Disrupted Railway Operations Due to Construction Works - Buses Serving as Alternative Transportation
The railway company Deutsche Bahn (DB) has announced that passengers using the Gäubahn, a rail line running from Stuttgart to Switzerland, and the Hochrheinbahn, connecting Basel and the Baden town of Erzingen, should expect some disruptions in their travel plans.
On the Gäubahn, bridge work is scheduled to take place between Oberndorf am Neckar and Rottweil from tonight until Monday morning. As a result, rail traffic will be disrupted, and passengers traveling between these stations will have to switch to buses.
Similarly, the Hochrheinbahn will undergo electrification, officially starting on Saturday. This marks the end of the era of environmentally harmful diesel trains on the line. Preparations for the electrification have already begun, and the work will be carried out while the line is still operational. However, starting from April 2026, the section between Rheinfelden and Waldshut will be completely closed, causing service disruptions or suspensions during the construction period, particularly affecting connections between Waldshut and Erzingen on Saturdays.
During the electrification process, individual trains will not run between Waldshut station and Erzingen. Buses will serve as a replacement for the trains between Waldshut station and Erzingen, as well as between Villingen, Donaueschingen, and Engen. Passengers are advised to switch to trains operated by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) between Engen/Singen and Konstanz.
In the southernmost part of the Hochrheinbahn, Deutsche Bahn (DB) InfraGO AG is responsible for the electrification and conversion of the line. Construction works are set to begin starting September 2025.
Passengers are encouraged to inform themselves via DB's information media for updates on the construction and any potential changes in travel plans. For those using the Gäubahn, bridge work will affect the section between Oberndorf am Neckar and Rottweil, while the Black Forest Railway will have sleepers and tracks renewed between Villingen (Schwarzwald-Baar district) and Donaueschingen, with trains not running on this section until October 17.
In conclusion, passengers using the Gäubahn and Hochrheinbahn should expect line closures and bus replacements due to construction work. It is essential to stay informed and plan accordingly to ensure a smooth journey.
