Frankfurt/Darmstadt Area

A couple of pictures of a tour bus in Frankfurt, the one on the left is at the airport while the other is at a stop in the downtown area.  Pictures provided by K. Rosenberg (TWSM).

Deutsche Bahn (www.bahn.de)

A picture of a southbound Deutsche Bahn train at the Darmstadt-Eberstadt Bahnhof. This is a typical small train station - two mainline tracks and a passing track (behind the train).  Picture & Text by R. Mullins.

A picture of a northwestbound train at the Steinach (bis Rothenburg) Bahnhof. This station is the transfer point to the to the walled city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber in northern Bayern (Bavaria). The line to Rothenburg is single track, operated by one train shuttling back and forth.  Picture & Text by R. Mullins.

This is a picture of a cab car generally used on DB local routes. The route from Steinach to Rothenburg is known as VGN route R82 (the R prefix indicating regional rail lines, which are operated as DB RegionalBahn, RegionalExpress or sometimes StadtExpress services), and is known by the DB as route 921.  Picture & text by R. Mullins.

More of the Steinach Bahnhof. Picture and text by R. Mullins.

This appears to be a tractor with a steam engine cover pulling a couple of trailers. It was located outside the Bahnhof in Steinach. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to get a closer look.  Picture and text by R. Mullins.

A somewhat older cab car, generally used on DB longer distance regional lines. Newer cab cars ones look similar to ICE cab cars in shape, but are red. The portion of the line from Würzburg to Ansbach within the VGN area (from Uffenheim, just outside Würzburg) is known as R82; the entire line is known as DB 921.  Picture & text by R. Mullins.

The Darmstadt Ostbahnhof or east station. The "Of" is an abbreviation. This is a station on a regional line from Darmstadt to Eberbach; the line is also known as the Odenwaldbahn, as this line runs through the middle of the Odenwald, a forested area that runs East of the Rhine River from about Darmstadt to Eberbach, east of Heidelberg. Picture & text by R. Mullins.

Located at the north end of the Darmstadt Ostbahnhof, this is a perfect example of a typical German gated railroad crossing. The arms cover the entire width of the road, preventing crossing by any automobile (although it is possible for pedestrians to cross if they are Dumbkopfen). Chain nets hang from each arm, discouraging trying to limbo underneath the arms. There is a pair of vertical flashing red lights on each side of the street; these lights remain flashing while the arms are down. A gong rings as the gates lower, but turns off when the gates are down. Whether gated or not, there is always an alternating white and red crossbuck ("X") on both sides of the road at the crossing. If the track is electrified (this particular one is not), there is a lightning symbol in the middle. Trains whistle at some crossings, instructed to do so by a sign on the side of the tracks, just like in the USA. The pattern is different, long-long-short, as opposed to long-long-short- long in the USA.  Picture & text by R. Mullins.

This is the outside of the Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof. It is a major transport hub for the area, as inter-city, local, commuter (S-Bahn) and subway (U-Bahn) trains stop in the station, while buses and streetcars stop outside this entrance, from where this photo was taken. Unfortunately, the surrounding area is a bit run down, and the "red-light" district is nearby. Although damaged during the war, the station was rebuilt and is in excellent condition. Picture & text by R. Mullins.

This is a DB ICE train pulling into Heidelberg Hbf. This particular one is ICE 780, the Paula Modersohn-Becker, running from Stuttgart to Bremen via Darmstadt, Frankfurt (Main) Süd, Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe und Hannover. (DB appears to name intercity trains after famous German artists. Fr. Modersohn-Becker (1876-1907) was an artist of the Expressionism school, and more info can be found at http://www.printmasterinc.com/colors/becker.html). Picture & text by R. Mullins.

This is a DB IR (InterRegio) train pulling into the Darmstadt Hbf. InterRegio trains operate between regions of Germany, only stopping at larger towns along the way, in a "super express" mode. This is IR 2475, originating in Hannover, and operating via Gottingen, Kassel, Gießen, Frankfurt, Darmstadt, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, Offenburg und Villingen (Schwartzw) on its way to Konstanz on the Swiss border, with a few stops between those cities. This train makes only 2 other stops on the way to Heidelberg. The IR trains are painted in this blue scheme to differentiate from the regional trains, painted in red. The route from Frankfurt to Heidelberg or Mannheim is also known as the Main-Neckar-Bahn, and is designated as Line 60 by the RMV and Line R6 by the VRN. The tower in the background is an WWII anti-aircraft gun tower. It was not damaged in the air raid of 11 September 1944 that destroyed most of Darmstadt. Picture & text by R. Mullins.

An example of a bus stop used in the city of Darmstadt. The "H" is the universal German symbol for bus stop (halstelle). Every stop in Germany is named, and is referenced as such (not by intersection). This particular stop, "Maritim Konferenzhotel", is used only by the AIRBus, which is a special service between Flughafen Frankfurt (airport) and Darmstadt. Below the "H" is the route number, and below that the schedule, and then an advertisement.  It is located at the Maritim Konferenzhotel, WB Rheinstrasse FS Berliner Allee. Picture and text by R. Mullins.

Another example of a Darmstadt bus stop.  This one is located on SB Berliner Allee, NS Rheinstrasse, and is only served by the R bus (which will turn right at the intersection). We are about 150 meters south of the Hauptbahnhof.  Picture and text by R. Mullins.

A bus operated by HEAG. However this is unusual as it is not articulated; most HEAG buses in Darmstadt are articulated.  I believe this is a Mercedes-Benz bus. MAN buses are also used by HEAG.  Picture and text by R. Mullins.

An example of an older RMV bus stop sign on an island at the bus center on the south side of Darmstadt Haupbahnhof (main train station). It has the logo of the predecessor agency to DADINA, DDV (Darmstadt- Dieburger Verkers-GmbH) on it. Route numbers (in this case, the K55 and K56) appear between the stop name and the DDV logo.  A VU bus has just entered the center. And yes, those are the golden arches in the background.  Picture and text by R. Mullins.

Although this shows a parade turning the corner (it was a big party for students of the local university, and was heading to the Darmstaedter Brewery just up the street), it also happens to show the stops and shelters on Rheinstrasse used by the majority of services along this street. Between the center of town (about 1 Km to the upper left) and two blocks to the west, the center of Rheinstrasse is a dedicated bus and tram right-of-way. These shelters are served by the 1 and 9 Strassenbahn lines, the D, F, H, K local bus lines and the K60 regional bus line.  Picture and text by R. Mullins.

This stop is located at Hauptwache in the center of Frankfurt. Below this spot is a major U-bahn (under- ground or subway) and S-bahn (commuter railroad) station. The route number (N2, a night bus) is located below the stop name. This stop is located on NB Eichner Strasse, FS Ziel (which is a pedestrian mall). Bus Tram and U-Bahn in the city of Frankfurt is provided by VerkehrsGesellschaft Frankfurt am Main (VGF - there is an english site). S-Bahn services in all of Germany are operated by Deutsche Bahn (DB - there is an english page as well). Picture and text by R. Mullins.

A cut-out version of the H used to sign bus stops in Germany. This is at the Eberstadt Friedhof (cemetery) stop. The bus (operated by HEAG) that stops here is the EB, a local circulator that operates through the community of Eberstadt, part of Darmstadt. This is co-located with the southbound 1-6-7-8 Straßenbahn stop, behind and to the left.  The southbound Straßenbahn stop is behind the sign. Northbound is to the left.  Picture & Text by R. Mullins

The northbound Straßenbahn stop at Eberstadt Friedhof. Routes 1, 6, 7 and 8 stop here. The signage is typical of HEAG stops, whether Bus or Straßenbahn.  Picture & Text by R. Mullins.

Every Straßenbahn stop has a fare card machine. All Straßenbahn and busy bus lines are operated POP. In outlying areas, one pays the bus driver and a receipt with the destination zone imprinted is issued. Failure to have proof of payment is a DM60 fine - payable on the spot to the inspectors.  Picture & Text by R. Mullins.

The newest and most numerous rolling stock, low floor. All cars operated on Routes 6 (Eberstadt-Merck Schnelllinie ("rapid line"), 7 (Eberstadt-Arlheigen), 8 (Alsbach-Arlheigen) and 9 (Griesheim-Böllenfaltor) have an additional half-length low floor trailer. As the older high floor stock cannot handle strollers, bicycles, etc., these trailers make it possible for almost all trips to be reasonably accessible. (Route 1 (Eberstadt- Hauptbahnhof) does not have enough ridership to justify trailers, and Route 3 (Lichtenburgschule-Hauptbahnhof) operates on some very narrow streets and has a single track segment which precludes use of trailers.) Pictured is a Route 8 to Alsbach, about 10km south of this spot. Picture & text by R. Mullins.

This is the Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof tram stop. This is an example of a "Doppelhaltstelle" or "double stop". The sign has "HH" rather than the usual "H" inside the circle. This means that in case two streetcars come in to the stop back to back, the second streetcar will not stop again in this stop, but will leave as soon as the streetcar ahead of it departs. Therefore, savvy transit riders wait in the middle of the stop so they can board the proper streetcar no matter where it stops. In the background is one of the tallest buildings in Europe, around 70 stories. Picture & text by R. Mullins.

This is the Rheinlandstraße stop at the end of Line 12 in Frankfurt. At this location is the Frankfurt Verkehrsmuseum (Transport Museum), denoted above the route indicators on the sign. (It is to the right, opposite the streetcar; to the left is a kiosk selling newspapers and magazines, tobacco, gum, candy, etc.). This is a typical stop in Frankfurt, used for buses and Straßenbahnen. Picture & text by R. Mullins.

A bus stop located inside the Rothenburg o.d. Tauber city walls. Service is operated by the city, but operates infrequently Monday through Friday only.  Picture & text by R. Mullins.

Also operates in this area.
HSB - http://www.hvv-heidelberg.de/site/HSB/hb017081.htm

This is the Bismarckplatz stop in Heidelberg. Coming into the picture is an OEG Line 5R train, also designated Line R65 by VRN. This is a rather interesting operation. The trains look like old PCC cars. It operates a triangular route between Heidelberg, Mannheim (to the west) and Weinheim (to the north). It is similar to old interurban operations, however the trains run every 10 minutes during weekdays over most of the route, and every 20 minutes in other parts. It appears to be a quite popular service. Picture & text by R. Mullins.

This is the Bismarckplatz transit center in downtown Heidelberg. The Straßenbahnen stop in the center of the plaza, while buses stop on the outside of the shelters. The glass building in the background is a Kaufhof department store. Picture & text by R. Mullins.

Another picture of the Heidelberg Hbf station. This one shows the bus stop sign used by the VRN, listing all of the routes that stop here (7 or 8), both bus and streetcar. An OEG train is heading in the opposite direction on its way to Mannheim and Weinheim (the long way). Picture & text by R. Mullins.

This is the Heidelberg Hbf streetcar and bus stop. Buses and streetcars share the shelter. This is a major transit hub for Heidelberg, located to the west of downtown. In the background is an HSB (Heidelberg Straßen- und Bergbahn AG) streetcar, heading westbound. Picture & text by R. Mullins.

This is an old streetcar stop sign inside the museum. The sign text translates roughly as "Stop for the city-bound streetcars." Note the wrought iron pole and detailing above and below the sign. The cars on either side date from the 1950's. Picture & text by R. Mullins.

at Frankfurt on Oder ( on the Polish border). Photographed outside the Hauptbahnhof, notice the nice S-curve leading into the tram only platforms. This stop is serviced by 5 tram lines, local and regional buses have an extensive area immediately in front of the station. The trams stop in the road about 500 feet from the station forecourt.  Photo & text by M. Taylor.

Zittau is located in the extreme south east corner of Germany. This is the bus station outside the huge station building in May 2003 as were the Leipzig & Dresden photos.  Photo & text by M. Taylor.

2 shots outside the Hauptbahnhof at Leipzig showing the illuminated signs. These are for tracks 2 & 3, (total of 4, 2 in each direction). They show the current time and the arrival times of the next 4 services.  Photo & text by M. Taylor.

Okay, I know it is not a bus stop, however, in a lot of places they act like buses.  Picture courtesy of Mr. Tim.

Last Modified: November 28, 2005

I know, I used the American spelling of the city name.  Again some pictures courtesy of Mr. Tim.

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