Germany (Thüringen) - 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

Gotha Ost – Seebergen (Gotha Abzw Gk W)

[604, 605] (ERA-E 54C5; ERA-R 107C4;68A2) DE22/581

This north to east curve enables trains between Göttingen and Erfurt to run directly between Bad Langensalza and Neudietendorf without needing to reverse at Gotha. This diversion does not happen very often, but the route may also be used on occasions when there is engineering work between Erfurt and Bad Langensalza via Döllstädt.

Hopfgarten (b Weimar) – Oßmannstedt (Weimar Stw W1) via Weimar Gbf

[580] (ERA-E 55A5 not shown; ERA-R 108A5 not shown; S+W 68C1) DE22/582

This line, which avoids Weimar Hbf to the north, is used by RE services if there is engineering work blocking Weimar Hbf.

Großheringen – Camburg (Abzw Großheringen Ghs)

[560] (ERA-E 49A1; ERA-R 108b5; S+W 69A1) DE22/583

This curve has not seen regular passenger services since December 2018, but occasionally RB25 services between Naumburg (Saale) Hbf and Saalfeld (Saale) are diverted via Großheringen station (reverse) and this curve.