TRAINS are running again on the northern section of the Eifel line from Gerolstein to Cologne in western Germany following the conclusion of a programme of repairs following a flooding disaster in 2021.
German Rail (DB), in close collaboration with the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia, local authorities, and local public transport authorities, has rebuilt the line between Hürth-Kalscheuren, just south of Cologne, and Trier, which was severely damaged by the floods.
The work involved repairs to stations, more than 20 bridges and supporting structures, and 10km of embankment. In addition, DB has modernised the signalling on the 160km line, which included the construction of two electronic interlockings in Gerolstein and Euskirchen, and the installation of more than 200 signals to allow train services to resume.
As well as repairing flood damage at 24 level crossings, they were upgraded and connected to the new interlockings.
In addition to rebuilding the infrastructure, DB began to electrify the line last autumn. This will require further closures on certain sections starting on August 24. Electrification, which is being financed by Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia, should be completed in 2028.
