkenberg (Elster) - 15:49 Kolkwitz Süd - Cottbus | ||
| R18463 | Leipzig Hbf - 18:37 Calau (Niederlausitz) - Cottbus |
Most diverted Berlin trains use this spur to and from the south side platforms at Cottbus. Exceptions, using the higher numbered platforms, are:
| EC248 | Krakow Glowny - 15:54 Cottbus - Berlin Hbf/Lüneburg | ||
| RE18016 | 17:12 Cottbus - Berlin Hbf | ||
| SSuX | RE18001 | Berlin Hbf - 07:29 Calau (Niederlausitz) - Cottbus | |
| EC249 | Hamburg-Altona/Berlin Hbf - 09:41 Berlin Südkreuz - Krakow Glowny | ||
| RE18011 | Berlin Hbf - 16:28 Calau (Niederlausitz) - Cottbus | ||
| RE18015 | Berlin Hbf - 20:29 Calau (Niederlausitz) - Cottbus |
Cottbus (Südseite Stw W20) – Leuthen (b Cottbus) (Cottbus Südwest Stw B2)
[208] (30B1 not shown, 49B4) DE11/272
The main line from Dresden leads to the middle and north platforms at Cottbus but a spur gives access to south side platforms. About a third of the trains use the southern platforms, thus:
| RE18425 | 08:08 Cottbus - Falkenberg (Elster)/Ruhland | ||
| RE18405 | 09:14 Cottbus - Dresden Hbf | ||
| RE18407 | 11:14 Cottbus - Dresden Hbf | ||
| RE18429 | 12:08 Cottbus - Falkenberg (Elster) (via Ruhland) | ||
| RE18411 | 15:13 Cottbus - Dresden Hbf | ||
| RE18413 | 17:14 Cottbus - Dresden Hbf | ||
| RE18419 | 23:08 Cottbus - Senftenberg | ||
| RE18422 | Falkenberg (Elster)/Ruhland – 07:40 Leuthen (b Cottbus) – Cottbus | ||
| RE18404 | Dresden Hbf – 08:28 Drebkau – Cottbus | ||
| RE18406 | Dresden Hbf – 10:28 Drebkau – Cottbus | ||
| RE18410 | Dresden Hbf – 14:28 Drebkau – Cottbus | ||
| RE18430 | Falkenberg (Elster) – 15:41 Leuthen (b Cottbus) – Cottbus | ||
| RE18412 | Dresden Hbf – 16:28 Drebkau – Cottbus | ||
| RE18418 | Dresden Hbf – 22:28 Drebkau – Cottbus |
Finsterwalde (Niederlausitz) (Hennersdorf West) – Walddrehna (Doberlug-Kirchhain Nord)
[202] (44A3, not shown, 57B) DE11/273
This east to north curve links the Cottbus - Leipzig and Berlin - Dresden lines. It is used by through trains between Cottbus and Berlin until 15 July 2011, while the line between Königs Wusterhausen and Lübbenau is closed for reconstruction.
Uebigau (Falkenberg (Elster) Stw B3) – Falkenberg (Elster) unt Bf (Stw W17)
[209.43, 215] (43B3, not shown, 57A) DE11/274
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 all trains to and from Cottbus via Finsterwalde starting or terminating at Falkenberg (Elster).
Bad Liebenwerda (Falkenberg (Elster) Stw W15) – Falkenberg (Elster) ob Bf (Stw W2)
[228] (43B3, not shown, 57A) DE11/275
This south to west curve connects the line from Elsterwerda-Biehla with the high level platform 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.
