Germany (Niedersachsen and Bremen) - 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
Saline – Westen
(ERA-E 42B3; ERA-R 87C5; S+W 9B3) DE24/151
This is a branch off DB's only metre-gauge line, on the island of Wangerooge. Passenger trains normally run only between the quay at Westanleger and Wangerooge town, but have been known to run to Westen when required by pre-booked parties staying at the Youth Hostel or other accommodation there. Excursions have operated in the past between Wangerooge and Westen during the summer season; however DB's Wangerooge website had no mention of any such trips in 2023.
Emden Hbf – Emden Außenhafen
[395,396] (ERA-E 42A1; ERA-R 87B4; S+W 18B4) DE24/152
This branch line is used by trains connecting with the ferry to and from Borkum. Dates and times of operation vary considerably. There are several RE services, mainly to and from Münster, and a few IC services with various origins and destinations. Times and dates are shown in Kursbuch Table 396.
Hamburg-Harburg – Buchholz (Nordheide) via Jesteburg
[120, 123] (ERA-E 45C4-43B1; ERA-R 89A4-89B4; S+W 21D2-21C2) DE24/153
This is an alternative route between Hamburg-Harburg and Buchholz (Nordheide). It is used by RB38 trains from Hamburg-Harburg to Hannover Hbf via Soltau (Han) hourly from 07:51 to 21:51 on Saturdays and Sundays only, with additional short workings at 22:51 to Soltau and 23:50 to Buchholz, both also SSuO. This is so that these trains can be overtaken by an IC or ICE train leaving Hamburg-Harburg for Bremen at 57 minutes past the hour.
Bremen-Sebaldsbrück – Bremen Hbf (via Abzw. Vahr)
[380] (ERA-E 43A1 not shown; ERA-R 88B3 not shown; S+W 9C2-9B2) DE24/154
Trains from the Hannover line to platforms 1, 2 or 3 on the Oldenburg side at Bremen Hbf have been known to use this spur which crosses from the north side of the line to the south side by passing under both the main Hannover and Osnabrück lines, but they may, alternatively, use crossovers at the approach to Bremen Hbf. The only trains from the Hannover line to arrive in platforms 1 - 3 are the two-hourly RE1 services from Hannover Hbf to Norddeich Mole. These depart Bremen-Mahndorf at 31 minutes past each even hour.
RE1 trains in the opposite direction normally use the flat junction at Hastedt but, if the departure signal at Bremen Hbf platforms 1, 2 or 3 shows speed restriction 4 (= 40 km/h), that may indicate use of this route.
There is no passenger use of the connections between Bremen-Hemelingen and Bremen Hbf via Abzw. Vahr known to the compilers.
Bremen avoiding line: Ottersberg (Han.) (Abzw. Sagehorn) – Dreye (Abzw. Bremen-Gabelung)
[120, 385] (ERA-E 43A1; ERA-R 88B3-88B2; S+W 9D1-9C3) DE24/155
Most trains between Hamburg and Osnabrück call at Bremen Hbf, but this route enables those that do not to avoid a lengthy detour.
| D1 | ICE1031 | Hamburg-Altona – 06:11 Hamburg Hbf – Köln Hbf | |
| D1 | ICE1021 | Ostseebad Binz / Stralsund Hbf / Hamburg-Altona – 16:10 Hamburg Hbf – Nürnberg Hbf | |
| D2 | ICE1221 | Ostseebad Binz / Hamburg-Altona – 16:10 Hamburg Hbf – Dortmund Hbf | |
| D3 | ICE737 | Lübeck Hbf – 18:08 Hamburg Hbf – Köln Hbf | |
| D1 | ICE1038 | Köln Hbf – 07:04 Essen Hbf – Hamburg-Altona | |
| D1 | IC2310/2312 | Köln Hbf – 10:47 Münster (Westf) Hbf – Westerland (Sylt) / Dagebüll Mole | |
| D4 | ICE736 | Köln Hbf – 11:47 Münster (Westf) Hbf – Lübeck Hbf | |
| D1 | ICE1020 | Passau Hbf – 13:47 Münster (Westf) Hbf – Hamburg-Altona | |
| D1 | ICE928 | Passau Hbf – 15:48 Münster (Westf) Hbf – Hamburg-Altona | |
| D3 | ICE1228 | Dortmund Hbf – 15:48 Münster (Westf) Hbf – Hamburg-Altona | |
| D1 | ICE1030 | Köln Hbf – 16:56 Essen Hbf – Hamburg-Altona |
D1: Not 23 March - 7 April 2024
D2: 23 March - 7 April 2024
D3: 16 July - 14 December 2024
D4: 30 July - 14 December 2024
Flixtrain services between Hamburg and Köln formerly used this route but these trains now all call at Bremen Hbf.
Lüneburg Westseite (West station)
[110] (ERA-E 43C1 not shown; ERA-R 89B3; S+W 22C3) DE24/156
This is a separate station to the west of the main station. Connections to north and south link the Westseite station to the main Hamburg to Hannover line.
The north-end connection is used by most Hamburg local trains (RB31) starting or terminating at Lüneburg. A few late evening and early morning trains run to and from the main station. Services using the Westseite are those shown as using platforms 6 or 7 in the DB journey planner.
Both connections are used by the following service:
| SSuX | RB81607 | Hamburg Hbf – 05:16 Bardowick – Hannover Hbf |
The Westseite is also used to by all trains to and from Dannenberg Ost.
Osnabrück Schinkel and Löhner Curves: Osnabrück ob Bf – Wissingen (Bbf Lüstringen)
[385] (ERA-E 47B4; ERA-R 96C5; S+W 40C3) DE24/157
This is a curve from the high level station at Osnabrück to the Hannover line. It is used all year round by the following services. It is also occasionally used by trains diverted away from the Münster to Rheine line or the main line through Bielefeld.
Click on the thumbnail for a full size diagram.
| ICE741 | Münster (Westf) Hbf – 06:52 Osnabrück Hbf – Berlin Ostbahnhof | ||
| ICE759 | Köln Hbf / Münster (Westf) Hbf – 13:51 Osnabrück Hbf – Berlin Ostbahnhof | ||
| ICE1053 | Aachen Hbf / Münster (Westf) Hbf – 17:53 Osnabrück Hbf – Berlin Ostbahnhof | ||
| ICE1050 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 10:56 Hannover Hbf – Münster (Westf) Hbf | ||
| ICE756 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 14:56 Hannover Hbf – Münster (Westf) Hbf | ||
| ICE742 | Berlin Ostbahnhof / Hannover Hbf – 20:43 Bünde (Westf) – Münster (Westf) Hbf | ||
| FSuO | ICE740 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 22:43 Bünde (Westf) – Münster (Westf) Hbf |
Ahlten (Abzw. Lehrte West) – Aligse (Lehrte Nordgruppe, former Stw Lnf)
[360.6,360.7] (ERA-E 48B4; ERA-R 100A5; S+W 122D4) DE24/158
This west to north curve is used by the hourly S6 service between Hannover and Celle which runs non-stop between Hannover Karl-Wiechert-Allee and Aligse. Note that the S7 service which alternates with the S6 reverses at Lehrte and thus does not use this curve.
Lehrte (Abzw Lehrte West) – Misburg – Abzw Waldheim – Hannover Messe/Laatzen (Hannover Wülfel)
(ERA-E 48B4; ERA-R 100A5; S+W 122D4-122D3) DE24/159
This route forms the eastern part of the ring line round the south side of Hannover. It has no permanent services during this timetable period but is used, particularly during the early part of the year, by the following trains to avoid reversal at Hannover Hbf.
Note that the same train can run at different times but with the same number, or at similar times with a different number and different origin or destination. Because of the complicated set of date ranges in the table, a check with the DB journey planner is recommended.
| D1 | ICE876 | Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe – 07:06 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D2 | SSuX | ICE998 | 05:58 Frankfurt (Main) Hbf – Berlin Ostbahnhof |
| D3 | ICE996 | Frankfurt (Main) Hbf – 08:04 Göttingen – Berlin Südkreuz | |
| D4 | ICE996 | Frankfurt (Main) Hbf – 08:09 Göttingen – Berlin Südkreuz | |
| D4 | ICE270 | Basel Bad Bf (MO) / Karlsruhe Hbf – 09:06 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D5 | ICE774 | Stuttgart Hbf – 09:33 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D6 | ICE270 | Basel Bad Bf (MO) / Karlsruhe Hbf – 09:33 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D7 | ICE1136 | 08:02 Frankfurt (Main) Hbf – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D4 | ICE994 | Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen Fernbf – 10:09 Göttingen – Berlin Südkreuz | |
| D4 | ICE374 | Basel SBB – 11:06 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D5 | ICE772 | Stuttgart Hbf – 11:33 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D6 | ICE374 | Basel SBB – 11:33 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D7 | ICE1134 | 10:02 Frankfurt (Main) Hbf – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D4 | ICE992 | Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen Fernbf – 12:09 Göttingen – Berlin Südkreuz | |
| D4 | ICE372 | Interlaken Ost – 13:06 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D5 | ICE770 | Stuttgart Hbf – 13:33 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D6 | ICE372 | Interlaken Ost – 13:33 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D7 | ICE1036 | 12:02 Frankfurt (Main) Hbf – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D4 | ICE798 | Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen Fernbf – 14:09 Göttingen – Berlin Südkreuz | |
| D4 | ICE370 | Basel SBB – 15:06 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D5 | ICE578 | Stuttgart Hbf – 15:33 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D6 | ICE370 | Basel SBB – 15:33 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D8 | SuO | ICE1174 | Basel SBB – 15:50 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof |
| D9 | FSO | ICE1696 | Stuttgart Hbf – 15:50 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof |
| D4 | ICE796 | Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen Fernbf – 16:09 Göttingen – Berlin Südkreuz | |
| D4 | ICE278 | Interlaken Ost – 17:06 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D5 | ICE576 | Stuttgart Hbf – 17:33 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D6 | ICE278 | Interlaken Ost – 17:33 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D7 | ICE1034 | 16:02 Frankfurt (Main) Hbf – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D4 | ICE794 | Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen Fernbf – 18:09 Göttingen – Berlin Südkreuz | |
| D7 | ICE118 | Innsbruck Hbf – 18:24 Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D4 | ICE276 | Basel SBB – 19:06 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D5 | ICE574 | Stuttgart Hbf – 19:33 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D6 | ICE276 | Basel SBB – 19:33 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D7 | SSuX | ICE1032 | 18:02 Frankfurt (Main) Hbf – Berlin Ostbahnhof |
| D4 | ICE792 | Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen Fernbf – 20:09 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D4 | ICE274 | Basel SBB – 21:06 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D5 | ICE572 | Stuttgart Hbf – 21:33 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D6 | ICE274 | Basel SBB – 21:33 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D4 | ICE790 | Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen Fernbf – 22:10 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof | |
| D4 | SuO | ICE292 | Zürich HB – 23:09 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof |
| D5 | SuO | ICE570 | Stuttgart Hbf – 23:32 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof |
| D6 | SuO | ICE292 | Zürich HB – 23:32 Göttingen – Berlin Ostbahnhof |
| D5 | ICE571 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 05:09 Wolfsburg Hbf – Stuttgart Hbf | |
| D6 | SSuX | ICE275 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 05:09 Wolfsburg Hbf – Interlaken Ost |
| D4 | SSuX | ICE275 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 05:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Interlaken Ost |
| D7 | SSuX | ICE1033 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 06:11 Berlin-Spandau – Frankfurt (Main) Hbf |
| D5 | ICE573 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 07:09 Wolfsburg Hbf – Stuttgart Hbf | |
| D6 | ICE277 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 07:09 Wolfsburg Hbf – Basel SBB | |
| D4 | ICE277 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 07:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Basel SBB | |
| D7 | ICE119 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 06:33 Berlin Hbf – Innsbruck Hbf | |
| D7 | ICE1035 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 08:11 Berlin-Spandau – Frankfurt (Main) Hbf | |
| D4 | ICE791 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 08:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen Fernbf | |
| D5 | ICE575 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 09:09 Wolfsburg Hbf – Stuttgart Hbf | |
| D6 | ICE279 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 09:09 Wolfsburg Hbf – Basel SBB | |
| D4 | ICE279 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 09:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Basel SBB | |
| D7 | ICE1037 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 10:11 Berlin-Spandau – Frankfurt (Main) Hbf | |
| D4 | ICE793 | Berlin Südkreuz – 10:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen Fernbf | |
| D5 | ICE577 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 11:09 Wolfsburg Hbf – Stuttgart Hbf | |
| D6 | ICE371 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 11:09 Wolfsburg Hbf – Interlaken Ost | |
| D4 | ICE371 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 11:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Interlaken Ost | |
| D7 | ICE1039 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 12:11 Berlin-Spandau – Frankfurt (Main) Hbf | |
| D4 | ICE795 | Berlin Südkreuz – 12:43 Wolfsburg Hbf – Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen Fernbf | |
| D5 | ICE579 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 13:09 Wolfsburg Hbf – Stuttgart Hbf | |
| D6 | ICE373 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 13:09 Wolfsburg Hbf – Interlaken Ost | |
| D4 | ICE373 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 13:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Interlaken Ost | |
| D4 | ICE797 | Berlin Südkreuz – 14:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen Fernbf | |
| D6 | ICE375 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 15:09 Wolfsburg Hbf – Basel SBB | |
| D5 | ICE771 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 15:09 Wolfsburg Hbf – Stuttgart Hbf | |
| D4 | ICE375 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 15:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Basel SBB | |
| D7 | ICE1131 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 16:11 Berlin-Spandau – Frankfurt (Main) Hbf | |
| D4 | ICE799 | Berlin Südkreuz – 16:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen Fernbf | |
| D6 | ICE377 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 17:09 Wolfsburg Hbf – Basel SBB | |
| D5 | ICE773 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 17:09 Wolfsburg Hbf – Stuttgart Hbf | |
| D4 | ICE377 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 17:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Basel SBB | |
| D7 | ICE1135 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 18:11 Berlin-Spandau – Frankfurt (Main) Hbf | |
| D4 | ICE995 | Berlin Südkreuz – 18:43 Wolfsburg Hbf – Frankfurt (Main) Hbf | |
| D10 | ICE775 / 877 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 19:09 Wolfsburg Hbf – Frankfurt (Main) Hbf | |
| D4 | ICE877 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 19:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Frankfurt (Main) Hbf | |
| D4 | SX | ICE997 | Berlin Südkreuz – 20:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe |
| D3 | SuO | ICE1697 | Berlin Südkreuz – 20:38 Wolfsburg Hbf – Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe |
| D11 | Daily/SuX | ICE879 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 21:09 Wolfsburg Hbf – Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe |
| D12 | SuO | ICE1219 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 21:09 Wolfsburg Hbf – Karlsruhe Hbf |
| D4 | ICE879 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 21:39 Wolfsburg Hbf – Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe | |
| D13 | SuO | ICE1219 | Berlin Ostbahnhof – 21:39 Wolfsburg Hbf – Karlsruhe Hbf |
D1: 10 December 2023 - 21 March 2024
D2: 1-21 March; 7 June - 13 December 2024
D3: 10 December 2023 - 29 February 2024
D4: 1-21 March 2024
D5: 7-21 January 2024
D6: 10 December 2023 - 1 January 2024; 22 January - 29 February 2024
D7: 16 July - 14 December 2024
D8: 3 March - 8 December 2024
D9: FSO 1-28 March; FO 5 April - 10 May, 17-31 May; FSO 7 June - 13 July 2024
D10: 10 December 2023 - 1 January 2024 (as ICE877); 7-21 January (as ICE775); 22 January - 29 February 2024 (as ICE877)
D11: Daily 11-31 December 2023; SuX 2 January - 29 February 2024
D12: 10-26 December 2023; 1 January, 28 January - 25 February 2024
D13: 3-17 March 2024
Lehrte – Sehnde / Hämelerwald (Abzw Ramhorst) / Immensen-Arpke
[360.3] (ERA-E 48B4 partly shown; ERA-R 100A5; S+W 122D4) DE24/160
East of Lehrte, the lines from Hildesheim and Braunschweig join with the line from Wolfsburg in a complex flying junction.
Lehrte station is in two parts, with the south-side platforms 1 to 3 reached by different routes from those to the north-side platforms 11-14.
To/from Sehnde (Hildesheim line)
(S3: hourly with weekday peak extras)
Trains towards Hildesheim
Click on the thumbnail for a full size diagram
Trains towards Hildesheim at 51 minutes past each hour from Lehrte depart from platform 11 on the north side of the main station island. They pass under the Wolfsburg line and then use a ladder crossing to the south side of the Braunschweig line to reach the west to south curve to the Hildesheim line.
Additional peak-hour trains start from Lehrte platform 3 and run directly from the Wolfsburg line onto the Braunschweig line and then the curve to the Hildesheim line. These trains depart Lehrte at 06:30, 07:36 and hourly from 14:34 until 17:34, all SSuX.
Trains from Hildesheim
Click on the thumbnail for a full size diagram
Trains from Hildesheim arriving at Lehrte at 05 minutes past each hour fly over the eastbound Braunschweig line, joining the westbound flyover from Braunschweig shortly before it crosses over the Wolfsburg line, then diverge to the north to run into platform 13.
Peak-hour trains from Hildesheim that terminate at Lehrte platform 3 can either use the south side of the flying junction in the westbound direction, or use the flyover and the connection to the Wolfsburg line as used by trains from Braunschweig. These depart Hildesheim at 07:01, then hourly from 14:04 to 17:04, all SSuX.
To/from Hämelerwald (Braunschweig line)
(RE60/RE70: generally twice per hour; occasionally hourly, especially on weekend mornings)
Click on the thumbnail for a full size diagram
Trains towards Braunschweig leave from platform 2 and head in a straight alignment onto the Braunschweig line, following this line's original route.
Trains from Braunschweig diverge to the north at Abzw Ramhorst and fly over the Wolfsburg line about 500 m further north of the eastbound line, taking a connection onto the Wolfsburg line to arrive in platform 1.
There are no trains between the Braunschweig line and the north-side platforms.
To/from Immensen-Arpke (Wolfsburg line)
(RE30: hourly with occasional extras)
Local services arrive and depart from platforms 1 and 2 respectively, using the main line connection to the Wolfsburg route. There is also a flying junction from the Wolfsburg line to the high-numbered platforms, with the eastbound line passing under the main line. Regular IC/ICE services between Berlin and Amsterdam or the Ruhr also use the main line route, but it is likely that any train to or from the Hannover ring line (DE24/159) would use the flying junction as the ring line can only be accessed from the north side platforms. Alternatively, trains to and from the ring line could gain or leave the north side platforms by crossing from and to the main line just east of the station. Reports on which route is taken would be welcomed by the compilers.
Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe (Abzw Siekweg) – Göttingen east side platforms
(ERA-E 48B2 not shown; S+W 55A2-55B2) DE24/161
This 2 km link (line 1803) leaves the Kassel Schnellfahrstrecke south of Göttingen and then crosses the Eichenberg line before joining the eastern platforms at Göttingen. It is normally used by northbound trains stopping at platform 4 at Göttingen. Click on the thumbnail for a full size diagram
Until 29 February 2024, all northbound ICE services from Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe are booked to call at Göttingen platform 4, so can be expected to use this connection.
The following trains are booked to use platform 4 at Göttingen for most or all of the year, but may not always do so.
A check with the DB journey planner is recommended.
| Note | ICE272/570 | Zürich HB / Stuttgart Hbf – 22:45 Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe – Hamburg-Altona | |
| SuO | ICE1570 | Karlsruhe Hbf / Frankfurt (Main) Hbf – 23:01 Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe – Hannover Hbf |
Note: When this train departs Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe at 22:25 it does not use this connection as it calls at Göttingen platform 8.
Göttingen east side platforms – Friedland(Han) (Abzw Grone) [– Eichenberg]
(ERA-E 48B2 not shown; ERA-R 100A2; S+W 55A2-55B2) DE24/162
This previously freight-only connection (line 1800) diverges south of Göttingen station from the line to Abzw Siekweg (DE24/161) and runs to the west of the main line to Eichenberg, joining it at Abzw Grone, 2.3 km from Göttingen.
Trains to the Eichenberg line at Göttingen which depart from platforms 5 and 6 generally use this route, in the southbound direction only.
Click on the thumbnail for a full size diagram.
Obscure services: Lines used on an occasional basis for engineering work diversions
Osnabrück Schinkel and Stahlwerks Curves: Osnabrück ob Bf – Osnabrück unt Bf
[385] (ERA-E 47B4; ERA-R 96C5; S+W 40C3) DE24/181
These curves allow trains to run between the Münster and Rheine lines, passing through both the high-level and low-level platforms at Osnabrück. The route may be used by IC trains if the direct line between Münster (Westf) and Rheine is blocked. This is indicated by an extended journey time and local trains being replaced by buses. Click on the thumbnail for a full size diagram.
Osnabrück Münster Curve: Wissingen (Lüstringen Bbf) – Hasbergen (Osnabrück ob Bf Süd)
[375] (ERA-E 47B4; ERA-R 96C5; S+W 40C3) DE24/182
This is an alternative route from the Hannover line to the Münster line at Osnabrück, instead of via the Löhner and Schinkel curves (DE24/157). Use of this route means that trains cannot call at Osnabrück Hbf. It was used between 18 and 27 October 2023.
Click on the thumbnail for a full size diagram.
Lehrte (Abzw Lehrte West) – Misburg – Abzw Waldheim – Hannover-Linden - Wunstorf
(ERA-E 48B4; ERA-R 100A5; S+W 31D4-31B4) DE24/183
This is a ring line around the south side of Hannover. It is occasionally used by diverted IC trains between the Lehrte and Minden lines, this being indicated by omission of the usual stop at Hannover Hbf.
Hannover Hbf (Hannover Kurve) – Ahlem – Empelde
[360.5] (ERA-E 48B4; ERA-R 100A5; S+W 122B2-122D3) DE24/184
This route forms part of the ring line round the south side of Hannover, with the curve to the Hameln line. The hourly S5 trains between Hannover Hbf and Paderborn may be diverted this way if the route via Hannover-Linden is blocked. This has occurred a few times in recent years.
As a result of engineering work between Hannover and Minden, ICE trains towards Hamm (Westf) Hbf are diverted non-stop via Hameln, Paderborn and Soest between 16 August and 6 September 2024. Reports received by the compilers suggest that some trains depart Hannover Hbf in the westward direction and use this route. Mentioned as going this way was ICE848 Berlin Ostbahnhof – 15:31 Hannover Hbf – Düsseldorf Hbf. Other ICE services towards Hamm were observed departing Hannover Hbf to the east, thus using the regular passenger line via Hannover Linden/Fischerhof to reach the Hameln line.
Note that if a train is booked to call at Osnabrück Hbf it will not run via Hameln.
Hannover Messe/Laatzen (Hannover-Wülfel) – Hannover Linden/Fischerhof
(ERA-E 48B4; ERA-R 100A5; S+W 122D3-122C3) DE24/184A
This south to east curve links the main line from Göttingen (either via the SFS or the 'classic' line) and the Hannover southern ring line towards the west. It is used between 17 and 31 October 2024 by diverted IC services between Göttingen and Altenbeken:
| D | IC2156 | Gera Hbf – 09:23 Göttingen – Köln Hbf | |
| D | ICE1224 | München Hbf – 14:21 Göttingen – Oberhausen Hbf | |
| D | IC2152 | Gera Hbf – 15:23 Göttingen – Dortmund Hbf/Düsseldorf Hbf | |
| D | ICE1223 | Oberhausen Hbf – 11:03 Altenbeken – München Hbf | |
| D | IC2155 | Köln Hbf – 12:02 Altenbeken – Gera Hbf | |
| D | IC2157 | Köln Hbf – 18:02 Altenbeken – Gera Hbf |
Northeim (Han) – Edesheim (Leine)
(ERA-E 48B2; ERA-R 100A2; S+W 55B1) DE24/185
Connections between the old main line and the Schnellfahrstrecke at Edesheim (Leine), north of Northeim (Han), are sometimes used by ICE trains during engineering work. Use of the old main line instead of the Schnellfahrstrecke results in an extended journey time between Göttingen and Hannover, but it is not normally possible to tell from public information which connection is being used.
Nörten-Hardenberg – Northeim (Han)
(ERA-E 48B2 not shown; ERA-R 100A2; S+W 55B1-55B2) DE24/186
Connections between the old main line and the Schnellfahrstrecke at Nörten-Hardenberg, south of Northeim (Han), are sometimes used by ICE trains during engineering work. Use of the old main line instead of the Schnellfahrstrecke results in an extended journey time between Göttingen and Hannover, but it is not normally possible to tell from public information which connection is being used.
Uelzen W750 – Uelzen W23 (Veerßer Kurve)
[305] (ERA-E 48C5; ERA-R 89C2; S+W 32C1) DE24/187
The Stendal – Salzwedel – Uelzen – Bremen line crosses under the Hannover – Hamburg main line just south of Uelzen and curves north to serve the west side of Uelzen station. A direct curve (the Veerßer Kurve) from the Stendal line to the east side of Uelzen station was opened in November 2013 giving a non-conflicting connection towards Hamburg. This was used by IRE services between Berlin and Hamburg but as these no longer run there are no permanently scheduled services booked to use the Veerßer Kurve.
Between 16 August and 14 December 2024 all EC/ICE trains between Berlin and Hamburg are diverted via Stendal and Uelzen so can be expected to use this curve in this direction only.
Bremen Hbf – Bremen-Oslebshausen via Bremen Rbf
[127] (ERA-E 43A1; ERA-R 88B3 S+W 9B2-9A1) DE24/188
The route through Bremen Rbf (Rangierbahnhof = marshalling yard) is rarely used by passenger trains. Its use can be discerned, at least for local RS1 stopping trains, by the call at Bremen-Walle being omitted. Trains can either run via single Line 1410 to the east and north of Bremen Rbf, which runs close to the passenger lines but diverges onto a separate alignment towards the north end of the yard, or on double track Lines 1401/1422 which run on the far side of the yard from the passenger lines.
Hamburg-Harburg – Ashausen via Maschen Rbf
[110] (ERA-E 45C4; ERA-R 89A4; S+W 120C1-D2 (inset)) DE24/189
This route round the back of Maschen Rbf is occasionally used for diverting trains between Hamburg, Winsen (Luhe) and Lüneburg when the main line through Maschen Pbf is unavailable. It is common with entry DE24/153 as far as Maschen Rbf Süd, although the route taken through Hamburg-Harburg to Meckelfeld may be different as trains may also use the goods lines through Hamburg-Harburg and the flyover to reach Maschen Rbf.
