THE German state of Bavaria and infrastructure manager DB InfraGO have signed an agreement covering the electrification of several lines in northern Bavaria and the construction of charging infrastructure for battery-powered trains. The contract includes planning services for the electrification of around 74km and the installation of two battery-charging stations.
According to a report presented in 2024, battery-powered trains are planned to operate on a total of 20 lines. These BEMUs will combine running under overhead electrification with recharging at stations equipped with dedicated charging facilities.
As part of the programme, the following lines will be electrified:
- Oberkotzau - Rehau
- Kirchenlaibach - Bayreuth - Trebgast
- Hochstadt - Marktzeuln - Mainroth, and
- Oberkotzau - Münchberg.
Battery charging stations will be built at Bad Steben and Neustadt an der Waldnaab. In addition, charging facilities will be provided at Nuremberg, Forchheim and Wicklesgreuth through the electrification of further tracks. Bavaria intends to apply for federal funding for these projects under Germany’s Municipal Transport Financing Act (GVFG).
The agreement builds on a number of electrification projects already underway in the region.
The Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan includes the electrification of the Regensburg - Hof line, known as the East Corridor, the Nuremberg - Schirnding line, also referred to as the Franconian - Saxon Main Line, and the Nuremberg - Furth im Wald line, which forms part of the Munich - Prague corridor.
DB is undertaking the planning of these projects on behalf of the federal government. In 2024, Bavaria also commissioned planning work for electrification of the Schnabelwaid - Bayreuth line.
The section from Hof via Oberkotzau to Marktredwitz will be electrified as part of the East Corridor project and is scheduled to enter service in stages between 2033 and 2036. Electrification of the branches to Rehau and Münchberg will follow. Together with the remaining projects, these measures are intended to enable more efficient use of battery-powered trains and, on some routes, a later transition to entirely electric operation.
Battery operation
The introduction of battery-powered rolling stock will take place in several phases. From the mid-2030s, new tilting trains providing level boarding are planned to be deployed on key regional express routes, including services linking Nürnberg with Bayreuth, Hof, Coburg, Cheb and Regensburg. Battery operation with conventional rolling stock is also planned on a number of other regional lines, such as Coburg - Bad Rodach, Bamberg - Ebern and Hof - Bad Steben.
DB says all of these lines are expected to be fully operated with battery-powered trains by December 2040. Several additional lines, including Coburg - Bayreuth - Hof and Hof - Neuenmarkt - Wirsberg, will require more extensive infrastructure upgrades to enable battery operation.
