Archive
Every rail news update we have published, newest first.
Erfurt: Major construction site at Schmidtstedter Knoten – Rail service restrictions until end of September
Deutsche Bahn is replacing an 1,800-ton bridge section from the 1970s at the Schmidtstedter Knoten in Erfurt. From 30 July, partial closures will affect Erfurt Hauptbahnhof, long-distance services and road traffic.
Rail in Schleswig-Holstein: 86.8 percent punctuality in the first half of 2026 – commuter routes particularly affected
In the first half of 2026, 24 of 33 lines in Schleswig-Holstein were less punctual than in the previous year. Nah.SH and Pro Bahn see the backlog in rail infrastructure renewal as the main cause – with far-reaching consequences for commuters.
Bamberg–Schweinfurt rail line: Major restrictions due to short-notice construction works
Since Tuesday morning (28/07/2026), train services between Bamberg and Schweinfurt have been severely restricted. The reason is short-notice construction works by the infrastructure operator – including a brief full closure in the morning.
Elevator at Wandsbek Markt U-Bahn station to be renewed for months
After around 21 years of service, the elevator at the Hamburg U-Bahn station Wandsbek Markt is being renewed. The construction work is expected to last several months and disrupt traffic.
Rail traffic Cologne–Aachen: Switch damage extends closure beyond the weekend
On the important connection between Cologne and Aachen, train cancellations and diversions continue due to two damaged switches. Affected are RE1, RE9, RB38 as well as ICE trains between Brussels and Frankfurt am Main.
DB InfraGO aims to make rail traffic more reliable during extreme heat – service reductions possible above 35 degrees
DB InfraGO will respond earlier to announced heatwaves in the future: contracting authorities and railway undertakings can run fewer trains to keep the remaining service stable. The new regulation applies nationwide for the first time from 30 July, and in five western German states already from 29 July.
DB InfraGO aims to act proactively during extreme heat – new regulation enables early train reductions
DB InfraGO will respond earlier to announced heatwaves in the future and is creating a regulation that makes it easier for transport authorities and railway undertakings to run fewer trains in advance. This is intended to make rail operations more reliable at temperatures above 35 degrees.
By train to Bavaria's sights: Travel times from Munich at a glance
A Merkur overview shows which excursion destinations in Bavaria are easily reachable by train or car – including specific travel times from Munich, Nuremberg or Bamberg.
S-Bahn Rhein-Main: Reduced service on S1 and S2 due to platform repairs
During the summer holidays, Deutsche Bahn is running fewer trains on the S-Bahn lines S1 and S2 in the Rhein-Main region. The reason is repair work on platforms along the routes – the service is being thinned out to a 30-minute interval.
Saar business community warns of location problem: Ludwigshafen–Forbach rail line to be closed for months in 2028 and 2029
Deutsche Bahn plans to fully close the Saarland's central rail connection via Saarbrücken and Homburg for extended periods as part of the general renovation. VSU and IHK Saarland fear significant restrictions for companies, commuters and freight transport – coinciding with burdens on the A620 and the construction of the new Fechingen Valley Bridge.
Paindorf rail stop: DB reaffirms two-hour service and announces review of skipped train stops
Following complaints from Reichertshausen, Deutsche Bahn has clarified that the two-hour service at the Paindorf rail stop will not be further thinned out. In addition, recent incidents in which trains passed through despite scheduled stops are to be officially reviewed.
Munich S-Bahn: Replacement buses from August 3 at Westkreuz – S6, S8 and Werdenfelsbahn affected
Due to construction work on a new bridge structure at Munich Westkreuz, passengers on the S-Bahn lines S5, S6 and S8 as well as the Werdenfelsbahn must prepare for timetable changes and replacement bus services in August.
S-Bahn Tunnel Offenbach: Deutsche Bahn announces no new completion date for three stations
The stations Kaiserlei, Ledermuseum and Marktplatz in the Offenbach S-Bahn tunnel remain construction sites. The remaining work was originally scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025 – now it will last at least until the end of 2026. Deutsche Bahn is not naming a new date.
S7 closed between Icking and Wolfratshausen: Buses replace trains due to slope stabilization work
Due to slope stabilization work, the Munich S7 line between Icking and Wolfratshausen will be fully closed from 12 August to 18 September 2026. S-Bahn München is setting up a replacement bus service at 20-minute intervals and deploying additional extra buses during the first week of school.
Deutsche Bahn blows up 540-tonne bridge in Hamburg-Altona for new Diebsteich long-distance station
In Hamburg-Altona, Deutsche Bahn detonated the 540-tonne Langenfelde crossing structure on Saturday afternoon. The roughly 100-year-old bridge near the Diebsteich S-Bahn station made way for one of the Hanseatic city's largest rail projects: the relocation of the Altona long-distance station to the Diebsteich site.
Deutsche Bahn yields on Brenner North Approach: Saalach Tunnel to be nearly twice as long – Grafing secures partial successes on noise protection
Deutsche Bahn's preliminary planning for the Brenner North Approach on Grafing's territory is complete. The city achieves a significantly extended Saalach Tunnel and voluntary noise protection in Nettelkofen – but is calling for further measures.
Munich S-Bahn core line shut down due to switch works in Pasing
From Friday evening until Monday morning, only the S6 will run on the Munich S-Bahn core line. Due to switch construction works in Pasing, most lines will be diverted, reduced or replaced by buses. Further construction phases will follow in August and September.
S-Bahn chaos in Munich: Switch works in Pasing paralyze several lines over the weekend
From Friday evening to Monday morning (24–27 July 2026), there will be massive restrictions in the Munich S-Bahn network at Pasing station. The S3, S4, S5 and S8 lines are mainly affected – replacement buses and diversions are required.
Eighth strike at Saarbahn: GDL halts operations from Wednesday – replacement buses from Thursday
The GDL union has called on Saarbahn employees to strike again from Wednesday afternoon (22 July, 12 p.m.). From Thursday morning (4 a.m.), Saarbahn will set up rail replacement service with buses, which is expected to run until Sunday (26 July).
Deutsche Bahn plans blanket alcohol ban at stations – SBB sticks to existing rules
By 15 October, Deutsche Bahn wants to ban alcohol consumption on platforms and in station concourses at all 5,400 stations in Germany. The trigger was an incident in which a DB security employee fell from a moving train. Swiss operator SBB, by contrast, will not introduce a general ban.
Pro Bahn Hessen demands binding public transport expansion plan following transport transition ruling
Following the ruling on the "Verkehrswende in Hessen" (Transport Transition in Hesse), Pro Bahn is increasing pressure on the state government: instead of general announcements, the passenger association is demanding a concrete implementation plan with denser intervals, better connections and reactivation of rail lines.
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.