Spurklasse

Spurklasse is a term used in German-speaking railway planning and related industries to describe a way of classifying spur lines and sidings according to their function, capacity, and integration with the mainline network. The concept is used to support planning, operations, and investment decisions by providing a framework to compare disparate spur segments on a common basis. In practice, Spurklasse may apply to urban tramway spurs, regional branches, or industrial sidings that connect to main routes. The classification focuses on characteristics such as anticipated traffic, performance requirements, and engineering constraints rather than on any single technical standard.

Typical criteria considered when assigning a Spurklasse include service frequency and reliability; required track capacity; allowable speeds; levels of electrification and signalling compatibility; gradient and curvature; and compatibility with freight or passenger operations. Spurklasse can influence decisions on investment priorities, scheduling, and maintenance regimes, as well as design choices for future upgrades or reconstruction.

Usage of Spurklasse varies between countries, regions, and agencies, and there is no universally binding standard. Some authorities maintain formal, published schemes, while others describe spur lines informally within planning documents. Because of this variation, the term is primarily a planning concept rather than a fixed technical specification.

Spurklasse is often encountered in discussions of network modernization, urban mobility planning, and the integration of freight and passenger services on mixed-traffic routes. See also Spurweite (gauge), Gleis (track), Nebenbahn (branch line), and Eisenbahnplanung (railway planning).