Train Service Disruptions Over Easter Challenge Travelers

Travelers in southwestern Germany are facing significant disruptions during the Easter holiday due to essential maintenance work on key railway lines. Starting from Maundy Thursday, the high-speed line between Mannheim and Stuttgart will be closed, followed by the closure of the Rhine Valley Railway between Karlsruhe and Basel from Good Friday.

From April 17 to June 6, the Mannheim-Stuttgart route will be out of service, affecting long-distance, regional, and freight trains. Passengers can expect delays of up to 40 minutes, and some services will be entirely canceled. The revised schedules are already available in the Deutsche Bahn booking systems, and normal operations are expected to resume by the Pentecost holidays.

Meanwhile, the Rhine Valley Railway will be closed from April 18 to April 27. Long-distance trains coming from the north will terminate at Baden-Baden or, in some cases, Karlsruhe. Travelers wishing to continue to Freiburg or Switzerland will need to transfer to replacement buses provided by the railway company. This detour will extend travel time from approximately one hour and 40 minutes to around three hours from Karlsruhe to Basel.

Local transport services will also experience disruptions. Limited rail capacity will be available between Karlsruhe, Rastatt, and Baden-Baden, and a complete closure will occur between Rastatt and Baden-Baden from April 22 at 10 PM to April 23 at 10 PM. Additionally, the route via Ettlingen will be inaccessible throughout the maintenance period. There will be single-track operations between Müllheim and Basel, leading to further schedule adjustments.

According to railway officials, the closures are scheduled during the Easter holidays when passenger volumes are typically lower. This time is traditionally used for necessary repairs, as fewer travelers are expected compared to regular weekdays. While there may be fewer connections, most passengers can still reach their destinations without the need for transfers.

Detlef Neuß, the national chairman of the passenger association Pro Bahn, emphasized the necessity of these repairs, noting that they have been deferred for too long. Passengers are advised to prepare adequately for the disruptions by bringing sufficient food and beverages, as onboard catering cannot be guaranteed. Entertainment options such as books or electronic devices are also recommended, particularly for families with children.

Travelers are encouraged to reserve seats, as many trains are anticipated to be fully booked. The railway will deploy longer ICE trains, accommodating up to 1,000 passengers instead of the usual 500.

The Mannheim-Stuttgart line faces closure due to geological issues in the Freudenstein Tunnel near Knittlingen, where expanding Anhydrite-rich rock has caused cracks in the tunnel lining. The railway will invest approximately 7.5 million euros to secure the tunnel with wire mesh over a distance of 1,000 meters. Meanwhile, the Rhine Valley Railway will undergo various upgrades including new tracks, switches, and improvements to the underlying structures, particularly between Karlsruhe and Rastatt, as well as in the Offenburg junction.