Ihrhove–Nieuweschans railway

Ihrhove–Nieuweschans railway
Map of the Ihrhove-Nieuweschans railway
Overview
StatusOperational, but closed to rail traffic due to bridge damage
LocaleThe Netherlands, Germany
Termini
Service
Operator(s)Arriva
History
Opened1876
Technical
Line length18 km (11 mi)
Number of trackssingle track (rail)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Electrificationno
Ihrhove–Nieuweschans railway
Leer
Irhove
Hilkenborg
Friesenbrücke over Ems
Weener
Möhlenwarf
Bunde
Bad Nieuweschans
Ulsda
Winschoten
Heiligerlee
Scheemda
Zuidbroek
Scholte
Sappemeer Oost
Hoogezand-Sappemeer
Martenshoek
Kropswolde
Westerbroek
Groningen Europapark
Groningen

The Ihrhove–Nieuweschans railway is an international railway line running from Ihrhove near Leer in Germany to Bad Nieuweschans in the Netherlands. The line was opened in 1876. Ihrhove is situated on the north-south Emsland Railway, between Papenburg and Leer. At Bad Nieuweschans, a connection with the Dutch railway network is provided through the Harlingen–Nieuweschans railway, which passes through Groningen. On 3 December 2015, the bridge over the Ems was destroyed by a ship colliding with it. The line between Ihrhove, Weener and Bad Nieuweschans is expected to be closed until 2024. A bus replacement service operated between Bad Nieuweschans and Leer following the accident. The line between Bad Nieuweschans and Weener reopened on 5 July 2016, with a bus replacement service in operation between Weener and Leer.