KEITH FENDER reports on completion of a new line through difficult topography
German Railways (DB) opened its latest section of high-speed line on 10 December 2017. The opening was marred by adverse weather and European Train Control System (ETCS) problems, prompting a public apology from DB, but the service has now settled down and DB offers three ‘Sprinter’ ICE (InterCity Express) trains that cover the 623km from Berlin to Munich in 3hr 55min.
The line that opened in December was the 107km-long, 300km/h Neubaustrecke (NBS) – meaning new built (high-speed) line – between Erfurt in Thüringen and Ebensfeld north of Bamberg in Bavaria. This had been under construction for 21 years and was threatened with cancellation for part of that time, but its completion marks the final accomplishment of a plan to make rail truly competitive with air for journeys between Bavaria’s biggest cities (Munich and Nuremberg) and Berlin.
DIFFICULT TERRAIN
While in the 1930s the corridor hosted Deutsche Reichsbahn’s legendary Fliegende Züge (flying train) DMUs, which accomplished the journey from Berlin to Munich in 6hr 44min, the route was a prime candidate for investment since the reunification of Germany in 1990 and the ne…
