Transformation into a high-performance network
The high-performance network is to include the most highly utilized rail links in Germany. In September 2023, the Federal Government and DB Group presented a major infrastructure program for the rail network and the stations at the Rail Summit of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr; BMDV). The goal is to make train services permanently more punctual and to create the conditions for achieving the transport policy goals in passenger and freight transport. Corridor modernizations are one tool for achieving this: as part of a full closure lasting several months, all outdated and fault-prone facilities are replaced, the performance capability of the facilities is increased, and stations are holistically designed and construction work in the modernized section is thus to be avoided for several years:
- Fault-resistant systems should ensure a more reliable infrastructure and thus increase punctuality for our customers.
- Optimal, standardized track equipment should increase the level of performance of the infrastructure.
- Improved customer experience thanks to holistically developed, attractive and accessible stations.
- Reducing future transport restrictions to a minimum and creating more predictability for our customers.
The Emmerich — Oberhausen section will be realized in 2025, while the corridor modernization of the Berlin — Hamburg line will take place between August 2025 and April 2026. One of the most frequented passenger transport lines and an important freight transport axis is, therefore, set to become one of the most modern and high-performance lines in Germany.
The corridor modernization of the Emmerich — Oberhausen line has been in progress since mid-February 2025. During the current closure, the Dinslaken and Haldern stations will be modernized first. By 2028, 13 of the 15 stations will be modernized as part of the Emmerich — Oberhausen expansion line project. The aim is to modernize all stations with a uniform standard, a high level of comfort, and regional recognition value. Measures at the stations that are not absolutely necessary during the closure period will follow after the line goes into operation.
High-performance maintenance
With the high-performance maintenance, DB InfraGO is further developing its maintenance strategy in order to make the rail network more robust and reliable. The aim is to noticeably reduce technical disruptions and minimize their impact on our customers in passenger and freight transport. Progress was made with the gradual implementation of the three central elements – sustainable prevention, digital maintenance and fast fault clearance – in the first half of 2025:
- Sustainable prevention, which uses data-based and intelligent life cycle models to proactively and periodically maintain the network, is currently in preparation.
- Since 2024, sensors have been installed on selected, particularly fault-prone facilities as part of the program and integrated into diagnostic systems so that potential faults can be detected and evaluated at an early stage. At the same time, on-board sensors are used to check the track position.
- Since 2024, the first common crossing have also been stored locally on selected corridors and personnel at level crossings have been specifically increased in order to enable failures to be rectified more quickly with shorter response times.
The preventive maintenance budget for the period from 2024 to 2033 was increased by a total of € 2.0 billion. Further measures for the gradual implementation of the new maintenance strategy are planned for the second half of 2025.