Storm chaos: train passengers between Hanover and Berlin are left standing!

Storm chaos: train passengers between Hanover and Berlin are left standing!

A severe storm caused massive damage to rail traffic between Hanover, Wolfsburg and Berlin on Thursday, June 26th. The overhead lines in Saxony-Anhalt in particular have been affected, which is still leading to numerous failures and delays on Friday, June 27th. As the Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung reported, the situation on the rails is tense, as only one track is available for long-distance traffic in Gardelegen due to fallen trees.

The damage is significant: numerous connections are affected, especially the ICE trains from Bonn/Cologne/Düsseldorf to Berlin, which have to expect delays of around 30 minutes between Wolfsburg and Berlin. The IC from Amsterdam to Berlin is experiencing a similar situation and is canceled on the section between Hanover and Berlin. The German Weather Service had warned of thunderstorms, rain and gale-force winds, which unfortunately also had an impact on the regional and S-Bahn network in Berlin.

Catenary fault and sources of fire

It's not just the storm that's causing difficulties. Another incident involving a fire on a freight train in the Hanover region has paralyzed the railway line between Hanover and Minden. This led to a complete closure, which also affected the gentle connections to Cologne and Amsterdam. This explains the World, which reports delays of up to 120 minutes for IC and ICE trains there.

The fire, which was caused by an arc and fallen overhead power lines, led to an impressive effort by the fire department, with around 180 firefighters working to bring the situation under control. Fortunately, no hazardous substances were released, meaning that nearby residents only had to be evacuated temporarily.

Current developments and recommendations

An end to the repair work is not yet foreseeable, and the railway is talking about “midday hours” as a possible time for the restoration of regular train operations. Travelers are asked to inform themselves about the official website of Deutsche Bahn or check the DB app for current information and take advantage of the prudent goodwill rules for tickets with a train connection.

The disruption maps on the railway website provide an overview of current train cancellations and route interruptions, and if you want to be informed in good time, you can also have push notifications about delays sent to the app or by email. It is important to be well informed in times like these and to use possible alternatives to achieve your goal.

In today's connected world, flexible solutions and good planning often make the difference, especially when the weather is on your side!