Overview
- From Nov. 14–24, no long‑distance or most regional trains serve Köln Hauptbahnhof, with ICE and IC stops shifted mainly to Messe/Deutz or Ehrenfeld while S‑Bahn lines continue.
- Deutsche Bahn says the software defect prevents the new electronic interlocking from going live on Nov. 24; InfraGO plans a shorter additional closure to complete commissioning.
- DB is using the current blockade to finish hardware work—signals, points and overhead lines—while advising passengers to check revised routings and cancellations on affected RE lines.
- NRW transport minister Oliver Krischer criticized the late change of plan, while DB called the error unforeseeable and noted dozens of interlockings are commissioned each year.
- The Bundespolizei is running a nationwide Schwerpunkt from Nov. 14–16 at more than 40 stations, imposing temporary weapons bans at select hubs such as Nuremberg and reporting early arrests and fines, as Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt promotes expanded video surveillance and Taser rollout.