How Modern Rehabilitation Concepts Are Future-Proofing Germany’s Rail Network

Expanding rail infrastructure is complex: limited land availability, lengthy approval processes and construction under the “rolling wheel”, i.e. during ongoing operation, delays projects and drives up costs. Against this backdrop, innovative solutions and reliable planning expertise are moving increasingly into the spotlight. To meet growing demands and political targets, not only investment is needed, but also technical and organisational competence. With long-standing experience in developing and delivering complex infrastructure projects, the companies within Dorsch Europe help eliminate bottlenecks, expand capacity and sustainably improve the quality of rail transport.

The following project examples illustrate what such undertakings look like.

Ausbaustrecke (Upgrade Route) ABS Hanau–Gelnhausen

Deutsche Bahn is expanding the line between Hanau and Gelnhausen to four continuous tracks. The additional tracks will enable a more flexible and disruption-free operation, aided by the separation of long-distance and regional services. High-speed trains will operate on dedicated tracks, independent of slower services, enabling line speeds to rise from the current 160 km/h to up to 250 km/h. This enhancement will boost punctuality and significantly cut journey times for both long-distance and regional passengers.

The scheme will also ensure that stations along the route are modernised and made fully accessible. Residents will benefit from more than 30 kilometres of noise barriers. Additional environmental and species protection measures are being implemented, including replacement habitats and nesting aids for white storks, sand lizards and large blue butterflies.

The first planning approval section 5.17 is already under construction, with sections 5.16 to 5.13 to follow in the coming years. Dorsch Europe supports DB InfraGO AG as part of a joint engineering consortium: KREBS+KIEFER / BUNG is responsible for overall planning – including transport infrastructure design, civil engineering structures and structural engineering. BPS Rail is involved as a subcontractor for the overhead line system and, for the first time, is designing a High-Speed-Catenary.

The route is being engineered for 230 km/h, but the overhead line system (OLA) is designed as Re 250, allowing a maximum speed of 250 km/h. This provides the OLA with added performance and speed reserves beyond current operational needs.

Mannheim–Friedrichsfeld expansion project

As part of the overall Mannheim–Heidelberg project, Deutsche Bahn is expanding the line between Mannheim Central Station and Mannheim-Friedrichsfeld in order to eliminate existing bottlenecks and sustainably increase rail and freight transport capacity. The multi-track expansion between Mannheim Central Station and Mannheim-Friedrichsfeld South will improve local transport services in particular, while a new crossing-free structure in Mannheim-Friedrichsfeld will ensure that freight trains can pass through the marshalling yard without affecting passenger traffic. This will improve operational quality, increase reliability and create important reserves for the predicted increase in traffic by 2030.

As part of the INGE Mannheim Friedrichsfeld engineering consortium, GRE German Rail Engineering, KREBS+KIEFER and BUNG have been commissioned with the general planning for planning sections 2 and 3. The services include property and technical planning in service phases 1 and 2 (optionally 3–7) for the trades of transport facilities, structural engineering, overhead line systems and 50 Hz technology. Together with BPS rail as a subcontractor, GRE and KREBS+KIEFER are contributing their comprehensive expertise to INGE Mannheim Friedrichsfeld. KREBS+KIEFER is also involved in the important adjacent rail projects – the performance-related expansion of the European main line Mannheim–Karlsruhe and the new Rhine/Main–Rhine/Neckar line between Frankfurt and Mannheim – in an engineering consortium together with BPS rail, thereby contributing to the strengthening of central mobility axes in Germany and Europe.

Managing Complexity – Shaping the Future

Delivering such major infrastructure projects remains complex. Ground risks, construction during ongoing operations, and strict requirements for noise and vibration protection place high demands on planning and execution. Integrating existing tracks, redesigning stations, accommodating new signalling technologies and coordinating all trades – from transport infrastructure planning and civil engineering to signalling, energy systems and environmental planning – are essential factors for project success.

The companies within Dorsch Global bring interdisciplinary expertise to ensure that technically demanding projects are delivered efficiently, safely and on schedule. Close collaboration with the client through experienced engineering teams ensures quality and reliability across all project phases. Our comprehensive expertise across all railway planning disciplines ensures seamless interface coordination and a holistic approach – a benefit highly valued by our clients. 

Even though these projects represent only a small segment of the overall rehabilitation needs, they set important impulses for modernising rail infrastructure and supporting climate protection. Targeted capacity increases for freight and passenger rail services along these corridors help reduce emissions and shift transport gradually from road to rail. In doing so, they contribute significantly to the sustainable mobility of tomorrow – demonstrating how technical know-how and integrated planning approaches secure the future of the rail system. An expertise that Dorsch Global brings to projects in Germany – and equally internationally.

^[1] Kapazitätserweiterung im Schienennetz (Capacity expansion in the rail network)
^[2] BMV - Verkehrsprognose 2040
^[3] Traurige Bilanz 2024: Nur 48,2 Kilometer neue Schienenstrecken – Die Güterbahnen