Rhein Ruhr Express
Rhein Ruhr Express (branded as Rhein Ruhr Xpress or RRX) is a regional rail system in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region of Germany connecting the Ruhr Valley and the central Rhineland. The primary goal is to provide a fast connection on the main trunk line between Dortmund and Cologne, located along the Ruhr Valley, with trains every quarter of an hour. This main line has been expanded, improved or reconfigured to enable more trains to operate and at higher speeds. Like the previous Regional-Express lines they replaced, RRX routes branch off from the main trunk line to serve other cities and states at lower frequencies.
| Rhein Ruhr Express | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Area served | Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region |
| Transit type | Regional rail |
| Number of lines | 5 |
| Website | rrx |
| Operation | |
| Began operation | 9 December 2018 |
| Operator(s) | National Express Germany |
| Number of vehicles | 84 Siemens Desiro HC |
| Headway | Every 15 minutes on the main section |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
| Top speed | 160 km/h (99 mph) |
For the project, 84 Siemens Desiro HC trainsets were purchased, which have higher capacity and acceleration, enabling increased punctuality. Operation of the first RRX line started in December of 2018, while five lines operate as of 2023. The construction is planned to be finished by 2030 and the project is expected to replace 24,000 automobile trips per day when finished.