|
}} The Hunsrückquerbahn (English: ''Trans-Hunsrück Railway'') is a deactivated railway located in the Hunsrück region of Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. The line connects with the Nahe Valley Railway (''Nahetalbahn'') in Langenlonsheim to the east with the partially-abandoned Hochwaldbahn in Hermeskeil to the west. It was the primary railway through the Hunsrück, having both passenger and freight services. Originally called the ''Hunsrückbahn'', the change of name occurred as adjustments to passenger service occurred between 1978 and 1984. A nearby railway and former spur route that continues to serve passenger and tourist traffic between Boppard and Emmelshausen now carries the original name, while the original railway was renamed the Hunsrückquerbahn. ==History== The Hunsrückquerbahn was developed in stages. The first stage was completed in 1889, connecting Langenlonsheim with Simmern, the principal town of the region. Further extensions included Simmern to Kirchberg in 1901, Kirchberg to Morbach in 1902, and Morbach to Hermeskeil in 1903. Spur routes to outerlying villages in region were created, but most have since been dismantled. One spur route between Simmern and Kastellaun has been re purposed as a bike path. The railway became an important transport link for the war efforts in both world wars. In February 1945, several viaducts of the railway were destroyed as Allied forces advanced through the region, disrupting service between Morbach and Hermeskeil until repairs were completed in 1950. Direct traffic control was installed on segments of the railway in the early 1960s. The timber industry was the primary user of the railway's freight operations. Localized passenger service was also conducted during the 1970s and 1980s, but they were ended due to budget considerations. In 1990 and 1991, the railway was heavily utilized by the United States Armed Forces during the Persian Gulf War. Upon improvements to the road network in the region, the railway's use declined steeply. In 1996, Deutsche Bahn (DB) transferred freight operations to Waldhof. In 1998, Waldhof was also given track maintenance responsibilities. That same year, the route was deactivated between Morbach and Hermeskeil. In 2003, inspections found that the stretch between Stromberg and Morbach was found to have safety deficiencies. DB petitioned to have the rails removed for that track component, but the Federal Railway Authority declined the application and ordered the stretch to be reactivated for use. An appeal of the decision by DB to the federal court in Koblenz was turned down, with the court stating that the company's obligation to serve the Hunsrück outweighed economic matters. A higher federal appeals court however overturned that decision, citing it unreasonable that future infrastructure investment along the railway was realistic. The state of Rheinland-Pfalz then sued DB, causing the railway to be released from DB's jurisdiction. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Hunsrückquerbahn」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|