Switzerland - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

Introduction

This list is based on the timetable valid 13 December 2020 - 11 December 2021. Standard abbreviations used are explained in General Information document.

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. Template:Map Refs ERA-R-CH References prefixed "S+W", or in italic, refer to Eisenbahnatlas Schweiz by Schweers + Wall.

Obscure services

Genève Lancy-Pont-Rouge – Stade de Genève

(ERA-E 70A3; ERA-R 139B1; S+W 68D3) CH22/01

This branch off the Genève to Annemasse line, to a halt in La Praille marshalling yard, is used by special or extended trains for home football matches of Servette FC at the nearby stadium. Details of fixtures may be found at www.servettefc.ch.

Renens avoiding line: Denges-Echandens (Les Lécheires) – Bussigny

[150, 210] (ERA-E 70C5; ERA-R 140A1; S+W 70C2-C3) CH22/02

This north to west curve connects the Neuchâtel and Genève lines and is used by hourly IC5 trains not booked to call intermediately between Yverdon-les-Bains and Morges.

Kerzers

[305, 291] (ERA-E 67B2 not shown; ERA-R 141A4; S+W 18C3) CH22/03

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.

The Bern – Neuchâtel and Payerne – Lyss lines cross at Kerzers by means of a flat crossing, with platforms 1 and 3 on the Lyss line, and platforms 4 and 6 on the Neuchâtel line.

A short curve from the Neuchâtel platforms towards Payerne is used by the hourly S5 stopping services between Bern and Murten/Morat, which reverse in platform 4 and use the curve between calls at Kerzers and Galmiz, as well as the Murten/Morat - Kerzers short services, operated by the same unit between Bern turns.

The curve from the Lyss platforms towards Bern is done by a majority of the hourly S52 Bern to Kerzers services, which run into platform 1, returning to Bern from platform 3.

The connection between the Lyss platforms and the Payerne line is done by the following services which are booked to use platform 3.

N.B. Most of the trains below only use platform 3 on weekdays ((1)-(5)). They are therefore shown as SSuX in the table despite running every day.

		S9-24914	05:04 Kerzers – Lausanne
		S9-24918	06:04 Kerzers – Lausanne
	SSuX	S9-24976	18:04 Kerzers – Lausanne
	SSuX	S9-24980	19:04 Kerzers – Lausanne
	SSuX	S9-24986	20:04 Kerzers – Lausanne
	SSuX	S9-24907	Murten/Morat – 05:51 Galmiz – Kerzers
	SSuX	S9-24959	Lausanne – 17:51 Galmiz – Kerzers
	SSuX	S9-24965	Lausanne – 18:51 Galmiz – Kerzers
	SSuX	S9-24969	Lausanne – 19:51 Galmiz – Kerzers
		S9-24989	Lausanne – 23:51 Galmiz – Kerzers

Bern avoiding line: Zollikofen (Löchligut) – Ostermundigen (Wankdorf)

[304, 344] (ERA-E 67B1; ERA-R 139A5-139B5; S+W 66C3) CH22/04

This north to east curve enables trains to run between the Olten and Interlaken lines without reversal.

SSuX

S15020

Solothurn – 07:17 Zollikofen – Ostermundigen

Bern – Bern Stöckacker/Bern Europaplatz (Bern Weyermannshaus)

[299, 302, 303, 305, 306] (ERA-E 67B1, not shown; ERA-R 139A4; S+W 66B3) CH22/05

There are two double-track routes between Bern and Bern Weyermannshaus where lines to Belp, Kerzers and Flamatt diverge.

The southern pair are SBB, on the surface throughout, and are used mainly by trains via Flamatt, running to and from the lower numbered platforms at Bern.

The northern pair are BLS, pass through the Donnerbühl Tunnel, and are used mainly by trains via Belp or Kerzers, or to Schwarzenburg, running to and from the higher numbered platforms (10, 12 and 13) at Bern.

However, there are exceptions:

• IR trains from Neuchâtel use the SBB line but those to Neuchâtel use the BLS line.
• S3 trains from Bern terminating at Belp are booked to use platform 1 at Bern and should therefore cross from the SBB line to to the BLS line at Bern Weyermannshaus. In the other direction, they arrive at Bern on platform 12 and so stay on the BLS line.

Note: Large-scale engineering work at Bern is ongoing. Platform 9 will be closed between January and March 2022. This may mean amendments to the above arrangements and platform numbers should be checked on the day of travel.

A temporary island platform (platforms 49/50) has been built to the west of the main station by the carriage sidings. These platforms are only available to and from the SBB line, so any trains shown as arriving or departing at these platforms from or to the west will have to use this route.

Lötschberg Basistunnel: Reichenbach im Kandertal (Abzw Wengi-Ey) / Frutigen – Visp (Abzw St German)

[300] (ERA-E 71C5-C3; ERA-R 141C2-148A5; S+W 77D1-78A4) CH22/06

The Lötschberg Base Tunnel is used by non-stop trains between Spiez and Visp. Between Abzw Wengi-Ey and Abzw. Frutigen-Nordportal, at the northern end of the tunnel, trains may either run through the single-track Engstige Tunnel or stay on the old line, gaining the tunnel by running through platform 2 at Frutigen station. This depends on operating convenience. One train each way is booked to call at Frutigen platform 2.

	SuX	IC1093	Bern - 23:17 Frutigen - Brig
		IC807	Brig - 05:54 Visp - Romanshorn

There is a single track connection between the north portal of the Lötschberg Base Tunnel and the east side of Frutigen station. This is used by trains using the Basistunnel which call at Frutigen platform 3. It is not possible for trains to reach platforms 1 or 2 using this connection. No services use this connection in the present timetable.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.

The European Train Control System (Level 2) is used through the Lötschberg Base Tunnel, so any train not so equipped has to run via the old main line.

Hindelbank (Abzw Hardfeld) – Bern (Abzw Mattstetten Ost)

[450] (ERA-E 67C2; ERA-R 139B5; S+W 20A2) CH22/07

This connection onto the Olten – Bern high speed line is used by trains calling at Burgdorf and running non-stop between there and Bern.

Solothurn – Rothrist (Abzw Wanzwil) (via Gishübel Tunnel)

[410] (ERA-E 67C3, ERA-R 135C1, S+W 9D4-10B4) CH22/08

This branch off the Olten – Bern high speed line is used by hourly IC5 trains which run non-stop between Olten and Solothurn.

Rothrist – Bern (Wylerfeld) (via Murgenthal and Grauholz tunnels)

[450] (ERA-E 68A3 - 67B2; ERA-R 136A2-139A5; S+W 10C3-66C2) CH22/09

Zürich – Bern and Luzern – Bern trains not stopping intermediately between Rothrist and Bern use the new direct line, while stopping trains use the original route. Zürich - Solothurn trains (see CH22/08) and non-stop trains between Burgdorf and Bern (see CH22/07) use parts of the direct line.

Rothrist – Olten (via Born Tunnel)

[450] (ERA-E 68A3; ERA-R 136A2; S+W 10C3-D2) CH22/10

This line opened in 1981, but now forms the northern part of the Olten – Bern high speed line. It is used by trains between Olten and Langenthal or Bern which do not stop at Aarburg-Oftringen, also by trains non-stop between Olten and Solothurn. Note, however, that IR trains terminating in Olten have been observed being routed via Aarburg-Oftringen instead of via this route.

Aarburg-Oftringen south curve: Rothrist (Abzw Aarburg-Oftringen West) – Zofingen (Abzw. Aarburg-Oftringen Süd)

[455, 510] (ERA-E 68A3; ERA-R 136A2; S+W 10D3) CH22/11

This west to south curve links the lines from Bern and from Luzern to Olten. It is used by the hourly IR15 Service between Bern and Luzern via Zofingen.

Note that trains via this curve normally use the connection off the south side of the main line at Rothrist in both directions. Only the local services from Rothrist to Aarburg-Oftringen use the dive-under.

Muttenz – Liestal

[500] (ERA-E 67C4; ERA-R 134C4-134C3; S+W 62C3-10B1) CH22/12

Fast trains between Basel and Liestal not booked to call intermediately use this line which passes through the Adler tunnel (5.3 km).

Basel Area

Click on the thumbnail for a full-sized map.

Basel avoiding line: Basel Bad Bf (Gellert) – Muttenz

[500, 700] (ERA-E 67C4; ERA-R 134B4; S+W 62B2-62C3) CH22/13

This north to east curve enables trains to run between the DB station at Basel Bad and the Olten/Zürich main line without reversal.

The curve has no booked passenger use but additional trains sometimes operate to Basel Bad Bf for exhibitions and trade fairs, details of which can be obtained from the Congress Center Basel website. A regular schedule is 07:56 Zürich HB - Basel Bad Bf.

Basel SBB – Pratteln via Basel St. Jakob

[500] (ERA-E 67C4 not shown; ERA-R 134B4; S+W 62B3-C3) CH22/14

As an alternative to the normal main line from the east into Basel SBB, trains can run from the west end of Basel Rbf (Rangierbahnhof) via the overbridge and high level lines to Basel Gbf (Güterbahnhof).

There is a platform on the high level lines, known as Basel St. Jakob, which serves FC Basel’s stadium.

To reach the west end of Basel Rbf, westbound trains can either run from Pratteln round the north side of the entire yard, or take a spur after Muttenz station to the lines at the south side of Basel Rbf. In the eastbound direction, trains either take the spur to Muttenz or continue along the south side of Basel Rbf until Pratteln.

From the west end of Basel Gbf, trains can either run via surface lines to the higher-numbered platforms at Basel SBB or via a diveunder beneath the station throat, which allows access to platforms 1-5 only.

Basel SBB (platforms 16/17) – Basel St. Jakob (via surface route) – Muttenz

For pathing reasons, the S3 local service Porrentruy/Laufen – Basel SBB (reverse) - Olten is booked to use this route.

Basel SBB (platforms 1-5) – Basel St. Jakob (via diveunder) – Pratteln

When the main line is blocked by engineering work, S1 trains from Frick or Lauterbourg to Basel SBB use the line round the north side of Basel Rbf and the diveunder to the low-numbered platforms. In the other direction, trains use the diveunder and the line to the south of the Rbf.

Basel SBB – Basel St. Jakob

When FC Basel are playing at home, special trains operate to St Jakob platform. Outward trains from platforms 1 to 5 use the diveunder route, but trains from other platforms follow the ground-level route. For evening matches, there is normally just one outward train, at 18:45 from platform 4 at Basel SBB. Return trains - at 21:30 and 22:07 - generally use the surface level route. Routeing and timing variations occur from game to game: timings and departure platforms are advertised by paper notices at each platform entrance, usually the day before a match. Information on FC Basel matches can be found at www.fcb.ch.

Olten avoiding line: Tecknau – Dulliken

[500, 650] (ERA-E 68A3; ERA-R 136A2; S+W 10D2) CH22/15

The hourly service of IR37 trains between Basel SBB and Zürich HB, calling at Sissach and Aarau, uses this north-to-east curve to avoid reversal at Olten.

Killwangen-Spreitenbach – Othmarsingen

[650] (ERA-E 68B4; ERA-R 136C2; S+W 12A1-11B2) CH22/16

Fast trains between Zürich HB and Olten not booked to call at Baden or Brugg AG use this line which passes through the Heitersberg tunnels (4.9 km) to the south of Baden. Trains with no scheduled stops between Zürich HB and Arth-Goldau may also run via this line and Wohlen.

Zürich HB – Zürich Altstetten (via Durchmesserlinie)

[650] (ERA-E 68C3; ERA-R 138B5; S+W 64B3-C3) CH22/17

Trains via the low level platforms, 31 to 34, at Zurich HB are local services S2, S8, S14 and S19, plus most long-distance ones via Oerlikon and Altstetten. Westbound long-distance trains, but not local ones, also use the new flyover line to Zürich Altstetten. These are departures from Zürich HB hourly:

• 06:10 to 21:10 IR to Basel SBB (calling at Zürich Altstetten)
• 06:32 to 20:32 IC to Genève Aeroport
• 07:02 to 23:02 IC to Brig or Bern
• 08:04 to 18:04 IC to Genève Aeroport

Zürich HB – Thalwil

[660, 720, 900] (ERA-E 68C3; ERA-R 138B5-138B4; S+W 64C3-12C3) CH22/18

Fast trains between Zürich HB and Thalwil not booked to call intermediately use this line which passes through the Zimmerberg-Basistunnel (9.4 km).

Zürich Giesshübel – Zürich Wiedikon

[714] (ERA-E 68C3, not clearly shown; ERA-R 138B5-138B4; S+W 64C4-64C3) CH22/19

Steam trains usually run on the last Sunday of the month between April and October from Zürich Wiedikon to Sihlbrugg via a connection not normally used by passenger trains. At the time of writing, no details of the 2022 service are available. The usual service is shown below. This entry will be updated once the 2022 timings have been published in Table 714.

D	SuO	31931	12:00 Zürich Wiedikon – Sihlbrugg
D	SuO	31937	15:20 Zürich Wiedikon – Sihlbrugg
D	SuO	31930	Sihlwald – 11:39 Zürich Saalsporthalle – Zürich Wiedikon
D	SuO	31936	Sihlbrugg – 14:59 Zürich Saalsporthalle – Zürich Wiedikon

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.

Kreuzlingen avoiding line: Kreuzlingen Hafen – Konstanz

[820, 830] (ERA-E 69B5; ERA-R 138A4; S+W 6B2) CH22/20

This east to north curve is used by an hourly RE service between Herisau and Konstanz.

Romanshorn avoiding line: Egnach (Romanshorn Stw. I) – Amriswil

[840, 845] (ERA-E 69B3; ERA-R 138B3; S+W 6D3) CH22/21

This curve enables trains to run between Rorschach and Winterthur without reversal at Romanshorn.

There is no booked service but this route is often used for diversions when the Buchs SG - Feldkirch line is closed for engineering works. This has occurred in late April and early May, and applied to the following trains (current train numbers shown for trains at times diverted in previous years):

		RJX162	Wien Hbf – 15:48 Feldkirch – St.Margrethen (special stop) - Zurich HB
		NJ466	Wien Hbf – 06:40 Feldkirch (for alighting only) – St.Margrethen (special stop) - Zürich HB (also ran via the Bregenz avoiding line in Austria)
		NJ467	21:40 Zürich HB – Wien Hbf (also ran via the Bregenz avoiding line in Austria)

The curve can also be done when VHMthB are running their Uferdampffahrten Romanshorn-Rorschach and return. The trains use bay platform 1 at Romanshorn and, to avoid propelling out of the station to run round and propelling in again, the train from Rorschach takes the avoiding line and then propels into Romanshorn station.

There are generally three round trips on operating days. Further details can be found on their website.

Sargans – Sevelen (Trübbach)

[880, 900] (ERA-E 69B2; ERA-R 144B4-144B5; S+W 25C2) CH22/22

There are two routes between the Buchs SG line at the former Trübbach station, south of Sevelen, and Sargans - a loop to the west of Sargans station which faces east, and a loop to the east which faces west.

Through trains between the Ziegelbrücke and Buchs SG lines use the eastern loop to avoid reversal at Sargans. These are the two-hourly EC/RJX trains between Zürich HB and Innsbruck and beyond, and the hourly S4 services which run between Buchs SG and Ziegelbrücke as part of their circular route via Uznach (reverse) and St Gallen.

The hourly IR13 services between Zürich and Chur via Buchs SG use the western loop.

Klosters (Sasslatsch Nord) – Susch (Sasslatsch II) (Rhätische Bahn)

[910] (ERA-E 73B3; ERA-R 145B4; S+W 27A3-C4) CH22/23

This is the south-west curve out of the Vereina Tunnel, which opened in 2000. Note that the north point of the triangle, at Sasslatsch Nord, is inside the tunnel. It is used by a roughly two-hourly service (hourly at weekends) between St Moritz and Landquart. These trains are shown in the timetable as not stopping between Susch and Klosters Platz.

Sursee – Triengen (Sursee-Triengen Bahn)

(ERA-E 68A2-A3; ERA-R 136B1; S+W 11A4) CH22/24

This private railway has no regular passenger trains but special public services are provided on various dates, in conjunction with Dampfbahnverein Surental (DVS), including the traditional fourth Sunday in September.

Gotthard Basistunnel: Altdorf (Rynächt) – Castione-Arbedo (Giustizia)

[600] (ERA-E 68C1-78A3; ERA-R 143A3-149C4; S+W 23A4-48C3) CH22/25

The new tunnel is used by regular trains with no booked stop between Arth-Goldau or Fluelen and Biasca or Bellinzona. The level of traffic via the new tunnel is such that additional trains may use the old route, even if with no booked stops, but with a significantly longer journey time.

Biasca: Pollegio Nord Connection

[600] (ERA-E 73A3; ERA-R 149C5; S+W 48C3) CH22/26

With the realignment of the old Gotthard line at Pollegio, north of Biasca, to run alongside the Gotthard Basistunnel route, the 600 m-long former connection between the two routes is now used by all trains on the old Gotthard route. The connection between the two routes is now only around 100 m long. It is used by the following IC services which call at Biasca.

		IC893	Zürich HB – 23:49 Arth-Goldau – Bellinzona
		IC862	Bellinzona – 05:21 Biasca – Zürich HB

Ceneri Basistunnel: Giubiasco/S. Antonino (Biv. Vigana) – Lugano (Biv. Vezia)

[600, 631, 632] (ERA-E 73A2; ERA-R 149C3-149B2; S+W 59D1-D3) CH22/27

The 15.4 km Ceneri Base Tunnel between Giubiasco and Lugano opened to regular passenger services on 13 December 2020. A west to south curve (Biv. Vigana - Biv. Camorino) links the Locarno line with the north end of the tunnel.

The tunnel is used by EC services between Zürich and Milano or Bologna, and IC services between Zürich/Basel and Lugano, which all run non-stop between Bellinzona and Lugano. It is also used by RE10 trains between Castione-Arbedo and Chiasso, which do not stop between Giubiasco and Lugano. Local S10 services call at intermediate stations and so use the old route via Monte Ceneri tunnel.

An hourly RE80 service runs between Locarno and Lugano via the west to south curve and the base tunnel.

Capolago Lago – Capolago Riva San Vitale (Ferrovia Monte Generoso)

[636] (ERA-E 73A1; ERA-R 149C2; S+W 59D4) CH22/28

This 250 metre extension northwards from the normal terminus, adjoining Capolago-Riva San Vitale FFS station, is used to connect with the seasonal calls of vessels of Società Navigazione del Lago di Lugano. Vessel calls and trains are subject to suspension during rough weather or in times of poor visibility.

D		15	11:20 Capolago Lago - Generoso Vetta
D		12	Generoso Vetta - 10:55 Capolago-Riva S. Vitale - Capolago Lago

Eppenberg Tunnel

[650] (ERA-E 68A3; ERA-R 136B2; S+W 16B) CH22/29

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.

The opening of the 3114 metre-long Eppenberg tunnel in October 2020 created a four track section of railway between Olten and Aarau. In the middle section the original route via Schönenwerd is a considerable distance away from the Eppenberg tunnel which is effectively a separate route.

The old line via Schönenwerd is used by local trains calling at Schönenwerd and trains to Biel/Bienne and Basel. The Eppenberg tunnel is used by trains to Bern and Luzern.

Trams

See Switzerland - Tram services over obscure routes

Other sparse services

The following lines have few trains (relative to service levels generally in this country) — fewer than five trains each way on at least three days a week.

221	Travers – Pontarlier (France)

The following lines do not have service throughout the winter:

314	Wilderswil – Schynige Platte
473	Alpnachstadt – Pilatus Kulm
476	Planalp - Brienzer Rothorn
636	Capolago – Generoso Vetta
-	Riffelalp (GGB) - Riffelalp Hotel (Riffelalp Tram)