German Railway to Close Bavarian Line for Tree Removal, Storm-Proofing

Deutsche Bahn is set to close the railway line between Gemünden am Main and Bad Kissingen in Bavaria for almost two months this autumn to conduct extensive vegetation work. The closure, scheduled from October 1 to November 26, is necessary to fell approximately 3,000 trees and trim countless bushes along the route.

The work is part of an effort to make the railway line more storm-proof by the end of the year. Deutsche Bahn stated that the vegetation management is complex, partly due to the steep slopes along sections of the track. An estimated 50,000 cubic meters of wood and vegetation will be removed. Without these maintenance efforts, train traffic could be obstructed, for example, by signals being obscured.

During the closure, replacement bus services will be implemented for travelers. The regional train line 50 operated by Erfurter Bahn will run on a two-hour frequency, with hourly services on weekdays. Additional buses are planned to accommodate school transport needs. The Bad Kissingen-Ebenhausen route (RE57/DB Regio) will also experience temporary closures from October 23 to November 26, with buses serving as replacements.

Deutsche Bahn indicated that the vegetation work begins on September 1, with a significant portion to be carried out during ongoing operations to minimize disruption to passengers. The primary goal is to enhance the line's resilience against severe weather conditions.