{"id":241672,"date":"2025-06-25T18:27:17","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T08:27:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=63467"},"modified":"2025-06-25T18:27:17","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T08:27:17","slug":"db-infragos-extended-rail-renovation-timeline-receives-cautious-industry-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=241672","title":{"rendered":"DB InfraGO\u2019s extended rail renovation timeline receives cautious industry support"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Generalsanierung, the German overhaul of its railway network, may last about twice as long as originally planned – until the mid-2030s. Infrastructure manager DB InfraGO wants to do fewer renovations annually and spread them out over a longer period of time. What do rail companies think about this?<\/strong>
\n<\/span>The German private rail freight association Die G\u00fcterbahnen sees the extension as a \u201cnecessary correction\u201d. Its managing director, Neele Wesseln, commented: \u201cThe postponement is not a defeat, but a necessary correction. The original 2030 target was politically motivated, not technically motivated – and was not planned in line with the realities of the system.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is right that DB is now making adjustments\u201d, Wesseln continues. Rail freight appeals seem to have been heard in the upper decision-making echelons.\u201cThe industry warned early on that corridors should not simply be pushed through against all technical reason without preparing diversionary routes or implementing layout standards.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yet, there is still a thing or two to gain. \u201cThe extension of the timetable must be used to implement the industry’s well-known demands: advance upgrades, practical single-track construction concepts, functioning detours and clear cost control\u201d, adds Wesseln. \u201cAdditionally, we believe it is wrong that the plans for 2025, 2026 and 2027 should not be reviewed.”<\/p>\n

Hector Rail<\/h2>\n

The view of Die G\u00fcterbahnen is underlined by a representative of rail operator Hector Rail, who gives a cautiously positive response. An extension will give affected companies some breathing room, but concerns about capacity allocation still remain. \u201cIf a route only has 40% capacity, then some companies will have to divert either way, and there has to be proper compensation for that\u201d, they say.<\/p>\n