{"id":423151,"date":"2026-05-08T18:18:40","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T08:18:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=71055"},"modified":"2026-05-08T18:18:40","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T08:18:40","slug":"germany-announces-stable-network-quality-associations-mostly-see-construction-obstacles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=423151","title":{"rendered":"Germany announces stable network quality, associations mostly see construction obstacles"},"content":{"rendered":"

The German rail infrastructure manager DB InfraGO has released its 2025 report on the quality of the rail network. Above all, the organisation notes an unchanged situation compared to 2024. Some parts of the network deteriorated, others improved. Meanwhile, practical operations have become much more difficult due to construction works.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>In the German grading system, where a lower number indicates a better score, the entire rail network scores a 3.00. This could be considered an average score. Slightly over half of all rail network objects are in good or \u201cas new\u201d condition, according to DB InfraGO itself.<\/p>\n

Some types of objects are in better shape than others. Signal boxes, for example, score worst with a score of 4.02. Only a small minority of signal boxes are in good shape. Over half are in poor or worse than poor condition \u2014 not a good look for DB InfraGO.<\/p>\n

Level crossings are not in a much better position with a score of 3.65. Tunnels and noise barriers are in better shape with scores of 2.17 and 1.90 respectively. The tracks match the overall network score with 3.00. Overhead lines were assessed at 2.95.<\/p>\n

Works are good, but with some caveats<\/h2>\n

If all goes well, the condition of the German rail network should improve in the years to come. DB InfraGO is working on major renovation projects, but those also come with a downside: a lack of coordination with affected companies has serious implications for rail freight operations.<\/p>\n

It should come as no surprise that rail freight companies, as well as transport companies in a broader sense, continue to speak out about the problems they are facing. \u201cThe necessary construction work should ideally proceed like a good evening at the theater: invisible stage technology working in service of a smooth performance. At the moment, however, we are seeing far too many chaotic construction sites at DB InfraGO, which are massively disrupting train operations and, as a result, forcing industry and passengers onto the roads\u201d, commented Neele Wesseln, Managing Director at the German rail freight association Die Guterbahnen.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe regularly see construction sites where no one is working for hours on end. Since the need to improve the network remains unchanged, InfraGO, together with the construction companies, must become more efficient and find a better balance between construction work and train traffic. Above all, overhead lines and signal boxes must be repaired and renewed much more quickly in the future. With DB InfraGO’s current performance, this is hardly acceptable for businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Construction
Construction work on the Hamburg-Berlin railway. Image: Deutsche Bahn AG \u00a9 Oliver Lang<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Combined Transport<\/h2>\n

Similarly, the German transport and logistics association VDV and freight forwarding association DSLV worry about the decline in Combined Transport. In 2025, the volume of the segment fell by 2% compared to 2024 despite the growth forecast of the German Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility.<\/p>\n

A further decline is now expected for 2026. This also has to do with the construction works going on in Germany. \u201cThe inadequately coordinated construction work on the rail network is leading to limitations in operational quality and reliability\u201d, they say. Germany will need to improve on that front, as well as increase funding for rail freight, infrastructure and reform the track access charge system.<\/p>\n