Hi, I would like to propose the Palatine Maximilian Railway from Neustadt an der Weinstraße (already existing) to Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof, including the branch line to Wissembourg in France, for TSW. The route from Neustadt to Karlsruhe is mostly double-tracked and not electrified; from Wörth onwards to Karlsruhe, the line is electrified. The total length, including the branch line, is 83 km. The route is mainly operated by BR 643, but the already existing BR 642 could also be used as an alternative. A special feature of this route would be the battery-powered FLIRT trains (BR 526) by Stadler, which will be introduced on the Neustadt–Karlsruhe route starting this year, operating both RE and RB services. Between Wörth and Karlsruhe, there are also short services operated by BR 425 as S3. Finally, a multiple unit operated by AVG would also be recommended to serve the stops between Wörth station and Karlsruhe Hbf. The route features several scenic highlights: Hambach Castle south of Neustadt The Palatinate Forest between Landau and Neustadt The Rhine River near Wörth Alsace around Wissembourg The vineyards around Edenkoben The Bienwald forest between Kandel and Wörth (single-track section) Source Wikipedia Overall, the route offers a wide variety of services around Karlsruhe, including diesel trains as well as the new battery-powered trains. Last I will give you a overview of stations and there services. Neustadt Hbf RB,RE (AI: S-Bahn,RE, ICE) Neustadt Süd RB Maikammer RB Edenkoben RB Edesheim RB Knöringen RB Landau Train station RE, RB (AI: Dieseltrain to Pirmasens) Insheim RB Rohrbach RB Steinweiler RB Winden RB( Spliting to Karlsruhe and Wissembourg) RE (AI: Diesel to Bad Bergzabern) Kandel RB, RE Wörth Mozartstraße RB Wörth Hbf RB, RE, S-Bahn to KA, AVG Trams (AIiesel to Lauterbourg) Maximiliansau West AVG, RB Maximiliansau Eisenbahnstraße AVG Maxau AVG KA Knielingen RB KA Mühlburg RB KA West RB KA Hbf RB, RE, S-Bahn (AI: ICE, IC, TGV) Brancheline to Wissembourg Schaidt Steinfeld Kapsweyer Schweighofen Wissembourg(AI to France) RE: Regionalexpress RB: Regional Short Distance AVG: Albtalverkehrsgesellschaft operator of Tramsnetwork KA: Karlsruhe
I visited the route yesterday, and I really like it. It's a great route for a new diesel DMU, the Class 643, and it would give us a modern route that is still operated with form signals. The 628.4 would also fit perfectly here, and the 218 could operate a few services on the RE6. The vineyards and mountains in the surrounding area look really beautiful, and the route could connect route hopping to Neustadt (a.d.W.) and the Pfälzische Ludwigsbahn. Freight traffic should not be overlooked either. The BR 294 still operates some short local freight trains along this beautiful route. In reality, the 643 operates most of the services, but former “Sylt Shuttle Plus” 628s as well as regular DB 628s are often used on the RE6. Last year, the 218 from DB Gebrauchtzug was also used on the RE6, which operates between Neustadt and Karlsruhe. If needed, I could collect pictures there and might also be able to get some cab ride videos.
