Germany (Sachsen-Anhalt) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

Introduction

This list is based on the timetable dated from 10 December 2023 to 14 December 2024, unless otherwise stated. Standard abbreviations are explained here.

Map references for each route entry are given in parentheses ( ). References prefixed "ERA-E" refer to the European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition) by M.G. Ball. References prefixed "ERA-R" refer to the European Railway Atlas (Regional Series: Book 2) by M.G. Ball. References prefixed "S+W", or in italic, refer to Eisenbahnatlas Deutschland by Schweers + Wall.

Obscure services

Grimmenthal – Ritschenhausen

[570, 815] (ERA-E 54C4; ERA-R 107B3; S+W 79C1) DE22/551

This line is used by RE7 services between Erfurt Hbf, Schweinfurt Hbf and Würzburg Hbf, to avoid reversal at Meiningen. These run every two hours, non-stop between Grimmenthal and Mellrichstadt Bf. Departures are at 35 minutes past every even hour from Grimmenthal and 6 minutes past every odd hour from Mellrichstadt Bf.

Grimmenthal: connections at west and east ends of station

[570] (ERA-E 54C4 not shown; ERA-R 107C3 not shown; S+W 67D4) DE22/552

Just west of Grimmenthal station, the Meiningen – Eisfeld line crosses over the Schweinfurt – Suhl line, each route having its own platforms at Grimmenthal. It is not possible for trains to run direct between Schweinfurt and Eisfeld, but connections at each end of the station enable through running between Meiningen and Suhl. Most trains between Meiningen and Suhl are scheduled to use the western connection, but the following use the eastern one as shown by the use of platforms 1 or 2 at Grimmenthal:

	SSuX	RB81269/81111	Zella-Mehlis - 06:13 Rohr (Thür) - Eisenach
	SSuX	RE81091	Erfurt - 21:06 Suhl - Meiningen
		RB81287	Erfurt - 22:31 Rohr (Thür) - Meiningen
	SSuX	RB81272	Meiningen - 04:15 Grimmenthal - Erfurt
	SSuX	RE81086	Meiningen - 08:34 Grimmenthal - Erfurt
	SSuX	RE81088	Meiningen - 14:34 Grimmenthal - Erfurt
	SSuX	RE81090	Meiningen - 16:34 Grimmenthal - Erfurt
	SSuX	RE81092	Meiningen - 18:34 Grimmenthal - Erfurt

RB81269 from Zella-Mehlis runs as RB81111 from Grimmenthal

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

Halle-Angersdorf - Merseburg Hbf

[580] (ERA-E 49B1-49B2; ERA-R 101C1; S+W 130A2-130B3) DE22/231

When the railway between Halle and Merseburg is blocked for engineering work, RB trains are diverted via Halle-Angersdorf and Buna Werke. Long-distance trains not routed via the Schnellfahrstrecke to and from Erfurt are diverted via Nordhausen.

Halle-Ammendorf/Sangerhausen - Leipzig/Halle Flughafen (Halle-Kanena)

[501.5, 580] (ERA-E 49B2 not shown; ERA-R 101C2 now shown; S+W 130B2-130C2) DE22/232

This south to east curve enables trains to run between the Merseburg and Sangerhausen lines to the Leipzig lines without reversing at Halle (Saale) Hbf when there is engineering work at Halle (Saale) Hbf or on the Leipzig - Großkorbetha via Markranstädt line.

Magdeburg-Sudenburg - Magdeburg-Buckau

[310, 340] (ERA-E 49A3; ERA-R 101B4; S+W 123C3) DE22/233

This west to south curve enables trains to run between the Braunschweig and Halle (Saale) lines without reversing at Magdeburg Hbf. No trains have been identified as using it in the current timetable.

Erfurt Hbf (Abzw Gröbers West) - Großkugel (Abzw Gröbers Süd)

[580] (ERA-E 57A5 not shown; ERA-R 101C1; S+W 130D2) DE22/234

This connection (line 6054) allows trains heading towards Leipzig from the Schnellfahrstrecke to cross to the S-Bahn at Gröbers. It is used when the main line via Leipzig/Halle Flughafen is blocked for engineering work.

Diverted trains travelling towards Erfurt would however use westbound line 6403 (see DE21/235) and a short connection to the Schnellfahrstrecke, rather than this route.

Halle (Saale) Hbf (Knoten Gröbers) - Großkugel (Abzw Gröbers Süd)

[501] (ERA-E 57A5 not shown; ERA-R 101C1; S+W 130D2) DE22/235

S5/S5X and IC services between Halle (Saale) Hbf and Leipzig Hbf, which use the main line from Halle (line 6403), join and leave the high speed line via Leipzig/Halle Flughafen at Knoten Gröbers. However a further section of line 6403 forms a flying junction with the S-Bahn line via Schkeuditz at Abzw Gröbers Süd.

These connections are used by S5/S5X and IC services when the main line via Leipzig/Halle Flughafen is blocked for engineering work. This will be shown by calls at Leipzig/Halle Flughafen and Leipzig Messe being omitted.

They may also be used by S3 services between Halle and Leipzig when the S-Bahn tracks between Halle (Saale) Hbf and Gröbers are blocked. In this case, calls at Halle Messe, Dieskau and Gröbers will be omitted.