Learn the Rhein Rhur Osten Main Line route between Hagen & Wuppertal westbound.
This guide will show you how to drive main line RE4 passenger services along the main line with intermediate station stops at Ennepetal, Schwelm, Wuppertal-Oberbarmen & Wuppertal-Barmen.
Things to remember about this guide:
Speed Limits shown are the line speed limits, with German railways signals will also provide additional speed limits which should be adhered to at all times.
I strongly recommend learning PZB & SIFA and I will add an additional guide on these features in a later blog. These can be hard to master but in terms of immersion and gameplay offer fantastic rewards for the time it takes.
Stopping distances for stations - This is not a walkthrough guide so I wont give precise moments when to start braking for stations, this is left to the drivers discrection. Drivers are also reminded that many factors such as locomotive, weather conditions and trains length will dictate the distance and rate of braking required.
Station Stopping Points, RE4 services are usually formed of 5 coaches , and I have shown where your stopping point is at each station, unlike more modern Train Sim World 2 routes stop boards seem to be ommitted on this route. Please note RE7 services are usually formed of 4 coaches and because of this at some stations RE7 services stop in a different spot, check out my RE7 guide coming soon.
Dwell times at stations - for both services the dwell time at all stations is usually 30 seconds. I use a stop watch app on my phone with a count down feature to measure this to ensure I provide enough time for passengers to embark and disembark at stations. However it would not be practical for me to test every service on the route so please do check your schedule prior to starting any service & also check to ensure that your choosen service is scheduled to stop at all stations on the guide.
Do check out my route guide video which accompanies this guide.
Hagen to Ennepetal
Overview
10.5km from Hagen to Ennepetal, with the majority being an arrow straight run,.
The majority of the run is 2 long hard climb with gradients of up 1.9% on the first climb &1.7% on the 2nd climb, with a 1km level section between the 2, before leveling out for Ennepetal.
Starting speed 50km/h with a max speed for this section is 150km/h, in order speed limits are 50, 70, 90, 150, 120km/h
6 Signals are spaced 245mtrs, 1.1km, 1.7km, 1.2km, 2.2km, 2.2km, with the first directly positioned ahead of your starting point.
If using AFB you can set this at 10km/h higher than line speed on both up hill sections.
Departing Hagen
RE4 services will depart from platform 10 midway along the platform and you will need to open your left hand doors to allow passengers to board. Your initial track speed limit is 50km/h, however your 1st signal is directly head of you and in the BR143 & BR112 this can be easily missed so ensure you have a green light before departing. Around 125mtrs past the next signal you exit the station throat and your speed can increase up to 70km/h, the actual point isnt marked but if you use the below switch you cant go wrong.
A little further down the line you will get your next speed increase up to 90km/h which you will remain at for the next 1.2km.
The First Climb
Immediately after the under bridge your first climb starts, gradually at first but becoming more and more steep as you leave Hagen. Beyond the next kink to the left you will come across kilometre post 140.0 which preceeds your next speed limt and you can increase your speed up to 150km/h once your train has fully passed this marker.
You will need to be quick to open the throttle however as the gradient quickly becomes 1.7% and even in perfect conditions you will struggle to reach top speed, in poor weather conditions you may need to apply sand for added traction as well.
Continue your climb until you reach a set of signals framed by an overbridge, once you have passed these signals the line will contiue to climb for another 200mtrs before leveling out at post 138.4, so you will need to start adjusting your throttle/AFB accordingly to ensure no speeding over the next 1km section of line.
The Final Push to Ennepetal
Once you are passed the junction for the freight only line which leaves the main line to the right, it is time to start climbing again for the final 6.5km to Ennepetal, this is an arrow straight constant 1.7% climb and your speed can remain at 150km/h until you reach the advanced warning of a 120km/h speed limit. This sign can easily be missed in autumnal foliage, so watch out for kilometre post 132.0 which is directly after this post and easier to spot.
The line has levelled out at this point and it's a very slight downhill run for the 1.6km into
Ennepetal and if you are running with PZB enabled you will need to ensure your speed is below 120km prior to the next magnet which is located around 300mtrs past these signs and just prior to the 2nd cheveron post shown in the next image otherwise you will get a penalty brake application. You are now just 1.1km from your first stop so continue slowing in readiness to stop.
Ennepetal Station Stopping Point
Ennepetal to Schwelm
Overview
Aprox 4.5km from between stations with a couple of twists and turns up to the summit of the route.
A 2km climb then leveling out with a maximum gradient of 1.6%, before dropping steeply (upto 2.7%) back down to Schwelm.
Your speed remains at 120km/h for the majority of this run, before increasing to 130km/h for the final 1.5km. Although in reality only the brave would use this additional speed to the limit.
Just 2 signals with 3.5km between them, the first signal is just after the leaving the station, with the other being 830mtrs before Schwelm,
If using AFB you can set this at 10km/h higher than line speed on the up hill section and 10km/h lower on the down hill section.
Climbing Out of Ennepatel
As you leave the station area open up the throttle as the track once again starts to climb up to the summit for around 2.5km. When you reach a bend to the left with houses on the embankment you are just 200mtrs from the actual summit which is also the highest point of the line, so it is time to ease off to ensure no speeding points are incurred.
The line quickly levels out after this point and remains flat as the line cuts it way through rocky outcrops for 0.8km.
The first descent
Once you reach post 127.4 the line will suddenly fall away from you as you start your descent into Schwelm.
The concrete post to the right of the tracks is also the point where the line speed increases to 130km/h (although no actual marker post that I can see) however only the brave will actually throttle up here given that the line falls away from under you and quickly descends at a 2.6% gradient. Personally I would recommend maintaining your speed for the next 400mtrs before you will need to start thinking about arresting your speed as you prepare to pull into your next station.
At this overbridge we have just 1km left to run and as the line continues it steep descent this is where I will start to brake firmly so not to overshoot the platform. When the Sbahn lines join the main line the line flattens out to aid braking into Schwelm which is now just 350mtrs away.
Schwelm Station Stopping Point
Schwelm to Wuppertal-Oberbarmen
Overview
Aprox 5.5 km from between stations as the scenery changes to a more urban sprawl.
Theres 2 sections of desent to contend with, the first being relatively gentle with a max of 1.4% gradient. The 2nd is harder on the brakes with a 2% gradient to test you as you approach Oberbarmen.
Your speed starts at 130km/h for the first 250mtrs before increasing to 160km/h for the rest of the run.
There's also 4 signals to watch out for on this section spaced 2.2km, 1km & 1.5km apart, with the first signal around 500mtrs after leaving Schwelm.
If using AFB you will need to set your speed 10km/h lower on the steeper down hill section to avoid overspeeding.
The Run Down From Schwelm
Once you get the signal to depart Schwelm, although the speed limit is technically 130km/h you can set your PZB to 160 as the line speed will change well before you will reach the earlier limit. The line will remain flat until you reach the first signal at which point you start your descent to Wuppertal - Langerfeld. The descent is a constant 1.4%as you pass the DUSS terminal sidings to your right. Its just a further 500mtrs until post 122.8 where the line again flattens out as you take the avoiding lines around Langerfeld.
Its only a brief respite here before the line again starts to drop from beneath you at 122.0. This is more a severe gradient at 2% for the next 300mtrs and as you are just 1.1km from Oberbarmen you will need to consider arresting your speed with heavy braking in order to avoid overshooting the platform ahead.
As you pass the advanced warning of an inpending 130km/h zone the line once again flattens out for the final 750mtrs, if you havent already started reducing your speed then you should consider doing so now as you approach platform 2.
Oberbarmen Stopping Point
Wuppertal-Oberbarmen to Wuppertal-Barmen
Overview
Its a short 2km run into Barmen, be sure to check out the Schwebebahn to the right of your tracks.
Its a gradual and consistant 0.6% fall down to Barmen.
Technically the speed limit is 160km/h however this changes to 130km/h once you leave the platforms. It remains at this until you reach Barmen.
Once you pass the signal at the end of Obermen platform, its a 1.1km run to the only other signal on this section.
A Vey Straight Forward Run
There's very little to concern yourself with on this section, just ensure you keep your speed below 130km/h and admire the views of the suspension railway over the river as you head to your penultimate stop. I use this footbridge which is located 700mtrs prior to Barmen as my braking point in good weather although if you prefer sharper braking feel free to pass this point with the throttle open.
Barmen Stopping Point
Wuppertal-Barmen to Wuppertal
Overview
3.5km seperate the final 2 stations.
Starting speed is 130km/h, before dropping to 100km/h and final 60km/h for the final 500mtrs in Wuppertal HBf
3 Signals are spaced 1.2km & 750mts apart. Yuur first signal is 700mtrs beyond Barmen station.
Theres no meaningful gradients to worry about here.
Departing Barmen
The first part of this section is straight forward and simple, just accelarate away from the platforms and get your train up to 130km/h, around 1.2km into the run you will get advance notice of your first speed reduction, as this is 1km away you dont need to take immediate action so you can carry on to the next overbidge which is just visible in the picture whcich is 500mtrs out. If you feel brave wait until the following signal which is 250mtrs out before braking.
The actual speed restiction post is conveniently hidden behind post 116.6 and this marker board also advises of a impending 60km/h approaching. If you are running PZB then you must acknowledge this advance warning and get your speed below 85km/h to avoid a penalty brake application.
The 60 zone comes into affect just before post 115.8 and is also just 600mtrs before your final station stop, so continue to slow the train down in readiness for this stop.
Wuppertal Stopping Point
