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Sauerland Net

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The Sauerland Net (German: Sauerland-Netz) is a group of railway services in the western Sauerland and the eastern Ruhr of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and consists of four Regionalbahn services, RB 43 (Dortmund–Dorsten), RB 52 (Dortmund–Hagen–Lüdenscheid), RB 53 (Dortmund–Schwerte–Iserlohn) and RB 54 (Unna–Fröndenberg–Menden–Neuenrade), and the Regional-Express service RE 57 (Dortmund–Bestwig–Winterberg/Brilon Stadt). The RB 43 also carries the brand name of the Emschertal-Bahn, the RB 52 is called the Volmetal-Bahn, the RB 53 is called the Ardey-Bahn, the RB 54 is called the Hönnetal-Bahn and the RE 57 is called the Dortmund Sauerland-Express. In December 2004, DB Regio NRW took over or retained operations of these services. Previously the RB 53, RB 54 and RE 57 had been operated by DB Regio NRW and RB 52 had been operated by the Dortmund-Märkische Eisenbahn (DME).

In December 2004, DB Regio NRW took over the operation of the RB 52 from Dortmund-Märkische Eisenbahn. The RB 53, RB 54 and RE 57 were already operated by the DB Regio NRW. DB Regio NRW took over operation of the RB 43 from NordWestBahn in December 2015.[1]

With the award of operations from December 2016, the RE 17 service also became part of the Sauerland network.

Tender

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The Zweckverband Nahverkehr Westfalen-Lippe (local transport association of Westphalia-Lippe, NWL) published a call for tenders for the operation of passenger services on the Sauerland Network from December 2016 in the Official Journal of the European Union on 9 October 2012.[2] As a result, Regional-Express services RE 17 and 57 and Regionalbahn services RB 52, 53 and 54 might have had a new operator. Some improvements were to be made on trains for the carriage of the disabled and there would be more space for bicycles, more guards, ticket machines on the trains rather than on the platforms, as well as improved connections in Menden (to Dortmund) and Schwerte (to Münster). It would involve about 5.6 million train-kilometres a year, at a cost of €9–10 per train-km, a total cost of about €50 to 55 million. Because the operation of the network was to be contracted for a period of 12 years, it will be worth more than €600 million.

Competition was considered necessary in order to maintain fares. The NWL offered financing for the rollingstock through the municipal budget and to reimburse the top three losing tenderers tender costs of up to €100,000. Passengers would benefit from the competition in the Sauerland as the trains would be accessible to the disabled with entrance heights of 1.2 metres as was already the case with the Sauerland-Express. Due to the great success of the Ruhr Valley Cycle Route, RE 17 would have additional space for bicycles (which already existed on RE 57 services). In addition, the NWL specified that future trains on the Upper Ruhr Valley Railway (RE 17/57) would have a top speed of 140 km/h. Thus, the journey time to Schwerte would be cut, which would allow a connection to Münster. The timetable would be changed to ensure a quick connection at Fröndenberg from Neuenrade and at Menden to Dortmund. The previous level of service would be maintained. The same applied to the sale of tickets at DB ticket offices and DB agencies. However, ticket machines would be available in trains from the end of 2016 and no longer on the platforms, as this would prevent damage from vandalism. After 7 PM all trains will be staffed with on-board staff, this would increase total staff on the trains.[3][4][5]

The contract was awarded to DB Regio, which would use LINK (II or III) DMUs made by the Polish manufacturer PESA.[6]

Operations

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The DB Regio NRW procured 21 new LINT 41 railcars for operation on the Sauerland network, which were manufactured by Alstom. These replaced older vehicles such as the class VT 628 or Bombardier Talent railcars. Vehicles from the class 612 were also used. Since 2018, most of the Sauerland network has been equipped with the Pesa Link (class 632 and 633) multiple units planned at the letting of the new tender in 2013, and since the 2021/2022 timetable change, only the Pesa Link multiple units have run. The old Talent railcars are only kept as reserve vehicles.

RE 17 – Sauerland-Express

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Main article: Sauerland-Express
RE 17: Sauerland Express
Overview
LocaleNorth Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Service
Route number430, 435

The Sauerland-Express RE 17 is a regional express line in local rail passenger transport in North Rhine-Westphalia and North Hesse, which runs from Hagen to Warburg and every two hours to Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe. The service is contracted by VRR, Zweckverband_Nahverkehr_Westfalen-Lippe (NWL) and NVV and operated by DB Regio NRW.

With the award of operations from December 2016, the line is part of the Sauerland Net.[7] The line was previously contracted from DB Regio as part of directly awarded large transport contracts.

RB 43 – Emschertal-Bahn

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RB 43: Emschertal-Bahn
Overview
LocaleNorth Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Service
Route number426
Route map

Legend
 
 Dortmund
THA, ICE, IC, RE, RB, S+U
 
 Dortmund-Huckarde Nord
(near U47 Huckarde Bushof)
 
 Dortmund-Rahm
 
 Dortmund-Marten
 
 Dortmund-Lütgendortmund Nord
 
 Dortmund-Bövinghausen
 
 Castrop-Rauxel-Merklinde
 
 Castrop-Rauxel Süd
 
 Herne-Börnig
 
 Herne
RE, RB, U
 
 Wanne-Eickel
ICE, IC, RE, RB, tram
 
 Gelsenkirchen Zoo
 
 Gelsenkirchen-Buer Süd
 
 Gladbeck Ost
 
 Gladbeck-Zweckel
 
 Feldhausen
Movie Park Germany, RE, RB
 
 Dorsten
RE, RB
Source: German railway atlas[8]

The Emschertal-Bahn RB 43 service connects Dortmund with Dorsten via Gladbeck Ost. From 2006 to December 2015 it was operated by NordWestBahn, then operations were taken over by DB Regio after a tender.[1][9]

The RB 43 was integrated into the new timetable at the timetable change in December 2015 and an additional train was offered in the evenings.[1]

Services

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Initially, class 628 sets were used,[10] but Alstom Coradia LINT 27 (class 640) sets were used from June 2016.[11][12] Pesa Link railcars are currently running.

On working days an average of 3,500 passengers use the RB 43.[13]

RB 52 – Volmetal-Bahn

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RB 52: Volmetalbahn
Overview
LocaleNorth Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Service
Route number434
Route map

Legend
 
 Dortmund
THA, ICE, IC, RE, RB, S+U
 
 Dortmund Signal-Iduna-Park
RB
 
 Dortmund Tierpark
 
 Dortmund-Kirchhörde
 
 Dortmund-Löttringhausen
 
 Herdecke-Wittbräucke
 
 Herdecke
 
 Hagen
ICE, IC, RE, RB, S
 
 Hagen-Oberhagen
 
 Dahl
 
 Rummenohl
 
 Dahlerbrück
 
 Schalksmühle
 
 Lüdenscheid-Brügge
 
 Lüdenscheid
Source: German railway atlas[14]

The Volmetal-Bahn RB 52 service connects Dortmund, Hagen and Lüdenscheid.

On its way from Dortmund Hauptbahnhof to Lüdenscheid station, the service first runs over a section of the Dortmund–Soest railway and then over a section of the Düsseldorf-Derendorf–Dortmund Süd railway. It runs over the Hagen–Dieringhausen railway (also known as the Volmetalbahn, meaning Volme Valley Railway) from Hagen Hauptbahnhof to Lüdenscheid-Brügge station. Finally, it reverses direction and runs over the Brügge–Lüdenscheid railway from Brügge station to the higher Lüdenscheid station.

Services

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The service runs every hour, seven days a week,[15] except that services run every two hours on Sunday mornings.

Planning

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The Volmetal-Bahn will in future run an hour earlier from Lüdenscheid to Hagen on Saturdays and Sundays. In addition, the Märkischer Kreis is campaigning for a 30-minute cycle of the Volmetal-Bahn from Lüdenscheid via Hagen to Dortmund, since Lüdenscheid station would support higher demand.[16]

RB 53 – Ardey-Bahn

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RB 53: Hellweg-Bahn
Overview
LocaleNorth Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Service
Route number433
Route map

Legend
 
 Dortmund
THA, ICE, IC, RE, RB, S+U
 
 Dortmund Signal-Iduna-Park
RB
 
 Dortmund-Hörde
RE, RB, U
 
 Dortmund-Aplerbeck Süd
 
 Schwerte (Ruhr)
RE, RB
 
 Schwerte-Ergste
 
 Hennen
 
 Kalthof (Kr Iserlohn)
 
 Iserlohnerheide
 
 Iserlohn
RE, RB
Source: German railway atlas[17]

The Ardey-Bahn RB 53 service connects Dortmund, Schwerte and Iserlohn. It follows the Ardey Railway (Ardeybahn in German).

Services

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The service runs every half hour during the week and every hour on the weekend.[18]

RB 54 – Hönnetal-Bahn

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RB 54: Hönnetal-Bahn
Overview
LocaleNorth Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Service
Route number437
Route map

Legend
 
 Unna
RE, RB, S
 
 Fröndenberg-Frömern
 
 Ardey
 
 Fröndenberg
RE
 
 Bösperde
 
 Menden (Sauerland)
 
 Menden (Sauerland) Süd
 
 Lendringsen
 
 Binols
 
 Volkringhausen
 
 Sanssouci
 
 Balve
 
 Garbeck
 
 Küntrop
 
 Neuenrade
Source: German railway atlas[19]

The Hönnetal-Bahn RB 54 service connects Unna, Fröndenberg and Neuenrade. The service follows the Fröndenberg–Kamen railway, the Letmathe–Fröndenberg railway and the Hönne Valley Railway (Hönnetalnbahn in German).

Services

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The service runs hourly during the week.[20] On Sundays services run every two hours between Menden and Neuenrade.

The Unna–Fröndenberg section has been closed since summer 2022 and a rail replacement bus service has operated due to damage to the railway embankment caused by badgers.[21]

RE 57 – Dortmund-Sauerland-Express

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RE 57: Dortmund-Sauerland-Express
Overview
LocaleNorth Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Service
Route number435, 438
Route map

Legend
 
 Dortmund
THA, ICE, IC, RE, RB, S+U
 
 Dortmund-Hörde
RB, RE, U
 
 Fröndenberg
RE, RB
 
 Wickede
RE
 
 Arnsberg-Neheim/Hüsten
RE
 
 Arnsberg (Westf)
RE
 
 Oeventrop
RE
 
 Freienohl
RE
 
 Meschede
RE
 
 Bestwig (Westf)
RE
 
 
 
 
 Bigge
 
 
 Siedlinghausen
 
 
 Silbach
 
 
 Winterberg (Westf)
 
 
 
 Olsberg
RE
 
 Brilon Wald
RB, RE
 
 Brilon Stadt
Source: German railway atlas[22]

The Dortmund-Sauerland-Express RE 57 connects Dortmund and Fröndenberg with Winterberg and Brilon Stadt. It runs along the Ardey Railway, the Upper Ruhr Valley Railway and then on either the Nuttlar–Frankenberg railway or the Alme Valley Railway.

Services

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The service runs hourly during the week. It runs alternately to Winterberg or Brilon Stadt.[23]

Fares

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The following fares apply to the Sauerland Net: the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (Rhine-Ruhr transport association) fares in the Dortmund and Hagen areas, the Verkehrsgemeinschaft Ruhr-Lippe (Ruhr-Lippe transport community) fares in the Sauerland/Ruhr-Lippe fare zone and the NRW statewide fares.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c "DB Regio AG verteidigt Sauerland-Netz: Ausschreibung von Regionalbahn-Linien im Sauerland-Netz ist entschieden" (Press release) (in German). Zweckverband Ruhr-Lippe. 5 September 2013. Archived from the original on 25 September 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Service contract - 319330-2012" (in German). Tenders Electronic Daily. 9 October 2012. Archived from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Bahn - Schöne neue Eisenbahnwelt". Westfälischen Rundschau (in German). 12 October 2012. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Fahrplanänderung - In 35 Minuten mit Zug in Dortmund". Westfälischen Rundschau (in German). 12 October 2012. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  5. ^ "SauerlandNetz - Hönnetalbahn ändert Ende 2016 den Fahrplan". Westfälischen Rundschau (in German). 11 October 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  6. ^ "DB Regio AG verteidigt Sauerland-Netz: Ausschreibung von Regionalbahn-Linien im Sauerland-Netz ist entschieden" (Press release) (in German). Zweckverband Ruhr-Lippe. 5 September 2013. Archived from the original on 9 December 2017. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Ausschreibung Sauerland-Netz gestartet" (Press release) (in German). Nahverkehr Westfalen-Lippe (NWL). 11 October 2012. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  8. ^ Eisenbahnatlas Deutschland (German railway atlas) (10 ed.). Schweers + Wall. 2017. pp. 139–43. ISBN 978-3-89494-146-8.
  9. ^ "Fahrplanwechsel 2015: NordWestBahn gibt RB 43 "Emschertal-Bahn" an DB Regio NRW ab" (Press release) (in German). NordWestBahn. 8 December 2015. Archived from the original on 21 December 2015. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Mit welchen Fahrzeugen wird DB Regio NRW ab dem 13. Dezember 2015 die Regionalbahn RB 43 (Emschertalbahn) bedienen?". DB Bahn Service-Community (response from DB social media team). Archived from the original on 24 December 2015. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  11. ^ "Ab 11. Dezember: Optimierte Anschlüsse und erweiterte Angebote im "Neuen Sauerland-Netz"" (Press release). Deutsche Bahn. 6 December 2016. Archived from the original on 11 December 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  12. ^ Hennigfeld, Stefan (11 February 2016). "Probleme im Dortmund-Sauerland-Netz". Eisenbahnjournal Zughalt. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Regionalbahn RB 43 Dortmund". Stadt Dortmund.
  14. ^ Eisenbahnatlas Deutschland (German railway atlas) (10 ed.). Schweers + Wall. 2017. pp. 139–43. ISBN 978-3-89494-146-8.
  15. ^ "RB52: Volmetal-Bahn". NRW Rail Archive (in German). André Joost. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
  16. ^ "Bahn soll bis Hagen mehr Gas geben". Lüdenscheider Nachrichten (in German). 16 January 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  17. ^ Eisenbahnatlas Deutschland (German railway atlas) (10 ed.). Schweers + Wall. 2017. pp. 139–43. ISBN 978-3-89494-146-8.
  18. ^ "RB53: Ardey-Bahn". NRW Rail Archive (in German). André Joost. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
  19. ^ Eisenbahnatlas Deutschland (German railway atlas) (10 ed.). Schweers + Wall. 2017. pp. 52, 139. ISBN 978-3-89494-146-8.
  20. ^ "RB54: Hönnetal-Bahn". NRW Rail Archive (in German). André Joost. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
  21. ^ "Frömern: Dachsbauten erfordern weiterhin Gleissperrung zwischen Unna und Fröndenberg bis vsl. Dezember" (Press release) (in German). Deutsche Bahn. 26 September 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  22. ^ Eisenbahnatlas Deutschland (German railway atlas) (10 ed.). Schweers + Wall. 2017. pp. 52–3, 139. ISBN 978-3-89494-146-8.
  23. ^ "RE57: Dortmund-Sauerland-Express". NRW Rail Archive (in German). André Joost. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
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  • "Sauerland-Netz" (in German). Zweckverband Ruhr-Lippe. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
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