Fewer trains in the Harz: Timetable changes from July 14, 2025!

Fewer trains in the Harz: Timetable changes from July 14, 2025!

From Monday, July 14th, the passengers of the Harz narrow -gauge railways (HSB) can adjust to some changes in the timetable. As mdr , the reason for the adjustment lies in a short-term personnel bottleneck. This results from the diseased trains and aims to maintain reliable nuclear operation from 14th to July 27, 2025 and to take into account the needs of passengers in the best possible way.

The routes affected by the changes are the Brockenbahn, the southern and Middle Harz Querbahn and the Selketalbahn. Especially with the steam train connections to the chunk, there will be restrictions - so only six steam train couples are driving every day, which is two less than usual. The first train starts at 9 a.m. in Wernigerode and the last mountain ride will start at 2 p.m. The last descent from Brocken takes place at 4:19 p.m.

connections

Passengers have to adjust to some of them. There is no longer a morning connection between Wernigerode and Schierke, and the late connections are also affected. Among other things, the 5:25 p.m. Train from Wernigerode to Nordhausen and the 5:22 p.m. Train from Eisfelder Talmühle to Wernigerode fails. The HSB tries to act in the best interest of passengers.

In addition, there are also changes on the southern and middle Harz Querbahn. The morning and evening connections for commuters between Nordhausen, Niedersachserwern and Ilfeld will be omitted. The first train from Nordhausen drives Monday to Friday at 8:54 a.m. These adjustments aim to ensure the maintenance of traffic, even if the framework conditions are not optimal.

rail replacement and outlook

In some cases there will be a rail replacement traffic by bus to compensate for the eliminating connections. Further information and the adapted timetable can be called up on the homepage of the Harz narrow -gauge railways so that passengers can find out more in planning questions.

This situation is not an isolated case, however, because the shortage of skilled workers increasingly affects transport companies in Germany. According to Tagesschau , numerous companies have to struggle with personnel bottlenecks that are tightened by an outdated staff. In Leipzig, S-Bahn connections were canceled due to a lack of staff, which the commuters significantly burdened. These developments throw a light on the challenges with which the HSB is also confronted.

In order to maintain operation in the long term, measures are necessary that facilitate immigration from specialists and could increase the participation in labor market for women and older people. The Harz narrow -gauge railways try to proactively react to the challenges with their adjustments and to secure the connection between the important tourist destinations in the Harz and passengers even in difficult times.