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Hof-Schwandorf railway line open again: What is known about the disruptions!
The railway line between Hof and Schwandorf is open again after tree felling. Waiting for delayed trains possible.
Hof-Schwandorf railway line open again: What is known about the disruptions!
A sigh of relief for travelers in Bavaria: The railway line between Marktredwitz and Weiden is open again after a short interruption. A fallen tree had blocked the track and led to the route being closed, which had been in effect since midday. Deutsche Bahn announced on The regional trains RE 2 and RE 41, which run in both directions from Hof Hbf to Schwandorf, were particularly affected. A train on the Oberpfalzbahn was also not spared from the cancellations and delays, as n-tv.de reported.
Why are such incidents so common? A look at the situation in Schleswig-Holstein shows: Fallen trees not only hinder rail traffic in Bavaria, but also in northern Germany. The slow green cutting by Deutsche Bahn is sharply criticized by private railway companies and the local transport association Nah.SH. More and more train cancellations and delays result when trees and branches end up on the tracks. Even a tree has already hit a passenger train near Wrist in the Steinburg district. Kiel Central Station was shut down after a tree fell on the overhead line. As ndr.de reports, this is anything but pleasant news for travelers in the region.
More green waste for more safety
Trees in tracks are a growing problem that is also linked to the challenges of climate change. Dr. Arne Beck from Nah.SH calls for more rapid implementation of vegetation care measures. Deutsche Bahn (DB) itself operates extensive vegetation management. According to deutschebahn.com, the DB rail network covers around 33,000 kilometers, many of which border on forest areas. These areas are not only habitat for numerous plants and animals, but also potential sources of danger for train traffic.
The railway has developed a system to ensure that vegetation does not encroach on the tracks and does not obscure the view of signals. This means that bushes and trees in an area of six meters to the right and left of the tracks are cut back all year round. The tree inspections are carried out by specialized road maintainers and foresters who also pay attention to sick or storm-prone trees in order to minimize their potential danger.
In Schleswig-Holstein, for example, the private railway Nordbahn has identified over 100 critical trees along the connections between Kiel and Lübeck. This situation requires quick action, as previous green cutting measures by Deutsche Bahn usually follow long schedules that could last until 2032. This is leading to growing concern among rail companies, who are calling for more urgent intervention to ensure safety for all travelers.