After three weeks of intensive work, Deutsche Bahn has completed the renovation of the Rheintalbahn (Rhine Railway) section between Rastatt and Baden-Baden. The company announced that as of 9:00 PM on Friday, August 30, 2024, trains have resumed operation on this vital railway artery, following the necessary closure to connect the tracks from the new Rastatt tunnel to the Rheintalbahn—a crucial step towards the future commissioning of the tunnel, expected by the end of 2026.
The construction project involved the renewal of a significant portion of the two-kilometer line, including the installation of four new switches that will allow trains to transition between the new line and the existing one. Additionally, substantial work was carried out on the electrical supply and signaling and safety technologies, which posed significant technical challenges due to their complexity.
Despite the reopening, work along the section connecting the new tunnel to the Rheintalbahn will continue until 2025, without further line closures. These ongoing efforts are essential to ensure that once operational, the Rastatt tunnel will significantly enhance the capacity and efficiency of rail transport along this strategic European corridor.
During the construction period, the Rheintalbahn, a critical component of the European Rhine-Alpine freight corridor, experienced significant freight traffic diversions. An innovative solution was implemented with the introduction of a Franco-German diesel shuttle service, successfully rerouting over 400 freight trains via an alternative route that connected Wörth (Rhine) with Strasbourg and Kehl, before rejoining the Rheintalbahn at Offenburg. This operation, the result of close collaboration between DB InfraGO, French infrastructure partner SNCF Réseau, along with SBB Cargo International and Captrain France, overcame initial challenges and demonstrated the effectiveness of this new approach.
Simultaneously, DB continues work on another section of the Rheintalbahn near Durmersheim. Here, temporary bridges are being constructed north of Rastatt, along with a road underpass in Durmersheim. New signaling systems and switches are also being installed in Rastatt and Baden-Baden. These works, which will continue until 5:00 AM on September 9, 2024, will result in further adjustments to regional rail services.
