Compared to many other countries, the construction of completely new local rail transport systems is still one of the major exceptions in Germany.
In the greater Neckar-Alb region, in the wider vicinity of the cities of Reutlingen and Tübingen, work has been underway for two decades on the planning and realisation of the regional light rail system, which is probably best described as a tram-train according to international criteria. Existing railway lines are to be extended and linked with new sections built to light rail standards, particularly in urban areas. In this way, a network of around 200 kilometres in length is to be created by the middle of the next decade, according to the current planning status. The majority of this consists of existing railway lines to be shared and/or adapted, some of which will be electrified, and approximately 38 km of new lines, some of which will be reactivated from previously operated branch lines. In total, this involves nine interconnected individual lines in the districts of Reutlingen, Tübingen and Zollernalbkreis.
In detail, these are:
- Ammertal line >> Tübingen main station – Entringen – Herrenberg
- Neckar-Alb line >> Metzingen – Reutlingen main station – Tübingen
- Erms Valley line >> Metzingen – Bad Urach
- City centre Reutlingen & Echaztalbahn >> Reutlingen Hbf – Reutlingen Süd – Pfullingen – Unterhausen – Honau – Traifelberg – Engstingen
- Gomaringer Spange >> Reutlingen main station – Ohmenhausen – Gomaringen – Nehren – Mössingen
- Upper Neckar line >> Tübingen – Rottenburg – Eyach – Horb
- Zollern-Alb line >> Tübingen – Mössingen – Hechingen – Balingen – Albstadt-Ebingen
- Hohenzollern line >> Hechingen – Burladingen
- Talgangbahn >> Albstadt-Ebingen – Albstadt-Onstmettingen
The VDV TramTrain
The VDV TramTrain model, built by Stadler Rail Valencia also for the Neckar-Alb regional light rail system (RSBNA) from 2027 as part of a joint order from several German and Austrian public transport companies, will operate on part of these lines. We reported about the VDV TramTrain here:
https://www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/mock-up-of-the-vdv-tramtrain-presented/
The federal state of Baden-Württemberg is procuring the vehicles via the Baden-Württemberg Rail Vehicles Agency (SFBW); 30 vehicles are on firm order, but up to 87 vehicles can be delivered including agreed option. The RSBNA tram-trains have an access height of 350 mm and four doors on each side. The vehicles will be approved for mixed operation both as a railway in accordance with the Railway Construction and Operating Regulations (EBO) and as a tram in accordance with the Tramway Construction and Operating Regulations (BOStrab). They can use two different power systems, 15 kV, 16.7 Hz alternating current (railway) and 750 V direct current (tram).
As part of Baden-Württemberg’s local transport fleet, the trains will have the yellow and black ‘bwegt’ design. In summer 2024, ‘bwegt’ presented the new design of the vehicles once before, and a delegation also presented and explained it on the first completed pre-series car of Saarbahn, which was exhibited at InnoTrans 2024 in Berlin. The first route to be travelled by the VDV TramTrain is expected to be the Ermsttalbahn Metzingen – Bad Urach line.
Latest developments
The feasibility studies for the Echaztalbahn Reutlingen – Engstingen and the so-called Gomaringer Spange Reutlingen – Gomaringen – Nehren were completed in 2023, and preliminary planning began in summer 2024. At the end of this process, decisions are expected on the final route of the regional light rail system in the centre of Reutlingen, Pfullingen, Betzingen and Ohmenhausen.
In July 2024, three engineering firms were commissioned with the preliminary planning: DB Engineering & Consulting GmbH, which is also responsible for the overall coordination of the preliminary planning, is investigating the section through the centre of Reutlingen from Reutlingen West via Reutlingen Hbf to Reutlingen Süd. Ramboll Deutschland GmbH is responsible for the Echaztalbahn between Reutlingen – Pfullingen – Engstingen and Schüßler-Plan GmbH is in charge of planning the Gomaringer Spange in the Reutlingen – Betzingen – Ohmenhausen section.
At the end of 2024, the initial findings from the preliminary planning are to be presented and discussed in the respective municipal committees; initially at feasibility level (basic, above all technical feasibility of the variants), later at decision level (decision on the preferred variant) and finally at preliminary planning level (planning of the preferred variant). The preliminary planning then forms the basis for the subsequent planning approval. The decisions on the variants are to be made in the second half of 2025 by the local councils involved, the Reutlingen district council and the association meeting of the special-purpose association. The Neckar-Alb Regional Light Rail Association, which is responsible for the planning, expects the preliminary planning to be completed in spring 2026. Parallel to the discussions and decisions in the political bodies, there will be broad-based public participation.
On 23 October 2024, the contract for the reactivation of the Talgangbahn was signed – the state-owned SWEG Schienenwege GmbH will assume responsibility for the planning, construction, maintenance and operation of this line. This is a branch line that has been derelict for years and was previously operated by the Württembergische Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft (WEG) as the ‘Albstadt light railway’ between the stations of Albstadt-Ebingen and Onstmettingen using diesel trains. The S1 line of the regional light railway will later run through on the mainline and on the Talgangbahn. Planning approval is expected for 2027, with construction scheduled to begin in 2028. The Talgangbahn is scheduled to start operation in 2030 as a shuttle service between Albstadt-Ebingen and Albstadt-Onstmettingen.
Further project steps
Upcoming further measures include:
- Finalisation of preliminary planning and decisions on BOStrab routes and subsequent committee and public participation
- Conclusion of planning agreements with DB InfraGO AG on the expansion and electrification of DB lines
- Preparation of TramTrain commissioning and development of a maintenance and workshop concept
- Concretisation of the energy supply concept
- Development of the tasks of the competent authority together with the NVBW and award strategy for the first RSBNA transport services
- Updating the standardised assessment in preparation for the first federal (GVFG) funding
