Aalen station
Encyclopedia
Aalen station is a junction on the Rems Railway
from Stuttgart
, the Brenz Railway
from Ulm
, the Upper Jagst Railway to Crailsheim
and Ries Railway to Donauwörth
. The station is located 200 metres northeast of the historic old town (Altstadt
) of Aalen
in the German state of Baden-Württemberg
.
and Bavaria
, which did not have a common concept of a cross-border railway, the Rems Railway was opened by the Royal Württemberg State Railways
on 18 July 1861. Aalen was not planned as a railway junction and the station at first was small with eight railway employees who also had postal duties. An extension of the railway towards Nördlingen—now considered part of the Ries Railway (Riesbahn)—opened on 3 October 1863. The third connection was achieved on 13 September 1864 with the opening of the Brenz Railway (Brenzbahn) to Heidenheim (the connection from Heidenheim to Ulm was not completed until 1876 because of the so-called Brenzbahn clause of the treaty between Württemberg and Bavaria that authorised construction of the Rems Railway). The Upper Jagst Railway (Oberen Jagstbahn) to Crailsheim was opened on 15 November 1866 and it was connected to Schwäbisch Hall
on 10 December 1867 with the extension of the Hohenlohe Railway
(Hohenlohebahn). In 1865, a railway repair shop was established in Aalen, which was later the basis for the train depot.
By that time it was becoming apparent that the station was too small for the increasing railway traffic. Its only covered platform was the “main platform” in front of the station building and its second platform was only about 1.8 m wide. Thus the expansion and renovation of the station began in 1873. In 1876 the new main station building was inaugurated. In 1884 the station had four tracks, three of which were used for passenger services. Thus, despite the scarcity of funds (the Württemberg government provided only 500,000 German gold mark
s of the necessary 3,500,000), the station was prepared for further traffic increases. By the end of the century, traffic grew to a total of 80 trains per day.
In 1901 funds were exhausted, but the state made available an additional 1.4 million gold marks. This allowed the station to be expanded from three to five tracks for passengers. On 31 October of that year the Härtsfeld Railway (Härtsfeldbahn), a 1000-mm narrow-gauge
railway to Neresheim
and Dillingen, was opened. Its tracks ended opposite the railway station on the other side of the tracks. In order to connect to the station, a 72 m long tunnel was built under the railway tracks. Since the line at first ran parallel with the line to Ulm, this section had a three-rail track
.
In 1905, an electro-mechanical interlocking
was installed at the station.
During World War II
there was a wave of attacks on the station, starting on 1 and 2 April 1945, when it was not very damaged. Only the targeted attacks on 8 April and 17 April did lasting damage to the station, causing passenger services to be stopped altogether. Traffic was resumed on 9 July at the request of the Allies.
The next major change took place in 1970 with the beginning of the electrification of the Rems Railway, which was completed on 28 May 1972. Electrification of the section to Crailsheim was completed on 2 June 1985.
The Härtsfeld Railway was closed for passenger services on 30 September 1972. Freight traffic closed two months later on 30 November. This was followed by the dismantling of the railway tracks.
A renovation of the main building, which had been planned in 1980, was deferred to 1990. The reason given was that the building was now under a preservation order. The 4.4 million Deutsche Marks project provided the station with a travel centre, a shop and a bistro.
In January 2010, it was announced that Aalen station would benefit from federal funds from the first economic stimulus package, totalling about € 4.8 million, for modernisation and for adapting its access for the disabled. So three lifts are be installed to connect the platforms and the underpass and the station platform are being raised from 38 to 55 centimetres high. Similarly the station as a whole is also being “rebuilt with modern equipment." Construction work began on 25 February 2011.
The basic interval timetable of Baden-Württemberg operates at the station. Each hour at about 30 minutes after the hour regional services interchange at the station on the following routes in both directions:
The interchange between services to and from Ellwangen and Donauwörth is at the nearby Goldshöfe station
.
On every odd hour, interchange is possible between Intercity
trains on the Karlsruhe–Stuttgart–Nürnberg route in both directions and Interregio-Express
trains to and from Ulm.
In the south of the city is the Industriebahn Aalen (Aalen industrial railway), an industrial line run by the city, over which some 250 wagon loads are hauled each year.
is partly in the city Aalen and partly in the municipality of Rainau
.
Rems Railway
The Rems Railway , also known as the Rems Valley Railway was historically the main line route from Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt via Aalen to Nördlingen. Today the designation Rems Railway only refers to the section from Stuttgart to Aalen, the Aalen–Nördlingen line becoming part of the Ries Railway...
from Stuttgart
Stuttgart
Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The sixth-largest city in Germany, Stuttgart has a population of 600,038 while the metropolitan area has a population of 5.3 million ....
, the Brenz Railway
Brenz Railway
The Brenz Railway , also called the Brenz Valley Railway , is a single-tracked, non-electrified main line from Aalen to Ulm in southern Germany...
from Ulm
Ulm
Ulm is a city in the federal German state of Baden-Württemberg, situated on the River Danube. The city, whose population is estimated at 120,000 , forms an urban district of its own and is the administrative seat of the Alb-Donau district. Ulm, founded around 850, is rich in history and...
, the Upper Jagst Railway to Crailsheim
Crailsheim
Crailsheim is a town in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, 32 km east of Schwäbisch Hall, 40 km southwest of Ansbach in the Schwäbisch Hall district, incorporated in 1338....
and Ries Railway to Donauwörth
Donauwörth
Donauwörth is a city in the German State of Bavaria , in the region of Swabia . It is said to have been founded by two fisherman where the Danube and Wörnitz rivers meet...
. The station is located 200 metres northeast of the historic old town (Altstadt
Altstadt
Altstadt is the German language word for "old town", meaning "historical city centre within the city wall", in contrast to a Neustadt built outside later....
) of Aalen
Aalen
Aalen is a city in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, about east of Stuttgart and north of Ulm. It is the seat of the Ostalbkreis district, and its largest city, as well as the largest city within the Ostwürttemberg region. In spatial planning, Aalen is designated a Mittelzentrum...
in the German state of Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg is one of the 16 states of Germany. Baden-Württemberg is in the southwestern part of the country to the east of the Upper Rhine, and is the third largest in both area and population of Germany's sixteen states, with an area of and 10.7 million inhabitants...
.
History
Despite disagreements between the countries of WürttembergWürttemberg
Württemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
and Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
, which did not have a common concept of a cross-border railway, the Rems Railway was opened by the Royal Württemberg State Railways
Royal Württemberg State Railways
The Royal Württemberg State Railways were the state railways of the Kingdom of Württemberg between 1843 and 1920...
on 18 July 1861. Aalen was not planned as a railway junction and the station at first was small with eight railway employees who also had postal duties. An extension of the railway towards Nördlingen—now considered part of the Ries Railway (Riesbahn)—opened on 3 October 1863. The third connection was achieved on 13 September 1864 with the opening of the Brenz Railway (Brenzbahn) to Heidenheim (the connection from Heidenheim to Ulm was not completed until 1876 because of the so-called Brenzbahn clause of the treaty between Württemberg and Bavaria that authorised construction of the Rems Railway). The Upper Jagst Railway (Oberen Jagstbahn) to Crailsheim was opened on 15 November 1866 and it was connected to Schwäbisch Hall
Schwäbisch Hall
Schwäbisch Hall is a town in the German state of Baden-Württemberg and capital of the district of Schwäbisch Hall. The town is located in the valley of the river Kocher in the north-eastern part of Baden-Württemberg....
on 10 December 1867 with the extension of the Hohenlohe Railway
Hohenlohe Railway
The Hohenlohe Railway is a double-tracked, main line railway in southwest Germany that runs from Heilbronn, crossing the Hohenlohe region.-History:...
(Hohenlohebahn). In 1865, a railway repair shop was established in Aalen, which was later the basis for the train depot.
By that time it was becoming apparent that the station was too small for the increasing railway traffic. Its only covered platform was the “main platform” in front of the station building and its second platform was only about 1.8 m wide. Thus the expansion and renovation of the station began in 1873. In 1876 the new main station building was inaugurated. In 1884 the station had four tracks, three of which were used for passenger services. Thus, despite the scarcity of funds (the Württemberg government provided only 500,000 German gold mark
German gold mark
The Goldmark was the currency used in the German Empire from 1873 to 1914.-History:Before unification, the different German states issued a variety of different currencies, though most were linked to the Vereinsthaler, a silver coin containing 16⅔ grams of pure silver...
s of the necessary 3,500,000), the station was prepared for further traffic increases. By the end of the century, traffic grew to a total of 80 trains per day.
In 1901 funds were exhausted, but the state made available an additional 1.4 million gold marks. This allowed the station to be expanded from three to five tracks for passengers. On 31 October of that year the Härtsfeld Railway (Härtsfeldbahn), a 1000-mm narrow-gauge
Metre gauge
Metre gauge refers to narrow gauge railways and tramways with a track gauge of . In some African, American and Asian countries it is the main gauge. In Europe it has been used for local railways in France, Germany, and Belgium, most of which were closed down in mid 20th century. Only in Switzerland...
railway to Neresheim
Neresheim
Neresheim is a town in the Ostalbkreis district, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated northeast of Heidenheim, and southeast of Aalen....
and Dillingen, was opened. Its tracks ended opposite the railway station on the other side of the tracks. In order to connect to the station, a 72 m long tunnel was built under the railway tracks. Since the line at first ran parallel with the line to Ulm, this section had a three-rail track
Dual gauge
A dual-gauge or mixed-gauge railway has railway track that allows trains of different gauges to use the same track. Generally, a dual-gauge railway consists of three rails, rather than the standard two rails. The two outer rails give the wider gauge, while one of the outer rails and the inner rail...
.
In 1905, an electro-mechanical interlocking
Interlocking
In railway signalling, an interlocking is an arrangement of signal apparatus that prevents conflicting movements through an arrangement of tracks such as junctions or crossings. The signalling appliances and tracks are sometimes collectively referred to as an interlocking plant...
was installed at the station.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
there was a wave of attacks on the station, starting on 1 and 2 April 1945, when it was not very damaged. Only the targeted attacks on 8 April and 17 April did lasting damage to the station, causing passenger services to be stopped altogether. Traffic was resumed on 9 July at the request of the Allies.
The next major change took place in 1970 with the beginning of the electrification of the Rems Railway, which was completed on 28 May 1972. Electrification of the section to Crailsheim was completed on 2 June 1985.
The Härtsfeld Railway was closed for passenger services on 30 September 1972. Freight traffic closed two months later on 30 November. This was followed by the dismantling of the railway tracks.
A renovation of the main building, which had been planned in 1980, was deferred to 1990. The reason given was that the building was now under a preservation order. The 4.4 million Deutsche Marks project provided the station with a travel centre, a shop and a bistro.
In January 2010, it was announced that Aalen station would benefit from federal funds from the first economic stimulus package, totalling about € 4.8 million, for modernisation and for adapting its access for the disabled. So three lifts are be installed to connect the platforms and the underpass and the station platform are being raised from 38 to 55 centimetres high. Similarly the station as a whole is also being “rebuilt with modern equipment." Construction work began on 25 February 2011.
Operations
- Stuttgart–Aalen (Rems RailwayRems RailwayThe Rems Railway , also known as the Rems Valley Railway was historically the main line route from Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt via Aalen to Nördlingen. Today the designation Rems Railway only refers to the section from Stuttgart to Aalen, the Aalen–Nördlingen line becoming part of the Ries Railway...
) - Ulm–Aalen–Ellwangen (–Crailsheim, Brenz RailwayBrenz RailwayThe Brenz Railway , also called the Brenz Valley Railway , is a single-tracked, non-electrified main line from Aalen to Ulm in southern Germany...
and Upper Jagst Railway) - Aalen–Donauwörth (Ries Railway, every two hours on weekends)
The interchange between services to and from Ellwangen and Donauwörth is at the nearby Goldshöfe station
Goldshöfe station
Goldshöfe station is a station in the German state of Baden-Württemberg at the junction of the Aalen–Crailsheim line and the Aalen–Nördlingen line . In addition to its function as a junction station it also serves the towns of Hüttlingen and Buch in the municipality of Rainau, both about two...
.
On every odd hour, interchange is possible between Intercity
Intercity (Deutsche Bahn)
Intercity is the second-highest train classification in Germany, after the ICE. Intercity services are loco-hauled express services, usually over long-distances. There are Intercity routes throughout Germany, and routes generally operate with a two-hour frequency, with multiple routes giving a more...
trains on the Karlsruhe–Stuttgart–Nürnberg route in both directions and Interregio-Express
Interregio-Express
The Interregio-Express is a local public transport railway service operated by the Deutsche Bahn which is only available in the German states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Berlin as well as in Switzerland...
trains to and from Ulm.
In the south of the city is the Industriebahn Aalen (Aalen industrial railway), an industrial line run by the city, over which some 250 wagon loads are hauled each year.
Long distance
| Line | Route | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| (Basel SBB Basel SBB railway station Basel SBB is the central railway station in the city of Basel in Switzerland. Trains run by the Swiss Federal Railways to destinations within Switzerland use this station, as well as Deutsche Bahn Intercity-Express trains to Germany as well as Zürich and Interlaken... –) Karlsruhe Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof is the central railway station in the German city of Karlsruhe. The station is classified as one of the major Category 1 stations in Germany, due to its function as a hub connecting several railway lines with each other.- History :... – Pforzheim Pforzheim Hauptbahnhof is the main station in the city of Pforzheim in the German state of Baden-Württemberg.-Rail services :Pforzheim Hauptbahnhof is served by several lines operated at regular intervals, including an Interregio-Express/ Regional-Express line, a Regionalbahn line and two Karlsruhe Stadtbahn lines... – Stuttgart Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof is the Hauptbahnhof of the city of Stuttgart, the capital of the Land of Baden-Württemberg, in southwestern Germany. It is the largest regional and long-distance railway station in Stuttgart, the main node of the Stuttgart S-Bahn network, and, together with the halt at Charlottenplatz, the main... – Aalen – Nuremberg Nürnberg Hauptbahnhof Nuremberg Central Station is the main railway station for the city of Nuremberg in Germany. It is the largest station in north Bavaria and belongs to the 20 stations in the highest category of importance allocated by DB Station&Service.... |
Every two hours | |
Regional services
| Line | Route | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Aalen – Heidenheim – Ulm Ulm Hauptbahnhof is the Hauptbahnhof or central railway station for the city of Ulm, which lies on the Danube, on the border of the German states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. It is on ICE line from Stuttgart to Munich and the Paris –Budapest Magistrale for Europe line that is supported by the European Union... |
Every two hours | |
| Stuttgart – Schorndorf Schorndorf station Schorndorf station is in the city of Schorndorf in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. It was opened in 1861 along with the Rems Railway from Stuttgart to Aalen... – Schwäbisch Gmünd Schwäbisch Gmünd station Schwäbisch Gmünd station was opened in 1861 and is located northwest of the city of Schwäbisch Gmünd in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. It is on the Rems Railway and is a stop for InterCity trains.-History :... – Aalen |
Every hour | |
| (Ulm – Heidenheim – ) Aalen – Ellwangen Ellwangen Ellwangen an der Jagst, officially Ellwangen , in common use simply Ellwangen is a town in the district of Ostalbkreis in the east of Baden-Württemberg in Germany... (– Crailsheim Crailsheim Crailsheim is a town in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, 32 km east of Schwäbisch Hall, 40 km southwest of Ansbach in the Schwäbisch Hall district, incorporated in 1338.... ) |
Every hour | |
| Aalen – Heidenheim – Ulm – Ravensburg Ravensburg Ravensburg is a town in Upper Swabia in Southern Germany, capital of the district of Ravensburg, Baden-Württemberg.Ravensburg was first mentioned in 1088. In the Middle Ages, it was an Imperial Free City and an important trading centre... – Friedrichshafen Friedrichshafen This article is about a German town. For the Danish town, see Frederikshavn, and for the Finnish town, see Fredrikshamn .Friedrichshafen is a university city on the northern side of Lake Constance in Southern Germany, near the borders with Switzerland and Austria.It is the district capital of the... |
Mon-Fri, once a day | |
| Aalen – Nördlingen – Donauwörth | Every hour | |
Connections
Outside station is the main bus station, opened in 2006, and a park-and-ride car park. At the bus station is the information centre of the Verkehrsgemeinschaft Aalen (Aalen Transport Corporation). In 2003 a bike parking area with 204 places was opened, which is under video surveillance for protection from theft.Other stations in Aalen
The other stations in Aalen are Wasseralfingen, Unterkochen and Hofen. Goldshöfe stationGoldshöfe station
Goldshöfe station is a station in the German state of Baden-Württemberg at the junction of the Aalen–Crailsheim line and the Aalen–Nördlingen line . In addition to its function as a junction station it also serves the towns of Hüttlingen and Buch in the municipality of Rainau, both about two...
is partly in the city Aalen and partly in the municipality of Rainau
Rainau
Rainau is a town in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, in Ostalbkreis district.-External links:*...
.