Deutsche Bahn sees sharp rise in overhead line cracks, warns of possible record

The German rail operator Deutsche Bahn reported 88 cracks in overhead catenary wires and support cables up to the end of May 2025, a marked increase from 78 cases in 2024 and a projected total of 127 for the full year. This translates to an average of 17.6 incidents per month, compared with about 10.6 per month in 2024. Safety systems automatically cut power and isolate damaged sections, and the DB InfraGO emergency manager coordinates track closures and grounding of the affected lines. The Federal Police opened investigations in several cases for suspected dangerous interference, but no criminal offenses have been confirmed.

In the town of Bendorf, local authorities examined the closing times of railway level‑crossing barriers. Calculations by the signal‑technology firm Scheidt & Bachmann show that the barrier at Brauereistraße remains down for 39 seconds for trains from Engers and 50 seconds from Grenzau, based on 2016 data. Similar measurements for other nearby crossings are still pending. Residents worry that these closure periods could cause long vehicle queues, especially on the heavily used B‑413 route.