Fahrtstrecke

Fahrtstrecke is a railway term that refers to the portion of the railway network that a train traverses between two points, typically from its origin to its destination. It denotes the physical route, including all intervening tracks, signals, and possible diversions that a service follows during its journey. In timetables and traffic planning, the Fahrtstrecke indicates the route used by a given service on a regular day and is connected to the service’s timetable data.

The length and characteristics of a Fahrtstrecke influence operational decisions such as speeds, braking, energy consumption, and signaling requirements. The Fahrtstrecke may vary for the same service on different days or times if alternative routings are employed due to track works, congestion management, or other operational needs.

The term is distinct from related concepts. A Strecke or Streckenabschnitt usually refers to a defined section of the rail network, while the Fahrtstrecke describes the specific path taken by a particular service. It is also not identical to the broader notion of a Zuglauf or Zuglaufweg, which describe the complete journey and route through yards and sidings.

Fahrtstrecke data appear in official timetables and route plans, often with the starting and ending points, the primary line, and notable control points. Understanding the Fahrtstrecke is important for timetable reliability, capacity planning, and infrastructure maintenance, as it aligns train movements with signaling, electrification, and track conditions.