Fight against chaos: Reliability of the rail connection to Sylt in danger!

Fight against chaos: Reliability of the rail connection to Sylt in danger!

Especially now that winter is coming to northern Germany, the connection between Sylt and the mainland is becoming a current topic again. The Hindenburg Dam, which connects the popular North Sea island with the mainland, is the focus of discussions among those responsible. A meeting between CDU politician Daniel Günther and Sylt companies and staff councils brought the grievances in rail traffic to light. The State Chancellery in Kiel announced that there is an urgent need for action to reduce the persistent delays and train cancellations that are severely affecting life on Sylt, as Deutschlandfunk reports.

The railway company's employees expressed significant concerns as early as November 2025, as regular delays mean that hospital employees are often late for their shifts and teachers cannot start classes on time. This has resulted in many looking for jobs on the mainland, further exacerbating an already tense situation.

The Hindenburg Dam: An impressive engineering achievement

The Hindenburgdamm is not only a vital transport connection, but also a fascinating piece of history. The history of the dam began in the 1910s, when the island of Sylt could only be reached by ship. The construction of the dam, which took place between 1913 and 1927, was the largest construction site in Europe and required immense construction resources. The project was initially halted during the First World War, but after the war the pressure to create a land connection increased significantly. Construction work finally resumed in 1923, bringing with it further challenges such as tides and unsettled weather. On June 1, 1927, the first train was able to roll over the new dam, which is considered a decisive step in the history of Sylt and its connection to the mainland, as NDR explains.

The dam measures an impressive 11.3 kilometers and is now part of the railway from Elmshorn to Westerland. Originally single-track, the line was converted to continuous double-track operation in 1972. Around 700,000 vehicles travel on the dam every year, ensuring a lively connection between Sylt and the mainland.

Current challenges and future measures

The current difficulties in rail traffic cast a shadow over the once successful connection. To counteract the problems, the state government plans to involve the Federal Network Agency in discussions to address congestion and the dilapidated infrastructure on the route. There are even considerations of possibly reducing the number of train connections in order to reduce the existing delays more quickly. The situation is tense and affected citizens are wondering how the situation can be improved.

In the beauty of the North Frisian landscape, which attracts many visitors, this problem leaves a bad aftertaste. The residents sincerely hope for quick and effective solutions to make their everyday life on the island easier. After all, the Hindenburgdamm is not only a connection, but also a symbol of the community between Sylt and the mainland that needs to be preserved, as Wikipedia also notes.