Wupper-Express
{{Short description|Regional train service in the Rhine-Ruhr region of Germany}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name = {{rcb|National Express Germany|RE 4|inline=croute}} Wupper-Express
| color = 121cc1
| routenumber = *485 (Aachen–Hagen)
- 427 (Hagen–Dortmund)
| operator = National Express Germany
| linelength_km = 171
| gauge = {{Track gauge|sg|allk=on}}
| electrification = Overhead line, {{15 kV AC}}
| speed = {{Convert|160|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} (maximum)
| image = NRW-RE4.svg
| image_width = 200px
| system = Rhein-Ruhr-Express (RRX)
| locale = North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| map_state =
| map = {{routemap
|inline = 1
|map-title = Operating points and lines{{cite book|title=Eisenbahnatlas Deutschland (German railway atlas) |publisher= Schweers + Wall | year= 2009 |isbn= 978-3-89494-139-0}}
|map =
KS+BHFa~~0~~Dortmund Hbf~~ ~~Eurostar, ICE, IC
S+BHF~~16~~Witten Hbf
S+BHF~~23~~Wetter (Ruhr)
S+BHF~~31~~Hagen Hbf~~ ~~ICE, IC
BHF~~42~~Ennepetal (Gevelsberg)
S+BHF~~47~~Schwelm
S+BHF~~52~~Wuppertal-Oberbarmen
S+BHF~~54~~Wuppertal-Barmen
S+BHF~~57~~Wuppertal Hbf~~ ~~ICE, IC
S+BHF~~64~~Wuppertal-Vohwinkel
S+BHF~~84~~Düsseldorf Hbf~~ ~~Eurostar, ICE, IC
S+BHF~~87~~Düsseldorf-Bilk
S+BHF~~92~~Neuss Hbf~~ ~~ICE, IC
S+BHF~~109~~Mönchengladbach Hbf~~ ~~ICE, IC
BHF~~113~~Rheydt Hbf~~ ~~IC
BHF~~126~~Erkelenz
BHF~~132~~Hückelhoven-Baal
BHF~~138~~Lindern
BHF~~145~~Geilenkirchen
BHF~~150~~Übach-Palenberg
BHF~~157~~Herzogenrath~~ ~~IC
BHF~~168~~Aachen West
BHF~~169~~Aachen Schanz
KS+BHFe~~171~~Aachen Hbf~~ ~~Eurostar, ICE, IC
}}
}}
The Wupper-Express (RE 4) is a Regional-Express service in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) running between {{Hbf|Aachen}} and {{Hbf|Dortmund}} via {{Hbf|Mönchengladbach}}, {{Hbf|Düsseldorf}}, {{Hbf|Wuppertal}} and {{Hbf|Hagen}}. It is the third most widely used Regional-Express line in the area administered by the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR) with approximately 24,000 passengers a day.{{cite web|publisher=Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr |url=http://vrr.de/imperia/md/content/publikationensonstige/qualitaetsbericht.pdf |title=Qualitätsbericht SPNV Im Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr für 2010 |date= February 2011 |format=PDF |language=German| accessdate= 7 September 2011}} The line is part of the Rhein-Ruhr-Express (RRX) network and is operated by National Express Germany.
History
Today's RE 4 is the successor to the former StädteExpress line SE from Aachen to Hagen and Iserlohn. Later, the end point was moved to Hamm and after the abolition of InterRegio services it was extended to Munster. Under the second stage of North Rhine-Westphalia's integrated timetable (ITF 2), introduced in December 2002, it was replaced by the Maas-Wupper-Express (RE 13) and the Ems-Börde-Bahn (RB 89) services between Hagen and Munster and the Wupper-Express has since then run to Dortmund with a stop in Witten.
A reorganisation of services between Cologne and Dortmund is being undertaken in a program known as the Rhine-Ruhr Express (RRX).{{cite press release | editor= NVR | date = 11 April 2014 | title = RRX-Interimsvergabe geht an DB Regio NRW | language=de}} Since 18 March 2022, the Wupper-Express has also stopped in {{stn|Düsseldorf-Bilk}} with the completion of the new regional platform.
Route
The Wupper-Express runs successively over the Aachen–Mönchengladbach, the Mönchengladbach–Düsseldorf and the Düsseldorf–Elberfeld lines. The service then follows the Elberfeld–Dortmund railway as far as Witten station, from where it uses the tracks of the Witten/Dortmund–Oberhausen/Duisburg railway and the Oberstraße Tunnel on its way to Dortmund station. At night, the RE 4 operates to Düsseldorf Airport Terminal station.
The Wupper-Express runs parallel to Rhine-Ruhr S-Bahn lines on large sections of track and it has some of the character of a fast S-Bahn service and is perceived by passengers accordingly.
Rollingstock
The Wupper-Express formerly used class 111 locomotives and non-air conditioned double-deck coaches. Additional peak hour services operated between Düsseldorf and Aachen with class 110 and 111 locomotives, operated exclusively with refurbished Silberling carriages.
Since December 2020, the line has been operated by National Express with new Siemens Desiro HC EMU's in coupled sets, which serve as a reserve for possible expansions of the Rhein-Ruhr-Express lines.{{cite press release| url = https://www.nvr.de/fileadmin/Dateien_NVR/Downloadcenter/Verkehrsnetz/NVR_SPNV_Nahverkehrsplan2016.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317144634/https://www.deutschebahn.com/pr-duesseldorf-de/aktuell/regionale-presseinformationen/In-Duesseldorf-Bilk-halten-nun-auch-Regionalzuege-7486494|archive-date=17 March 2022 |url-status=live | title = Nahverkehrsplan 2016 | publisher = Zweckverband Nahverkehr Rheinland | date= March 2016 | access-date= 16 January 2023|language=de}}
File:RE4.jpg|Wupper-Express near Baal
File:BereitstellungRE4-2.JPG|Preparation of the train in Aachen
File:Wupper-Expresszugschild.jpg|Train running label
File:RE4 Aachen 3337.jpg|Leaving Aachen Hbf
File:RE4 in Aachen Hbf KA.jpg|Wupper-Express on track 3 in Aachen Hbf
File:BR 462 (Siemens Desiro HC) on Wuppertal Hbf.jpg|Wupper-Express with Siemens Desiro HC in Wuppertal Hbf
See also
Notes
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commonscat}}
- {{cite web |url=http://nrwbahnarchiv.bplaced.net/linien/RE4.htm | title=Wupper-Express | work=NRW rail archive|publisher= André Joost |language=German | accessdate= 7 September 2011}}