Southern railway expansion: report brings hope for better connections!

Southern railway expansion: report brings hope for better connections!

The expansion of the Southern Railway is at the top of the agenda in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. On August 13, 2025, an important report was presented in Güstrow, which examined both the costs and the benefits of the project in detail. The goal? To significantly improve the connection of southern Mecklenburg to the rail network. In particular, the focus is on the routes from Neustadt via Karow to Güstrow and between Parchim and Waren.

The report, which was prepared on behalf of the state governments of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Brandenburg, suggests two variants for the expansion: a faster variant with a planned speed of 160 km/h and a second that could be put into operation at 80 km/h. Surprisingly, the experts recommend the 80 km/h variant as it has a better cost-benefit ratio. The route could even be expanded without complete electrification or the construction of new curves.

Financing and political discussions

However, before things get serious, the financing and the necessary planning still need to be clarified. The federal government could cover up to 75 percent of the construction costs, but specific figures remain unclear for the time being. Economics Minister Wolfgang Blank emphasizes how important these improvements are for the region's connectivity. Brandenburg's Infrastructure Minister Detlef Tabbert is also planning talks with Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder to focus on financing the route expansion.

One positive news in connection with the report is that the current railways, such as the regional train RB 73 from Neustadt to Pritzwalk and the RB 74 from Plau to Meyenburg, can now be operated economically, meaning that the benefits of the route exceed the costs. These developments could provide the basis for a permanent improvement in the connection between the two federal states.

Long-term plans and tourist options

What is particularly interesting is that both Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Brandenburg are considering long-term plans to reactivate the Mecklenburg Southern Railway. The renovation costs that the railway has to bear could be crucial for progress. Progress has already been made on the RB 73 and continuous travel at 80 km/h is now a reality, while on the RB 74 the range of journeys has already been expanded to include additional connections on weekends in 2023.

The Karower Kreuz is seen as a central rail junction that will make it easier for travelers in all directions to change trains in the future. This not only strengthens the planning of reliable public transport, but also better connects tourist destinations in the region - a real benefit for the entire region!

Looking ahead, it remains to be seen when the route expansion could be completed in 2035 at the earliest. But the signs are good that the south of Mecklenburg will soon be significantly better connected to the rail network, thereby increasing the quality of life of its citizens.

You can find further details and current developments about this exciting project at NDR, Northern Courier and Brandenburg.de read up.