Archive
Every rail news update we have published, newest first.
Magdeburg–Stendal rail line: trains running again, but slower than expected
The expected end of construction work on the Magdeburg–Stendal line, anticipated since Friday, is being delayed. Trains are rolling again but must continue to run at reduced speed – passengers will need patience.
Deutsche Bahn announces nationwide alcohol ban at all 5,400 train stations
Deutsche Bahn wants to ban the consumption of beer, wine and spirits on platforms and in station concourses nationwide by mid-October 2026. Bahn CEO Evelyn Palla spoke of tougher crackdowns for more order and safety.
Italo comes to Germany in 2028: 26 high-speed trains to challenge Deutsche Bahn's ICE fleet
Italian private rail operator Italo Holding signed a contract in Munich with Siemens Mobility for 26 Velaro high-speed trains along with 30 years of maintenance. From mid-2028, Italo plans to disrupt DB long-distance services on two routes with 50 daily connections and 18 stops.
Deutsche Bahn closes Pfaffenwinkelbahn between Weilheim and Peißenberg – rail replacement service until mid-December
Rail commuters in the Oberland must expect months of restrictions starting today: Deutsche Bahn is renovating tracks and the railway embankment on the Pfaffenwinkelbahn. Between Weilheim and Peißenberg, no trains will run until mid-December; passengers will be transported by bus.
Signal fault between Wuppertal and Cologne: Commuter route disrupted since Sunday evening
A defective signal has been causing delays and cancellations on the Wuppertal Hbf – Wuppertal-Oberbarmen section since Sunday evening (8 pm). The affected services are the Regional-Express lines RE4, RE7, RE13 as well as RB48; RE7 and RB48 also connect Cologne.
Deutsche Bahn presents three-phase plan through 2035: corridor renewal, ETCS expansion and more stable long-distance services
Deutsche Bahn has unveiled its DB 2035 strategy. By the 200th anniversary of the railway in Germany, infrastructure is to be renewed, operations stabilized and the travel experience improved – in three clearly defined phases.
Criticism of Deutsche Bahn: Mother complains about lack of comfort for parents with strollers
A mother draws attention on the platform Threads to cramped conditions in the multi-purpose compartment of Deutsche Bahn and demands more comfort for parents with strollers. The elimination of the free family reservation also causes discontent.
First hydrogen train for Bavaria's regular service presented: From December 2026 on Mühldorf–Burghausen
Südostbayernbahn and Siemens Mobility presented the Siemens Mireo Plus H in Mühldorf on 17 July 2026. After test runs, emissions-free train operation is to start from December 2026.
Hydrogen train Mireo Plus H in service on Mühldorf–Burghausen line from December 2026
Südostbayernbahn and Siemens Mobility have presented the first hydrogen train for regular operation in Bavaria. After test runs starting immediately, operation with three vehicles is set to begin from December 2026.
Japan's Oigawa Railway converts the Ikawa Line entirely to tourism – flat fare of 3,500 yen
Since 1 July 2026, Oigawa Railway has been marketing its historic Ikawa Line in Shizuoka exclusively as a tourist product. Instead of distance-based fares, a ride now costs a flat 3,500 yen per adult – including Japan's only Abt rack railway in regular service.
Commentary: Stuttgarter Nachrichten call for stronger government action at Deutsche Bahn
In a commentary, the Stuttgarter Nachrichten criticize the lack of improvement in rail services and call on the federal government to take action. The trigger was the presentation of a new customer communication program by DB CEO Evelyn Palla and Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU).
S5 between Aying and Kreuzstraße: Roughly three months of closure due to a new bridge in Großhelfendorf
From late July to mid-October, no S-Bahn trains will run on the S5 between Aying and Kreuzstraße. The reason is a new road bridge in Großhelfendorf that replaces a failure-prone level crossing. Passengers should prepare for bus replacement service.
DB and HessenForst launch unique forest edge partnership on Frankfurt–Mannheim new line
DB InfraGO and HessenForst are developing climate-stable forest edges across around 90 hectares in the Darmstadt state forest – as compensation for the Frankfurt–Mannheim new line and as a model for all of Hesse.
Munich S-Bahn: Replacement service on the S5 between Aying and Kreuzstraße – construction work in Großhelfendorf from 24 July
DB InfraGO is building a new road bridge in Großhelfendorf and renewing the level crossing at Göggenhofener Weg. From 24 July to 16 October, buses will replace S-Bahn trains on the S5 between Aying and Kreuzstraße.
Munich S-Bahn: Switch renewal in Pasing causes timetable restrictions and replacement service on the S3 from 24 to 27 July
DB InfraGO is renewing 23 switches, 900 sleepers and 800 tons of ballast in the Pasing area. The first of three construction phases, from Friday, 24 July, 9:50 pm, until Monday, 27 July, 5 am, leads to a limited service on the trunk line and replacement service on the S3.
Deutsche Bahn consolidates communications: Five agencies to handle brand, products, social media and PR going forward
Deutsche Bahn is restructuring its agency pool. Following an EU-wide tender with 35 applicants, the group has awarded four lots to five agencies. Jung von Matt is new on board, while Ogilvy, Serviceplan, GUD and fischerAppelt remain – with clearer roles and a long-term orientation running until at least 2029.
After the general refurbishment of the Cologne–Wuppertal–Hagen line: rail traffic remains heavily disrupted by bridge damage and follow-up works
The general refurbishment of the 65-kilometer Cologne–Wuppertal–Hagen line, which has been running since the beginning of February, has been completed, but on the first working day numerous trains are cancelled again. A dilapidated bridge discovered near Opladen forces a single-track clearance; in parallel, S-Bahn tracks remain closed until early September.
Ringbahn in Berlin-Westend fully passable again – new bridge construction over S-Bahn and mainline tracks completed
After a closure since Friday noon, the S41 and S42 trains are running again between Westend and Halensee. The construction of the new A100 bridge over the Ringbahn tracks in Berlin-Charlottenburg is largely completed.
Halle–Nordhausen–Leinefelde rail line closed for months from July 14 – buses replace trains
Due to extensive renovation work, the rail line from Halle via Nordhausen to Leinefelde will be closed in several sections from July 14. Passengers will have to switch to buses in some cases for months and plan for significantly longer travel times.
Hamburg–Hanover rail line reopens: ICE services from Bremen return to normal
After roughly ten weeks of construction work, long-distance services between Hamburg and Hanover are running on schedule again from Saturday. Travelers in Bremen benefit most: ICE connections toward Hanover, Berlin and Frankfurt as well as the regional lines RS 6 and RB 41 return to the regular timetable.
Rail closes Einsal crossing: Months-long full closure with detours and 50 km/h speed limit
From 10 July, DB InfraGO is relocating the Einsal level crossing in Nachrodt-Wiblingwerde by around 17 metres. For traffic, this means months of closures, long-distance detours and new speed limits on the B 236. Passengers on RE 34 and RB 91 lines are also affected by cancellations.
Deutsche Bahn invests 50 million in AI: DB Navigator to deliver real-time info in over 100 languages
Long-distance travel from Frankfurt restricted: ICE trains to Hamburg and Berlin less frequent and taking longer
Due to switch renewal at the Fulda junction, ICE passengers will have to expect diversions, cancellations and up to one hour of additional travel time from mid-July. Regional services are also affected.
Ten-week construction sprint completed: Trains rolling again between Hamburg and Hannover
After intensive renovation of the 163-kilometer route as part of the DB quality offensive, freight trains have been running again since Friday evening (July 10, 2026, 9 p.m.), with local and long-distance services resuming from early Saturday morning. 81 kilometers of track and 44 switches were renewed, and four stations modernized.