Major Rail Line in Bavaria to Shut Down for Months Amid Extensive Renovations
A critical railway corridor in Bavaria, linking Nuremberg and Regensburg, is set to undergo a comprehensive overhaul that will significantly disrupt train services over several months. The project, overseen by Deutsche Bahn, involves the complete closure of the 88-kilometre stretch for a period lasting from early February until mid-June. This initiative forms part of a broader effort to modernize and upgrade one of the region's busiest and most strategically important railway routes.
The planned closure will commence on the evening of February 6 and continue uninterrupted until June 14. During this interval, Deutsche Bahn will carry out extensive upgrades to the rail infrastructure. The scope of work includes replacing over 80 kilometres of track, installing approximately 40 new switches, and renewing around 90 kilometres of overhead electrical lines. Such improvements are intended to enhance reliability, increase speed potential, and ensure long-term operational safety.
In addition to track work, all 20 stations situated between Feucht and Regensburg-Prüfening will undergo modernization. Key civil engineering tasks are also scheduled, including the refurbishment of a rail embankment near Deining and the reconstruction of a bridge close to Burgthann. These measures aim to future-proof the corridor, which plays a vital role not only for domestic travel but also as part of the trans-European Rhine-Danube transport axis.
The extensive nature of these works will have significant ramifications for regional and long-distance travelers alike. Major transit hubs such as Regensburg Central Station, Straubing, Plattling, and Passau will see reduced rail service throughout the project. Alternative routes are being coordinated, with Ingolstadt Central Station and Landshut designated as substitute stops for certain services.
Given the importance of this corridor for international connections--particularly those between Germany and Austria--Deutsche Bahn has announced that direct long-distance trains between Nuremberg and Vienna will continue to operate, albeit via a rerouted path passing through Ingolstadt, Regensburg, and Passau. Passengers should anticipate travel times extended by approximately one hour on these routes. For travelers between Munich and Vienna, a bi-hourly service will operate via Salzburg, with an additional train pair running through Landshut and Regensburg to maintain connectivity.
The impact on regional services is equally significant. Several local train lines, including S3, RE22, RE50, and RB51, will be suspended for the duration of the closure. To mitigate the disruption, Deutsche Bahn will implement comprehensive replacement bus services along these corridors, ensuring connections to all affected stations and operating at frequent intervals. Express buses utilizing the autobahn will also supplement rail alternatives, as confirmed by the Bavarian Railway Company (BEG).
The rerouting of freight traffic is expected to affect neighboring rail lines, leading to service reductions on routes such as RE3, RB17, and RE18, where additional replacement bus options will be available. Further adjustments may be necessary in the Augsburg region and on the RE1 line between Munich and Ingolstadt to accommodate the increased demand and altered traffic flows.
Authorities recommend that all travelers consult updated timetables and plan journeys in advance, as the modernization project is projected to cause extended travel times and changes in departure patterns across the affected network. The initiative underscores ongoing efforts to enhance Germany's rail infrastructure, prioritizing capacity improvements and passenger comfort on high-traffic corridors.