| Main-Lahn Railway | |
|---|---|
| Route number: | 627 645.2 (S Bahn) |
| Line number: | 3610 |
| Line length: | 66.5 km |
| Track gauge: | 1,435 mm |
| Voltage: | 15 kV 16.7 Hz AC |
| Stations and structures | |
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The Main-Lahn railway (Main-Lahn-Bahn in German), also called the Limburg railway (Limburger Bahn), is a double-track, electrified main railway line in Germany. The 66.5-kilometer (41.3 mi) long line extends from Frankfurt am Main Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Eschhofen, a borough of Limburg an der Lahn.
From Frankfurt to Niedernhausen, it operates as Rhine-Main S-Bahn S-2 and carries Deutsche Bahn route number 645.2. From Frankfurt Central Station to Frankfurt-Höchst, it also carries S-Bahn S-1 (which then follows the Taunus railway to Wiesbaden). From Niedernhausen to Eschhofen, it takes over Route number 627 from the Ländchesbahn. From Eschhofen, the line leads into the Lahn Valley Railway.
A middle route through the Taunus between the Main and Lahn River valleys had been considered since 1850. However, construction was only begun under Prussian rule on March 25, 1872. The concession was awarded to the Hessian Ludwig Railway (Hessische Ludwigsbahn, or HLB). The construction began from Eschhofen and each finished section initially served mainly to transport material to the construction further forward.
The first section between Eschhofen and Niederselters was opened to traffic on February 1, 1875. The entire track was completed on October 15, 1877. The line from Niedernhausen to Wiesbaden Central Station, called the Ländchesbahn, was launched on July 1, 1879.
Between 1911 and 1913, the single-track line was converted to double track. In 1971, the track was electrified between Frankfurt-Höchst and Niedernhausen, and in 1986 between Niedernhausen and Limburg.
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This article incorporates text translated from the corresponding German Wikipedia article as of 2009-01-01.