Germany (Hessen) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services: Difference between revisions

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===Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf – Zeppelinheim===
===Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf – Zeppelinheim===
[655.1] (''152D3'') DE21/531
[655.1] (ERA-E 57B2;''152D3'') DE21/531


This south to west curve is from Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf to the line to Mannheim via Biblis. It is used by trains running direct between Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf and Mannheim. These are principally hourly ''ICE'' trains between Köln and Basel or München and two-hourly ''ICE'' trains between Frankfurt am Main and Stuttgart (which reverse at Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf).
This south to west curve is from Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf to the line to Mannheim via Biblis. It is used by trains running direct between Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf and Mannheim. These are principally hourly ''ICE'' trains between Köln and Basel or München and two-hourly ''ICE'' trains between Frankfurt am Main and Stuttgart (which reverse at Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf).

Revision as of 16:03, 15 January 2021

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 ordered geographically. In the Frankfurt area, routes in and out of the Hauptbahnhof are considered first and then the various avoiding lines. In both cases, routes are ordered clockwise round the city, from Frankfurt am Main Süd to Frankfurt am Main West.

Eichenberg avoiding line: Friedland (Han) (Abzw Eichenberg Nordkopf) – Arenshausen (Abzw Eichenberg Ostkopf)

[540.1] (ERA-E 48B1;55B3) DE21/501

This north to east curve links the Göttingen and Nordhausen lines and is used by through trains between Göttingen and Leinefelde (generally every two hours).

Bad Sooden-Allendorf (Abzw Eschwege-Wehre) – Wehretal-Reichensachsen (Abzw Eschwege-Stegmühle)

(ERA-E 48B1;55B4) DE21/502

Since the reopening of Eschwege Stadtbahnhof in 2009, all local trains between Eichenberg and Bebra reverse there, leaving and returning to the main line at a triangular junction at Eschwege West. Daytime expresses normally use the Schnellfahrstrecke, so the only passenger trains to use the main line, bypassing Eschwege, regularly are overnight ones.

D ICE1689 Hamburg Hbf - 01:13 Göttingen - München Hbf
NJ471 Berlin Ostbahnhof/Hamburg-Altona - 01:26 Göttingen - Zürich HB
MO ICE1271 Hamburg-Altona - 03:07 Göttingen - Chur
NJ491 Hamburg-Altona - 22:59 Göttingen - Wien Hbf
NJ470 Zürich HB - 01:49 Fulda - Berlin Ostbahnhof/Hamburg-Altona
SuO ICE990 München Hbf - 02:25 MO Bad Hersfeld - Hamburg Hbf
D ICE1688 München Hbf - 02:35 Fulda - Hamburg-Altona
NJ490 Wien Hbf – 02:50 Würzburg Hbf – Hamburg-Altona

Between 24 April and 16 July 2021 this route is used by ICE trains every two hours 08:21 to 20:21 from Göttingen and 08:04 to 20:04 from Fulda and also by:

D SO ICE589 Hamburg-Altona - 01:13 SuO Göttingen - München Hbf
D SO ICE1628 München Hbf - 02:35 SuO Fulda - Hamburg Hbf

Urlaubs Express trains to and from Hamburg and likely to use this route.

Bebra avoiding line: Ludwigsau-Friedlos (Abzw Blankenheim) – Ronshausen (Abzw Faßdorf)

[605, 610] (ERA-E 54B5;66 insert) DE21/503

This south to east curve enables trains between Fulda and Eisenach to avoid reversal at Bebra. It is used by trains (an ICE/IC service at least hourly) running non-stop between Fulda or Bad Hersfeld and Eisenach.

Gießen avoiding line: Dutenhofen – Großen Linden (Gießen Bergwald Stw Gs)

[445] (ERA-E 53C4;65A4) DE21/504

This west to south curve enables trains to run between Wetzlar and Friedberg (Hess) without reversing at Gießen.

SSuX HLB24931 Siegen – 05:47 Wetzlar – Frankfurt am Main Hbf
SSuX HLB24930 Frankfurt am Main Hbf – 17:58 Bad Nauheim – Siegen

Neuhof (Kr Fulda) (Fulda-Bronnzell) – Fulda via Flyover

[615] (ERA-E 54B4 not shown;78C1) DE21/505

The flyover south of the station allows trains to run from the northbound line from Hanau into the low-numbered platforms at Fulda, without crossing the Schnellfahrstrecke on the level. It is used by most RE trains via Flieden terminating at Fulda. These run hourly.

Flieden – Sterbfritz (Elm Bbf)

(ERA-E 54A4-54B4;78C1-78C2) DE21/506

This is part of the former main line between München and Hamburg. Daytime expresses now use the Schnellfahrstrecke and diversion of Gemünden local trains to Schlüchtern, instead of Fulda, has left the route with passenger trains only during the night.

D1 SO ICE589 Hamburg-Altona - 01:13 SuO Göttingen - München Hbf
D ICE1689 Hamburg Hbf - 01:13 Göttingen - München Hbf
NJ491 Hamburg-Altona - 22:59 Göttingen - Wien Hbf
D1 SO ICE1628 München Hbf - 01:20 SuO Würzburg Hbf - Hamburg Hbf
D ICE1688 München Hbf - 01:20 Würzburg Hbf - Hamburg-Altona
NJ490 Wien Hbf – 02:50 Würzburg Hbf – Hamburg-Altona

D1: 24 April to 10 July 2021 (next day from Göttingen and Würzburg)

Urlaubs Express trains to and from Hamburg may use this route.

DB plans to close the Fulda - Würzburg Schnellfahrstrecke for major engineering work in 2022. During that period daytime trains are expected to be diverted via this route.

Hanau West (Weiche 403/404) – Hanau Hbf (Nordseite)

[640] (ERA-E 54A3 not shown;153D2) DE21/507

This route is used by trains between the Maintal and Fulda lines. There are two spurs linking the Maintal line to Hanau Hbf Nordseite (Fulda line). The southerly one is for eastbound trains via platform 7 only. The other is reversible and links with platforms 2 to 7. Most local trains via Maintal Ost terminating or starting at Hanau Hbf normally use the reversible connection and platform 5.

Most IC and ICE trains run via Offenbach (Main), but some are routed via Maintal. The following are scheduled to run via Maintal Ost and Hanau Hbf Nordseite.

NJ471 Berlin Ostbf - 02:56 Fulda - Zürich HB
MTWO ICE1646 Erfurt Hbf - 06:44 Fulda - Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf
D ICE791 Berlin Ostbf - 10:47 Fulda - Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf
D SSuX ICE1197 Hamburg-Altona - 10:18 Kassel Wilhelmshöhe - Frankfurt am Main Hbf
D IC1191 Berlin Ostbf - 12:47 Fulda - Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf
D FO ICE1683 Hamburg-Altona - 15:15 Hanau Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf
D ICE1593 Braunschweig Hbf - 14:47 Fulda - Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf
D ICE797 Berlin Ostbf - 16:14 Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe - Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf
D2 FO ICE1079 Hamburg-Altona - 18:36 Fulda - Stuttgart Hbf
D3 FO ICE1585 Hamburg-Altona - 18:43 Fulda - Stuttgart Hbf
D SuO IC1985 Hamburg-Altona - 19:23 Hanau Hbf - Karlsruhe Hbf
D4 FO ICE2372 Karlsruhe Hbf - 08:08 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Kassel Wilhelmshöhe
D ICE1590 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf - 08:20 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Berlin Ostbf
D ICE798 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf - 12:20 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Berlin Ostbf
D IC1196 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf - 14:20 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Berlin Ostbf
D ICE1592 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf - 16:20 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Berlin Ostbf
FSSuX EC218 Graz Hbf - 16:14 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Erfurt Hbf
D FSuO ICE1594 16:14 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Hamburg-Altona
D ICE792 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf - 18:20 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Berlin-Gesundbrunnen

D2: 30 April to 16 July 2021, also 12 April, but not 14 April

D3: 18 December 2020 to 23 April 2021

D4: 30 April to 16 July 2021, also 12 May and 2 June, but not 14 May and 4 June

Hanau West (Weiche 403/404) – Hanau Hbf (Südseite)

[640] (ERA-E 54A3;153D2) DE21/508

This route is used by RB trains between Aschaffenburg and Frankfurt am Main via the Maintal line and by:

NJ420 Innsbruck Hbf - 01:41 Nürnberg Hbf - Amsterdam C
D5 FO IC1924 München Hbf - 20:05 Aschaffenburg Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf

Offenbach (Main) Hbf - Offenbach (Main) Ost

[645.8] (ERA-E 57C2;153B2) DE21/509

This 1.7km connecting line links the main Frankfurt - Hanau line at Offenbach Hbf with the S-Bahn line at Offenbach Ost. Early on Monday mornings certain S8 trains between Frankfurt (Main) Hbf and Offenbach Ost are diverted to run to and from Frankfurt am Main Hbf via Frankfurt am Main Süd and this line.

From Offenbach (Main) Hbf: 00:39, 01:12 and 01:36 (all MO)

From Offenbach (Main) Ost: 23:58 SuO, 00:27 MO and 00:58 MO

Frankfurt am Main Hbf

Trains between Frankfurt am Main Hbf and Frankfurt am Main Stadion, Neu Isenburg or Frankfurt am Main Süd may use two routes over the River Main, crossing the Niederrader Brücke or the Main-Neckar-Brücke, about 2 km further upstream. The line over the Niederrader Brücke gives access to platforms 1a through 8 on the south side (via Abzw Gutleuthof), platforms 15 through 24 on the north side of the Hauptbahnhof and the S-Bahn underground station. The Main-Neckar-Brücke gives access to platforms 4 through 13, but following construction of a new spur it may be possible for trains to run to platforms 1 to 3 as well. Platforms 4 through 8 are accessible from both bridges.

Trains via Frankfurt am Main Süd and Neu Isenburg mainly use the Main-Neckar-Brücke and those via Frankfurt am Main Stadion mainly the Niederrader Brücke. There is little difference in journey time between Frankfurt am Main Stadion and the Hauptbahnhof via either bridge. However, there is a significant difference between Frankfurt am Main Süd and the Hauptbahnhof, with trains via Niederrader Brücke being scheduled at least 10 minutes, rather than 6 or 7 minutes for the Main-Neckar-Brücke route.

Many long-distance trains reverse at Frankfurt and, in the lists below, trains using a route inward are shown before those using it outward.

Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Frankfurt am Main Süd

[615, 615.1, 640] (ERA-E 57B2;151C3-151D3) DE21/511

Most trains run via Main-Neckar-Brücke. The following trains are scheduled via Niederrader Brücke and Abzw Forsthaus:

SSuX ICE1197 Hamburg-Altona - 11:41 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Frankfurt am Main Hbf
FO ICE1683 Hamburg-Altona - 15:15 Hanau Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf
FO IC1924 München Hbf - 20:05 Aschaffenburg Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf
D FO IC2372 Karlsruhe Hbf - 08:08 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Kassel-Wilhelnshöhe
D FSSuX EC218 Graz Hbf - 16:14 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Erfurt Hbf
D FSuO ICE1594 16:14 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Hamburg Dammtor/Kiel Hbf
SX ICE776 17:16 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Oldenburg (Oldb) Hbf

Local trains taking longer than ten minutes between Frankfurt am Main Hbf and Frankfurt am Main Süd can be expected to run via Frankfurt Niederrad:

SSuO RE4624 Bamberg - 18:27 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Frankfurt am Main Hbf
FSO RE4628 Bamberg - 20:27 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Frankfurt am Main Hbf
SSuO RE4647 09:01 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Bamberg
D FO RE4538 14:15 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Bebra
SSuO RE4649 15:01 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Bamberg
RE4590 20:15 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Bebra

Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Neu Isenburg (via Abzw Forsthaus)

[650, 650.2] (ERA-E 57B2-57C2;151C3-151C4) DE21/512

Most trains to and from Neu Isenburg, other than S-Bahn, run via Main-Neckar-Brücke, but the following are scheduled via Niederrader Brücke:

D6 IC1994/1996 Stuttgart Hbf - 08:47 Darmstadt Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf
D7 FSSuX EC218 Graz Hbf - 15:24 Darmstadt Hbf - Erfurt Hbf
WFO IC1177 16:38 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Karlsruhe Hbf/Basel SBB
D7 IC1995 16:50 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Stuttgart Hbf

D6: Train IC1996 runs MO. Trains IC1994 and IC1995 run in connection with trade fairs. Train IC1995 runs on 12 to 14 and 26 to 28 January, 23 to 25 February, 23 to 25 March, 13 to 15 April, 4 to 6 May, 15 to 17 June and 19 to 21 October. Train IC1994 runs a day later in all cases.

D7: Via Niederrader Brücke when terminating at Frankfurt am Main Hbf.

Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Frankfurt am Main Stadion

[471, 472, 655, 655.1] (ERA-E 57C2-57B2 not shown;151C3-151B4) DE21/513

Most trains (and particularly RE and RB ones) run via Niederrader Brücke. Most RE and RB trains use platforms 15–24 on the north side of the Hauptbahnhof. Most S-Bahn S7 services and many IC and ICE trains run via Abzw Gutleuthof and use platforms 1–8 on the south side of the Hauptbahnhof.

The following trains are scheduled via Main-Neckar Brücke:

  • ICE trains from Frankfurt am Main Hbf to Mannheim Hbf hourly 05:50 to 21:50
  • ICE trains from Frankfurt am Main Hbf to Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof hourly 07:10 to 22:10, but not 09:10, 12:10 and 16:10
  • ICE trains from Mannheim Hbf to Frankfurt am Main Hbf hourly 06:32 to 22:32 and every two hours 07:16 to 19:16, but not if the 19:16 terminates at Frankfurt am Main Hbf
  • ICE trains from Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof to Frankfurt am Main Hbf every two hours 06:42 to 20:42

The following trains are also scheduled to use this route:

NJ470 Zürich HB - 23:42 Mannheim Hbf - Berlin Ostbf
D RJ66 Budapest Keleti - 00:31 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof - Frankfurt am Main Hbf
D IC990 München Hbf - 00:31 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof - Hamburg-Altona
ICE698 München Hbf - 02:30 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof - Hamburg Hbf
SuX ICE827 Köln Hbf - 04:36 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof - München Hbf
ICE618 München Hbf - 05:18 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof - Essen Hbf
ICE672 Wiesbaden Hbf - 05:34 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof - Hamburg-Altona
MO ICE696 Karlsruhe Hbf - 05:28 Mannheim Hbf - Kiel Hbf
ICE1557 Wiesbaden Hbf - 09:01 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof - Dresden Hbf
ICE27 Dortmund Hbf - 12:02 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof - Wien Hbf
ICE1653 Wiesbaden Hbf - 15:01 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof - Dresden Hbf
ICE1655 Wiesbaden Hbf - 17:01 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof - Dresden Hbf
ICE887 Hamburg-Altona - 00:13 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Wiesbaden Hbf
SuO ICE879 Berlin Ostbf - 00:50 MO Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Karlsruhe Hbf
ICE699 Hamburg-Altona - 02:25 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - München Hbf
MO IC2097 04:02 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - München Hbf
IC2026 05:42 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Hamburg-Altona/Lübeck Hbf
SSuX IC1911 06:55 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Stuttgart Hbf
D ICE1554 Dresden Hbf - 20:42 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Wiesbaden Hbf

Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Frankfurt-Höchst (via Abzw Mainzer Landstraße)

[466, 627, 646] (ERA-E 57B2 not shown;50A3, 151C3-151B3) DE20/514

All trains, other than S-Bahn, between Frankfurt-Höchst and Frankfurt am Main Hbf run via Abzw Mainzer Landstraße. Most of those to and from Koblenz and Wiesbaden use the connection between Abzw Mainzer Landstraße and platforms 15–24 on the north side of Frankfurt am Main Hbf. Most of those to and from Limburg (Lahn) run via Abzw Gutleuthof to use platforms 1–8 on the south side of the Hauptbahnhof.

Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Frankfurt-Rödelheim (via Abzw Mainzer Landstraße)

[637] (ERA-E 57B2;151C3-152D2) DE21/515

This route is used by the through trains between Brandoberndorf, Grävenwiesbach and Frankfurt am Main Hbf, all of which arrive and depart at the north side platforms. These run on Mondays to Fridays, peak hours only. S-Bahn trains between Frankfurt-Rödelheim and Frankfurt am Main Hbf run via Frankfurt West.

Frankfurt am Main Süd (Abst Anlage) – Frankfurt-Louisa

[650, 650.2] (ERA-E 57C2;151D3-151C4) DE21/521

This east to south curve provides a link between Frankfurt am Main Süd and the Darmstadt line. There is a frequent S-Bahn service over tracks parallel to this route.

FO ICE1079 Hamburg-Altona - 17:55/19:30 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Stuttgart Hbf
SuO IC1956 Leipzig Hbf - 17:56 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Karlsruhe Hbf
D8 SuO IC1985 Hamburg-Altona - 19:45 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Karlsruhe Hbf
D9 FO IC1970 Stuttgart Hbf - 13:46 Darmstadt Hbf – Berlin Ostbf
SuO IC1174 Basel SBB - 13:46 Darmstadt Hbf - Berlin Ostbf

D8: 13 December to 18 April and 25 July to 5 December 2021

D9: 8 January to 23 April and 23 July to 10 December 2021

Frankfurt am Main Stadion – Neu Isenburg (via Abzw Forsthaus)

[471, 650] (ERA-E 57B2-57C2;151B4-151C4) DE21/522

This route is used by trains between Frankfurt am Main Stadion and Neu Isenburg if not booked to call at Frankfurt am Main Hbf.

SSuX ICE1223 06:48 Darmstadt Hbf - Dortmund Hbf (continues to München via Kassel)

Frankfurt am Main Stadion – Frankfurt am Main Süd (via Abzw Forsthaus)

[640] (ERA-E 57B2-57C2;151B4-151D3) DE21/523

This route is used by trains between Frankfurt am Main Stadion and Frankfurt am Main Süd if not booked to call at Frankfurt am Main Hbf.

ICE and IC trains between Frankfurt am Main Flughafen and Braunschweig, Erfurt or Berlin:

  • From Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf every two hours 08:09 to 18:09, except 10:09
  • From Frankfurt am Main Süd every two hours 07:41 to 17:41, except 09:41
NJ421 Amsterdam C - 01:03/01:17 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof - Innsbruck Hbf
NJ420 Innsbruck Hbf - 03:47 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Amsterdam C
NJ471 Berlin Ostbf - 04:02 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Zürich HB

There are daily Hessische Landesbahn local trains at least hourly between Frankfurt am Main Süd and one or other of the stations at Frankfurt am Main Flughafen. These are mostly to and from the Maintal line.

Limburg Süd (Abzw Breckenheim) - Wiesbaden Hbf (Wiesbaden-Wäschbach)

[472] (ERA-E 57A2;151B1 - 151D1) DE21/524

This branch off the Köln - Frankfurt Schnellfahrstrecke is used by ICE trains between Köln and Wiesbaden Hbf.

SSuX ICE711 Köln Hbf - 06:57 Limburg Süd - Stuttgart Hbf
SSuX ICE1228 München Hbf (via Dortmund) - 18:20 Limburg Süd - Frankfurt am Main Hbf
SSuX ICE712 Mainz Hbf - 06:23 Wiesbaden Hbf - Köln Hbf
SSuX ICE710 Stuttgart Hbf - 16:45 Wiesbaden Hbf - Köln Hbf

Wiesbaden avoiding line: Wiesbaden-Biebrich - Wiesbaden Ost

[466] (ERA-E 57A2;151C3-151B3) DE21/525

This line allows trains to run between Frankfurt am Main and the Rechte Rheinstrecke (via Rüdesheim) without reversal at Wiesbaden Hbf. It is used by RE trains between Frankfurt am Main Hbf and Eltville or Rüdesheim which do not call at Wiesbaden Hbf: Note that the east end junction is grade separated.

From Mainz-Kastel: 07:36, 08:33, 15:34, 16:34, 17:34, 18:35, 19:35 all SSuX

From Wiesbaden-Biebrich: 06:15, 07:15, 08:15, 09:15, 16:15, 17:15, 18:15 all SSuX

Mainz-Bischofsheim (Abzw Kostheim Ost) – Mainz-Kastel (Abzw Kostheim)

[645.8-9, 651] (ERA-E 57A1-57A2;151D2-151C2) DE21/526

This connection across the Main splits in two parts at Abzw Kostheim Ost just north of the river. The two main tracks fly over the Höchst line and turn west to touch it briefly (Abzw Kostheim) before turning north to become route DE21/527 to the Kaiserbrücke over the Rhein. There is also a single-track south-to-west curve (line 3531) that avoids the flyover and diverges from the Höchst line to the south at Abzw Kostheim. This is used by used by trains from Mainz-Kastel to Bischofsheim, but all trains from Bischofsheim use the main track until Abzw Kostheim. The eastbound main track from Abzw Kostheim to Abzw Kostheim Ost is only used by trains coming from the Mainz Kaiserbrücke via route DE21/527.

Hochheim (Main) (Abzw Kostheim) – Mainz Hbf (Abzw Kaiserbrücke Ost)

[471] (ERA-E 57A2;151C2) DE21/527

This route allows trains from the north bank of the River Main to access the Kaiserbrücke over the River Rhein to Mainz, so trains can run between Mainz Hbf and the Frankfurt area via Frankfurt-Höchst. This line can also be used to allow trains to run between Mainz-Bischofsheim and Mainz-Mombach without passing through Mainz Hbf.

The line has been used since 9 December 2018 by an hourly RE service between Frankfurt am Main Hbf and Mainz Hbf via Hochheim (Main).

Diverted trains listed under route DE21/401 Mainz-Mombach - Mainz Abzw Kaiserbrücke West also use this route.

Kelsterbach – Frankfurt am Main Stadion

[471] (ERA-E 57B2;152C3-152D3) DE21/528

This is part of the original main line and is used by trains between Mainz Hbf and the Frankfurt area via Kelsterbach, which stop at neither of the stations at Frankfurt am Main Flughafen.

SSuX RE29243 Alzey – 06:56 Rüsselsheim – Frankfurt am Main Hbf
SSuX RE29205 Alzey – 07:41 Rüsselsheim – Frankfurt am Main Hbf

Frankfurt am Main Gateway Gardens - Frankfurt am Main Stadion

[471] (ERA-E 57B2 not shown;152D3) DE21/529

Where the new line from Frankfurt Flughafen Regionalbf converges with the old main line via Kelsterbach west of Frankfurt am Main Stadion two routes are possible. Trains to the S-Bahn tunnel route under the city centre cross the Kelsterbach line on a flyover. Trains to the Hauptbahnhof main station use a single track connection directly to the line from Kelsterbach.

Raunheim (Abzw Mönchwald) – Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf (Abzw Mönchhof)

[471] (ERA-E 57B2;152B4) DE21/530

This spur connects the old main line from Mainz Hbf to the Schnellfahrstrecke from Köln. It is used by trains calling at both Mainz Hbf and Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf. There is an hourly IC service for most of the day.

Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf – Zeppelinheim

[655.1] (ERA-E 57B2;152D3) DE21/531

This south to west curve is from Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf to the line to Mannheim via Biblis. It is used by trains running direct between Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf and Mannheim. These are principally hourly ICE trains between Köln and Basel or München and two-hourly ICE trains between Frankfurt am Main and Stuttgart (which reverse at Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf).

Weiterstadt (Abzw Darmstadt Stockschneise) – Darmstadt Nord – Darmstadt-Kranichstein

(154C2) DE21/532

This west to east route connects the Mainz and Aschaffenburg lines north of Darmstadt Hbf. Between Darmstadt Nord and Darmstadt-Kranichstein it has its own alignment, different from the one used by local passenger trains. The Darmstadt-Kranichstein railway museum sometimes runs a shuttle service between Groß-Gerau and Kranichstein during its annual Bahnwelttage event in May.

The route is also occasionally used for diversion of trains between Mainz and Aschaffenburg.

Arheilgen – Darmstadt-Nord

[641] (49B1, 154C2) DE20/533

This north to east curve connects the Frankfurt am Main and Aschaffenburg lines north of Darmstadt Hbf. It is used by through trains between Groß-Umstadt Wiebelsbach and Frankfurt am Main Hbf via Darmstadt Nord, generally every two hours.

Darmstadt Hbf – Weiterstadt (Abzw Darmstadt Bergschneise and Abzw Weiterstadt Stockschneise)

[651] (154C3-154C2) DE21/534

Darmstadt Hbf is connected to the line towards Mainz by three geographically separate tracks, of which two technically constitute a widely separated double track flying junction and the third is reversible.

The Darmstadt to Mainz track (line 3537) diverges from the main track towards Frankfurt (line 3605) north of Darmstadt Hbf, at about the the place where it passes over the Aschaffenburg – Mainz line. It then makes a 135° curve to the left and joins the Aschaffenburg – Mainz line from the north at Abzw Stockschneise. The Mainz to Darmstadt track (line 3530) diverges to the south at Abzw Stockschneise directly to the Hauptbahnhof, where it eventually becomes platform 9.

Between these two tracks, there is a reversible track which splits from the Mainz - Aschaffenburg line on the flat at Abzw Bergschneise, 1 km east of Abzw Stockschneise. At Darmstadt Hbf it arrives between the tracks from/to Darmstadt Nord, which eventually become platforms 7 and 8.

Trains from Mainz use line 3530. Trains towards Mainz from platforms 6 and 7 can use either the reversible track to Abzw Bergschneise or line 3537. The latter route is longer but allows higher speeds; nevertheless the shorter Bergschneise route is usually used because it does not conflict with use of line 3605 to Frankfurt. Which route is used can be seen from the position of the scissors crossover points just north of the platforms – left for the Bergschneise route, right for the Stockschneise route. The compilers would welcome any confirmation of use of the latter route.

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

Hanau avoiding line: Großkrotzenburg - Hanau Nord (Rauschwald)

(151D2) DE20/541

This line is used occasionally to allow trains to run between the Aschaffenburg and Fulda or Friedberg lines without reversal at Hanau Hbf. Overnight trains between Hamburg and Wien were diverted this way during summer and autumn 2019.

Frankfurt am Main Hbf avoiding line: Frankfurt West (Galluswarte) – Frankfurt-Niederrad

(151C3-151B3) DE21/542

This line provides a link between Frankfurt West and lines to the south, for trains not required to call at the Hauptbahnhof. It is sometimes used by IC trains when there is engineering working in the Hauptbahnhof area. However, as most IC trains via Frankfurt West also run via Darmstadt, use of route DE21/543 is more likely.

D10 FO IC1982 Karlsruhe Hbf - 07:49 Frankfurt-Niederrad - Hannover Hbf

D10: 8 January to 23 April and 23 July to 10 December 2021; also 18 and 23 December 2020 and 1 April 2021, but not 2 April 2021.

Frankfurt am Main Hbf avoiding line: Frankfurt West (Galluswarte) – Frankfurt-Louisa (Main-Neckar Brücke)

(151C3) DE21/543

This line provides an alternative link between Frankfurt West and lines to the south, but particularly via Darmstadt, for trains not required to call at the Hauptbahnhof. There were numerous diversions of IC trains between Gießen and Darmstadt via this route during autumn 2018.

Use of this route is indicated by trains calling at Frankfurt am Main West instead of the Hauptbahnhof.

Limburg Süd (Caltex) - Kelsterbach (Brunnenschneise)

(152B3) DE21/544

This north to east curve allows trains to run between the Köln - Frankfurt Schnellfahrstrecke and the old main line between Mainz and Frankfurt. Some trains were, quite exceptionally, diverted this way during autumn 2019. Further diversions are unlikely soon, but are indicated by a stop at Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf being omitted.

Groß Gerau – Groß Gerau-Dornberg

[660] (154A2) DE21/545

IC and EC trains between Mainz and Mannheim (not calling at Frankfurt am Main Flughafen) normally run via Worms, but are sometimes diverted via Groß Gerau and Groß Gerau-Dornberg. Relief IC trains may also use this west to south curve, and it has been used at short notice when there is an operating or infrastructure problem on the Worms route. Following signalling alterations at Mannheim Hbf, it is no longer possible to determine there whether a train to Mainz is to run via Groß Gerau. If local trains via Worms are replaced by buses, it is likely that IC and EC trains will use this route.

The following trains are diverted via this route between 7 July and 13 August 2021.

D IC2213 Ostseebad Binz - 19:48 Koblenz Hbf - Stuttgart Hbf
D SuO IC1910 München Hbf - 20:08 Mannheim Hbf - Dortmund Hbf
D SX IC2210 Stuttgart Hbf - 20:39 Mannheim Hbf - Dortmund Hbf

See also