Döbeln-Dresden: Railway line about to make a big comeback after ten years!

Döbeln-Dresden: Railway line about to make a big comeback after ten years!

The train route between Döbeln and Dresden is about to undergo a significant revival. The line was closed ten years ago, but it now appears that the conditions for reactivation have improved significantly. Eckart Sauter, managing director of Nossen-Riesaer-Eisenbahn-Compagnie GmbH (NRE), makes it clear that the economic situation as well as the increased costs of driving and the new chip factories in Dresden are increasing the attractiveness of rail travel. In addition, the move of the Court of Auditors to Döbeln contributes to the fact that the train's capacity utilization is rated as promising.

Calculations show that around 900 passengers would travel by train every working day, which is why work to reactivate the route, which has been ongoing since 2022, is in full swing. Work is also underway on the necessary changes to the train stations.

Retrofitting plans and innovation needs

The railway line was previously operated by Deutsche Bahn, which, however, only provided the necessary infrastructure. Unfortunately, a long-term purchaser guarantee for the investments was never granted, which made planning more difficult. A remote-controlled signal box is now intended to reduce the need for personnel along the route. Four employees are currently required for the switch operation in Roßwein.

An increasingly important project is the automation of the level crossing on Kohlenstrasse, which is estimated to cost up to one million euros. However, the city of Roßwein refuses to close the street to cars. On the other hand, the focus is on the signal bridge in Roßwein, which is well worth preserving and is considered a listed building: it is to be equipped with an electric motor.

In order to comply with legal requirements, changes to the tracks at Roßweiner train station are essential. A new intermediate platform will also be installed to ensure safety. Fortunately, all the necessary planning has been completed and the financing issue has also been verified.

Federal funding and reactivation trend

A federal funding program covers 90% of the costs of reactivation, which makes the project economically attractive. Nevertheless, there are challenges: Some old level crossings between Nossen and Meißen still need to be modernized, while there are no changes to be made at the train stations in Gleisberg and Niederstriegis for the time being, as no trains will stop there.

The rail comeback observed in Germany is being spurred on by the reactivation of disused railway lines, emphasizes the Pro-Rail Alliance. The federal government has set ambitious goals and plans to double the number of passengers by 2030 compared to 2018. At the same time, rail's market share in freight transport should increase to at least 25 percent.

Comparable reactivation projects have in the past involved costs of up to 60 million euros and more. Nevertheless, feasibility studies show that many projects are considered worthwhile. The demand for rail travel is increasing, also as a result of the corona pandemic, which further underlines the need for a modern rail infrastructure.

Numerous positive feasibility studies have been carried out in recent years, meaning that a promising future can be expected for many of the plans developed. Despite the many positive signals and the interest from all sides, patience is still required, as approval and planning procedures in Germany are often lengthy.

The developments surrounding the reactivation of the railway line between Döbeln and Dresden are exemplary of a nationwide trend. In a country where over 3,600 kilometers of railway lines have been closed since 1994, it is clear that a return to rail can be a promising alternative to reconcile mobility and sustainability.

You can find more information on this topic at Sächsische.de, Pro-rail alliance and daily news.