The transition to diesel-free regional rail transport in northern Bavaria has taken an important step forward after the state signed a planning contract with DB InfraGO to expand the infrastructure needed for electrification and the introduction of battery-powered trains. The Bavarian authorities’ goal is to completely eliminate diesel from passenger rail transport in this part of the state by 2040.
According to the plans presented, 74 kilometers of railway will be electrified, and 20 diesel lines will be converted to electric traction or operation with battery trains (BEMU). The state of Bavaria will invest approximately EUR60 million in the planning phase and will subsequently apply for federal co-financing through the GVFG (Gemeindeverkehrsfinanzierungsgesetz) program.
Electrification and charging stations for battery trains
A study published in 2024 identified the infrastructure requirements for introducing battery trains on the 20 lines concerned. These trains will run on electrified sections and recharge their batteries at stations equipped with special facilities.
In this context, the following sections will be equipped with overhead lines:
- Oberkotzau – Rehau;
- Kirchenlaibach – Bayreuth – Trebgast;
- Hochstadt-Marktzeuln – Mainroth;
- Oberkotzau – Münchberg.
In addition, charging stations for battery-powered trains will be built in Bad Steben and Neustadt an der Waldnaab, and charging capacity will be improved at the Nürnberg, Forchheim, and Wicklesgreuth railway junctions by electrifying additional lines.
“The future of rail in Bavaria is electric”
Bavarian Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter emphasized the strategic nature of the program:
“The future of rail in Bavaria is electric. In northern Bavaria, we want to end diesel operation by 2040 and convert all lines to electric traction or battery trains. To do this, 74 kilometers of lines must be electrified and two charging stations must be built. The state of Bavaria is voluntarily moving ahead and investing around 60 million EUR in planning.”
Federal projects and implementation schedule
The region will also benefit from other electrification projects already included in Germany’s Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan. These include:
- the electrification of the Ostkorridor Hof – Regensburg;
- Franken-Sachsen-Magistrale Nürnberg – Schirnding;
- Metropolenbahn Nürnberg – Furth im Wald.
In addition, the state of Bavaria has already awarded a planning mandate for the electrification of the Schnabelwaid – Bayreuth section in 2024.
The section between Hof, Oberkotzau, and Marktredwitz will be electrified as part of the Ostkorridor and is scheduled to be put into operation in stages between 2033 and 2036.
Electrification to Rehau and Münchberg will continue this program, and other investments will enable more efficient use of battery trains and, on certain lines, a switch to fully electric operation.
DB: essential for achieving climate targets
DB’s representative for Bavaria, Heiko Büttner, linked the project to climate targets:
“We can only achieve our climate targets if we transport goods and passengers in an environmentally friendly way. This is exactly what the switch to electric or battery-powered trains offers. With the start of planning for the necessary infrastructure, we are consistently pushing ahead with the transition to sustainable rail transport in northern Bavaria together with the state of Bavaria.”
A “landmark moment” for the region
At the regional level, the project is seen as a decisive step toward eliminating “diesel islands.” Klaus Peter Söllner, administrator of the Kulmbach district, said:
“This is a milestone not only for Upper Franconia, but for the entire region in the fight to eliminate diesel exploitation. Based on the recommendations of our feasibility study completed in 2024, the decision to rapidly convert rail transport in northern Bavaria to environmentally friendly traction is a major step forward.”
The introduction of battery-powered trains will take place in several phases. From the second half of the 2030s, the Bavarian authorities plan to introduce new tilting technology vehicles, fully accessible, on lines that require this type of rolling stock.
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