NewsAfter the storm: Long-distance rail traffic further restricted

After the storm: Long-distance rail traffic further restricted

Storm “Zeynep” slows down rail traffic. In particular, there are still no trains on many long-distance routes in the northern half of Germany.

Berlin – After the hurricane “Zeynep” swept over Germany, long-distance rail passengers, especially in the north and east of Germany, must continue to expect considerable restrictions.

“There are no long-distance trains north of Dortmund, Hanover and Berlin until at least 6 p.m.,” said the railway on Saturday. In North Rhine-Westphalia there is no long-distance traffic until at least 1 p.m., with the exception of individual trains on the high-speed route between Cologne and Frankfurt.

Likewise, no long-distance trains between Leipzig/Halle (Saale) and Berlin are to be expected until at least 1 p.m. The ICE trains on the Cologne – Hanover – Berlin route will also be canceled until then. It is not yet foreseeable when ICE/IC trains from Frankfurt (Main) or Berlin to Amsterdam will be in service again.

“Around 2,000 Deutsche Bahn emergency services are tirelessly working around the clock to cut trees off the affected routes, repair overhead lines or repair damaged catenary masts,” said a railway spokesman on Saturday in Berlin. “In the affected regions, helicopters have been scouting the routes since the early hours of the morning and determining whether safe rail operations are possible again.”

Tickets valid flexibly

There is still no precise overview of the damage pattern. “But it is already clear that the storm period of the past few days has severely affected and damaged more than 1,000 kilometers of rail in Germany.” The railway is doing everything it can to gradually resume train traffic as quickly as possible, said the spokesman.

However, many routes in the north would not be passable again during the day. “We therefore advise all passengers against train journeys to the affected regions and ask them to postpone the journey if possible.” Long-distance tickets are valid flexibly. “Anyone who wanted to travel today or tomorrow can do so throughout the week up to and including next Sunday.” Deutsche Bahn definitely recommends travelers outside of the regions affected by the storm to find out about the current train connections. dpa

Our children's graduations mark the end of a stage and remind us how fast...

They say that in raising children the days are long and the years are short, and of course they are right. But perhaps it is especially in these days of school graduations and changes of stage, when we realize it the most.

Weather: polar vortex is "cut" – expert expects a cold snap in March

The weather in March is warm and dry so far. However, a meteorologist expects a cold snap and gives a specific date for the turning point.

Temperatures up to 20 degrees expected

Spring has arrived in Germany and brings temperatures up to 20 degrees. Only at the sea it stays cooler.

Polar vortex collapses – expert expects cold snap in March

So far the weather in March is warm and dry. However, a meteorologist expects a cold snap and gives a specific date for the change in weather.

Highs give Germany a lot of sunshine

Spring has arrived in Germany, with temperatures of up to 20 degrees. It can stay cold at night.

More