German infrastructure manager DB InfraGO completed the renewal of the approximately 65-kilometre corridor on schedule, with train services resuming at 21:00 on Friday, 10 July.
More than 550 employees had worked on the route since its closure began on 6 February 2026. The project covered 81 kilometres of track, 51 switches and more than 21 kilometres of overhead line equipment, either renewed or extensively repaired.
The route is an important axis for regional and long-distance passenger services as well as rail freight between Hagen, Wuppertal and Cologne. During the closure, freight and long-distance trains operated via diversionary routes.
DB InfraGO said the current cost forecast was lower than originally planned by a mid-double-digit million-euro amount. Final costs will be confirmed once all invoices and contractor claims have been processed.
“The project team has ensured that trains can once again operate on more modern and robust infrastructure,” said Philipp Nagl, CEO of DB InfraGO. He acknowledged that the diversions and replacement services had placed considerable pressure on passengers and freight operators.
The works also included the construction of 3.6 kilometres of noise barriers and progress on the modernisation of 12 stations. Six are now almost complete, while work at stations also served by the parallel S-Bahn line will continue until the end of 2027.
Four railway bridges were renewed during the closure. DB InfraGO aims to avoid major construction closures on the long-distance route for at least five years, although shorter maintenance possessions will continue, mainly at night.
Up to 200 replacement buses were deployed for regional passengers during the works, covering around 6.1 million kilometres from February until the reopening.
DB InfraGO said individual technical problems could still occur during the initial operating phase. Specialist teams will remain along the route to address any faults that emerge during the first weeks.
