Verbindingslijn

Verbindingslijn, in railway terminology, is a line that connects two separate rail routes or networks. Its primary function is to provide a direct through connection, enabling trains to travel between corridors without reversing at termini or detouring via longer routes. A verbindingslijn is usually shorter than main lines and is designed to integrate two existing routes as part of a larger network.

Typical characteristics include being primarily single-track with passing places, though some are double-track, and they may be electrified or not. They carry either passenger or freight traffic and are used to route services around congested junctions, to fill gaps in the network, or to link regional lines to national routes.

In planning and operations, verbindingslijnen are infrastructural elements rather than service lines; their existence affects timetable design and capacity. They can be built to relieve bottlenecks, create a direct route between cities, or to connect newly built lines with existing main lines.

In the Netherlands, the term is widely used for such lines within the national rail network. Many verbindingslijnen date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries and, in later years, have seen upgrades or electrification as demands shifted.

As infrastructural elements, verbindingslijnen are integral to the flexibility and resilience of a railway network.