Buchloe–Lindau railway

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Buchloe–Lindau railway (Bayerische Allgäubahn)

The Buchloe–Lindau railway is a double‑track main line in Bavaria that runs from Buchloe to Lindau on Lake Constance, passing through Kaufbeuren and Kempten. Together with the Munich–Buchloe line, it forms the Bayerische Allgäubahn.

Overview
- Length: about 153 km
- Tracks: 2
- Gauge: standard gauge (1,435 mm)
- Elevation and curves: maximum incline about 1.0%, minimum curve radius around 273 m
- Electrification: largely non‑electrified; the electrified section runs from Hergatz to Lindau-Insel via Lindau-Aeschach, completed by 2021
- Speed: up to about 160 km/h on upgraded parts

Route and characteristics
- The line runs through the Allgäu from Buchloe to Lindau, via Kaufbeuren and Kempten.
- It is part of the Ludwig South‑North Railway system and is often called the Bayerische Allgäubahn together with the Munich–Buchloe route.

History in brief
- Built in stages between 1847 and 1854, as part of the Ludwig South‑North Railway.
- The line was fully double‑tracked by 1907.
- Steam locomotives dominated early long‑distance services; diesel and other traction followed in later decades.
- Electrification of the route was planned in the 1970s, but a different route via Memmingen was prioritized for electrification.
- The Hergatz–Lindau area was electrified, with the remaining Lindau section completed by 2021.
- The line has seen various upgrades, including tilt‑train compatibility to 160 km/h in parts of the route.

Upgrades and operations
- Since 2011, tilt trains have operated on eligible sections, enabling speeds up to 160 km/h.
- The Oberstaufen tunnel was rebuilt in 2016, and some sections were updated or temporarily closed for improvements.
- Heimenkirch station reopened in 2010 as part of timetable improvements.

Today’s services
- The line mainly serves regional traffic with frequent trains:
- Munich–Lindau-Reutin regional services every two hours
- Augsburg–Lindau-Reutin regional services every two hours, with connections to Immenstadt and Oberstdorf
- Bayerische Regiobahn services on western sections (Munich–Füssen and Augsburg–Füssen)
- Long‑distance traffic has varied over time. Since 2020, most international long‑distance trains use the electrified Memmingen–Lindau route instead of the non‑electrified Buchloe–Lindau section.
- The Buchloe–Lindau line remains an important detour route for disruptions on other lines and serves local freight customers.

In short, the Buchloe–Lindau railway is a key Bavarian line in the Allgäu, mainly used for regional travel, with partial electrification and ongoing upgrades to improve speed and reliability.