Eingleisig

Eingleisig is a railway term used to describe a line or section that has only one main track. On a eingleisig line, trains traveling in opposite directions share the same track and must be carefully coordinated to avoid conflicts. Operation relies on passing places—usually stations or dedicated passing loops—where trains can wait for each other so that two-way traffic can be maintained.

Signaling and traffic control on eingleisig lines typically involve fixed blocks, token or train authorization systems, and timetable-based coordination. The schedule must ensure that two trains approaching a passing place do not enter the same block at the same time. Modern signaling and centralized control can improve safety and efficiency, but the fundamental constraint remains: capacity is limited by the number and location of passing opportunities.

Advantages of eingleisig lines include lower construction and maintenance costs, simpler track infrastructure, and suitability for routes with modest traffic volumes or challenging terrain where building a second track would be uneconomical. Disadvantages include reduced capacity, higher vulnerability to delays, and greater complexity in timetabling and disruption management. A single delay can propagate along the line more easily than on a double-track route, affecting service reliability.

In practice, many regional and rural railways in German-speaking areas and elsewhere operate eingleisig sections, especially where traffic is seasonal or low. Some of these lines are partially upgraded with additional passing loops or converted to double track as demand grows or capacity needs increase.