Disruptions on the ICE line connecting Berlin and Munich - Disruptions in Train Service on the ICE Line linking Berlin and Munich
The ongoing intense heatwave in Germany has caused significant disruptions to the ICE train traffic between Berlin and Munich. With temperatures reaching up to 40°C and even setting record highs above 41°C in some areas, the extreme heat has severely affected the reliability of the German rail infrastructure managed by Deutsche Bahn.
The heatwave has caused rails to buckle, overhead cables to sag, and electrical components to overheat, all of which impact train schedules and safety. As a result, Deutsche Bahn has been forced to implement measures that slow down or suspend train services to prevent accidents, leading to significant disruptions on major routes like Berlin to Munich.
Passenger reviews also highlight that the heatwave contributed to breakdowns and long waits, worsening delays during the already strained train operations. With the heatwave forecasted to persist, rail disruptions are expected to continue until temperatures normalize.
The suspected cause of the initial disruption was a fire in a railway underpass in Hirschaid, near Forchheim (Upper Franconia), which led to a track closure between Forchheim and Bamberg. This fire has caused substantial damage to the structure of the tracks above the underpass, making it impossible to use the tracks above the underpass and causing delays of approximately 90 minutes for trains in both directions.
Individual IC trains between Nuremberg and Leipzig (via Jena) and between Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe and Gera are not running due to the disruption. Stops at Erlangen and Bamberg have been cancelled due to the disruption. However, a replacement bus service has been set up between Forchheim and Bamberg.
The criminal police are investigating the fire on suspicion of arson, but no official confirmation has been made regarding the cause of the track closure. The disruption on the ICE line is causing further delays and cancellations for other train connections.
This disruption was previously reported by Deutsche Bahn and Bild newspaper. With the ongoing investigation and the persisting heatwave, passengers are advised to check the latest updates on their train journeys before traveling.
[1] Deutsche Bahn (2022). Heatwave causes disruptions to rail services. Retrieved from https://www.deutschebahn.com/en/service/travel-info/current-disruptions/heatwave-causes-disruptions-to-rail-services.html [2] Bild (2022). Extreme heatwave causes chaos on German railways. Retrieved from https://www.bild.de/news/deutschland/extreme-hitze-verursacht-chaos-auf-deutschen-eisenbahnen-39333086.bild.html [3] DWD (2022). Germany sets new record high temperatures during heatwave. Retrieved from https://www.dwd.de/DE/Nachrichten/Pressemitteilungen/pressemitteilungen/2022/20220725_hitze_rekordhoechste_temperaturen.html
- Despite the ongoing challenges posed by the heatwave, some industries in EC countries are exploring opportunities to improve vocational training programs for railway maintenance workers, as the reliability of public-transit systems, such as Deutsche Bahn, becomes increasingly important in the face of extreme weather events.
- As a response to the financial impact of the ongoing heatwave, which has caused disruptions to crucial transportation routes like the one between Berlin and Munich, some EC countries have proposed investments in infrastructure resilience and emerging automotive technologies to minimize similar problems in the future.
- With the ever-expanding demand for vocational training in the railway industry, EC countries are collaborating to develop standardized curriculum and certification programs to ensure that workers are well-prepared for maintaining and operating transportation systems, particularly in the context of extreme weather conditions, such as the ongoing heatwave in Germany.
