Germany (Berlin and Brandenburg) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services
Introduction
This list is based on the timetable in force until until 14 December 2013, 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 central area
Berlin-Charlottenburg – Berlin-Halensee (Halensee Kurve)
[200.41, 200.42, 200.46, 200.47] (31B2, 128B3) DE14/251
The limited scheduled service over this south to east S-Bahn curve, withdrawn in June 2002, was reinstated from 29 May 2006.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 Daily, 00:54 Daily
- From Berlin-Charlottenburg: 04:39 Mon-Fri, 04:59 Mon-Fri, 05:39 Sat, 05:59 Sat, 06:59 Sun, 07:19 Sun
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, this service is at present suspended until further notice, because of lack of capacity in the S-Bahn depots to maintain the special train that is used.
Berlin-Lichtenberg – Berlin-Gesundbrunnen
[209.54] (32A2-32A3 not shown, 129C3-128D1) DE14/252
This is the north-eastern quadrant of the Ringbahn Ferngleis.
| E1 | RB18421 | 07:32 Berlin-Lichtenberg – Rheinsberg(Mark) | ||
| RB28794 | 22:36 Berlin-Lichtenberg – Templin Stadt | |||
| D1 | SSuX | RB18901 | Nauen – 02:41 Berlin-Gesundbrunnen – Berlin-Lichtenberg | |
| E1 | RB18432 | Rheinsberg(Mark) – 22:35 Berlin-Gesundbrunnen – Berlin-Lichtenberg | ||
| MThSuO | EN452 | Moskva Belorusskaja (as train 23J1) – 20:15 Brest Centralnyi – Paris Est | Note that the train calls in Poland only to set down passengers. |
D1: 9 - 30 April 2014
E1: 18 April - 2 November 2014
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-Gesundbrunnen (Abzw Berlin-Wedding) – Berlin-Jungfernheide (Berlin-Moabit)
[203] (32A2, 128D1-128C2) DE14/253
This section of the Ringbahn Ferngleis connects the routes from Berlin Hbf to Stralsund and to Hamburg:
A Mondays to Fridays RE service runs from Wittenberge to Berlin Gesundbrunnen calling at Berlin Spandau at 06:33*, 07:33, 08:33, 09:33, 14:33,15:32, 16:39, 17:32, 18:33 and 19:32. The return service depart Berlin Gesundbrunnen at 06:54, 07:53, 08:52, 09:53, 14:52. 15:53, 16:57, 17:53, 18:52 and 19:55*. * Starts/ends Wittstock
Other trains using this route are:
| D | SO | IC2422 | Köln - 12:47 Berlin Spandau - Ostseebad Binz/Seebad Heringsdorf |
| D | FO | IC2426 | 16:47 Berlin Spandau - Ostseebad Binz/Seebad Heringsdorf |
| E1 7-9 June | EN1236 | Warszawa Wschodnia - 21:49 Rzepin - Amsterdam Centraal | |
| D | SO | IC2423 | Seebad Heringsdorf/Ostseebad Binz - 13:59 Berlin Gesundbrunnen - Köln |
| D | SuO | IC2427 | Seebad Heringsdorf/Ostseebad Binz - 17:55 Berlin Gesundbrunnen - Köln |
| D | SuO | IC1932 | Stralsund – 19:42 Berlin-Gesundbrunnen – Oldenburg (Oldb) Hbf |
| E2 6-8 June | EN1237 | Amsterdam Centraal - 01:40 Hannover - Warszawa Wschodnia |
Berlin-Spandau – Berlin-Staaken
[202] (31B2, 124D4-124C4) DE14/254
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.
Berlin Outer Ring and connections
Hohen Neuendorf West – Birkenwerder
[209.20] (31B3, 125A1) DE14/255
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) DE14/256
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-Hohenschönhausen (Abzw. Berlin-Karow Ost) – Bernau b. Berlin (Berlin-Karow)
[209.60] (32A3, 125C2) DE14/257
This east to north curve links the east side of the Außenring with the line to Bernau and Angermünde. It is used by service RB60 hourly between Berlin-Lichtenberg and Eberswalde.
Berlin-Hohenschönhausen (Abzw. Berlin-Karow Ost) - Berlin-Gesundbrunnen (Berlin-Blankenburg)
(32A3, 125C2) DE14/258
This east to south curve links the east side of the Außenring with the line to Pankow and Berlin-Gesundbrunnen.
| D | IC61259/CNL1259 | Erfurt Hbf – 07:32 Berlin-Gesundbrunnen – Berlin-Lichtenberg | |
| D | IC61258/CNL1258 | 21:39 Berlin-Lichtenberg - Erfurt | |
| 6-8 June 2014 only | EN1236 | Warszawa Wschodnia - 21:49 Rzepin - Amsterdam Centraal | |
| 6-8 June 2014 only | EN1237 | Amsterdam Centraal - 01:40 Hannover - Warszawa Wschodnia |
Berlin-Lichtenberg (Abzw. Biesdorfer Kreuz West) – Abzw. Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd – Erkner (Abzw. Stadtforst)
[201] (32B2, 129C2-36C3) DE14/259
This route connects Berlin-Lichtenberg with the line to Frankfurt (Oder) via the Außenring.
| MThSuO | EN452 | Moskva Belorusskaja (as train 23J1) – 21:15 Brest Centralnyi – Paris Est |
Services between Rzepin and Berlin which are diverted via Berlin-Lichtenberg with a stop at Frankfurt(Oder) also run this way. No trains are booked by this route in 2014. If such a train is booked non-stop between Rzepin and Berlin–Lichtenberg, it runs via Küstrin/Kostrzyn; see PL14/37 for notes on routing in Poland. Trains are booked this way between 6 and 9 June 2014.
See DE14/261 for notes on routing between Biesdorfer Kreuz West and Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd.
Berlin Ostbahnhof (Abzw. Rummelsburg Rgbv) – Abzw. Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd West – Berlin-Lichtenberg (Abzw. Biesdorfer Kreuz West)
(32A2, 129C3-129C2) DE14/260
Main line trains running between Berlin Ostbahnhof and Berlin-Lichtenberg have to do so via the Außenring. Only the S-Bahn tracks run directly between the two stations.
| CNL1247 | 20:32 Berlin-Lichtenberg – München Ost | ||
| CNL1246 | München Ost – 22:50 Augsburg Hbf – Berlin-Lichtenberg |
Berlin-Lichtenberg (Abzw. Biesdorfer Kreuz West) – Königs Wusterhausen (Eichgestell Stw Egb)
[209.36] (32A2, 125B-125D) DE14/261
This is the route for trains between Berlin-Lichtenberg and the Königs Wusterhausen line via the Außenring. It joins the main line from Berlin Ostbf at Eichgestell. At present the route via Berlin-Schöneweide is not available, because the Ferngleis (main line tracks) 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. Biesdorfer Kreuz Süd-Ost 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.
Königs Wusterhausen (Bf Grünau) – Berlin-Schönefeld Flughafen (Abzw Grünauer Kreuz Süd)
[209.19] (32B2, 127D2) DE14/262
This east to south curve links the Außenring and the Königs Wusterhausen line. It is used by hourly RB19 trains between Berlin Gesundbrunnen and Senftenberg via Berlin-Schönefeld Flughafen.
Großbeeren (Abzw. Großbeeren Süd) – Abzw. Großbeeren West – Abzw. Genshagener Heide Nord – Abzw. Genshagener Heide Ost and Abzw. Glasower Damm West – Blankenfelde(Kr Teltow-Fläming) (Abzw. Glasower Damm Süd)
[203, 240] (31B1 not shown fully & 32A1; 127A3 & 127C3) DE14/263
These are, respectively, a 270 degree north to east outside 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 RE3 trains to Wünsdorf-Waldstadt and Elsterwerda.
The section between Abzw. Genshagener Heide Ost and Abzw. Glasower Damm West is also used by RB22 services between Golm and Berlin-Schönefeld Flughafen.
Saarmund (Abzw Potsdam Wildpark West) - Werder(Havel)
(31A1, 126A2) DE14/264
This south <=> west curve links the southwestern quadrant of the Außenring to the Berlin – Magdeburg main line.
During the “Baumblütenfest” (Blossom Festival) in Werder(Havel), RB22 services between Berlin-Schönefeld Flughafen and Potsdam Hbf have been diverted to reverse at Werder(Havel) instead of Golm and hence use this curve.
This service ran in 2013 but details are not yet available for the 2014 festival, which runs from 26 April to 4 May.
Berlin-Staaken – Stendal – Wolfsburg
[202, 301] (27B3 to 29B3, 124C4 to 32D4) DE14/265
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 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.
Other lines fully outside the Außenring
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 (Stw W10) – Kolkwitz (Cottbus Abzw Cbn)
[202] (30B1, 49B4) DE13/270
This spur links the Lübbenau line to the north side platforms. All arrivals from Lübbenau use the southern platforms at Cottbus. All departures from Cottbus use the middle/northern platforms, and hence this spur, with the exception of those at 03:49, 05:00, 05:36 SuX, 06:01 SuO and 06:05 SuX.
Cottbus (Stw W9) – Kolkwitz Süd (Cottbus Abzw Cfw)
[209.43, 215] (30B1, 49B4) DE13/271
The main line from Leipzig leads to the middle and north platforms at Cottbus but this spur gives access to south side platforms. No trains are booked to use it in the current timetable.
Cottbus (Südseite Stw W20) – Leuthen (b Cottbus) (Cottbus Südwest Stw B2)
[208] (30B1 not shown, 49B4) DE13/272
The main line from Dresden leads to the middle and north platforms at Cottbus but a spur gives access to south side platforms. A slight majority of the trains use the southern platforms, thus:
| RE18401 | 05:15 Cottbus - Dresden Hbf | ||
| RE18425 | 08:08 Cottbus - Falkenberg (Elster)/Ruhland | ||
| RE18405 | 09:15 Cottbus - Dresden Hbf | ||
| RE18427 | 10:08 Cottbus - Falkenberg (Elster)/Ruhland | ||
| RE18429 | 12:08 Cottbus - Falkenberg (Elster) | ||
| RE18409 | 13:15 Cottbus - Dresden Hbf | ||
| RE18431 | 14:08 Cottbus - Falkenberg (Elster) | ||
| RE18411 | 15:13 Cottbus - Dresden Hbf | ||
| RE18413 | 17:15 Cottbus - Dresden Hbf | ||
| RE18435 | 18:08 Cottbus - Falkenberg (Elster)/Ruhland | ||
| RE18415 | 19:15 Cottbus - Dresden Hbf | ||
| RE18419 | 23:08 Cottbus - Senftenberg | ||
| RE18402 | Elsterwerda – 06:37 Leuthen (b Cottbus) – Cottbus | ||
| RE18422 | Falkenberg (Elster)/Ruhland – 07:40 Leuthen (b Cottbus) – Cottbus | ||
| RE18404 | Dresden Hbf – 08:28 Drebkau – Cottbus | ||
| RE18424 | Falkenberg (Elster)/Ruhland – 09:40 Leuthen (b Cottbus) – Cottbus | ||
| RE18408 | Dresden Hbf – 12:28 Drebkau – Cottbus | ||
| RE18428 | Falkenberg (Elster) – 13:40 Leuthen (b Cottbus) – Cottbus | ||
| RE18410 | Dresden Hbf – 14:28 Drebkau – Cottbus | ||
| RE18430 | Falkenberg (Elster) – 15:40 Leuthen (b Cottbus) – Cottbus | ||
| RE18432 | Falkenberg (Elster)/Ruhland – 17:40 Leuthen (b Cottbus) – Cottbus | ||
| RE18414 | Dresden Hbf – 18:28 Drebkau – Cottbus |
Uebigau (Falkenberg (Elster) Stw B3) – Falkenberg (Elster) unt Bf (Stw W17)
[209.43, 215] (43B3, not shown, 59C1) DE14/273
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, 59C1) DE14/274
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)
[240] (43B3, 59C1-59C3) DE14/275 [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. It no longer has a regular passenger service, but the following trains are diverted from the Dresden main line from 27 September.
| H1 | IC2070 | 06:54 Dresden – Berlin Hbf | |
| H1 | EC378 | Bratislava Hl.St. - 13:04 Dresden - Stralsund ( Ostseeebad Binz some dates) |
H1: 27 September to 13 December 2014
