Germany (Hessen) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services Temp
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.
Note During the complete closure of the Riedbahn (Frankfurt – Mannheim via Biblis) between 2 and 22 January and between 16 July and 14 December 2024, local and long-distance services in the entire area between Frankfurt, Mainz, Darmstadt and Mannheim are severely affected. This site will attempt to incorporate these alterations into the appropriate entries as much as possible.
Eichenberg avoiding line: Friedland (Han) (Abzw Eichenberg Nordkopf) – Arenshausen (Abzw Eichenberg Ostkopf)
[540.1] (ERA-E 48B1; ERA-R 100A1; S+W 55B3) DE24/501
This north to east curve links the Göttingen and Nordhausen lines and is used by through trains between Göttingen, Leinefelde and Glauchau (Sachs), generally every two hours. Note that between Göttingen and Leinefelde, these trains stop only at Heilbad Heiligenstadt.
Bad Sooden-Allendorf (Abzw Eschwege-Wehre) – Wehretal-Reichensachsen (Abzw Eschwege-Stegmühle)
(ERA-E 48B1; ERA-R 107A5; S+W 55B4) DE24/502
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.
| D1 | NJ471 | Hamburg-Altona – 00:03/01:32 Göttingen - Zürich HB | |
| D2 | NJ473 | Hannover Hbf – 00:05 Göttingen - Zürich HB | |
| ICE1081 | Hamburg-Altona – 01:13 Göttingen – München Hbf | ||
| D3 | SuO | ICE1271 | Hamburg-Altona – 02:18 (MO) Göttingen – Chur |
| NJ491 | Hamburg-Altona – 22:59 Göttingen – Wien Hbf | ||
| D4 | SuO | ICE1970 | Rastatt – 00:57 (MO) Fulda – Hamburg-Altona |
| D5 | SuO/MSuO | ICE4 | Zürich HB – 00:57 (MO) Fulda – Hamburg-Altona |
| ICE1080 | München Hbf – 01:19 Würzburg Hbf – Hamburg-Altona | ||
| D6 | ICE990 | München Hbf – 01:45/01:48/02:28 Bad Hersfeld – Hamburg-Altona | |
| NJ490 | Wien Hbf – 02:36 Würzburg Hbf – Hamburg-Altona | ||
| D7 | NJ470 | Zürich HB – 02:43 Würzburg Hbf – Hamburg-Altona | |
| D8 | NJ470 | Zürich HB – 02:31 Hanau Hbf – Hannover Hbf / Hamburg-Altona |
D1: Dep. Göttingen 01:32 10 December 2023 - 9 March 2024, 29 March - 8 August; 30 August - 14 December 2024; dep. Göttingen 00:03 9 - 29 August 2024
D2: 10 - 28 March 2024
D3: 21 July - 8 December 2024
D4: 18, 25 August 2024
D5: MSuO 1 - 21 January, SuO 1 September - 8 December 2024 (one day later from Fulda)
D6: SuO 10 - 26 December 2023, 28 January - 25 February, 2 March - 12 June 2024 (dep Bad Hersfeld 01:45 following day); daily 14 June- 14 July (dep Bad Hersfeld 01:48 following day); SuO 21 - 8 December 2024 (dep Bad Hersfeld 02:28 following day)
D7: 9 - 29 August 2024
D8: 11 December 2023 - 27 March 2024, 1 April - 16 May, 30 August - 14 December 2024
Urlaubs Express trains to and from Hamburg are likely to use this route.
Bebra avoiding line: Ludwigsau-Friedlos (Abzw Blankenheim) – Ronshausen (Abzw Faßdorf)
[no table] (ERA-E 54B5; ERA-R 107A4; S+W 67 inset) DE24/503
This south to east curve enables trains between Fulda and Eisenach to avoid reversal at Bebra. It is used at least hourly by ICE services between Frankfurt am Main and Leipzig, which run non-stop between Fulda or Bad Hersfeld and Eisenach.
Gießen avoiding line: Dutenhofen – Großen Linden (Gießen Bergwald Stw Gs)
[445] (ERA-E 53C4; ERA-R 106A3; S+W 65A4) DE24/504
This west to south curve enables trains to run between Wetzlar and Friedberg (Hess) without reversing at Gießen. It is used by IC trains every two hours between Frankfurt am Main Hbf and destinations via Siegen and also by:
| SSuX | HLB RE24531 | Siegen – 05:47 Wetzlar – Frankfurt am Main Hbf | |
| SSuX | HLB RE24530 | Frankfurt am Main Hbf – 18:00 Bad Nauheim – Siegen |
Fulda area
[615] (ERA-E 54B4 not shown; ERA-R 107A3; S+W 78C1) DE24/505
Neuhof (Kr Fulda) (Fulda-Bronnzell) – Fulda via flyover
The flyover south of Fulda station allows trains northbound from Flieden access to the low-numbered platforms at Fulda without crossing the Schnellfahrstrecke on the level. It is used by most RE50 trains from Frankfurt am Main Hbf terminating at Fulda which run hourly.
Southbound RE50 services to Frankfurt am Main Hbf starting from Fulda platform 1 use the same track as inbound terminating services via the flyover and rise as if heading that way, but then drop down to run underneath the flyover parallel with the southbound main line. Some travellers may also consider this to be a separate route.
Neuhof (Kr Fulda) via southbound platform loop
Local hourly stopping services from Fulda towards Frankfurt am Main Hbf must use the loop of the main line to call at Platform 3 as there is no platform on the southbound main line. This loop line is on a separate alignment well to the west of the main line.
Flieden – Sterbfritz (Elm Bbf)
(ERA-E 54A4-54B4; ERA-R 107A2; S+W 78C1-78C2) DE23/506 CHECK SERVICES
This is part of the former main line between München and Hamburg. Daytime expresses use the Schnellfahrstrecke and diversion of Gemünden local trains to Schlüchtern, instead of Fulda, has left the route with regular passenger trains only during the night, plus occasional diversions.
| NJ491 | Hamburg-Altona / Hannover Hbf – 22:59 Göttingen – Wien Hbf | ||
| D6 | IC634 | Nürnberg Hbf – 05:44 Würzburg Hbf – Bremen Hbf | |
| D7 | ICE1689 | Hamburg-Altona - 01:13 Göttingen - München Hbf | |
| D7 | ICE1688 | München Hbf - 01:20 Würzburg Hbf - Hamburg-Altona | |
| NJ490 | Wien Hbf – 01:22/01:42 Nürnberg Hbf (– 02:35 Würzburg Hbf, certain days) – Hannover Hbf / Hamburg-Altona |
D6: 9 October - 9 December 2023
D7: 11 December 2022 - 25 May 2023; 12 September- 9 December 2023
Hanau West (Weiche 403/404) – Hanau Hbf (Nordseite)
[640] (ERA-E 54A3 not shown; ERA-R 122B4 not shown; S+W 153D2) DE23/507 CHECK FV SERVICES
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. Trains from beyond Hanau that use platform 6 may use this connection if they call at Maintal Ost or run non-stop to Frankfurt am Main Süd.
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.
| SSuX | ICE1658 | Erfurt Hbf – 06:44 Fulda – Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf | |
| D8 | ICE791 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 11:24 Hanau Hbf – Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf | |
| D8 | ICE793 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 13:25 Hanau Hbf – Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf | |
| D8 | SSuO | ICE1285/1683 | Hamburg-Altona - 15:15/15:16 Hanau Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Hbf |
| D8 | ICE795 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 15:25 Hanau Hbf – Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf | |
| D8 | ICE797 | Berlin Ostbahnhof - 17:24 Hanau Hbf - Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf | |
| D8 | SuO | ICE1085 | Hamburg-Altona – 19:29 Hanau Hbf – Karlsruhe Hbf |
| D8 | ICE1699 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 18:47 Fulda – Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf | |
| D9 | ICE273 | Berlin Gesundbrunnen – 21:34 Hanau Hbf – Basel SBB | |
| NJ470 | Zürich HB – 02:14 Frankfurt am Main Süd – Hamburg-Altona | ||
| D8 | ICE1590 | Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf – 08:20 Frankfurt am Main Süd – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D8 | ICE992 | Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf – 10:20 Frankfurt am Main Süd – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D8 | ICE798 | Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf – 12:20 Frankfurt am Main Süd – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D8 | ICE796 | Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf – 14:20 Frankfurt am Main Süd – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D8 | ICE794 | Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf – 16:20 Frankfurt am Main Süd – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D8 | SuO | ICE1594 | 16:14 Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Hamburg-Altona |
| D10 | SX | ICE1733 | 16:15 Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Berlin Gesundbrunnen |
| D8 | FSSuX | ICE1951 | 16:15 Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Erfurt Hbf |
| D8 | ICE776 | Frankfurt am Main Hbf – 17:15 Frankfurt am Main Süd – Hannover Hbf / Oldenburg (Oldb) Hbf | |
| D8 | ICE792 | Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf - 18:20 Frankfurt am Main Süd - Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D8 | ICE1690 | Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf – 20:20 Frankfurt am Main Süd – Berlin Ostbahnhof |
D8: 11 December 2022 - 31 March 2023
D9: 17 August - 27 September 2023
D10: 2 April - 8 December 2023
Hanau West (Weiche 403/404) – Hanau Hbf (Südseite)
[640] (ERA-E 54A3; ERA-R 122B4 not shown; S+W 153D2) DE24/508
This route is used by RB trains between Aschaffenburg and Frankfurt am Main via the Maintal line.
Offenbach (Main) Hbf - Offenbach (Main) Ost
[645.8-9] (ERA-E 57C2; ERA-R 122B3; S+W 153B2) DE24/509
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 am Main Hbf and Offenbach Ost run to and from Frankfurt am Main Hbf (high level) via Frankfurt am Main Süd and this line.
From Offenbach (Main) Hbf: 00:39, 01:12 and 01:39, all MO
From Offenbach (Main) Ost: 23:58 SuO; 00:28 and 01:01, both MO
Note that these trains do not run between 16 June and 15 July 2024.
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 Niederräder Brücke or the Main-Neckar-Brücke, about 2 km further upstream. The line over the Niederräder 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 Niederräder 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 Niederräder 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; ERA-R 122B2-122B3; S+W 151C3-151D3) DE24/511
Most trains run via Main-Neckar-Brücke. The following trains are scheduled via Niederräder Brücke and Abzw Forsthaus:
| FO | IC2022 | Nürnberg Hbf – 14:04 Aschaffenburg Hbf – Frankfurt am Main Hbf | |
| D8 | SO | ICE1285 | Hamburg-Altona - 15:16 Hanau Hbf – Frankfurt am Main Hbf |
| D8 | SuO | ICE1683 | Hamburg-Altona – 15:16 Hanau Hbf – Frankfurt am Main Hbf |
| D8 | SX | ICE1594 | 16:14 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Hamburg-Altona |
| D8 | FSSuX | ICE1951 | 16:15 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Erfurt Hbf |
| D9 | SX | ICE1733 | 16:15 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Berlin-Gesundbrunnen |
| D8 | SX | ICE776 | 17:01 Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Hannover 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.
Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Neu Isenburg (via Abzw Forsthaus)
[650, 650.2] (ERA-E 57B2-57C2; ERA-R 122B2-122B3; S+W 151C3-151C4) DE24/512
Most trains to and from Neu Isenburg, other than S-Bahn, run via Main-Neckar-Brücke, but the following are scheduled via Niederräder Brücke:
| Da | ICE215 | 00:17 Frankfurt am Main Hbf – München Hbf NEU | |
| D9 | SO | ICE1571 | 07:02 Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Karlsruhe Hbf |
| D | MO / FSSuX | IC1995 | 16:51 Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Stuttgart Hbf |
Da: 14 June - 14 July 2024 D9: 27 May - 9 September 2023
IC1995 and IC2286 run in connection with trade fairs.
Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Frankfurt am Main Stadion
[471, 472, 655, 655.1] (ERA-E 57C2-57B2 not shown; ERA-R 122B3-122B2; S+W 151C3-151B4) DE24/513
Most trains (and particularly RE and RB ones) run via Niederräder 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. Note that service patterns vary during the year depending on whether or not the Riedbahn via Biblis is closed. It is closed between 1 and 21 January and between 16 July and 14 December 2024.
- ICE trains from Frankfurt am Main Hbf to Mannheim Hbf: hourly from 05:50 to 20:50 ('not during Riedbahn closure)
- ICE trains from Frankfurt am Main Hbf to Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof: hourly 07:10 to 22:10 (all year round)
- ICE trains from Mannheim Hbf to Frankfurt am Main Hbf: hourly 06:32 to 22:32, [every two hours 06:41 to 20:41 ] and every two hours 07:17 to 19:17 ('not during Riedbahn closure)
- ICE trains from Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof to Frankfurt am Main Hbf: 05:29, 06:36 and hourly until ??:?? (only during Riedbahn closure)
The following trains are also scheduled to use this route:
| MO | ICE696 | Karlsruhe Hbf – 05:28 Mannheim Hbf – Berlin-Gesundbrunnen / Hamburg-Altona | |
| ICE27 | Dortmund Hbf – 12:01 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof – Wien Hbf NEU | ||
| NOT RBC | ICE570 | Stuttgart Hbf – 20:42 Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof – Hamburg-Altona NEU | |
| D NOT RIEDBAHN CLOSURE | EC459 | Zürich HB – 23:42 Mannheim Hbf – Praha hl.n NEU | |
| Da | ICE520 | München Hbf – 00:10 Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Dortmund Hbf NEU | |
| ICE699 | Hamburg-Altona – 02:25 Frankfurt am Main Hbf – München Hbf | ||
| D not rbc | EC458 | Praha hl.n – 04:00 Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Zürich HB NEU | |
| ICE826 | 05:40 Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Essen Hbf | ||
| SSuX | ICE1097 | Hamburg-Altona – 09:34 Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf | |
| ICE1554 | Dresden Hbf – 20:56 Frankfurt am Main Hbf – Wiesbaden Hbf / Saarbrücken Hbf |
Da: 14/6-14/7
Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Frankfurt-Höchst
[466, 627, 646] (ERA-E 57B2 not shown; ERA-R 122B3-122B2 not shown; S+W 151C3-151B3 partly shown) DE24/514
Most 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. A new westbound alignment to the north of the carriage sidings at Frankfurt Außenbahnhof, including a flyover over the western exit lines from the Außenbahnhof, came into use on 29 November 2021. The previously bidirectional single line is now used only for trains heading towards Frankfurt am Main Hbf.
Most trains to and from Limburg (Lahn) run via Abzw Gutleuthof to use platforms 1–8 on the south side of the Hauptbahnhof.
Generally only S-Bahn services to and from the low-level station at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf use the route via Frankfurt-Griesheim.
Frankfurt am Main Hbf - Frankfurt-Rödelheim (via Abzw Mainzer Landstraße)
[637] (ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122B2; S+W 151C3-152D2) DE24/515
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. A new westbound alignment to the north of the carriage sidings at Frankfurt (Main) Außenbahnhof, including a flyover over the western exit lines from the Außenbahnhof, came into use on 29 November 2021. The previously bidirectional single line is now used only for trains heading towards Frankfurt am Main Hbf.
Frankfurt am Main Süd (Abstellbahnhof) – Frankfurt-Louisa
[650, 650.2] (ERA-E 57C2; ERA-R 122B3; S+W 151D3-151C4) DE23/521
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.
| NJ471 / IC60471 | Hamburg-Altona / Hannover Hbf – 04:32 Frankfurt am Main Süd – Zürich HB | ||
| D8 | FO | ICE1079 | Hamburg-Harburg / Hamburg-Altona – 17:55 Frankfurt am Main Süd – Stuttgart Hbf |
| SuO | IC1956 | Leipzig Hbf – 17:55 Frankfurt am Main Süd – Karlsruhe Hbf | |
| SuO | ICE1085 | Hamburg-Altona – 19:45 Frankfurt am Main Süd – Karlsruhe Hbf | |
| NJ470 / IC60470 | Zürich HB – 01:53 Darmstadt Hbf – Hannover Hbf / Hamburg-Altona | ||
| D8 | FO | ICE1694 / ICE1737 | Stuttgart Hbf – 13:46 Darmstadt Hbf – Berlin-Südkreuz / Berlin-Gesundbrunnen |
| SuO | IC1174 | Basel SBB – 13:46 Darmstadt Hbf – Berlin-Südkreuz / Berlin-Gesundbrunnen |
D8: 11 December 2022 - 31 March 2023
Frankfurt am Main Stadion – Neu Isenburg (via Abzw Forsthaus)
[471, 650] (ERA-E 57B2-57C2; ERA-R 122B2-122B3; S+W 151B4-151C4) DE23/522
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 | 06:47 Darmstadt Hbf - Düsseldorf Hbf (continues to München via Kassel) |
Frankfurt am Main Stadion – Frankfurt am Main Süd (via Abzw Forsthaus)
[640] (ERA-E 57B2-57C2; ERA-R 122B2-122B3; S+W 151B4-151D3) DE24/523
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. It is used by the hourly RB58 services between Rüsselsheim Opelwerk and Laufach and on Mondays to Fridays by the two-hourly RB59 services between Frankfurt am Main Flughafen and Hanau Hbf. CHECK FOR ANY USE BY ICEs
See route DE24/521 (above) for details of trains that run via Frankfurt-Louisa, instead of the direct route via line 3650.
Limburg Süd (Abzw Breckenheim) - Wiesbaden Hbf (Wiesbaden-Wäschbach)
[472] (ERA-E 57A2; ERA-R 122B1; S+W 151B1 - 151D1) DE23/524
This branch off the Köln - Frankfurt Schnellfahrstrecke is used by ICE trains between Köln and Wiesbaden Hbf. ADDITIONAL TRAINS OPERATED DUE TO E/W
| SSuX | ICE513 | Köln Hbf - 07:31 Köln/Bonn Flughafen - Stuttgart Hbf | |
| SX | ICE713 | Köln Hbf - 18:20 Limburg Süd - Frankfurt am Main Hbf | |
| SSuX | ICE712 | Mainz Hbf - 06:22 Wiesbaden Hbf - Köln Hbf | |
| SSuX | ICE710 | Stuttgart Hbf - 16:45 Wiesbaden Hbf - Köln Hbf / Köln Messe/Deutz |
Wiesbaden avoiding line: Wiesbaden-Biebrich - Wiesbaden Ost
[466] (ERA-E 57A2; ERA-R 122B1; S+W 151C3-151B3) DE24/525
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 Monday to Friday RE peak trains between Frankfurt am Main Hbf and Eltville or Rudesheim which do not call at Wiesbaden Hbf. The north and southbound routes differ significantly south of Wiesbaden Ost.
From Mainz-Kastel: 08:35, 16:35, 18:35 all SSuX
From Wiesbaden-Biebrich: 07:15, 09:15, 17:15 all SSuX
Note that Table 466 shows an hourly service towards Eltville in the morning and evening peaks, but the journey planner only shows three trains in either direction.
Mainz-Bischofsheim (Abzw Kostheim Ost) – Mainz-Kastel (Abzw Kostheim)
[645.8-9, 651] (ERA-E 57A1-57A2; ERA-R 122C1; S+W 151D2-151C2) DE24/526
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 DE24/527 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 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 DE24/527.
Hochheim (Main) (Abzw Kostheim) – Mainz Hbf (Abzw Kaiserbrücke Ost)
[471] (ERA-E 57A2; ERA-R 122C1; S+W 151C2) DE24/527 LOOK OUT FOR EXTRAS DURING RIEDBAHN CLOSURES
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 is used by RE4 services, generally every two hours with peak extras, between Frankfurt am Main Hbf and Mainz Hbf via Hochheim (Main).
Kelsterbach – Frankfurt am Main Stadion
[471] (ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122B2; S+W 152C3-152D3) DE24/528
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 | Kirchheimbolanden – 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; ERA-R 122B2 not shown; S+W 152D3) DE24/529
Where the new line from Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Regionalbahnhof converges with the old main line via Kelsterbach west of Frankfurt am Main Stadion, two routes are possible. Trains to and from the S-Bahn tunnel route under the city centre cross the Kelsterbach line on a flyover. There is also a single track connection directly to the line from Kelsterbach which is used by certain RE trains to the Hauptbahnhof high-level station.
It is used additionally by the hourly RB58 services between Rüsselsheim Opelwerk and Laufach via Hanau, also on Mondays to Fridays by the two-hourly RE59 services between Frankfurt Flughafen Regionalbf and Hanau Hbf. These trains run via platforms 4 and 5 at Frankfurt am Main Stadion, where RE59 makes a call, and Frankfurt am Main Süd, avoiding Frankfurt am Main Hbf.
Raunheim (Abzw Mönchwald) – Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf (Abzw Mönchhof)
[471] (ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122C2; S+W 152B4) DE24/530 CHECK FOR RIEDBAHN ALTERATIONS
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 a generally hourly ICE service for most of the day.
Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf – Zeppelinheim
[655.1] (ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122B2; S+W 152D3) DE24/531 CHECK FOR RIEDBAHN ALTERATIONS
This grade-separated 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 ICE services at least hourly.
Weiterstadt (Abzw Darmstadt Stockschneise) – Darmstadt Nord – Darmstadt-Kranichstein
(ERA-E 57B1; ERA-R 122C2-122C3; S+W 154C2) DE24/532
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 RB75 trains between Mainz and Aschaffenburg.
Arheilgen – Darmstadt-Nord
[641] (ERA-E 57B1; ERA-R 122C2-122C3; S+W 154C2) DE24/533
This north to east curve connects the Frankfurt am Main and Aschaffenburg lines north of Darmstadt Hbf. It is used by through trains between Frankfurt (Main) Hbf and Groß-Umstadt Wiebelsbach via Darmstadt Nord, generally hourly.
Darmstadt Hbf – Weiterstadt (Abzw Darmstadt Bergschneise and Abzw Weiterstadt Stockschneise)
[651] (ERA-E 57B1 partly shown; S+W 154C3-154C2) DE24/534
Darmstadt Hbf is connected to the line towards Mainz by three geographically separate tracks, of which two constitute a widely separated double track flying junction and the third is reversible.
The Darmstadt to Mainz track 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. It was formerly numbered as line 3537 but is now numbered as 3530 as the Mainz-bound track of the double-track Darmstadt to Mainz line. The Mainz to Darmstadt track of 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 (line 3541) 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 the short curve of line 3530. Trains towards Mainz from platforms 8 and 9 (which are most of them) can only use the reversible Bergschneise route as line 3605 and therefore the Stockschneise route cannot be reached from these platforms.
Only two services at 06:12 and 08:12 (both SSuX) depart from platform 7 and so can use either route. The Stockschneise route is longer but allows higher speeds. Reports in the last couple of years have confirmed that both trains took the Stockschneise route and therefore the 'long curve'. 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.
Obscure services: Lines used on an occasional basis for engineering work diversions
Hanau avoiding line: Großkrotzenburg - Hanau Nord (Rauschwald)
(ERA-E 54A3; ERA-R 122B4; S+W 151D2) DE24/541 APPARENTLY IN PASSENGER USE IN 2024; CHECK FOR TRAINS
This line is used occasionally, particularly by overnight trains, to allow trains to run between the Aschaffenburg and Fulda or Friedberg lines without reversal at Hanau Hbf.
Frankfurt am Main Hbf avoiding line: Frankfurt am Main West (Galluswarte) – Frankfurt-Louisa (Main-Neckar Brücke)
(ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122B3; S+W 151C3) DE24/542
This line provides a link between Frankfurt West and lines to the south, but particularly via Darmstadt, for trains not required to call at the Hauptbahnhof. Use of this route is indicated by trains calling at Frankfurt am Main West instead of the Hauptbahnhof.
Frankfurt am Main Hbf avoiding line: Frankfurt West (Galluswarte) – Frankfurt-Niederrad / Frankfurt Griesheim
(ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122B2; S+W 151C3-151B3) DE24/543
This line provides a link between Frankfurt West and lines to the south via Niederräder Brücke or to the west via Griesheim, for trains not required to call at the Hauptbahnhof.
This route is sometimes also 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 DE24/542 is more likely.
Frankfurt am Main Hbf avoiding line: Frankfurt-Niederrad – Frankfurt-Höchst
(ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122B2; S+W 151C4-152C2) DE24/544 CHECK FOR ANY FV USE IN 2024
There are two possible routes between Niederräder Brücke and Frankfurt-Höchst – a south to east curve to the S-Bahn line via Frankfurt-Griesheim and a south to north link to the main line at Abzw. Mainzer Landstraße.
On various dates the following overnight services are booked to run via Niederräder Brücke and Höchst; however it is unclear which of the two routes they will take in between these points. Whether trains will run via one or other of these routes can be confirmed by their omitting calls at both Mainz Hbf and Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbf.
| D12 | Daily / MWFX | NJ420 | Innsbruck Hbf – 03:47 Frankfurt am Main Süd – Amsterdam Centraal |
| D12 | Daily / MWFX | NJ421 | Amsterdam Centraal – 23:46 Koblenz Hbf – Innsbruck Hbf |
D12: Daily 31 March - 25 May and 21 August - 27 September 2023; MWFX 28 September - 10 December 2023 (one day later from Frankfurt Süd)
Limburg Süd (Caltex) - Kelsterbach (Brunnenschneise)
(ERA-E 57B2; ERA-R 122C2-122B2; S+W 152B3) DE24/544
This north to east curve allows trains to run between the Köln - Frankfurt Schnellfahrstrecke and the old main line between Mainz and Frankfurt. Use by passenger trains is extremely rare and 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] (ERA-E 47B1; ERA-R 122C2; S+W 154A2) DE24/545 APPARENTLY IN USE IN EARLY 2024 WHEN RIEDBAHN IS OPEN - CHECK FOR TRAINS
This west to south curve links the Mainz to Darmstadt line with the Frankfurt am Main to Mannheim Riedbahn.
IC and EC trains between Mainz and Mannheim not calling at Frankfurt am Main Flughafen normally run via Worms, but are sometimes diverted via this curve. Relief IC trains may also run this way, and it has been used at short notice when there is an operating or infrastructure problem on the Worms route. If local trains via Worms are replaced by buses, it is likely that IC and EC trains will use this route.
Note that during the total closure of the Riedbahn between 2 and 22 January and between 16 July and 14 December 2024, no trains will be able to use this route.
Groß Gerau-Dornberg – Klein Gerau (Abzw Klein Gerau Eichmühle)
[655] (ERA-E 47B1; ERA-R 122C2; S+W 154A2) DE24/546
This is the east to south curve at Groß Gerau. Occasionally, RE70 services between Mannheim Hbf and Frankfurt are diverted to/from Frankfurt am Main Süd via this curve, reversing at Darmstadt Hbf, with a public call there.
Note that during the total closure of the Riedbahn between 2 and 22 January and between 16 July and 14 December 2024, it will not be possible to divert any trains via this route.
