Mid-Germany Railway

The center- Germany connection is a rail link between Thuringia and Saxony. The core of this compound leads from Chemnitz or Glauchau in the east via Gera and Jena to Weimar in the West. The railway line Dresden- Werdau ( about Chemnitz- Glauchau ), the railway line Glauchau Goessnitz, the railway line Goessnitz -Gera and the railway line Weimar -Gera be traveled. It is part of a possible direct rail connection from the Ruhr and Frankfurt via Eisenach, Erfurt, Weimar, Jena -West, Jena Göschwitz, Gera, Goessnitz, Werdau, Zwickau, Chemnitz to Dresden and thus provides an alternative route to the currently long-distance transport used route from Erfurt Leipzig (instead of further south and Chemnitz) dar. to Dresden

History

The center- Germany connection introduced the division of Germany an important link between the Saxon industrial areas and West Germany dar. Likewise, it was also important for the binding of Bohemia on the web at Elstertal West Germany.

In the GDR, the compound had meaning to the relief of the leading over Halle and Leipzig distances. Immediately after the German reunification was planned euphoric a contemporary extension of this route, as they are now an important link between the West Saxons (Chemnitz ) and West Germany panelist. The Act for the German Unity Transport Projects the connection was not indeed included, but was classified as ' priority' in the Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan of 1993. However, priority had in the period following the line over Leipzig. However, quickly established itself with the inter-regional line 41 contemporary remote connection. In the four- hour a transfer-free connection between Chemnitz and Aachen was offered. Because of the lack of contact wire between Goessnitz and Weimar in Weimar locomotive exchange was obligatory since 1995. By May 1995, the diesel over Erfurt drove through to Bebra, as the electrification of the line Neudietendorf - Bebra had not been completed. The diesel power took over the series 219 and 232

The initial euphoria of reunification period soon gave way to disillusion; easy for an expansion of the money was missing. For Gera, the then second largest city in Thuringia, the expansion was a matter of prestige, but it was the largest German city without double-track railway line. This was followed by political disputes, whereby the cost-benefit ratio of the New Erfurt - level field has been questioned.

Despite an agreement between Deutsche Bahn AG and the state of Thuringia of 15 May 1997, which provided for the partially double-track and tend technician proficient end extension of the line, the decision was already in that year for the setting of long-distance transport. The reason was a program of the Deutsche Bahn AG to abandon the intercity travel nationwide. As early as 1999, two years before the long-distance adjustment in 2001, the scheduled freight traffic between Gera and Weimar was set to the middle - Germany connection.

Further expansion

The first construction phase sees the expansion prior to 140 km / h ( with tilting) and electronic interlocking technology. The completion of the work has been gradual: 2002 Weimar -Jena- Göschwitz, 2006/07 Göschwitz -Gera - Ronneburg, 2007/ 08 - Ronneburg Glauchau. According to the Federal Government is the completion of the first stage of construction provided for 2012 (as of November 2008).

The second construction phase includes the doubling to 160 km / h ( with tilting) and electrification. Classified as " other needs" it was not included in the five-year plan (2006 to 2010). The single track sections between Weimar and Großschwabhausen and between New tavern and Stadtroda should be expanded to double track until early 2016. In January 2013, signed covenant and train the corresponding financing agreement. In addition to continued double-track extension at 17 kilometers an increase in speed to 160 km / h provided. The Oberweimar station receives a second platform, the platforms in the stations and Jena Jena West Göschwitz be renewed and accessible by elevators. Construction began in February 2014 and completion is scheduled in several sections to December 2016.

In addition, the electrification of the railway line is provided. Finance for this is so far not secured funding by European Union funds will be sought. The expansion plans and further perspectives are always hotly debated politically.

Traction

Since 2000, the Series 612 is used as a regional express every two hours on the former mainline connection. All trains that criss-cross the Gesamtlaufweg, operate as a railcar in triple traction of Göttingen Gotha ( change of direction ) and Erfurt to Goessnitz, where they are separated ( winged ). One part goes to Zwickau, the other to the timetable change 2011/12 to Chemnitz and since then only until Glauchau. The third railcar is in this case on or issued in Gera Hbf and partly also in Gotha. Since the beginning of 2013, the annual timetable trains from partially or until Greiz. Between Glauchau Weimar and the trains need a scheduled journey time of about two hours.

In the local train service, the railcar of Erfurt railway used. In addition, regional rail trains between Erfurt, Weimar, Jena and Gera are used, so that a 30 - to 40 -minute intervals yields to Gera.

From 2016 to daily drive with double-deck intercity trains of Gera Kassel Cologne or Dusseldorf three pairs of trains. The country participates in Thuringia with about 1.75 million euros to the cost, which is the use allowed between Gotha and Gera with transport tickets.

Distance from Dusseldorf

In current discussions among the middle - Germany connection is understood to Chemnitz, the connection of Dusseldorf over Dortmund, Kassel, Erfurt and Weimar. For example, discussed the North Rhine-Westphalian state parliament in March 2006 on the strengthening of this compound for the acceleration of the trains.