Germany (Schleswig-Holstein) - 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: Lines used on a regular basis

Niebüll

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.

Niebüll – Niebüll neg

[136](ERA-E 43A5; ERA-R 83B4; S+W 1D3) DE24/001

DB and neg Niebüll GmbH have separate stations in Niebüll. The only passenger service over the section of the branch to Dagebüll between the neg station and the junction with the main line across the station forecourt is provided by limited through workings, with a few Intercity coaches detached from trains to Westerland (Sylt) and shunted to the neg platform by a NEG DMU via a reversal in a headshunt north of Niebüll station and vice versa on return.

These workings run throughout the year at varying times, which can be ascertained from DB Kursbuch timetable 130 or the neg website.

From the December 2026 timetable change, DB Fernverkehr will introduce new ICE-L Talgo rolling stock on long-distance trains to and from Westerland (Sylt). These trains will not be separable, so through coaches to and from Dagebüll will no longer be able to operate and all passengers will have to change to and from the local service at Niebüll.

Niebüll platform avoiding lines

[136](ERA-E 43A5; ERA-R 83B4; S+W 1D3) DE24/002

DB operate car shuttles between Niebüll and Westerland (Sylt). At Niebüll these run to/from two sidings on the east side of the station platforms and a loading/unloading facility south of the station and all have a class 628 diesel multiple unit (dmu) (branded "SyltShuttlePlus") attached to the back before departure [although experience has shown these shuttles are frequently cancelled]. These shuttles depart from Niebüll or Westerland stations conveying passengers and Interrails are valid.

For services to Westerland, the "SyltShuttlePlus" dmu departs in the wrong direction southbound to reverse to attach to a shuttle, but just the furthest east of the two tracks can be considered a separate alignment [in red on the map above], that being the only one on the far side of the terminal and loading ramp, the second as also shown is parallel to the passenger main line although it does not go through any platform at Niebüll.

On arrival from Westerland, again at the rear of the service, the dmu is detached in the sidings and the fastest route is simply to run north to reverse into platform 4 easternmost platform. However, a report was received that the dmu did not do this but after reversal ran south on the furthest east track of the shuttle terminal to reverse again on the main line and enter Niebüll station from the south. This is probably for operational reasons, as platform 4 signalling allows occupation by more than one train.

Kiel-Oppendorf – Schönberg (Holstein)

(ERA-E 43B4-43C4; S+W 3C4-3D4) DE24/003

Tourist trains usually run every Saturday and Sunday during the summer between Schönberg (Holst) and Schönberger Strand, plus some other days. Scheduled passenger services operate between Kiel Hbf and Kiel-Oppendorf, leaving the section between Oppendorf and Schönberg without regular services.

However, during the Kieler Woche sailing festival in late June, trains run through on Fridays to Sundays between Kiel Hbf and Schönberg (Holst) with connections to and from Schönberger Strand. In 2024, the Kieler Woche takes place between 21 June and 1 July. Timings are expected to be published in due course on a special RB76 table on nah.sh, the Schleswig-Holstein public transport site.

Work is under way to upgrade the line to allow reintroduction of a regular passenger service between Kiel Hbf and Schönberger Strand, which may restrict operations from time to time. Reinstatement of regular services has been severely delayed and is not now expected until probably the end of 2025.

Tarp (Flensburg Weiche Süd) – Padborg (Abzw Flensburg Friedensweg)

(ERA-E 43A5; ERA-R 83C4; S+W 3C2) DE24/004

This south-to-north curve links the Neumünster and Padborg lines, avoiding Flensburg station. For part of the length of the curve, a distance of about 800 metres, the south- and northbound tracks follow slightly different alignments approximately 20 metres apart.

Five EC train pairs per day run between Hamburg and København via this route. The SJ (EN345/346) and Snälltåget (D300/301) night trains between Stockholm and Berlin also run this way.

		EC398	Hamburg Hbf – 10:26 Schleswig – København H
		EC396	Hamburg Hbf – 12:26 Schleswig – København H
		EC394	Hamburg Hbf – 14:27 Schleswig – København H
		EC392	Hamburg Hbf – 16:28 Schleswig – København H
		EC390	Hamburg Hbf – 18:26 Schleswig – København H
	SX	EN346	Berlin Gesundbrunnen – 22:03 Hamburg Hbf – Stockholm C
D1	SX	D300	Berlin Hbf – 23:59 Hamburg Hbf – Stockholm C
	SX	EN345	Stockholm C – 01:46 Odense – Berlin Hbf
		EC391	København H – 10:02 Padborg – Hamburg Hbf
		EC393	København H – 12:02 Padborg – Hamburg Hbf
		EC395	København H – 14:02 Padborg – Hamburg Hbf
		EC397	København H – 16:02 Padborg – Hamburg Hbf
		EC399	København H – 18:02 Padborg – Hamburg Hbf
D1	SX	D301	Stockholm C – 23:21 Høje Taastrup – Berlin Hbf

D1: Daily from Germany 17-21 and 26-28 December 2023; 2-4 January, 25-29 March and SX 1 April - 3 November 2024 (generally one or two days earlier from Sweden/Denmark) see Snälltåget website

Note that while the overnight services hare compulsory reservations, the daytime services no longer do, although reservations are recommended. All other services via Padborg call at Flensburg and so use the loop line via Flensburg Süd.

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

Kiel avoiding line: Flintbek (Meimersdorf) – Kiel-Hassee Cittipark

[103, 146] (ERA-E 43B4; ERA-R 84B2; S+W 118B2) DE24/031

This north to south curve allows trains to run between the Neümunster and Flensburg lines at Kiel without reversal at the Hauptbahnhof. It has been used in the past, although not in the last few years, by passenger trains when engineering work blocks the main line between Neümunster and Flensburg.