The Hamburg‑Berlin railway line will only be fully operational again on 14 June, Deutsche Bahn announced on Wednesday. The company’s plan to bring the line back into service is staged in two phases. Beginning 15 May, trains will resume running over the completed northern section from Hamburg to Hagenow Land. This will allow the regular timetable for services from Hamburg towards Schwerin and the rest of Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern to run as usual. A minor timetable adjustment will coincide with the full reopening of the Hamburg‑Berlin route on 14 June.
Initially, the entire line was slated to reopen on 1 May. However, weeks of frost and a near‑constant snow cover that began in early January had impeded construction progress. To remedy the delay, DB has increased staffing on site to make up the backlog. Over the next few weeks, key remaining tasks include the final installation of signalling and safety equipment, the overhead line work, a software update at the Schwerin signal box, and extensive modifications at the stations along the route.
