CAPACITY RESTRICTIONS ON DUTCH-GERMAN BORDER FOR 1.5 YEARS
New capacity restrictions have been announced for the construction of the third track between Emmerich and Oberhausen (Germany), which will include an 80-week period of limited availability for cross-border train traffic. From the beginning of November 2024 to the end of May 2026, fewer trains will be able to run across this Dutch-German border. The section will be entirely closed for rail freight over a period of 20 weeks.
“ProRail is taking into account an 80-weeks ‘Temporary Capacity Restriction’ (TCR), with alternating single-track availability and total closure for international train traffic, for the construction of a third track between Emmerich and Oberhausen by DB Netz from the beginning of November 2024 to the end of May 2026. During this time, ProRail will only plan works on the deviation routes that are reasonably necessary during that period or that do not cause extra impact”, the Dutch infrastructure manager writes in its Capacity Strategy for timetable 2025.
According to the Dutch railway association RailGood, the 20 weeks of total closure will put 75 freight trains a day at risk of being unable to run between November 2024 and May 2026. Whilst a strategy is currently being formed to accommodate passenger traffic, there is none for freight trains.
Source: Railfreight