Inspection and replacement of concrete ties

A precautionary program for inspecting and replacing concrete ties has been underway since summer 2022. The inspection program was initiated as a result of the train accident in Garmisch-Partenkirchen on June 3, 2022. The Federal Authority for Railway Accident Investigation (Bundesstelle für Eisenbahnunfalluntersuchung; BEU) has now completed its investigations and has also come to the conclusion that the accident was caused by defective concrete ties. The BEU’s safety recommendations already form part of DB InfraGO’s action plan.

DB InfraGO has tightened the regulations for monitoring concrete ties several times. Stricter criteria now apply for the classification of defective ties. These were transferred from the corresponding directives to the guideline on the assessment of defects in prestressed concrete ties on June 16, 2025. Since the accident in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, DB InfraGO has replaced over two million ties. The concrete tie replacement program will also continue in the coming years. In the first half of 2025, DB InfraGO has agreed payments of about € 1.2 million to intra-Group and non-Group customers for losses actually incurred as a result of the replacement of ties.

In addition, DB InfraGO has continuously rectified identified defects since the train accident in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Following the conclusion of the independent internal investigation into the background to the train accident, which was carried out by an external law firm, further recommendations for action have been drawn up by the law firm. DB InfraGO now intends to implement these recommendations. DB InfraGO’s remediation program is being closely supported and monitored by the external law firm.