Railway station types of Germany

The railways in Germany use several codes to differentiate between various types of stops and stations.

Current usage

*Bf – "Bahnhof", defined as a place where trains may start, end or change directions, and that has at least one set of points.
*Hbf – "Hauptbahnhof", the central station of a larger city. Also the only internal code one will commonly find on station signs.
*Pbf – "Personenbahnhof" (passenger station), usually used to differentiate in places that have several types of stations, but only one passenger station.
*Rbf – "Rangierbahnhof" (marshalling yard).
*Gbf – "Güterbahnhof" (freight station).
*Bhf – "Betriebshof" (depot).
*Bft – "Bahnhofsteil" (station part), used when a station consists of several parts, for example a Pbf and a Rbf.
*Hp – "Haltepunkt", a passenger stop that does not fit the requirements to be a "Bf". Usually situated on an open stretch of line, and lacking specific signals.

Other abbreviations

These are not real stations "per se", but sometimes are the result of transforming a derelict station:
*Awanst – "Ausweichanschlußstelle", a branch rail where trains can be put aside whilst trains on the main line can pass unobstructed. Most commonly a connection to an industry.