Saarbrücken–Sarreguemines railway

The Upper Saar Valley Railway is a double-track main line that leads from Saarbruecken to Sarreguemines ( Sarreguemines ). The route runs along the Saar to Sarreguemines.

History

On March 9, an Act to build the track was laid down by the competent Prussian Ministry. The treaty between Prussia and France for the construction of the border crossing at Sarreguemines was closed on 18 June 1867. The track was completed in 1869, but since the connection distance of Sarreguemines by Haguenau was still under construction, only happened on May 23, 1870, the first locomotive Prussian bridge between Hanweiler and Sarreguemines.

On 1 June 1870, the route in the presence of German and French government officials was opened. In Saarbrücken Train Prussian and French military band played side by side. Just a few weeks later, on July 16, 1870, left for the time being last passenger Sarreguemines, adopted by the French by throwing stones.

The course should be part of a large, leading from Brussels to Saarbruecken to Basel railway line originally. After the Franco-German War 1870-1871, this plan lost its importance after the railway line Luxembourg -Metz -Basel fully came into German hands. In the 1940s there was a fast train Cologne and Strasbourg, but had the route for long distance service for a long time no greater significance.

Was added to the station Brebach On June 20, 1960 as one of the first lines in the Saarland, the electrical operation. It was only on 11 September 1981 and was the section to the border with Hanweiler bath Rilchingen was electrified. From September 1983 through to electrical equipment in track 1 of the station of Sarreguemines was then possible. Since the other station is not electrified, can be driven with German catenary voltage without changing the system location. The second main track between Hanweiler and Sarreguemines was doing dismantled due to lack of space on the Prussian bridge.

Since 1997, the route is operated in the rail transport of the Saarbahn, also operate regional express trains between Saarbrucken and Strasbourg.

Originally, the breakpoint Bübingen North was planned on the route between the stations Bübingen and Güdingen. This was already in the roadmap and planned, but was abandoned because of the cost. The German railway announced the station.

Route description

Starting at Saarbrücken Central Station the route runs parallel to the first Palatine Ludwig Railway to the breakpoint Saarbrucken Ost. This breakpoint is only used on track 1 to 2 and is not a scheduled stop for trains more. Here the trail branches off to the south. In 1997, a main track between Saarbruecken Ost and Brebach was dismantled to make room for the threading of the Saar Railway the Roman fort. Until 1945 there was the Roman fort is also a branch to the Palatine Ludwig Railway, which was, however, not rebuilt after wartime destruction of a road bridge. The Brebach station is still responsible for the operation of the Halbergerhütte. Here also the light rail cars are parked on the extensive trackage. Until the 1990s, were Brebach from the sidings of the CHP plant Roman Bridge, the wholesale market and some private companies operated. Reactivation of this branch is now discussed. Especially for the operation of the Germany headquarters of Peugeot in Güdingen / Unner district of a railway bridge over the Saar was built in 1975. In the fall of 2005, all sidings were dismantled except for the siding to Halbergerhütte. The Saar- bridge has been closed down in 2003.

Behind Brebach follows the route within sight of the Saar. The station building of the holding point Güdingen was demolished in 2006. In Bübingen there were also some railway sidings, which were in 2007 but decommissioned. The Kleinblittersdorf station has been transformed in recent years and a third track ( railway siding ) expanded to also Saarbahn trains can turn into double header here. The station building is now in private ownership. The new platforms were moved a few meters to the south and combined with a modern bus station. Again, former private railway sidings have now been removed. In Auersmacher is the lime works by Saar steel, from which several times a day Kalkzug to Völklingen drives. Specially for the Shunting a Kleindiesellok is held here.

The Hanweiler station was formerly the border station, but today most of its trackage lost. Even before the station the route is single track and cross the bridge of Prussia, the Saar and the border with France. In Sarreguemines station it ends on track 1

Traffic

Focus is on the operation of local and regional traffic on the Upper Saar. Traditionally, there were also decades several times a day Eilzugverbindungen between Saarbrucken and Strasbourg. Today, the transport is performed by the Saarbahn. Regional transport of Saarbrücken Sarreguemines Strasbourg is handled with identical German and French motor coach series 641, DB or SNCF X 73900.

The formerly extensive freight (mainly coal trains to France ) is limited today to the operation of the company and Halbergerhütte Halberg cast in Brebach. In addition, several times a week broken Slag from the underground Saar steel pit Auersmacher is driven to Dillinger Hütte.