Schönbuch Railway

The Schönbuchbahn is a 16.978 km long single-track and standard gauge branch line in the Stuttgart region. It is operated by the Württemberg Railway Company (WEG ), rail infrastructure company is on the Association Schönbuchbahn (ZVS ). In wedge Station Schönaicher First - Today Böblingen room blow - also branched 1922-1959 from a branch-line to Schoenaich.

The annual traffic capacity on the route amounted to approximately 0.4 million train kilometers in 2010.

History

In order to tap the Set between Stuttgart and Tübingen Schoenbuch clearing for rail transport, planned the Württemberg State Railways to build a branch line from Böblingen on Holzgerlingen and Walton and Weybridge after Dettenhausen. After 1909 had been started to build, the first section of Böblingen could be taken to Walton and Weybridge on 16 October 1910 in operation. The second section to the end point Dettenhausen followed on 29 July 1911.

In the wake of restrictions on the branch lines of the German Federal Railroad ran between Böblingen and Dettenhausen from May 29, 1965 no more passenger trains. Only a freight train with passenger wrong until 10 January 1967. Finally, 28 April 1990, the transport of goods between Schönaicher First and Dettenhausen was finally stopped. The route has not been deconsecrated, but was henceforth merely inoperative.

The population could not come to terms with this development. However, the number of action groups, resolutions and decisions of local councils neighboring communities in the years 1959 to 1986 were unsuccessful. It was only on May 30, 1988 saw a new movement in the matter. The district of Böblingen and the district of Tübingen commissioned the Württemberg Railway Company with an opinion on the possibility of resumption of passenger service on the Schönbuchbahn. This report forecast 2500 to 3500 passengers daily.

Then advocated in the fall of 1992 the Ministry of Transport Baden- Württemberg reinstating and classified the project as an eligible. As the carrier of a future railway operation was on 21 December 1993 by the participating municipalities on the Association Schönbuchbahn (ZVS ) founded the ( 28 December 1993) purchased a week later, the railway line for the price of a D- mark plus VAT of the German Federal Railroad.

Two years later began the Württemberg Railway Company, which was engaged with the subsequent management, with renovation work at the track, so that on September 28, 1996 was held the opening ceremony. For technical reasons, the scheduled time of operation but was only resumed on 1 December 1996.

Takeover by the special purpose association Schönbuchbahn

The purpose of association invested about 25 million marks for the procurement of four DMUs of type Regio-Shuttle RS1 and the rehabilitation of infrastructure. This included the upgrading of the 80 km / h ( instead of the previous 50 km / h ) top speed, setting up a siding for trains passing in Holzgerlingen North, renovation or new construction of bridges, securing rail level crossings with traffic signals or half barriers, establishment of a vehicle shed with a workshop in Dettenhausen and park-and- ride facilities. In addition, all five former stations were reactivated and beyond six other newly furnished. In addition, in Böblingen had the main platform ( platform 1) to be adapted accordingly. He was then partially increased, so that at least in starting a barrier-free access to the railcar is possible.

The estimated by the experts passenger numbers have been exceeded on the first working day of the scheduled operation with 3700 passengers, and they went on. Mid-2000 were counted on average 5500 passengers, the trains were often crowded. However, compression of the clock is not possible on the single track with a passing loop. So the platforms were extended, so that three-piece railcar trains - mainly for school transport - can be driven. These two regions shuttles were procured and increases the Wagenhalle in Dettenhausen.

During the summer vacation of 2003 the traffic was temporarily suspended in order to urgently carry out necessary remedial work can. Refurbished for the first route altbrauchbare rails and sleepers were used, which have now been replaced by new material. In addition, several problem areas in the substructure were mainly railway embankments and bridges are eliminated. In spring 2003, weekdays 6800 passengers were counted. In April 2008, daily use over 7400 passengers the Schönbuchbahn.

Dangers is in the roadmap in 2013 after Dettenhausen (in brackets: time to Böblingen ) weekdays from 5:34 clock ( 5:01 clock ) to clock 22:34 ( 22:01 clock ) at 30- minute intervals until 0:34 clock ( 0:01 clock ) every hour, on Saturdays from 6:34 clock ( 6:01 clock ) until 8:34 clock ( 8:01 clock ) every hour until 16:34 clock ( 16:01 clock ) at 30-minute clock until 0:34 clock ( 0:01 clock ) every hour and Sundays from 8:34 clock ( 8:01 clock ) to clock 22:34 ( 22:01 clock ) every hour. The journey time is 24 minutes. In Böblingen connection is at the Stuttgart S- Bahn lines S1 of Kirchheim ( Teck ) to Herrenberg and S60 from Böblingen to Renningen. In Dettenhausen is connected to regional buses towards Tübingen. The Schönbuchbahn is integrated into the Transport and Tariff Association Stuttgart ( VVS) and is referred to this as the line R72.

In 2011, the ticket machines were broken down at the stations and instead installed in the new railcars.

Planning

The passenger numbers continue to rise. Today ( 2012) there are already over 10,000 in one business day. Therefore, it is aimed since 2009 to toughen the route for a 15 -minute intervals. Different approaches were discussed and favors the electrification of the line, the costs are estimated at 48 million euros, from Böblingen to Holzgerlingen the distance on two tracks is intended to be expanded. Construction could be 2016. But for this first funding must be clarified, since among other things for a further 40 million euros the DMUs would have to be replaced by electric railcars. Are up to the electrification of the two used Regio -Shuttle to help out of the Strohgäubahn.

In June 2013, the purpose association Schönbuchbahn the procurement of ten electric multiple units, out at European level with an option for three more later to be delivered the same design features. The delivery is to take place by September 2017.

Role model

Meanwhile, the Schönbuchbahn has become a prime example of the successful acquisition of a state branch line by municipal bodies. Many visitors and delegations from across Europe, representatives of local organizations and local initiatives, political parties and universities visit the Schönbuchbahn, to learn about the concept. However, the deficit of the purpose of the Association initially planned 300,000 rose to 1.6 million euros ( 2003). Reasons for this are the ones mentioned above, not originally planned renovation work, the extension of the offer (but in proportion to the number of passengers increase was significantly slower ) and especially for the operators poor participation in the VVS - fare revenues, which is based on the low passenger forecasts.

Film

The Schönbuchbahn was presented resulted in 234 of the BWR series railway romance.