The Free State of Bavaria has unveiled plans to eliminate diesel operations in Swabia and western Upper Bavaria as part of its commitment to decarbonising local public transport. During the “Railland Bavarian Swabia” railway conference, Bavaria’s Transport Minister, Christian Bernreiter, outlined the steps for the transition, following the release of a report on the decarbonisation of regional rail services.
The plan includes the electrification of key lines and the introduction of battery-powered trains on remaining routes. The planned electrification of the Illertalbahn will extend from Neu-Ulm to Kempten, and potentially to Oberstdorf. Battery-powered trains will be deployed on sections without overhead lines, utilising electrified segments and charging stations at train stations. New charging stations are slated for Füssen and Krumbach, while a substation will be built in Immenstadt to support the rail power supply.
Route electrification
Several lines in the region are set to be electrified, including:
- Augsburg-Hochzoll – Obergriesbach
- Augsburg Hbf – Bobingen
- Buchloe – Biessenhofen
- Weilheim – Peißenberg
The infrastructure development will also involve the introduction of new tilting vehicles, designed as battery-powered units. A combined battery and hydrogen drive, initially considered, was deemed technically complex and costly, prompting a shift to a simpler battery-only solution.
Future plans and timeline
The Free State intends to commission DB InfraGO AG to begin planning the necessary infrastructure expansions in 2025. The focus will be on electrification and related infrastructure improvements, with the planning process for the Kempten-Oberstdorf section slated for completion by spring 2025. Additionally, Bavaria is seeking federal funding for these expansions under the Municipal Transport Financing Act.
Diesel lines to be converted
The plans include converting several existing diesel lines to electric or battery-powered operations, with seven diesel lines in Swabia set for electrification:
- RS 5 Ulm – Aalen
- RS 51 Ulm – Langenau
- RE 50 Ulm – Aalen
- RS 7 Ulm – Memmingen
- RS 71 Ulm – Weißenhorn
- RE 75 Ulm – Kempten – Oberstdorf
- RB 83 Augsburg – Gessertshausen (– Langenneufnach)
In addition, five lines will transition to battery operation using new tilting technology vehicles, including:
- RE 7 Augsburg – Lindau-Insel
- RE 17 Augsburg – Oberstdorf
- RE 70 Munich – Lindau Island
- RE 76 Munich – Oberstdorf
- RE 79 Augsburg – Kempten
The decarbonisation strategy, developed by a consortium of companies including Enotrac AG, SMA + Partner AG, and hynes GmbH, outlines the shift towards cleaner rail transport in Swabia and western Upper Bavaria.
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