Berlin-Hannover Train Line Restored After Suspected Copper Theft
Berlin, June 6 – Train services between Hannover and Berlin are running regularly again after repairs to an overhead line. The repairs, according to Deutsche Bahn, have been completed. The cause of the damage was reportedly a theft.
On Thursday, the route experienced delays and cancellations in long-distance, regional, and S-Bahn traffic. An overhead line in eastern Hannover was damaged. “At this point, we must assume a theft of mast anchors,” Deutsche Bahn stated. The Federal Police did not confirm this as explicitly to NDR Niedersachsen. A spokesperson only mentioned “indications that metal from an earth anchor” was stolen. Investigations are underway on suspicion of particularly severe theft and dangerous interference with rail traffic.
Overhead Line Damaged for Approximately 100 Meters
According to Deutsche Bahn, the overhead line at the Karl-Wiechert-Allee stop in Hannover was affected. The suspected theft caused the overhead line to sag, and a passing ICE train tore it down on Wednesday night. The train had to stop, and approximately 200 passengers were evacuated. The overhead line was damaged for about 100 meters, according to the Federal Police spokesperson.
According to Deutsche Bahn, the following long-distance connections were affected:
- Flensburg – Hamburg – Frankfurt (M) – Frankfurt (M) Airport Regional Station
- Aachen – Mönchengladbach – Cologne / Düsseldorf – Hannover – Berlin
- Aachen – Cologne – Hannover – Berlin
- Oberstdorf – Stuttgart – Mannheim – Mainz – Cologne – Dortmund – Hannover – Magdeburg – Leipzig – Dresden
- Norddeich Mole – Emden – Bremen – Hannover – Magdeburg – Leipzig – Dresden
- Berlin – Hannover – Osnabrück – Bad Bentheim – Amsterdam
Travelers should still expect minor delays in long-distance traffic. Originally, the frequently used route was supposed to be clear again by May 1st.
Background: Other Railway Disruptions
Separately, the Hamburg-Berlin railway line will be fully operational again from June 14th after earlier disruptions. Another incident involved a badger’s sett under the tracks between Wittingen and Wahrenholz, which had caused train cancellations since Sunday. This section of the track has been passable again since Friday morning.
The incident on the Hannover-Berlin line highlights ongoing challenges with infrastructure security and maintenance across Germany’s rail network. Authorities are working to prevent similar occurrences and ensure the safety and reliability of train travel.
