Deutsche Bahn shuts right‑Rhine line for months, uses helicopters and bus replacements

Deutsche Bahn has begun a five‑month renovation of the 160‑kilometre right‑Rhine railway between Troisdorf and Wiesbaden, starting on 10 July 2026 and running until 12 December 2026. The €1.6 billion programme will replace tracks, switches, overhead lines, signal technology, bridges, tunnels and stations, and will also modernise dozens of railway crossings.

To speed up work, helicopters are being deployed over the Cologne‑Wiesbaden corridor to install new signals and transport equipment, prompting safety notices for residents about increased noise and strong downdrafts. The construction forces total closures of the line, with additional temporary suspensions of the Rüdesheim rail crossing (15‑28 July) and numerous S‑Bahn and regional services (S1, S8, S9, RE2, RE3, RB10, RB75, etc.) in the Rhein‑Main area.

Deutsche Bahn has organised an extensive replacement‑bus network on 13 lines, including express services linking Wiesbaden, Rüdesheim, Koblenz and Troisdotf, as well as additional school‑hour trips. Passengers are advised to check the DB Navigator, bahn.de or regional transport apps for up‑to‑date routes and timetables.