RegioTram Kassel

Train on line RT 3 of the RegioTram preliminary operation in Kassel Hbf , May 2005

RegioTram dual motor vehicle 758 in Kassel Hbf

The RegioTram Kassel is a dual system light rail system in the north Hessian city of Kassel and the surrounding area. The tram-train system based on the Karlsruhe model was put into operation in 2007. With special RegioTram vehicles , non- stop journeys between the network of Deutsche Bahn AG and the inner-city tram network are offered, which eliminates the need to change between the trains of the railway and the tram , which is associated with longer walking distances .

RegioTram has been operated by RegioTram Gesellschaft mbH (RTG), a bidding consortium of Kasseler Verkehrs-Gesellschaft (KVG) and Hessischer Landesbahn (HLB) , since December 9, 2013 . Earlier, the management of the incumbent RegioTram mbH (RTB), a joint venture of regional train Kassel (RBK) with the DB Regio . The vehicles used belong to Regionalbahn Kassel GmbH (RBK) . In addition, the North Hessian Transport Association (NVV) is involved in the organization of the RegioTram.

concept

The implementation of the RegioTram project in local public transport in Kassel includes various interlocking measures. The aim is to link the tram network in Kassel with the railway network so that dual-system vehicles can travel from the tram network to the surrounding area on railway tracks. The core component of the Kassel project is a newly created link between the two systems at Kassel Central Station .

Current line network

line	Railway lines	Stops on the railway line	Course in the Kassel tram network	Travel time	since
RT1	Warburg - Kassel	Hümme  - Hofgeismar  RE  - Grebenstein  - Immenhausen  - Espenau - Mönchehof - Vellmar - Obervellmar  RB - V.-Osterberg / EKZ - Kassel - Jungfernkopf - KS-Harleshausen - KS-Kirchditmold - Kassel Hbf (deep)  RB  RE	Central Station (deep) - Scheidemannplatz  - Wilhelmstrasse / City Museum - City Hall / Fünffensterstrasse - City Hall - Friedrichsplatz  - Königsplatz  - Am Stern - Holländischer Platz / University - Halitplatz  - Main Cemetery - Wiener Strasse - Holländische Strasse	57 min	2005
RT4	Volkmarsen - Vellmar-Obervellmar Warburg - Kassel	( Wolfhagen  RB - Altenhasungen - Oberelsungen - Zierenberg -Rosental -) Zierenberg  RB - Calden - Fürstenwald - Ahnatal - Weimar  RB - A.-Heckershausen - A. Casselbreite - Vellmar - Obervellmar  RB - V.-Osterberg / EKZ - Kassel - Jungfernkopf - KS-Harleshausen - KS-Kirchditmold - Kassel Hbf (deep)  RB  RE	Central Station (deep) - Scheidemannplatz  - Wilhelmstrasse / City Museum - City Hall / Fünffensterstrasse - City Hall - Friedrichsplatz  - Königsplatz  - Am Stern - Holländischer Platz / University - Halitplatz  - Main Cemetery - Wiener Strasse - Holländische Strasse	(17 +) 49 min	2006
RT5	Bebra - Baunatal-Guntershausen Frankfurt - Kassel	Melsungen RB - M. Bartenwetzerbrücke - M.-Röhrenfurth - Körle - Guxhagen RB - Baunatal-Guntershausen  RB - B.-Rengershausen  RB - Kassel - Oberzwehren  RB - KS-Wilhelmshöhe  RB  RE  IC  ICE - Kassel Hbf (deep)  RB  RE	Central station (deep) - Scheidemannplatz  - Wilhelmstrasse / City Museum - City Hall / Fünffensterstrasse - City Hall - Am Weinberg - Heinrich-Heine-Strasse / University - Auestadion	46 min	2006

history

RT train near Ostheim ; View from Wacholderberg ( NSG Schwiemelkopf )

Two-system railcar 701 on the RT9 line at Wabern station

From June 10, 2001, a preliminary operation took place on the Warburg  - Kassel Hauptbahnhof line with initially six railcars borrowed from Saarbahn . As a result, the previous regional train timetable was served by light rail vehicles. At the same time, the 30-minute intervals intended for RegioTram operation were implemented. The RegioCitadis vehicles that have been delivered since July 2004 and are manufactured by Alstom LHB in Salzgitter took over this preliminary operation from May 8, 2005, and the Saarbahn vehicles on loan were then returned.

From January 29, 2006, the first RegioTram trains ran in the Kassel tram network. The two power railcars joined in the rush hours the Kassel's city center on the Losse Valley Railway with Hessisch Lichtenau , the end of the tram line. They used a direct connection between Ober- and Niederkaufungen via the Waldkappeler Bahn , which is not electrified. In contrast to the trams that serve all stops , this meant a reduction in travel time. In August 2007, the use of RegioTram vehicles on this line was replaced by the continuous use of conventional Kassel trams. The former trips on the non-electrified Waldkappeler Bahn have been replaced by express tram trips that do not serve all stops along the route.

Since June 1, 2006, RegioTram trains have been running between Kassel main station and Melsungen via Baunatal , Guxhagen and Körle . The RegioTram line RT5 runs alternately once and twice an hour. The RT railcars were supplemented by regional express trains (hourly, Kassel – Fulda) and regional trains (Kassel - Bebra (-  Fulda )) operated by Deutsche Bahn. Since December 10, 2006, due to a change of operator, the RegioTram has been supplemented by trains from Cantus Verkehrsgesellschaft (hourly, Kassel - Bebra - Bad Hersfeld  - Fulda or Kassel - Bebra - Bad Hersfeld).

The preliminary operation of the RT4 between Kassel and Wolfhagen via Ahnatal and Zierenberg began on December 10, 2006. Between September 16, 2007 and the timetable change in December 2007, the RT9 ran in preliminary operation from Kassel main station to Treysa .

The preliminary operation for the RT4 ended on August 19, 2007, since then it has continued to run into the city center (inner city ring). The RT3 and RT5 lines followed on September 16, 2007 and have since run through the city center to Leipziger Strasse. The preliminary operation on the RT9 ended in December 2007, and since then this line has been running through the city center to Leipziger Strasse. The RT3 operated to the Auestadion , at times also the RT5. The complete expansion of the infrastructure with every half hour on all lines was implemented for the 2013/2014 timetable change on December 15, 2013. At the 2014/2015 timetable change in December 2014, the vehicles previously running on the RT9 were released for the other RT lines by the regional trains that were then used. From December 2014 to December 2015 the RT9 only ran between Kassel Hauptbahnhof and Treysa.

On December 13, 2008, the new Kassel-Jungfernkopf and Vellmar-Osterberg / EKZ stops on the Harleshausen curve were put into operation on the RT3 and RT4 routes . On April 25, 2009, the Kassel-Kirchditmold stop followed in the same section of the route.

In Melsungen, the new Melsungen-Bartenwetzerbrücke stop was put into operation on May 20, 2011 on the RT5 route .

Since December 2011, the stop in Ahnatal-Casselbreite has been served by the RT4 in the direction of Wolfhagen. The RegioTram trains have always been using platform 1 since December 2013, while the Regional Express trains pass platform 2 without stopping. The third track in Vellmar-Obervellmar was also put into operation at the 2013/2014 timetable change. The Regional Express trains and the RT3 always stop at tracks 1 and 2, while the RT4 line runs in both directions via the third platform track.

Development of the line network

Until December 14, 2013

line	course	Travel time	Installation
RT3	( Warburg -) Hümme - Hofgeismar - Immenhausen - Vellmar - Kassel Central Station - Kassel, Holländische Strasse	(66 min) / 49 min	2005
RT4	Wolfhagen - Zierenberg - Vellmar - Kassel Central Station - Kassel, Holländische Strasse	52 min	2006
RT5	Melsungen - Guxhagen - Wilhelmshöhe - Kassel main station - Kassel, Auestadion	56 min	2006
RT9	Treysa - Borken - Wilhelmshöhe - Kassel Central Station - Kassel, Leipziger Strasse	81 min	2007

From December 15, 2013

line	course	Travel time	Installation
RT3	Hümme - Hofgeismar - Immenhausen - Vellmar - Obervellmar - Kassel Central Station - Kassel, Königsplatz - Kassel, Holländische Straße	57 min	2005
RT4	( Wolfhagen -) Zierenberg - Vellmar - Obervellmar - Kassel Central Station - Kassel, Königsplatz - Kassel, Holländische Strasse	(68 min) / 49 min	2006
RT5	Melsungen - Guxhagen - Wilhelmshöhe - Kassel main station - Kassel, Auestadion	46 min	2006
RT9	Treysa - Borken - Wabern - Wilhelmshöhe - Kassel main station	74 min	2007

Deviations in the line network:

• The line endpoints in Kassel change partly in the peak hours - individual school express trips on the RT3 line. These skip the stops between Espenau - Mönchehof and Kassel Hauptbahnhof and drive via Lutherplatz to Sandershäuser Straße or Leipziger Straße .
• The RT4 line runs from Monday to Saturday only with every second train to Wolfhagen . The remaining courses end in Zierenberg . In the evenings and on Sundays, the RT4 runs every hour with all trains to Wolfhagen.
• The RT9 line sometimes has different travel times in the morning peak hours - deviations of up to 10 minutes
• The lines RT3, RT4 and RT5 run in the RegioTram target concept in the HVZ and in the NVZ every half hour, in the SVZ and in the VMS every hour. The RT9 always runs every hour.
• By overlaying and adjusting the timing, the section Vellmar - Obervellmar - Kassel Central Station - Königsplatz - Holländische Straße has a quarter-hour or half-hour cycle, which is similar to a tram . The Holländische Straße is then driven every five minutes (see also Kassel tram ).

From December 14, 2014

line	course	Travel time	Installation
RT3	Hümme - Hofgeismar - Immenhausen - Vellmar - Obervellmar - Kassel Central Station - Kassel, Königsplatz - Kassel, Holländische Straße	57 min	2005
RT4	( Wolfhagen -) Zierenberg - Vellmar - Obervellmar - Kassel Central Station - Kassel, Königsplatz - Kassel, Holländische Strasse	(68 min) / 49 min	2006
RT5	Melsungen - Guxhagen - Wilhelmshöhe - Kassel main station - Kassel, Auestadion	46 min	2006
RT9 R 9	Treysa - Borken - Wabern - Wilhelmshöhe - Kassel main station	74 min	2007

The RT9 line ran Monday to Friday with 2 of 3 courses as the R9 between Kassel main station and Schwalmstadt-Treysa. Class 628 railcars from the Kurhessenbahn were used.

Since December 13, 2015

Since then, the RT9 line has been running every two hours as the RE98 line between Kassel main station and Schwalmstadt-Treysa and on to Frankfurt Hbf with Stadler Flirt vehicles .

Infrastructure

Stop at Rudolf-Schwander-Straße (photo taken on May 8, 2005)

RegioTram platforms in the main station , in the background the tunnel in which the RegioTram lines pass under the station building . Line RT3 to Hofgeismar, platform 5, passengers can be switched on both sides of this platform.

The implementation of the RegioTram also includes the expansion of the tram network, e.g. B. the extension beyond Bettenhausen to Kaufungen and via Helsa to Hessisch Lichtenau , as well as the new construction and renovation of stops and the expansion of the railway infrastructure. Since the RegioCitadis vehicles have stronger acceleration and braking capabilities than the previous DB regional trains, new stations could be set up in the Kassel area. Furthermore, new infrastructures were built in the city of Kassel. The largest measures were necessary due to the wider and longer RT vehicles (2.65 meters wide / 37 meters long compared to 2.3–2.4 meters wide / 30 meters long of the previous tram vehicles). In addition, a new inner-city route (Rudolf-Schwander-Straße, with Scheidemannplatz stop ), the junction at the Luther Church and the relocation of the Lutherplatz station there were implemented by the end of 2004. The new line has also been used by tram lines 7 and 5E (previously 9) since August 19, 2007, as the previous tunnel station at the main train station (opened in 1968) was closed. To branch off the RegioTram line at Scheidemannplatz next to the ramp, a triangle was installed there in spring 2005 .

Like the tram , the RegioTram vehicles largely use public transport lanes in the city network and are therefore not affected by individual traffic. The only exception is a short section of the route in Leipziger Straße at the Kirchgasse stop , where the tracks run in the individual lane area, but are signal-controlled and are therefore not impaired by individual traffic.

With the introduction of this new means of transport, it was necessary to adjust the frequency of all subsequent means of transport. Since two RT lines are to run into Leipziger Strasse with 30-minute intervals each, they form 7.5-minute intervals with the SL 4, so that the SL 8 can be shortened. Due to the dense tram cycle on the other lines during rush hour, special adjustments are only required in off-peak hours to ensure connections.

The integrals clock timetable in 2006 for North Hesse looks better links between regional and long-distance traffic in front, as the regional trains of the conventional SPNV not need to cover surrounding all stops in nearby Kassel and significantly accelerate the regional rail transport.

As part of an improvement in the offer and a better connection to the north of the city, the route was changed with the timetable change in December 2013. As a result, Leipziger Strasse is only used by individual trips on the RT3 and RT4 lines, as well as trips to the Sandershäuser Strasse tram depot . Since the lines RT3 and RT4 now go to the terminus Holländische Straße , renovations were necessary here too, which were carried out from August 2013.

Used railway lines

The RegioTram trains operate on the following rail routes :

Kassel – Warburg (RT1, until December 2015: RT3)

The trains of the RegioTram line 1 run in the section Hofgeismar-Hümme - Kassel Hauptbahnhof on the Kassel – Warburg railway line . The Harleshausen curve is used between Vellmar-Obervellmar and Kassel Hauptbahnhof . In addition to the RegioTram, regional trains and intercity trains operated by Deutsche Bahn also run on this route . Until December 2013, individual trains ran in the outlying areas beyond Hümme to Warburg . With the timetable change on December 13, 2015, the line number was changed to RT1.

Kassel – Hessisch Lichtenau (RT2, until July 2007)

Between January 29, 2006 (reopening of the line to Hessisch Lichtenau) and July 6, 2007, RegioTram line 2 ran on the Kassel – Waldkappel line . These used the non-electrified old railway line between Niederkaufungen Bahnhof and Oberkaufungen Bahnhof. Although tram line 4 is now used exclusively (via Oberkaufungen Gesamtschule), the route is still an integral part of the Regio-Tram-System, even if the RegioTram vehicles no longer run here. The express track that bypasses Kaufungen is therefore largely unused.

Kassel – Wolfhagen (RT4)

The trains of the RegioTram line 4 use the section Wolfhagen - Vellmar - Obervellmar on the Volkmarsen – Vellmar-Obervellmar railway . This route is not electrified. In addition to the RegioTrams, regional trains of the Kurhessenbahn run in the direction of Korbach on this railway line . From Vellmar-Obervellmar to Kassel main station, the RegioTrams take the Harleshausen curve .

Kassel – Melsungen (RT5)

The trains of the RegioTram line 5 run in the section Melsungen – Kassel Hauptbahnhof on the Bebra – Kassel line . In addition to the RegioTram, regional trains in the direction of Fulda and Intercitys in the direction of Eisenach also run on this route .

Kassel – Treysa (RT9, until December 2015)

The trains of the RegioTram line RT9 used  the Main-Weser-Bahn in the section Treysa - Kassel Hauptbahnhof . In addition to the RegioTram trains, regional trains and intercity trains in the direction of Frankfurt am Main also run on this route . This route was used by the RegioTram trains until December 2014 and has not led to the tram area since then; it should Stadler railcars of HLB are used. As an interim solution, DB Regio vehicles operated at the beginning of 2015. With the 2015/16 timetable change, this RegioTram line was discontinued and the route was replaced by a regional train and a regional express.

Junction points between rail and tram

Kassel main train station

RegioTram underground platforms in the main train station

A RegioTram train leaves the tunnel under the station building towards the city

Various options were examined for connecting the railway network with the tram network in Kassel's main train station (a terminus ): The variant with the most extensive renovations provided for a connection through the station building at the same level, but was not pursued further for reasons of monument protection . Another suggestion led the route at the same level around the south wing (former mail handling hall) to the current bus platforms for regional transport on the station forecourt .

In the plan that was ultimately implemented, the head building of the main train station was undercut: In the track apron (west of the platforms) a ramp with the RegioTram platforms was converted on the basement level and a tunnel was driven under the station building to the existing tram ramp in Kurfürstenstraße (east of the building). The construction work for this began on August 12, 2005, and the tunnel has been driven through regularly since August 19, 2007.

Originally it was planned to build the RegioTram platforms in the location of today's tracks 3–5. For this, however, the control and safety technology of the station would have to be converted in order not to restrict the remaining traffic too much. Since DB Netz AG was unable to cope with this interlocking conversion in time, the two planned RT platforms were placed in the middle of the station (tracks 4-6). This not only has its disadvantages; z. For example, the ensemble appears more harmonious and the technical rooms below tracks 1–4 did not need to be relocated.

The construction costs for the conversion amounted to around 25.6 million euros.

Tram network

In addition to the connection at Kassel's main train station, there are two other crossings between the rail and tram networks in the Kassel region:

• between the tram network and the Kassel – Waldkappel railway ("Lossetalbahn") in Kaufungen - paper mill (formerly RT2, now tram line 4)
• between the tram network and the Kassel – Naumburg railway in Baunatal - Altenbauna (tram line 5)

Currently (2014) only a few stretches in the tram network are unrestrictedly accessible by RegioTram vehicles, as the greater width of the vehicle makes it impossible for vehicles to meet. Only the inner city ring and the route to Hessisch Lichtenau as well as Frankfurter Straße towards Mattenberg to the “Auestadion” stop are accessible. Furthermore, the route to Holländische Strasse has been expanded as part of the relocation of the RT3 and RT4 lines to the “Holländische Strasse” stop. The route to Vellmar is also passable according to the clearance profile, but is not used in regular service.

Furthermore, the route from the Auestadion to Baunatal is passable, but there is a large number of crossings between Auestadion and Dennhäuser Straße. The vehicles are also allowed to drive from Oberzwehren Mitte to the Wilhelmshöhe depot. Here, too, there is a general prohibition of encounter between RegioTram vehicles, even if parts of the routes are passable. For safety reasons, the RegioTram vehicle also stops when it encounters a tram, in order to avoid possible collisions caused by the vehicle body swinging. However, this route is only used for workshop trips to the Wilhelmshöhe depot.

The network covers 122 kilometers, 6 kilometers of which is a new line .

Planning

In Wolfhagen, the long turning time of the RT4 of 30 minutes is to be used to extend it into the inner city of Wolfhagen. The trains are to run as a diesel-powered light rail to the Wilhelm Filchner School. An extension to Melsungen Süd is also being considered.

Some expansion plans were discarded, for example to Vellmar West. For the connection from Kassel-Waldau , the city and KVG currently prefer a tram extension from Untereustadt.

vehicles

For the project RegioTram were by the regional train Kassel GmbH (RBK) 28 vehicles of the type Alstom RegioCitadis (Three Piece, achtachsiger low-floor - GTW ) procured.

The vehicles were delivered in two different versions in 2004/2005. Both versions can be used in the Kassel tram network (direct voltage, 600 volts). 18 vehicles (wagons 701–718) can also run as so-called E / E wagons in the electrified railway network (AC voltage with 15 kilovolt 16.7 Hertz), the remaining ten vehicles (wagons 751–760) have so-called E / D -Wagon, on the other hand, has two diesel engines for use on non-electrified routes.

The latter are the first two-motor trams to be produced in double-digit numbers. The use in the Kassel project also means the first use of such a vehicle in the standard gauge network .

The "roll-out" of the first RegioCitadis took place on July 6, 2004. The vehicles are named after fairy tale characters in order to make North Hesse and Kassel better known as the geographical center of the Grimm fairy tale world.

The E / E cars run on the RT1 and RT5 lines. The E / D cars mainly run on the RT4 Kassel – Wolfhagen as well as on the other lines around them.

Up to four cars can be coupled and driven in multiple units . In rail traffic, triple traction should be driven in the morning peaks, with the third unit being uncoupled in the main station. A double traction is planned for inner-city traffic at these times. Due to the width of the vehicles, the cars can so far only be used in the city center, to the Auestadion, to Holländische Strasse and to Hessisch Lichtenau. The remaining stretches of the tram network do not have a sufficiently large track spacing. There is a ban on encounters on these routes.

In the DB series scheme , the vehicles can be found as DB series 452 (E / E) and 689 (E / D).

During the preliminary operation, Bombardier vehicles borrowed from Saarbahn in Saarbrücken were used. These vehicles are dual-system vehicles, but were only used in Kassel under 15 kilovolts.

See also

• Railways in Northern Hesse
• Kassel tram

literature

• Rainer Meyfahrt: The Regiotram: A pioneering new transport system in local public transport in North Hesse . In: Lutz Münzer (Ed.): From the dragon to the regiotram. Railway history in the Kassel region . Kassel 2014, ISBN 978-3-933617-56-9 , pp. 88-100 .

Web links

Commons : RegioTram Kassel  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

• Website of the RegioTram Gesellschaft mbH
• TRAM-KASSEL - Private website with many in-depth reports about the RegioTram
• Vehicle list

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b c} Jürgen Eikelberg: Stadler delivers four more FLIRTs to HLB. In: Eisenbahnjournal - Zughalt.de. December 15, 2011, accessed January 14, 2014 . 
2. ↑ ^{a b} Changes due to the 2013/14 timetable change (part 2). (No longer available online.) December 17, 2013, archived from the original on February 1, 2014 ; Retrieved January 19, 2014 . 
3. ↑ http://www.nvv.de/rt9-r9/
4. ↑ Pictures of the tram route: 83101 (Regio tram lines RT 3, RT 4, RT 5 and RT 9 / tram). Retrieved January 14, 2014 . 
5. ^ Daniel Göbel: RegioTram traffic between Treysa and Kassel is discontinued. In: HNA. August 19, 2015, accessed January 14, 2014 . 
6. ↑ NVV Nahverkehrsplan, pp. 327-330  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )
7. ↑ Südstadt local advisory board calls for RegioTram rail routing to Waldau via Damaschke bridge. In: www.hna.de. September 8, 2010, accessed March 3, 2017 .