Weekend rail chaos hits central Germany as protests and repairs halt trains
Regional rail services in central Germany face major disruptions this weekend. Protests and roadblocks in GieĆen have halted trains on multiple lines, while construction work in Magdeburg affects evening schedules. Passengers are being urged to check for updates before travelling.
Protests in GieĆen have forced the cancellation of trains on two key routes. Line RB 99 between GieĆen and Siegen will not run during evening and nighttime hours. Similarly, services on line RB 40 between Ehringshausen and Dillenburg have been suspended for the same period.
GieĆen-Oswaldsgarten station remains closed until late Sunday due to the ongoing disruptions. A replacement bus service is operating, but the stop at GieĆen central station has been moved. For line RB 46, buses will only run between Nidda and GieĆen Erdkauter Weg.
Meanwhile, in Magdeburg, construction work is causing limited cancellations on the RE1 line. From November 17 to December 13, 2025, daily train cancellations will occur between 20:45 and 22:15 on the Magdeburg Hbf-Magdeburg-Neustadt section. Outside these hours, the RE1 line continues to operate normally between Brandenburg Hbf and Berlin.
Passengers travelling through GieĆen or Magdeburg should expect delays and plan alternative routes. Temporary bus services are in place, but stops have been relocated in some areas. The disruptions are expected to last through the weekend, with further cancellations scheduled for the RE1 line later this year.
