Germany Train Station, Platform Question

Yes, but there always has to be a platform parallel to the train, and right next to it.

I can't understand which two station maps you want. Nevertheless, you can access them by 1 going to bahn.com, entering your arr/dep stations, 2 clicking on the > arrow, 3 then <i> At the train station. 4 Finally, select the train station and
5 a map would appear if one is available. I pulled the Augsburg one, you should be able to do the rest easily. http://www.img-bahn.de/v/861/img/stInfoPlan/8000013.pdf

Without even looking, I'm going to guess all these stations all have a similar layout, as do almost all smaller stations in Germany. The tracks and platforms run parallel to each other. There's usually an underground walkway that connects them. Getting from, say, platform 5 to platform 2 is as simple as walking past platforms 3 and 4.

In a nutshell, Steinach has five track, lined up in order. 1 - 4 are through tracks. I'm not sure the exact numbers, but 2 tracks go north and two go south. I think two of those, probably 2 & 3, are used for train that stop in Steinach while the outer two 1 & 4 are used for passing if there is a train in the station. Track 5 is a stub for the shuttle going to/from Rothenburg. There is a tunnel connecting them. It takes very little time for the change. When the train from Rothenburg comes in on track 5, get off, go down into the tunnel, and come up the stairs to the platform for track 3. The track numbers are well marked by signs in the tunnel. There will undoubtedly be others doing the same thing. Just stay with the heard. Treuchtlingen is similar. Change from one platform to the other in the tunnel. 2 Nord is 2 North. The new train is short and only takes the north end of the platform. Here is Steinach: http://www.stationsdatenbank.bayern-takt.de/StationsdatenbankBEG/Steckbrief.html?lang=de&efz=8000091 And here is Treuchtlingen: http://www.stationsdatenbank.bayern-takt.de/StationsdatenbankBEG/Steckbrief.html?lang=de&efz=8000122 Sorry, you'll have to cut and paste as BBC doesn't accept a '?' in a link.

Thank you everyone. Ger, got the map for Augsburg, no map for Treuchlingen, but with Tom & Lee's help, connection should be no problem. Thanks to all

It will be easy. As has been said, almost all of the smaller stations have tracks running parallel with platforms in between. About the middle of the platform are stairs going down. The stairs go down to a tunnel that runs under, and perpindicular to, the tracks. Each platform has stairs up and each has signage both in the tunnel and on top. It's really quick unless you're trying to transfer a lot of luggage. You will probably walk no more than 100-200 feet, including down one flight of stairs and up another.

Don't platforms and train tracks always run parallel to each other? If they didn't how would people get on, or off?

Most of the walk will probably be between your coaches and the stairs, not between stairs in the tunnel. Note, I've added links to the actual station plans to my last post, above. When changing trains it helps to know where you are going. Also, as you are coming into the station, get up, gather your luggage and move to the end of the coach, ready to got off, when the train stops. Locate the stairs. There will probably be others going to them too. As others have said, the normal layout for stations is in order, with track 1 having it's own platform next to the station building, tracks 2 and 3 on the next platform, and so on. But there are some exceptions. In Mainz, track 11, which services the regional trains along the Rhein gorge, is a stub track that ends against the northwest end of the station building, across the platform it shares with track 1. That's important to know if making a quick change in Mainz on the way to Bacharach & St. Goar. Sometimes the change to a RB (MRB) to the little towns on the Rhein is in Bingen (not at the Stadt Bhf, at the Hbf). The layout of Bingen Hbf is different and could be confusing if you don't already know it. Bingen's tracks are labeled 101, 102, 103, and 201, 202, 203. There is a wide platform in the middle with the station building. Track 101 is on the Rhein side of the station platform, track 201 is on the other. Track 102 is next to 101 and shares a platform with 103. Same system on the other side.

Thank you, thank you! You guys never cease to amaze me.

"Don't platforms and train tracks always run parallel to each other? If they didn't how would people get on, or off?" In most cases, yes, but a few of the largest stations have tracks on multiple levels. The layout may be different on each level.