Saarbahn

Saarbahn
Overview
LocaleSaarland, Germany
Transit typeStadtbahn/Tram-train
Number of lines1
Number of stations43
WebsiteSaarbahn GmbH
Operation
Began operation24 October 1997[1]
Operator(s)Stadtbahn Saar GmbH
Technical
System length44.0 km (27.3 mi)[2]
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Minimum radius of curvature19 m (62 ft)
Electrification750 V DC + 15 kV  16+2⁄3 Hz AC overhead line
System map

Legend
line from Lebach
 Walpershofen Mitte
former line to Völklingen
System change EBO (750 V) / BOStrab (750 V)
 Walpershofen/
Etzenhofen
 Gisorsstraße
Güchenbach
Riegelsberghalle
Riegelsberg Post
Riegelsberg Rathaus
Wolfskaulstraße
Riegelsberg Süd
Heinrichshaus
Siedlerheim
Rastpfuhl
Pariser Platz/Sankt Paulus
Cottbuser Platz
Saar Railway
Rossel Valley Railway and Rémilly–Saarbrücken railway
System change EBO (15 kV) / BOStrab (750 V)
Ludwigstraße
goods line
 Trierer Straße
Hauptbahnhof
Kaiserstraße
Johanneskirche
Landwehrplatz
Uhlandstraße
Hellwigstraße
Kieselhumes
Römerkastell
System change BOStrab (750 V) / EBO (15 kV)
line from Saarbrücken Hbf
 Brebach
line to Sarreguemines
Source: German railway atlas[3]
Track plan of the Saarbahn as at March 1999

The Saarbahn is a regional Stadtbahn operating on the tram-train principle in the German state of the Saarland. It consists of a core line in Saarbrücken and Riegelsberg operating under tram operating procedures (BOStrab), connected to two lines that are operated under railway operating procedures (EBO), the Lebach–Völklingen railway to the north and the Saarbrücken–Sarreguemines railway in the south. Stadtbahn Saar GmbH is responsible for the infrastructure of the central section of line, while the outer tracks are operated by the national railway infrastructure companies, DB Netz AG in Germany and Réseau Ferré de France in France. The system is operated by Saarbahn GmbH, and integrated in the Saarländischer Verkehrsverbund [de] (SaarVV).

The route of the new line of the Saarbahn that was opened in central Saarbrücken in 1997[1] is essentially line 5 of the Saarbrücken tramway, which was closed in 1965. This line ran between Rastpfuhl and Schafbrücke and was the last line of the old metre-gauge network.

As of 2015, the current network operates on 44.0 kilometres (27.3 mi) of route,[2] and serves 43 stations.

A Saarbahn train near Johanneskirche in central Saarbrücken
System change in Brebach: Transition from 750-V DC (left) to neutral section (right)
Riegelsberg Süd stop
Walpershofen-Mitte stop
The new overpass of the Saarbahn in Walpershofen
Line 3 towards Grube Warndt just before the system change at the exhibition ground junction
A Saarbahn tram in front of the Europa-Galerie towards Saarbrücker Hauptbahnhof
  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference history1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference extension was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Eisenbahnatlas Deutschland (German railway atlas). Schweers + Wall. 2009. p. 156. ISBN 978-3-89494-139-0.