Switzerland - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

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Introduction

This list is based on the timetable dated 11 December 2011 – 8 December 2012. 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 (2004 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, 46A) CH11/01

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, 46C) CH11/02

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, 24D not shown) CH11/03

The Bern - Neuchâtel and Lyss - Payerne lines cross at Kerzers by means of a flat crossing. A short west to south curve connects the two and is used by the hourly S5 stopping service between Bern and Murten, which reverses on the Neuchâtel line and uses the curve between calls at Kerzers and Galmiz, as well as the Murten - Kerzers short service, operated by the same unit between Bern turns. The east to north connection is done by the hourly S52 Bern to Kerzers service, the unit for which forms the onward service to Büren. The north - south connection is only done by a few morning and evening services to and from Friburg.

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

(92B3, ERA 67B1, 72B) CH11/04

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

E SuO AZ13373 Düsseldorf Hbf – 21:32 Neu Isenburg ARZ – Alessandria AA
H FO CNL479/1177 Hamburg-Altona – 23:31 Göttingen – Brig
H SO CNL1174/478 Brig – 18:22 Thun – Hamburg-Altona
E FO DZ13401 16:16 ‘s Hertogenbosch – Alessandria
E FO DZ13409 14:16 ‘s Hertogenbosch – Livorno Centrale
E SO DZ13408 17:03 Livorno Centrale – ‘s Hertogenbosch
E SO DZ13400 17:35 Alessandria – ‘s Hertogenbosch

Huttwil — Sumiswald-Grünen

[304.2] (87A1-92B3, ERA 67C2-68A2, 26B-27A) CH11/05

Since the start of the 2009/2010 timetable there have been no regular passenger services on this route. However, on the occasion of the slowUp Emmental cycle event on the second Sunday in September a special service by Verein Dampfbahn Bern uses this section. Details from their website, under "Öffentliche fahrten", or the slowUp Emmental website. In addition, services are operated by Emmentalbahn on various dates during the year. Details are on their website their website. For other special events at Huttwil, BLS may operate an extension of S4 services from Bern.

Wengi – Visp (Lötschberg Basistunnel)

[300] (92B1-100A3 not shown, ERA 71C5-C3, 38D-53C) CH11/06

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, 38D) CH11/07

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 IC1095 Bern – 23:17 Frutigen – Brig
IC811 Brig – 05:53 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, 26A) CH11/08

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, 15D-16C) CH11/09

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, 16C, 16D, 25B, 26A, 72B) CH11/10

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 CH11/09) and non-stop trains between Burgdorf and Bern (see CH11/08) use parts of the direct line.

Rothrist — Olten (via Born Tunnel)

[450] (87A1, ERA 68A3, 16D) CH11/11

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, 16D) CH11/12

This west to south curve links the lines from Bern and from Luzern to Olten. It is used by the hourly fast trains 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, 8C) CH11/13

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, 68A-68D) CH11/14

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

E SuO AZ13373 Düsseldorf Hbf – 21:32 Neu Isenburg ARZ – Alessandria AA
E FO AZ13371 Hamburg-Altona – 21:32 Neu Isenburg ARZ – Alessandria AA
E SO AZ13370 19:15 Alessandria – Hamburg-Altona AA
E MO AZ13372 19:15 Alessandria – Düsseldorf Hbf AA
E FO DZ13401 16:16 's Hertogenbosch - Alessandria
E SO DZ13400 17:35 Alessandria – 's Hertogenbosch


The following trains reverse at Basel SBB, though not advertised to call there: DZ13408 and DZ13409.

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, 68A-68D) CH11/15

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, 68A-68C) CH11/16

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 (CH11/15). 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 CH11/15.

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 CH11/15. 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, 16B) CH11/17

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, 17B) CH11/18

This line can be used by trains between Basel and the Gotthard line not calling at Luzern or Zürich, though route CH11/17 provides an alternative. The following may run this way, but confirmation is required:

E FO AZ13371 Hamburg-Altona – 21:32 Neu Isenburg ARZ – Alessandria AA
E SO AZ13370 19:15 Alessandria – Hamburg-Altona AA
E MO AZ13372 19:15 Alessandria – Düsseldorf Hbf AA

Killwangen-Spreitenbach — Othmarsingen

[650] (87B2, ERA 68B4, 18A-17B) CH11/19

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, 70A) CH11/20

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}

Zürich HB south avoiding line: Zürich Wiedikon — Zürich Altstetten

[720] (97A2, ERA 68C3 70C) CH11/21

This curve is used by local trains not calling at Zürich HB.

SSuX S18045 08:21 Zürich Altstetten – Einsiedeln
SSuX S18051 17:20 Zürich Altstetten – Einsiedeln
SSuX S18053 17:51 Zürich Altstetten – Ziegelbrücke
SSuX S18044 Einsiedeln – 07:29 Zürich Wiedikon – Zürich Altstetten
SSuX S18046 Ziegelbrücke – 08:00 Zürich Wiedikon – Zürich Altstetten
SSuX S18050 Einsiedeln –16:30 Zürich Wiedikon – Zürich Altstetten

Trains listed here do not operate 1 May.

Zürich HB - Thalwil

[720, 900] (97A1 not shown, ERA 68C3, 18B-18D) CH11/22

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, 12D) CH11/23

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. - 05:45 Feldkirch - St.Margrethen (special stop) - Zürich HB (also ran via the Bregenz avoiding line in Austria)
EN467 22:40 Zürich HB - Budapest keleti pu. (also ran via the Bregenz avoiding line in Austria)

Sargans — Trübbach (via eastern loop)

[880, 900] (95A3, ERA 69B2, 31B) CH11/24

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, 33D) CH11/25

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 04:56 Landquart – St.Moritz
D RE1325 Landquart – 09:03 Klosters – St.Moritz (12 May to 21 October only)
RE1327 Landquart – 10:03 Klosters – St.Moritz
RE1335 Landquart – 12:03 Klosters – St.Moritz
SO RE1343 Landquart – 14:02 Klosters – St.Moritz
SO RE1342 St.Moritz – 13:17 Suchs – Landquart
RE1350 St.Moritz – 15:30 Suchs – Landquart
RE1358 St.Moritz – 17:30 Suchs – Landquart
D RE1362 St.Moritz – 18:30 Suchs – Landquart (12 May to 21 October only)

Sursee — Triengen (Sursee-Triengen Bahn)

(87A1-87B1, ERA 68A2-A3, 17C) CH11/26

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, 66C) CH11/27

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.

E 15 11:15 Capolago Lago - Generoso Vetta

Service operates 17 March to 4 November 2012.

Solothurn — Büren an der Aare

(86A1-86B1, ERA 67C3-B2, 15D-25A) CH11/28

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".

Cross-border services

The following cross-border services are not included in the Offizielles Kursbuch/Indicateur official/Orario ufficiale, but are shown in a series of SBB/CFF/FFS leaflets.

  • Buchs SG - Schaan-Vaduz (Liechtenstein)
  • St Margrethen - Lustenau (Austria)
  • Basel SBB - Basel Bad Bf - Weil am Rhein/Lörrach/Grenzach (Germany)
  • Basel SBB - St Louis (France)
  • Le Locle - Morteau (France)
  • Les Verrières – Pontarlier (France)
  • Vallorbe - Frasne (France)
  • Genève Eaux-Vives - Annemasse (France)

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)

{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}

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

Deletion since previous edition

221.1 (Neuchâtel - ) Fleurier - St Sulpice. Not shown in 2011 SBB timetable, VVT website at time of update warned that 2011 operation was uncertain. For latest position check their website via http://www.avoe05.dsl.pipex.com/Swiss-heritage-railways.htm

See also