Bochum–Essen/Oberhausen railway

Bochum–Essen/Oberhausen railway
Bochum–Essen/Oberhausen railway
Overview
Other name	Bergisch-Märkische Emscher Valley Railway
Native name	Märkische Emschertalbahn
Line number	2153 (Bochum–Nordstern); 2172 (Gelsenkirchen-Bismarck–Essen); 2253 (Essen-Katernberg–Oberhausen);
Locale	North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Service
Route number	428 (Bochum–Herne-Rottbruch); 426 (Wanne Unser Fritz–Gelsenkirchen Zoo); 423 (Oberhausen-Osterfeld Süd–Oberhausen);
Technical
Line length	29 kilometres (18 mi) + 16 kilometres (9.9 mi)
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification	15 kV/16.7 Hz AC overhead catenary
Operating speed	65 km/h (40 mph)
Route map
Route map
	"CM main line" from Dortmund,
	"CM Emscher Valley Railway" from Dortmund
	"CM main line" to Wanne-Eickel,
	"CM Emscher VR" to Wanne-Eickel
	Bochum West
	(formerly Bochum Gußtahlfabrik)
	(changed in 1979 to
	connect to the new Hbf)
	Crange (old junction)
	formerly "Westp. Emscher VR" from Herne
	Line to Dorsten,
	formerly "Westp. Emscher VR" to Bottrop
	Gelsenkirchen-Schalke Nord
	(formerly Schalke BME)
	Nordstern (junction)
	"CM Emscher VR" from Wanne-Eickel
	Essen-Katernberg Nord
	(formerly Caternberg BME)
	"CM main line":
	Oberhausen–Gelsenkirchen
	Helene (junction)
	from Essen-Altenessen
	Source: German railway atlas

The Bochum–Essen/Oberhausen railway was built by the Bergisch-Märkische Railway Company (Bergisch-Märkische Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft, BME) to the north of its main line through the central Ruhr to tap traffic from mines and factories in the northern Ruhr region, which is now in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.