Major Rail Renovations to Halt ICE Services to Wuppertal as Deutsche Bahn Prepares Network Upgrade

Deutsche Bahn is initiating comprehensive upgrades on one of North Rhine-Westphalia's most heavily trafficked rail corridors, significantly impacting long-distance and regional train operations between Cologne, Wuppertal, and Hagen. The project will involve extensive modernization efforts, including the renewal of tracks, switches, bridges, noise barriers, and station facilities across a 65-kilometre stretch. These improvements, with a budget of approximately 800 million euros, are intended to enhance the capacity and reliability of the rail network in the region.

To facilitate preparations for the major renovation, all train services along the affected route will be suspended for one week. From the evening of December 26 until January 2, no trains will operate between Cologne and Hagen via Wuppertal. Passengers travelling within the region will be required to use substitute bus services, while long-distance trains such as ICE and IC will be rerouted. These diversions are expected to extend journey times by up to 40 minutes, as trains are redirected via Düsseldorf, Duisburg, and other parts of the Ruhr area. Wuppertal and Solingen will temporarily lose their long-distance service stops, and only a limited number of trains will stop in Hagen during this period.

The temporary closure is a precursor to a much more prolonged disruption. From February 6 to July 10, the entire 65-kilometre regional and long-distance rail line will be shut down for over five months to allow for the full scope of renovation works. During this time, new tracks and switches will be installed, bridges replaced, modern noise barriers constructed, and multiple stations upgraded to improve accessibility and passenger experience. This route is a key transportation axis in North Rhine-Westphalia, supporting a dense schedule of high-speed, regional, and freight trains. Deutsche Bahn aims to implement its new comprehensive renovation strategy on this line for the first time in the state, with the objective of delivering long-term improvements to service quality and network efficiency.

For regional travel, the impact will be substantial, as the main line between Cologne and Wuppertal will be entirely closed. Some regional trains connecting Düsseldorf, Wuppertal, and Hagen will be rerouted using S-Bahn tracks, but many lines will experience partial suspensions or altered schedules. Affected lines include RE4, RE7, RE13, RE49, RB48, S7, S8, S9, and S28, among others. In response, Deutsche Bahn will deploy a comprehensive replacement bus network. Certain buses will operate in a manner similar to the S-Bahn, stopping at all stations along the closed section, while others will provide express connections between major hubs such as Wuppertal and Cologne via the motorway. Travel times on these replacement services are expected to be considerably longer; for instance, journeys between Wuppertal and Cologne by bus may take up to 90 minutes, compared to the usual 34 minutes by train.

Passengers are advised to consult Deutsche Bahn's online journey planner, which reflects all timetable adjustments and alternative travel options during the construction period. The company emphasizes the importance of these upgrades in securing the long-term performance and resilience of the rail network, particularly along vital corridors serving both passenger and freight traffic.