Dispatching in Koblenz-Lützel

Page is under construction. Information is subject to change.

Before you get your approval to run the service on a signal box, you need to find out about the local characteristics. After training as a general trainee signalman, dispatchers were always paired with a person skilled in the signal box. This chapter is the brief introduction to the area. Read it carefully. It contains very important information.

The text is "peer to peer" written as if you are in the signal box, the first day after training.

Have a more detailed look at the Koblenz-Lützel panel here.

Signal Box Koblenz-Lützel

General

The signal box of Koblenz-Lützel is located along the electrified double-track main line 'Linke Rheinstrecke', line number 2630 from Cologne to Mainz between the stations of Weißenthurm and Koblenz Hbf.

Koblenz-Lützel

Neighbouring Dispatching Areas

On the left bottom (tracks 22/33) we have the connecting tracks towards Koblenz Hbf, which is part of the dispatching area of Koblenz Hbf (KKO). These are called the Rhine tracks (Rheingleise). Another track also connects our signal box with Koblenz Hbf, which is track the so-called 'Oberstromgleis' 444. Only on that track bi-directional running (Gleiswechselbetrieb or GWB) towards and from Koblenz Hbf is possible.

On the top left (track 004/451) we have the track towards Koblenz-Mosel Gbf. Many freight trains to and from France or Luxembourg will pass over these tracks to either leave or join the Linke Rheinstrecke.

On the center bottom (tracks 971/974) we see the tracks towards Neuwied, the connecting line to the Rechte Rheinstrecke.

On the right bottom (tracks 002/412) the 'Linke Rheinstrecke' will leave our dispatching area to the North towards Weißenthurm. The station of Weißenthurm (KWEH) is the next controlled location in this direction. Bi-directional running towards and from Weißenthurm is possible.

Koblenz-Lützel Pbf

Only two services have their stops at Koblenz-Lützel Pbf. Train serie SE 6300 runs between Koblenz Hbf and Köln Hbf via the East Rhine Railway (Rechte Rheinstrecke). In other words, those trains go via Neuwied. The platform stops are at track 3 and 4. Train serie SE 7300 runs between Koblenz Hbf and Köln-Deutz via the West Rhine Railway (Rechte Rheinstrecke). So these trains go via Urmitz. The platform stops for this train serie are at platform 1 and 2.

The trains of series SE 6300 will go to or come from Koblenz Hbf via the so-called Oberstromgleis (444). Trains via this track must be offered to the dispatcher of Koblenz Hbf. The dispatcher of Koblenz Hbf will do the same when he wants to send a train via this track towards Koblenz-Lützel. Do not forget to use the alternative overlap route when setting routes for trains towards this Oberstromgleis, to avoid unnessecary overlap route revoking or extra waiting time to let the overlap route release.

Trains to or from Neuwied do not have a steering number assigned.

Any other trains to/from Koblenz Hbf go via the so-called Rhine tracks (22 and 23)

Koblenz-Lützel Gbf (Museum)

Koblenz-Lützel Gbf / Museum

IMPORTANT: The timetable is based on the year 1996. The DB Museum in Koblenz-Lützel opened its doors in april 2001. For this reason, you will NOT find any museum related trains in the official timetable of the Koblenz-Lützel simulation.

The tracks of Koblenz-Lützel Gbf are located between the passenger station of Koblenz-Lützel and the junction where the line splits into the direction of Weißenthurm and Neuwied. Koblenz-Lützel Gbf itself is operated from a local signal box there. The dispatcher there will call if he wants to send out a train. When a trains needs to be send train towards Koblenz-Lützel Gbf, all we do is set a entrance route towards it. The dispatcher of Koblenz-Lützel Gbf will take care of the rest.

The connection towards Koblenz-Metternich (400) is relatively busy due to the construction of the high speed line elsewhere in the country This line used to go all the way down towards Mayen, but those tracks have been removed between Mayen and Koblenz-Metternich a couple of years ago.

At the bottom right of this area, on track 38, we have to connection to Rheinhafen. Just a couple of times trains will go or arrive from there.

Urmitz

Only service SE 7300 has its stops at Urmitz. Trains out of the direction of Weissenthurm stop at platform track 1 (501). Trains towards Weissenthurm and further stop at platform track 2 (502).

The area of Urmitz is the only location where delayed or slow traffic can be overhauled. Traffic towards Koblenz Hbf / Koblenz-Mosel can be overhauled by taking them into track 410. Into the other direction, we have the tracks 503 and 504 at Urmitz to do the same. But you have to be sure that a certain train fits on the tracks there.

By no means you should send delayed trains into Koblenz-Lützel Gbf. First of all it is pretty sure that you will cause delays for other trains. Additionally, the local dispatcher there is not to happy if you use his tracks to temporarily stable your trains.

Abzw. Kesselheim

Junction Kesselheim. Short after this junction, the trains cross the river Rhine into the direction of Neuwied. From there the trains can continue there journey over the East Rhine Railway (Rechte Rhein Strecke)

Freight trains to and from Koblenz-Lützel Gbf go via track 980. This avoids that they have to cross the tracks of the main line Koblenz Hbf - Urmitz/Weissenthurm, and thus causing delays.

Freight trains out of the direction of Koblenz Hbf via the Rhein tracks are also prefered to be routed via this track 980. Into the other direction, so Koblenz Hbf, should be done with care as well. Normally we let them cross the tracks towards Urmitz, and set a route via 976 and 002, and onwards to Kobelnz Hbf (22). Your second option is to send such trains via 980 -> 01 -> 002 towards Koblenz Hbf.

Really pay attention to the timetable for freight trains coming from Neuwied. All trains from there have no steering number assigned, so you must know or refer to the timetable, where to send each train.

Abbreviations

Short Name	Full Name
FMZ	Mainz Hbf
KAND	Andernach
KK	Köln Hbf
KKES	Kesselheim
KWEH	Weißenthurm
KKO	Koblenz Hbf
KOCH	Ochtendung
KKOE	Koblenz-Ehrenbreitstein
KKOL	Koblenz-Lützel
KKOLP	Koblenz-Lützel Pbf
KKOLM	Koblenz-Lützel Gbf
KKOM	Koblenz Mosel Gbf
KKOT	Koblenz-Metternich
KMYO	Mayen Ost
KNE	Neuwied
KNL	Niederlahnstein
KUR	Urmitz
STR	Trier Hbf

Track lengths

Track lengths Koblenz-Lützel Pbf

Track	Length (m)
Koblenz-Lützel 1	800
Koblenz-Lützel 2	800
Koblenz-Lützel 3	800
Koblenz-Lützel 4	800

Track lengths Urmitz

Track	Length (m)
Urmitz 501	800
Urmitz 502	800
Urmitz 503	300
Urmitz 504	600
Urmitz 410	400