Hi everyone, I thought it would be interesting to create an overview of one of the most important routes in Germany that could be an exciting addition to the world of Train Sim World: the Rhine Valley Railway (Rheintalbahn) between Karlsruhe Hbf and Basel SBB. This approximately 172 km (107 miles) long route is not only a main artery for passenger traffic but also a crucial part of international freight transport on the Rhine-Alpine corridor. The line is very diverse and offers a variety of thrilling scenarios. Important Intermediate Stops and Stations The route runs from north to south through the Rhine Valley, serving some of the largest cities in Baden-Württemberg. Rastatt: An important stop for regional and long-distance traffic. Known for the Rastatt Tunnel, which is being built underground to expand the line. Baden-Baden: A significant station that connects to the world-famous spa town. Offenburg: A major railway hub and the gateway to the Black Forest. The Black Forest Railway branches off here. Freiburg (Brsg) Hbf: The largest city in the south of the route and a central point for all local and long-distance traffic in the region. Basel Bad Bf: The "German" station in Basel, operated by Deutsche Bahn, and the terminus for many trains, especially from regional services. Basel SBB: The main station in Basel, Switzerland, the final stop for many international trains and a hub for cross-border traffic. What Trains Run on This Route? The variety of rolling stock makes the route particularly appealing for TSW. Passenger Traffic: Long-Distance Services: The route is used by many long-distance trains. ICE (Intercity-Express): Various ICE series run here, including the ICE 1 (as a classic), the ICE 3 (as a multi-system train), and the ICE 4, which also travels to Switzerland and has seen more frequent use recently. TGV: Some TGV trains use this route to travel from Paris to Germany or Switzerland. EuroCity (EC) and InterCity (IC): These trains connect cities and often provide cross-border connections. FlixTrain: This private operator also serves the route, offering a more affordable alternative. Regional Services: Regional-Express (RE) / Interregio-Express (IRE): Important trains that connect larger cities on an hourly basis. (RE7, RE 3, RE 2) Regionalbahn (RB): Serves almost all stops along the route. (RB 44, RB 27) Karlsruhe S-Bahn: The northern part of the route, up to Offenburg, is served by the Karlsruhe S-Bahn with its typical dual-system multiple units. (S41/S7) Freight Traffic: The Rhine Valley Railway has very dense freight traffic as it is part of the Rhine-Alpine Corridor. A variety of freight trains, often with heavy freight locomotives like the Class 152, 185, 193 (Vectron), or the Class 186, operate here. This makes the route very interesting for freight train runs as well. What do you think? Would the Rhine Valley Railway be a good fit for TSW?
