


Cement-loaded train derails in Germany, killing train driver
A WLB freight train with wagons carrying cement derailed while entering the Geseke station in Germany. According to official sources, multiple railcars and the train’s locomotive overturned, resulting in the train driver’s death. DB Netze...Read more
Emmerich-Oberhausen upgrade: traffic restricted for next six weeks
A bundle of upgrades is about to start on the Emmerich-Oberhausen railway line, in northwestern Germany. This line is a key section of the Rhine-Alpine Corridor, connecting Germany to the Arnhem, in the Netherlands. The...Read more
Another closure on the Elbe Valley causes headaches for companies
Apart from the planned closure of the Elbe Valley route between Czechia and Germany in late October, there will be another disruption on the corridor starting on 25 August and lasting for three days. DB...Read more
Elbe Valley route closed for 10 days in October, freight will use alternatives
The route between Decin and Bad Schandau (Czechia-Germany), also known as the Elbe Valley route, will be closed for ten consecutive days between 17 and 27 October. DB decided the closure to carry out modernisation...Read more
DB Netz: ‘New cancellation fee due to disruptions caused by rail operators’
DB Netz’s new cancellation fee for 2024 is rousing discontent in the railway sector all over Europe. However, it seems that nothing will change since the German government approved the infrastructure manager’s request. A spokesperson...Read more
European rail freight companies unite against DB Netz’s cancellation fees
Seven of the largest rail freight companies in Europe are jointly asking German infrastructure manager DB Netz to review their cancellation fee that will be applied in 2024. The companies are Rail Cargo Group, SBB...Read more
Germany to give priority for energy supplies on congested railways
The German government will prioritise the rail transportation of cargo essential for energy production. The measure is going to be in place for six months. Germany’s government cabinet yet has to approve the provisional legislation,...Read more
New CEO for German infrastructure manager DB Netz
Philipp Nagl has been appointed the new CEO of DB Netz, the German infrastructure manager. The 40-year-old railway will take up his new position on 15 August 15 of this year, succeeding Frank Sennhenn, who...Read more
DB in the state aid loop again with multimillion financial injection
Deutsche Bahn will receive 215 million euros in the form of equity injection under the EU’s state aid guidelines. The financial support scheme was approved by Brussels, aiming to compensate the German national company for...Read more
Route section to Brenner Base Tunnel gets into planning phase
Deutsche Bahn has awarded a contract to the engineering joint venture ARGE to plan the Innleiten-Kirnstein railway line. The section is part of the German-Austrian railway route connecting from the north to the Brenner base...Read more
German rail freight stops temporarily after electricity outage
Early on Wednesday morning, the German network operator DB Netz had to temporarily pull the plug on all rail freight transport in Germany. As a result, freight trains were halted at numerous points for hours.Read more
Belgium-Germany: estimated costs for flood damage repairs reach billions
Belgium and Germany are heavily impacted by the floods that took place last week. Their rail networks have suffered substantial damage that will need time and high costs to be repaired. In Belgium, these costs...Read more
Floods: long way to fully restore rail freight traffic
Following last week’s severe floods in Belgium, southern Netherlands and western Germany, rail freight in these regions has been impaired for the most part. High water levels and damages are still insisting. However, the infrastructure...Read more
Flood update – rail freight in northwest Germany paralysed
The floods deluging western and central Europe have impaired much of the rail infrastructure in Belgium while also causing problems in the Netherlands. Germany is not to be left out of the country list facing...Read more
ÖBB and DB present joint route to Brenner Base Tunnel
The route for the new German-Austrian railway line from the north to the Brenner Base Tunnel (currently in construction) has been decided. Of the five possible routes, the so-called ‘purple variant’, which consists of around...Read more
Rhine Valley closure reaches the European Union
Following a month of disruptions in the Rhine Valley after the rockslide on 15 March, railway undertakings (RU’s) decided to raise the matter on a European Union level and enforce the German Railway Regulation Act....Read more
Rhine valley still closed-DB Netz urged to act
The landslide in the Middle Rhine Valley on 15 March continues causing significant disturbances on rail freight operations. After the incident, restoration works have been going on for more than three weeks now, while there...Read more
Middle Rhine Valley remains closed for freight traffic till Easter
Following the landslide at the Middle Rhine Valley on 15 March, disruption of freight traffic on the European Rhine-Alpine corridor has intensified. DB Netz has said that regular traffic is expected to resume around Easter...Read moreDB Netz CEO regrets Rastatt effects
The head of German rail network manager DB Netz has expressed his ‘regret’ for the knock-on problems caused to rail freight stakeholders by this summer’s Rastatt landslip incident. CEO Frank Sennhenn told a summit of...Read more