Allersberg-Express

Allersberg-Express is the brand name for the RegionalBahn train service between Nuremberg and Allersberg in southern Germany, operated by Deutsche Bahn. It became operational on December 10, 2006 and is one of the few regional trains to run on a German high-speed line. The total journey time is about fifteen minutes; the train is subject to the fare structure of the Verkehrsverbund Großraum Nürnberg. The Allersberg-Express is also called the "R9 Express" on VGN network diagrams.cite web|url=http://www.vgn.de/65CA3028-D643-4F81-A188-6F55A392AE27|title=R9 Express|publisher=Verkehrsverbund Großraum Nürnberg|accessdate=2007-05-16]

Service operation

The train operates as a shuttle service without further stops between the stations Nürnberg Hbf and Allersberg (Rothsee). It utilises the Nuremberg-Ingolstadt high-speed line, where it can reach a maximum speed of 140 km/h (87 mph). The 25-km (15.5 mile) journey takes 15 minutes in the 2007 schedule. Connections to seven regional bus lines are offered at Allersberg station, as well as a park and ride facility with 286 parking bays and 112 bicycle racks.

On weekdays, the train departs from Allersberg in hourly intervals between 5:04 and 0:04. No services run on 11:04, 12:04, 14:04 and 23:04. Likewise, it departs hourly between 4:40 and 23:40 from Nuremberg, with gaps in the timetable at 10:40, 11:40, 13:40 and 22:40. Together with the München-Nürnberg-Express, there are train connections every 30 minutes during the 5:00 to 8:00 rush hour.

Services on the weekend are limited to only five train pairs a day, departing from Nuremberg at 10:40, 11:40, 16:40 and 18:40.

Rolling stock

The consist usually is operated with a Class 112 locomotive and three modernised "n" coaches (two Bndrz 451.9 coaches and a Bnrbdzf 480.3 driving van trailer). When the service was first established, a "sandwiched" train consist (112+Bn+Bn+Bnf+112) was used as the driving van trailer for the service did not have the necessary LZB equipment installed yet. [cite web|url=http://www.nahverkehr-franken.de/rbahn/aktuell_archiv/aktuell_06_12.html|title=Regionalverkehr aktuell Dezember 2006|publisher=Nahverkehr in Franken|date=2006-12-15|accessdate=2007-05-16] Contrary to the usual coaches of this type, the Allersberg-Express coaches are equipped with an electronic passenger information system and pushbutton-operated exterior doors. The train offers 240 2nd class seats and 34 bicycle racks.

Specialities

* On the open line, the train set runs with the LZB in-cab signalling, where available. Due to technical restrictions, however, the train cannot depart on LZB after reversing in Allersberg, as the earliest possible entry point to the LZB signalling is located on the open line north of the station, at km 23. For that reason, the train has to wait at Allersberg until the next conventional signal, which is located about 15 km down the line on the "Reichswald" branch, has cleared. If the Allersberg-Express allows an ICE to pass, it therefore takes a minimum wait of four minutes before the train can depart.

*The Allersberg-Express, with its top speed of 140 km/h (87 mph), is the only non-pressurised regional train which regularly passes ICE 3 trains running at their top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph). The service also is one of the few regional trains to perform a scheduled run on a German high-speed line, the other notable train being the München-Nürnberg-Express.

References