DB CLASS 218 locomotives.

[rvdborgt]

Link doesn't work! I'm going to Dusseldorf in a couple of months so wanted to print it!

The current version is here:

https://www.zuginfo.nrw/download/1773641136887_Ersatzfahrplan_RE_10_09_03_02_04_2026_Kleve_Krefeld.pdf

In a couple of months, the situation will probably be different.

 

[The exile]

The replacement trains with 218 to Kleve only run this month AFAIK.

Though nothing lasts as long as a temporary arrangement!

 

[LUYMun]

The RE10 Ersatzzug runs until 2nd April according to TRI staff telling a gen group member I’m in with, with engineering works on the line the week following.

 

[43094]

218451 confirmed on the booked diagram to Kleve today - picture at Dusseldorf prior to the 1408 departure.

 

[cm39275]

When I opened this discussion up at the end of Feb I wasn't expecting much participation, so thanks to those who have contributed. Now that myself n works colleges have finalised more details to out trip to Germany in roughly 3 weeks from this post. Im wondering if there's any more details and timings if any regular workings for 218s in the Hamburg area?

 

[LUYMun]

There are only two routes 218s operate out of Hamburg direct, the Marschbahn towards Westerland and the Rostock route. The 218s operate InterCity trains (which are a reliable bet) to both destinations but also some RegionalExpress trains.

On the Marschbahn route they run up to 3 InterCity journeys a day each way north of Itzehoe (unelectrified section), where they swap locos with the electric Class 101 traction (also going extinct) continuing them to Hamburg/Cologne. There are also a few RE6 services which are usually in lieu of Class 245/246 locos so may vary, but these can run all the way into Hamburg without swapping.

Elsewhere, 218s also operate IC trains on the unelectrified Lubeck-Rostock section for the Hamburg-Rostock route, running 3 return daily trips. They also operate hourly RE2 trains with double-deck coaches between Bad Kleinen and Lubeck. I believe both of these will cease by late-April/mid-May following the renovation of Berlin-Hamburg line and subsequent rolling stock cascades.

I've made a brief timetable on Excel laying out their diagrammed runs though the usual caveats of bowlage applies. It's best going on the Bahn Experte website and clicking "Zugsuche" (train finder) to find the formation of services on the day.

 

[mountainpixel]

The Freizeitexpress Südbahn service by SVG running Saturday and Sunday from 13 June to 1 November 2026 is hauled by a class 218 locomotive. 13/06 to 26/07 and 19/09 to 1/11 it runs Stuttgart - Aalen - Ulm - Aulendorf - Friedrichshafen - Radolfzell - Singen and 1/08 to 13/09 it runs Stuttgart - Plochingen - Ulm - Aulendorf - Friedrichshafen - Lindau. I guess the inbetween phase to Lindau might be run electric and not by 218

Times can be found here https://www.svg-freizeitexpress.com/

This is probably one of the best train rides in all of Germany!

It is pulled all the way by a 218 from Singen via Friedrichshafen all the way to Stuttgart. You get to expirience the beautiful railway line along lake Konstanz and then some diesel action on the Geislinger Steige with very steep gradiants. And of course the windows open and the vibes are good.

Keep in mind that this year there is lots of construction work, so it sometimes does not run or on a different route to Stuttgart.

 

[Barnsley]

The last IC services I can see on ÖBB Scotty are 10th July. After that they are ICEs - I wonder if they will be ICE-Ls, which will still need diesel locos to haul them.

Just looked at Wagenweb, looks like it booked until 9th July, I'm going to Dusseldorf 3rd-7th, so might go to Ulm on it, is it an unadvertised stop in Stuttgart just to change locos? DB site shows a 30 min stop in Plochingen

 

[The exile]

Just looked at Wagenweb, looks like it booked until 9th July, I'm going to Dusseldorf 3rd-7th, so might go to Ulm on it, is it an unadvertised stop in Stuttgart just to change locos? DB site shows a 30 min stop in Plochingen

I believe the loco change will be at Plochingen. (Presumably there’s too much digging going on at Stuttgart!)

 

[Barnsley]

I believe the loco change will be at Plochingen. (Presumably there’s too much digging going on at Stuttgart!)

Looks like it’s do-able from Dusseldorf to Ulm, 1014, takes 6 hours, arrives at 1614, then there’s the ICE back at 1739, back at 2053, I’m going to do it, at least I’ll have FIP coupon for DB, sit in the bar coach on the way back!

 

[rvdborgt]

Though nothing lasts as long as a temporary arrangement!

There's a beautiful German word for that: Dauerprovisorium
The current timetable (until 22/5) is here. Trains with "RE 10" in green are operated with 218+n-Wagen.

 

[Jamesrob637]

I believe the loco change will be at Plochingen. (Presumably there’s too much digging going on at Stuttgart!)

Is there an active thread here for Stuttgart 21? Drehscheibe has an entire page dedicated to it!

 

[BavarianTrain]

HI,

I happened to be on the route of the RE 2 betwwen Regensburg and Hof over the weekend and I will simply attach a few pictures to this thread and do some promotion for the Diesel paradise Oberpfalz in Northern Bavaria.

Picture 1: RE2 to Munich nearby Marktredwitz.


Picture 2 RE 2 in to Hof Hbf in Irrenlohe. Here, a main line to Nuremberg branches off from the line to Hof.


And the last Picture of RE2 is the Soutbound Train. View attachment IMG_7985.JPG
And now, as threatened at the beginning, follows a small excursus into the railway world of the Upper Palatinate. This concerns an area in eastern Bavaria. In the years before the reunification, this region lost a large part of its branch lines, so that except for 3 exceptions, only main lines are still served by passenger traffic.

A trademark of this area is definitely the Alex. Before the start of the RE2, it also ran to Hof as a replacement for former long-distance services, which have completely disappeared from the region. Currently, only a few services run to Hof at the edges of the day. Otherwise, there are services every 2 hours to Prague. Here in Schwandorf.

View attachment Schwandorf.JPG
Freight traffic has unfortunately become increasingly weak over the years. However, it is currently experiencing a temporary comeback. Various detour trips are taking place because another route will be under renovation until July. The following pictures are from the Nürnberg - Schwandorf route in the area of the town of Etzelwang. Otherwise, one either needs contacts or luckView attachment Oberpfalz 232.JPGView attachment Umleiterverkehr.JPG

I hope to have given a little appetite and wish everyone who ventures into the Oberpfalz lots of fun and good photos.

 

[ABB125]

I'm likely to have a few days of Interrail available in mid-late June and am considering spending most of the time on 218s. This would probably involve flying to Dusseldorf on the evening Friday 19 (from Milan... don't question it!), and I need to be back in the UK by the end of the following Wednesday.

I believe the following will be correct by that time - if not, I would appreciate any corrections:

• No remaining Westerland IC services - all converted to ICE-L
• No remaining local services around Hamburg/Lubeck etc
• Daily(?) Dortmund-Oberstdorf IC service, with loco change to 218 before the Geislingen incline
• RE2 services out of Munich (beyond Regensburg) (is this all Re2, or just a selection?)

Have I missed anything off?

I'm quite tempted by the Oberstdorf run, possibly combining it with a day of walking in the mountains around the town depending on the weather. Although I will have spent the entirety of the previous week walking around the Dolomites, so maybe not...

 

[bluegoblin7]

Had a glorious run out to Kleve tonight with 218 451!

 

[LUYMun]

RE2 services out of Munich (beyond Regensburg) (is this all Re2, or just a selection?)
Have I missed anything off?

I can confirm that in Bavaria three or four 218 locomotives operate on RE2 between Hof and Regensburg where the locos exchange for an electric south to Munich. However, the same loco doesn’t always take the next diesel one out as another would be waiting at a headshunt just to the east of Regensburg.

I wouldn’t know about the RB40 route as it is suspended in half for construction works, and has a rather unpredictable allocation otherwise, but a regular diagram does run on the Monday-Fridays 06:33 RB45 Muhldorf-Landshut service (no. 27108) and 13:37 return (no. 27121) with a 218 push-pulling double deck coaches.

 

[ABB125]

I can confirm that in Bavaria three or four 218 locomotives operate on RE2 between Hof and Regensburg where the locos exchange for an electric south to Munich. However, the same loco doesn’t always take the next diesel one out as another would be waiting at a headshunt just to the east of Regensburg.

I wouldn’t know about the RB40 route as it is suspended in half for construction works, and has a rather unpredictable allocation otherwise, but a regular diagram does run on the Monday-Fridays 06:33 RB45 Muhldorf-Landshut service (no. 27108) and 13:37 return (no. 27121) with a 218 push-pulling double deck coaches.

Thanks very much

 

[Jgleeson071]

I can confirm that in Bavaria three or four 218 locomotives operate on RE2 between Hof and Regensburg where the locos exchange for an electric south to Munich. However, the same loco doesn’t always take the next diesel one out as another would be waiting at a headshunt just to the east of Regensburg.

I wouldn’t know about the RB40 route as it is suspended in half for construction works, and has a rather unpredictable allocation otherwise, but a regular diagram does run on the Monday-Fridays 06:33 RB45 Muhldorf-Landshut service (no. 27108) and 13:37 return (no. 27121) with a 218 push-pulling double deck coaches.

Is there any end date currently for that RB45 diagram? TIA

 

[The exile]

Is there any end date currently for that RB45 diagram? TIA

I’d be wary of it during school holidays. The reason for it being L/H is schools traffic so while the Bavarians keep breeding and until there’s a glut of new stock it’s likely to be needed with some large diesel at one end or the other…

 

[milooo]

I haven't seen it mentioned but there are two Class 218s at the (non buffer) end of Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof

 

[Richard Scott]

I haven't seen it mentioned but there are two Class 218s at the (non buffer) end of Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof

Usually a pair there, German equivalent of thunderbird locos.

 

[43096]

Usually a pair there, German equivalent of thunderbird locos.

And sometimes referred to by English cranks as "Thunderbunnies". Due to be replaced by new Class 248.5 Vectron electro-diesels.

 

[LUYMun]

Class 218 locos are returning to run the RE6 line out of Karlsruhe for June, starting from tomorrow (1st June) until the 26th June, owing to a shortage of units. Currently 218418 (former Lubeck based loco) is currently quoted to be making an ECS move today to Ludwigshafen and running the service.

It is said they will operate one diagram on Monday-Fridays only between Karlsruhe Hbf and Neustadt, with an early morning journey extending from Kaiserslauten Hbf for stabling. A simplified diagram of departure times is quoted below from Drehscheibe-Online (the German equivalent of RailUKForums):

Drehscheibe Online Foren :: 01 - News :: Comeback der 218 in der Pfalz

www.drehscheibe-online.de

This circuit currently only runs Mon-Fri
There may also be deployments of 628s.

RE 6 (12007) Kaiserslautern Hbf (6:29) - Karlsruhe Hbf (7:53)

RE 6 (12008) Karlsruhe Hbf (8:05) - Neustadt (Weinstr) (08:51)

Neustadt (Weinstr): 09:09 / 11:09 / 13:05 / 15:09 / 17:09

Karlsruhe Hbf: 10:05 / 12:05 / 14:05 / 16:01

RE 6 (12036) Karlsruhe Hbf (18:05) - Neustadt (Weinstr) (18:51)

 

[Muzer]

Anything still on REs on the Marschbahn, for tomorrow?

 

[LUYMun]

218330 has been out on the same duty for the past couple of days this week on the RE6 out of Westerland, the allocated diagrams are usually posted to the 'Drescheibe Online' German rail forum in the morning. Just look for the one with "Lokeinsatze auf der Marschbahn [DB Regio]" in its title: https://www.drehscheibe-online.de/foren/list.php?6

218453 and 218470 also reporting in the area.

Today's: https://www.drehscheibe-online.de/foren/read.php?006,11469238

RE 11052, Husum (07:00) - Westerland(Sylt) (08:04)
RE 11065, Westerland(Sylt) (08:50) - Niebüll (09:29)
RE 11058, Niebüll (10:30) - Westerland(Sylt) (11:05)
RE 11073, Westerland(Sylt) (12:50) - Bredstedt (13:46)
RE 11066, Bredstedt (13:54) - Niebüll (14:13)
RE 11068, Niebüll (15:30) - Westerland(Sylt) (16:04)
RE 11081, Westerland(Sylt) (16:50) - Husum (17:59)

 

[UBoot]

In the 'Hamburg' area the only chance of an actual ride behind a 218 is the RE6.

Currently 218 330-9 (Ozeanblau/Beige) push/pull using Dosto stock. This service varies on a daily basis, and last week it made only the one trip out and back to Hamburg Altona, and on another day a 245 was subbed for 218 330-9. It always pays to check on Drehscheibe though sometimes the days' info is only posted at 03:00 making planning difficult.

For example this is the plan for 13th June, from Drehscheibe

RE 11052, Husum (07:00) - Westerland(Sylt) (08:04)
RE 11015, Westerland(Sylt) (08:19) - Hamburg-Altona (11:22)
RE 11016, Hamburg-Altona (12:32) - Westerland(Sylt) (15:34)
RE 11079, Westerland(Sylt) (15:50) - Niebüll (16:29/16:31) - Husum (16:59)


If you are happy to just take photos then there is the 'Autozug' service which ferries vehicles over to Westerland and one set is currently hauled by a pair of red 218's.

This is the typical plan for 13th June, from Drehscheibe.

218 831-6 + 218 835-7
AS 1407/ Westerland(Sylt) (06:35) -> Niebüll (07:15)
AS 1410/ Niebüll (07:46) -> Westerland(Sylt) (08:16)
AS 1419/ Westerland(Sylt) (09:35) -> Niebüll (10:15)
AS 1422/ Niebüll (10:35) -> Westerland(Sylt) (11:16)
AS 1433/ Westerland(Sylt) (13:05) -> Niebüll (13:45)
AS 1436/ Niebüll (14:16) -> Westerland(Sylt) (14:46)
AS 1451/ Westerland(Sylt) (17:35) -> Niebüll (18:15)
AS 1454/ Niebüll (18:46) -> Westerland(Sylt) (19:16)
AS 1465/ Westerland(Sylt) (21:05) -> Niebüll (21:45)

There is an additional 'Autozug' service currently with another pair of 218's including 218 443-0, a service which can be tracked on Bahn Experte.

I was in Niebüll last week and at one point there were five 218's in the station simultaneously! Plus four on the 'scrap' lines.

So on Drehscheibe you need the Fahrzeiten Forum:

Drehscheibe Online Foren :: 49 - Fahrzeiten-Forum

www.drehscheibe-online.de

Bahn Expert, Niebüll RE6 times

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Bahn Expert, Niebüll Autozug times

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Best of Luck!

UB