The line along the left (west) bank of the Rhein was traditionally the main passenger line with almost all freight using the parallel line on the right bank. After the diversion of most InterCity services to the NBS between Köln and Frankfurt, freights became more common, although most traffic still uses the right bank.
Dispolok 189.090 headed upriver at Oberwesel with a long intermodal train on 11 May 2013.