Rail chaos after embankment fire: only one train per hour!

Rail chaos after embankment fire: only one train per hour!

Rail traffic in Germany is currently severely restricted after an embankment fire on the railway line between Erfurt and Gotha caused significant damage to signaling technology. Loud tagesschau.de Travelers must expect serious restrictions, as only one train per hour in each direction can run until Friday evening.

The accident occurred on Wednesday evening between Seebergen and Wandersleben when a fire broke out near the tracks. At the time of the fire there were two trains on the route, one of which was without power. Three passengers had to be treated due to the high temperatures. The rescue service and fire brigade were quickly on the scene, while the passengers on the affected train were able to transfer to the other train.

Significant impact on long-distance transport

The consequences of the fire are far-reaching and affect over 10,000 travelers in Germany. Long-distance connections are particularly suffering: the Intercity (IC) from Gera to North Rhine-Westphalia has already canceled three trains in each direction. The ICE connection between Leipzig and Frankfurt Airport is also completely canceled, while the ICE line from Dresden to Wiesbaden will be rerouted via Würzburg, which will result in an additional travel time of around 40 minutes. There are no stops in Gotha, Eisenach, Bad Hersfeld and Fulda on the diversion.

Regional train line 20 between Eisenach and Leipzig can only serve once an hour in each direction. Furthermore, Flixtrain trains (line FLX 10, Stuttgart-Berlin) are affected by diversions as the stop in Erfurt is no longer necessary. The RE1 regional express between Göttingen and Glauchau is also affected, with diversions that exclude stops in Neudietendorf and Gotha.

Tips for travelers

Travelers should find out about the current situation online before traveling. Deutsche Bahn recommends using the bahn.de platform, which offers an interactive disruption map and real-time information about train connections. The delay alarm function, which sends automatic notifications in the event of disruptions, is particularly valuable. Details can be found on db-fahrplan.com be retrieved.

In summary, it can be said that the embankment fire has a significant impact on rail traffic and passengers have to be prepared for longer waiting times and diversions. The repair of the signaling technology will take at least until the weekend, so it is advisable to keep yourself regularly informed about the current status of things. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing and all affected travelers are urged to exercise caution and stay tuned for information.