Germany (Rheinland-Pfalz) - 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

Mainz-Mombach – Mainz Abzw Kaiserbrücke West

[680] (ERA-E 57A2; ERA-R 122C1; S+W 151B2) DE24/401

This west to north curve links the line from Koblenz via Bingen with the Kaiserbrücke over the Rhein. It may be used by trains to Hochheim (Main) or Mainz-Bischofsheim if not calling at Mainz Hbf. Various types of older carriages are not permitted through the tunnels at Mainz, so any excursion or charter trains including such vehicles are likely to be diverted this way.

The following train is the rear portion of a service that divides at Budenheim.

SSuX

RB29681

Bad Kreuznach – 07:14 Budenheim – Wiesbaden Hbf

Ludwigshafen (Rhein) Hbf – Ludwigshafen (Rhein) BASF Nord

[670.1] (ERA-E 53C1-61C2; ERA-R 111A2; S+W 159A2-158D1) DE24/402

Trains operate between Ludwigshafen Hbf and the BASF chemical works. Many trains in the peak operate through to/from other stations such as Karlsruhe Hbf or Germersheim. All trains operate under the designation S44 except the 07:21 from Ludwigshafen Hbf which runs through from Ramsen as RB46.

From Ludwigshafen (Rh) Hbf:

• SSuX: 04:50 TWX, frequent until 07:55; 09:03 and hourly until 15:03, then 17:03, 18:15
• SSuO: 04:50, 05:37, 17:03

From Ludwigshafen (Rh) BASF Nord:

• SSuX: 05:19, 05:58, 08:46 and hourly until 14:46, then frequent until 17:43, 18:45
• SSuO: 05:19, 05:58, 17:43

Use of these trains is officially restricted to those with works passes. Smoking and photography are strictly forbidden within the works.

Ludwigshafen west curve: Ludwigshafen-Oggersheim (Überleitung Nord) – Ludwigshafen-Mundenheim

[659] (ERA-E 53C1 not shown; ERA-R 111A2; S+W 158D2) DE24/403

This pair of curves, via the low level west side platforms at Ludwigshafen (Rhein) Hbf, is used by through trains between the Worms and Schifferstadt lines. There is an RE service between Mainz and Karlsruhe via Germersheim every two hours for most of the day. Northbound trains run via platform 6 and the diveunder route to the Worms line, whereas southbound trains run via the direct curve to platforms 8 or 9.

Schifferstadt avoiding line: Limburgerhof (Abzw Limburgerhof) – Böhl-Iggelheim (Abzw Böhl-Iggelheim)

[670] (ERA-E 53C1; ERA-R 111A1; S+W 158D3-158C4) DE24/404

This line is used by trains between Mannheim / Ludwigshafen and Neustadt (Weinstraße) / Kaiserslautern not calling at Schifferstadt.

Enkenbach – Kaiserslautern Hbf

[672.2] (ERA-E 53B1; ERA-R 112C4; S+W 155C4-155D3) DE24/405

Most services between Enkenbach and Kaiserslautern Hbf are not booked to call at Hochspeyer, so run on the direct line via Eselsfürth. Only the following trains run via Hochspeyer.

D1	SSuX	RB12700	Bad Kreuznach – 05:54 Enkenbach – Kaiserslautern Hbf
D1	SSuX	RB12704	Bad Kreuznach – 06:24 Enkenbach – Kaiserslautern Hbf
D1	SSuX	RB12706	Bingen (Rhein) Hbf – 06:56 Enkenbach – Kaiserslautern Hbf
D1	SSuX	RB12712	Bingen (Rhein) Hbf – 07:54 Enkenbach – Kaiserslautern Hbf
D2	SSuX	RB12386	Mainz Hbf / Bad Kreuznach – 14:04 Enkenbach – Kaiserslautern Hbf
D1	SSuX	RE29540	Mainz Hbf – 18:05 Enkenbach – Kaiserslautern Hbf
D1	SSuX	RE12746	Mainz Hbf (as RB12744) – 18:37 Enkenbach – Kaiserslautern Hbf
D3	SO	RB12705	05:16 Kaiserslautern Hbf – Mainz Hbf
D1	SSuX	RB12711	06:37 Kaiserslautern Hbf – Bingen (Rhein) Hbf
D2	SSuX	RE12383	07:08 Kaiserslautern Hbf – Mainz Hbf / Bad Kreuznach
D1	SSuX	RB12745	17:36 Kaiserslautern Hbf – Bingen (Rhein) Hbf

D1: 11 December 2023 - 19 August 2024
D2: 11 December 2023 - 19 August 2024; not 1-19 January 2024
D3: 16 December 2023 - 17 August 2024.

From 20 August 2024, all these services omit Hochspeyer, so can be expected to run via Eselsfurth.

Hochspeyer curve: Frankenstein (Pfalz) (Hochspeyer Ost) – Enkenbach (Hochspeyer Nord)

[672.2, 676] (ERA-E 53B1; ERA-R 112C4; S+W 155D4) DE24/406

This east to north curve links the Neustadt (Weinstraße) and Bingen (Rhein) lines east of Hochspeyer.

D1	SuO	RE WX81493	Koblenz Hbf – 11:06 Rockenhausen – Wissembourg
D1	SuO	RE WX81494	Wissembourg – 18:17 Neustadt (Weinstraße) Hbf – Koblenz Hbf

D1: 28 April to 27 October 2024, plus holidays

Trier Hbf - Ehrang Ort / Kordel

[690] (ERA-E 52C2 not shown; ERA-R 111C5; S+W 155D1) DE24/407

There are two routes between Trier Hbf and the Moselstrecke to Koblenz, or the Eifelstrecke towards Köln. The main line runs via Ehrang Bahnhof, but there is also a single line that runs on the far (east) side of the marshalling yard (Rbf) at Ehrang. The eastern route is sometimes used by RE trains from Trier to Koblenz, non-stop to Schweich.

This route is often used by diverted trains to/from Kyllburg, Wittlich or Koblenz, sometimes in one direction only. Whether trains are due to take this route can be ascertained by calls at Pfalzel and Ehrang being omitted by RB services as is the case between 17 - 21 January 2024.

Koblenz-Moselweiß (Koblenz Mosel Gbf) - Koblenz-Lützel

[470,690] (ERA-E 53B4; ERA-R 105B2; S+W 150C2) DE24/408

This west to north curve links the Moselstrecke from Trier to the Linke Rheinstrecke via Bonn Hbf, avoiding Koblenz Hbf. It is used by a pair of RE12 services between Trier and Köln. Note until AM 22 March 2024 this pair is diverted to/from Köln Messe/Deutz to/from Koblenz-Lützel via a call at Bonn-Beuel.

		RE4188	Trier Hbf – 19:36 Wittlich Hbf – Köln Messe/Deutz
		RE4189	Köln Messe/Deutz – 07:19 Koblenz-Lützel – Trier Hbf

Note that once the Eifelstrecke via Gerolstein is fully reopened, these workings are likely to cease. This is not likely to be until the end of 2024 at the earliest.

Obscure services: Lines used on an occasional basis for engineering work diversions

Koblenz-Ehrenbreitstein (Pfaffendorf) - Niederlahnstein

[465.1, 465.2] (ERA-E 53B4; ERA-R 105B2; S+W 150D2) DE24/431

If trains are diverted via the Rechte Rheinstrecke they normally cross back to the left bank to call at Koblenz Hbf. Exceptionally, they may use this route and not call at Koblenz. Diverted trains can be readily identified because they stop at Bonn-Beuel and Neuwied instead of Bonn Hbf and Koblenz Hbf.