Switzerland - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

Introduction

This list is based on the timetable dated 14 December 2014 – 12 December 2015. Standard abbreviations used are explained in General Information document.

In the heading to each entry the map reference for the line in the Schweers+Wall Eisenbahnatlas Schweiz (2012 edition) is shown, in italic, in addition to the reference to M.G. Ball's European Railway Atlas. The additional map references - prefixed by 'ERA1' - refer to the European Railway Atlas 2008 (M.G.Ball; published by European Railway Atlas)

Obscure services

Genève Lancy-Pont-Rouge — Stade de Genève

(97A3 not shown, ERA1 70A3 not shown, 683D) CH15/01

This extension of the Lancy-Pont-Rouge 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 Léchires) — Bussigny

[150, 210] (91A1, ERA1 70C5, 70C2-C3) CH15/02

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

Kerzers

[305, 291, 255] (92A3 not shown, ERA1 67B2 not shown, 18C3) CH15/03

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, which reverse in platform 4 and use the curve between calls at Kerzers and Galmiz, as well as the Murten - 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 3. The connection between the Lyss platforms and the Payerne line is done by the following services which are booked to use platform 3.

SSuX	R14619	06:04 Kerzers – Friburg
SSuX	R14677	18:04 Kerzers – Friburg
SSuX	R14681	19:04 Kerzers – Friburg
SSuX	R14610	Friburg - 05:51 Galmiz – Kerzers
SSuX	R14666	Friburg - 17:51 Galmiz – Kerzers
SSuX	R14672	Friburg - 18:51 Galmiz – Kerzers

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

[300, 450] (92B3, ERA 67B1, 66C3) CH15/04

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

E		EC321	Basel SBB – 06:45 Olten - Rho Fiera Milano
E		EC329	Zurich HB – 07:57 Burgdorf – Rho Fiera Milano
E		EC330	Rho Fiera Milano - 22:01 Thun – Zurich HB
E	SuO	EC326	Rho Fiera Milano– 23:26 Thun – Basel SBB

Wengi – Visp (Lötschberg Basistunnel)

[300] (92B1-100A3 not shown, ERA 71C5-C3, 77D1-78A4) CH15/05

The new Lötschberg Base Tunnel is used by non-stop trains between Spiez and Visp. Overnight trains between Brig and Spiez may still use the old main line via Kandersteg if the rolling stock is not authorised for use through the tunnel.

Frutigen: Connection to Lötschberg Basistunnel

[300] (92B1 not shown, ERA 71C5 not shown, 77C1-C2) CH15/06

There is a single track connection between the north portal of the Lötschberg Base Tunnel and Frutigen station. This is used by trains calling at both Frutigen and Visp.

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

Trains not stopping between Spiez and Visp may run via Frutigen station for operating convenience.

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

[450] (92B3 not shown, ERA 67C2, 20A2) CH15/07

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] (86B1 not shown, ERA 67C3, 9D4-10B4) CH15/08

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

Rothrist — Bern HB (Wylerfeld) (via Murgenthal and Grauholz tunnels)

[450] (87A1 - 92B3 not shown, ERA 68A3 - 67B2, 10C3-66C2) CH15/09

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 CH15/08) and non-stop trains between Burgdorf and Bern (see CH15/07) use parts of the direct line.

Rothrist — Olten (via Born Tunnel)

[450] (87A1, ERA 68A3, 10C3-D2) CH15/10

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 (Aarburg West) — Zofingen (Aarburg Süd)

[510] (87A1 not shown, ERA 68A3, 10D3) CH15/11

This west to south curve links the lines from Bern and from Luzern to Olten. It is used by the hourly IR 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] (86B2 not shown, ERA 67C4, 62C3-10B1) CH15/12

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

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

[500, 700] (86B2, ERA 67C4, 62B2-62C3) CH15/13

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 Messe Basel, Messeplatz, CH-4021 Basel; fax +41 61 686 21 94. A regular schedule is 07:56 Zürich HB - Basel Bad Bf.

Basel SBB — Muttenz (via Gbf Wolf)

[500] (86B2, ERA 67C4 not shown, 62B3-C3) CH15/14

An alternative to the normal main line east out of Basel, via high level lines through Basel Güterbahnhof and the overbridge approach to the west end of Basel Rangierbahnhof, thence by a spur to Muttenz station.

For pathing reasons, the S3 local service Laufen - Basel SBB (reverse) - Olten is booked to use this route to and from platforms on the south side of Basel SBB station.

Basel SBB — St Jakob

(86B2, 67C4 not shown, 62B3) CH15/15

Special trains operate for FC Basel home matches to a platform adjacent to the St Jakob stadium, on the the route from Basel SBB to Muttenz via Gbf Wolf (CH15/14). Outward trains from platforms 1 to 5 use the new diveunder route beneath the station throat to Basel Gbf, but trains from other platforms follow the ground-level route CH15/14.

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 follow route CH15/14. Routing 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] (87A2, ERA 68A3, 10D2) CH15/16

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

Brugg avoiding line: Villnachern — Lupfig

(87B2, ERA 68B4, 11B1) CH15/17

This line can be used by trains between Basel and the Gotthard line not calling at Luzern or Zürich, though route CH15/16 provides an alternative. The following may run this way, but confirmation is required:

E	SO	DZ13400	17:05 Alessandria – ‘s Hertogenbosch
E	FO	DZ13401	16:13 ‘s Hertogenbosch – Alessandria
E	SO	DZ13408	17:03 Livorno Centrale – ‘s Hertogenbosch
E	FO	DZ13409	14:12 ‘s Hertogenbosch – Livorno Centrale

N.B. The services listed run in 2015 but, at the time of writing, no detailed routings are available, so the infornation shown is as per the 2013 timtetable.

Lenzburg avoiding line: Othmarsingen — Hendschiken

(87B2, ERA 68B3, 11B2) CH15/18

This east to south curve is used by the following local services that do not call at Lenzburg (from 7 April 2015 services shown with a * terminate at, or start from, Wohlen instead of Muri):

SSuX	S19028	Zürich HB - 06:59 Othmarsingen – Muri*
SSuX	S19068	Zürich HB - 17:05 Othmarsingen – Muri*
SSuX	S19070	Zürich HB - 18:05 Othmarsingen – Muri
SSuX	S19072	Zürich HB - 19:05 Othmarsingen – Muri*
SSuX	S19019	Muri - 05:38 Hendschiken – Zürich HB
SSuX	S19023	Muri - 06:46 Hendschiken – Zürich HB
SSuX	S19027	Muri* - 07:46 Hendschiken – Zürich HB
SSuX	S19075	Muri* - 17:46 Hendschiken – Zürich HB

Killwangen-Spreitenbach — Othmarsingen

[650] (87B2, ERA 68B4, 12A1-11B2) CH15/19

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 (4.9km) 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 north avoiding line: Zürich Altstetten — Zürich Oerlikon (Hard)

[650, 700] (97A2, ERA 68C3, 64B3-C3) CH15/20

An hourly IR service operates between Basel SBB and Zürich Flughafen via this curve. Trains are shown calling at both Zürich Altstetten and Zürich Oerlikon, but not Zürich HB, on table 700. This line is also used by:

IR1903

Bern – 05:06/05:18 Lenzburg – Zürich Flughafen {timings vary, see timetable 650}

N.B. All of these services may cease to run via this route in December 2015 when the new line through Zürich Löwenstrasse opens.

Zürich HB - Thalwil

[720, 900] (97A1 not shown, ERA 68C3, 64C3-12C3) CH15/21

Fast trains between Zürich HB and Thalwil not booked to call intermediately use this line which passes through the new Zimmerberg-Basistunnel (9.4km). The extension towards Zug is not yet in use.

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

[840, 845] (89A2, ERA 69B3, 6D3) CH15/22

This curve enables trains to use an alternative route 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 for the last several years in late April and early May, and applied to the following trains:

		RJ162	Budapest keleti pu. - 15:48 Feldkirch - St.Margrethen (special stop) - Zurich HB
		EN466	Budapest keleti pu. - 06:40 Feldkirch - St.Margrethen (special stop) - Zürich HB (also ran via the Bregenz avoiding line in Austria)
		EN467	21:40 Zürich HB - Budapest keleti pu. (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 propells into Romanshorn station.

There are generally three round trips on operating days. Further details can be found on their website at http://www.mthb.ch/fahrten-veranstaltungen/oeffentliche-fahrten.html#veranstaltungsliste .

Sargans — Trübbach (via eastern loop)

[880, 900] (95A3, ERA 69B2, 25C2) CH15/23

Through trains between the Ziegelbrücke and Buchs SG lines (mainly EC trains between Zürich and Innsbruck) use this route to avoid reversal at Sargans. Other trains (principally between the Chur and Buchs SG lines) use the western loop.

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

[910, 960] (96A3, ERA 73B3, 27A3-C4) CH15/24

This is the south-west curve out of the Vereina Tunnel, on which services commenced 28 May 2000. Note that the north point of the triangle, at Sasslatsch Nord, is inside the tunnel.

M-F	R4309	Landquart – 05.30 Klosters - St.Moritz
	RE1323	Landquart – 09:01 Klosters – St.Moritz
	RE1327	Landquart – 10:01 Klosters – St.Moritz
	RE1335	Landquart – 12:01 Klosters – St.Moritz
	RE1343	Landquart – 14:01 Klosters – St.Moritz
	RE1351	Landquart – 16:01 Klosters – St.Moritz
	RE1359	Landquart – 18:01 Klosters – St.Moritz
	RE1326	St.Moritz – 09:30 Zernez – Landquart
	RE1334	St.Moritz – 11:30 Zernez – Landquart
	RE1342	St.Moritz – 13:30 Zernez – Landquart
	RE1350	St.Moritz – 15:30 Zernez – Landquart
	RE1354	St.Moritz – 16:30 Zernez – Landquart
	RE1358	St.Moritz – 17:30 Zernez – Landquart

Sursee — Triengen (Sursee-Triengen Bahn)

(87A1-87B1, ERA 68A2-A3, 11A4) CH15/25

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

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

[636] (101B1, ERA 73A1, 59D4) CH15/26

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.

The railway is currently closed due to the construction of a new restaurant and hotel at Bellavista and will reopen in 2015.

This entry will be removed if the service to Capolago-Lago is not reinstated when normal services resume.

Solothurn — Büren an der Aare

(86A1-86B1, ERA 67C3-B2, 9D4-19A1) CH15/27

This line has no regular passenger trains but Verein Dampfbahn Bern operate steam excursions over it on three Sundays in June and September: see their website, under "Öffentliche fahrten".

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.

115	Blonay – Chamby {1}
221	Travers – Pontarlier (France)
615	Realp DFB – Furka – Gletsch - Oberwald(1}
714	Zürich Wiedikon – Zürich Giesshübel (– Sihlbrugg) {1}
714	(Zürich Wiedikon –) Sihlwald – Sihlbrugg {1}
742	Bauma – Hinwil {1}
-	Le Locle – Morteau (France)
-	Vallorbe – Frasne (France)

{1} = preservation / museum service: limited dates / days of operation

The following lines do not have service throughout the winter:

115	Blonay – Chamby {1}
314	Wilderswil – Schynige Platte
473	Alpnachstadt – Pilatus Kulm
475	Brienz – Rothorn
615	Realp DFB – Furka – Gletsch - Oberwald{1}
636	Capolago - Generoso Vetta
714	Zürich Wiedikon – Zürich Giesshübel (– Sihlbrugg) {1}
714	(Zürich Wiedikon –) Sihlwald – Sihlbrugg {1}
742	Bauma – Hinwil {1}