11 October 2024

On SZCZ network, the overall situation is coming back to the normal activities. Full operation of Chalupki-Bohumin border point is envisaged on 12 October in the evening, for both passenger and freight trains.

All  Corridors lines will be fully operational.

 ÖBB-I (RFC9) : the situation has improved and gradually returned to normal activities. Since 10 October the Old Western Line has both tracks with max speed 100 Km/h open. Currently there are 3 out of 5 tracks on the East-West Corridor available.

• 85 – 100 % of capacity for freight trains is available on the West Line and on the rerouting line via Herzogenburg possible
• 15 % has to be rerouted via the South Line
• ÖBB-I adapted schedules (with some restrictions for the passanger trains) in order to gain capacity for freight trains
• the New West Line will be temporary repaired by December 14th 2024; a second phase repair will be needed in Summer 2025 for 4 weeks

 On RFC5 Baltic Adriatic lines, the network will be fully operational with the reopening of Chalupki-Bohumin border point as from tomorrow evening.

4 October 2024

On SZCZ network and Baltic Adriatic Corridor lines, the situation is gradually coming back to the normal activities. Bohumin Vrbice-Chalupki border point will be opened today 4^th October at 16.00. Full operation of Chalupki-Bohumin is envisaged on 10 October, where also related local lines will be reopened. All Corridors lines related to SZCZ network will be fully operational as from next week. For freight trains, there will be no need for rerouting. As for international passenger trains, reopening of specific traffics are also according to RUs needs and decisions.

No criticalities have been highlighted on other networks of the Baltic Adriatic Corridor (Poland and Slovakia)

As for the Austrian network on Corridor Rhine-Danube, criticalities remain on the West line Wien-St.Polten. In the normal case East West Corridor has 5 tracks.  Since  September 28th   it is possible to use just 2 of them. As for the Old Westline, efforts to increase capacity are ongoing, namely:

• on October 10th the Old Western line will have no longer single track sections and a new schedule will be offered, then it will be possible to use 3 of 5 tracks on the East- / West Corridor
• as from October 1st, 00:00 until Monday 14th, 24:00,  on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday there is only 75 % capacity available;
• on October 14th capacity will be increased up to 100 %

The rerouting option via Tulln and Herzogenburg is open since September 28th, with some restrictions up to October 10th.

As for the New West Line, tunnels and train station Tullnerfeld were under water with big damages. No precise forecasts for reopening are possible at the moment.

27 September 2024

• Major criticalities remain on SZCZ network, in particular in the Ostrava region: as far as the main line Ostrava-Svinov – Bohumín – Dětmarovice is concerned, which has been closed because of flood since 14 September 2024, we are glad to inform you that it will be re-opened from
  14:00 tomorrow (28 September).
• Transit traffic for freight trains will be possible again from that time on towards Poland via other border points than Bohumin-Chalupki, which is still closed. Main criticalities remains for international passenger trains, in particular to/from Austria.

SZCZ expects to be able share further updates by the end of next week.

• ZSR: for traffic to Slovakia from the Czech network, all border lines are operational.
• PLK: situation is gradually returning to normal activities
• ÖBB-I network: as of September 28, 2024, from 8:00 AM, the route between Tulln an der Donau via Tullnerfeld to Herzogenburg can be reopened for freight traffic. This will allow additional freight trains to operate during the day on the Danube axis, in addition to those on the ‘old West route’ at night. This solution will bring up to 75% of the usual capacity for freight traffic, compared to the previous 25%. This ensures the continued supply security of Austrian and European industry.

In addition to reopening specific routes, efforts are being made to reroute freight traffic on a larger scale where possible, for example via the Semmering or the Pyhrn routes. This depends on factors such as the weight and size of the freight, as these routes involve tunnel passages with strict limits.

Criticalities remain on the new West Line from Wien to St.Polten.

Impact of the Flooding on Freight Transport

Freight transport is still massively affected by the restrictions following the floods in Austria and neighboring countries such as Poland, Czechia, Romania, and Hungary, with Italy (Emilia Romagna) now impacted as well. Entire transport corridors have been rendered impassable due to floods and landslides. Although some routes have been reopened, a significant number of sections remain closed, both nationally and internationally.

Delays and Backlog in Freight Traffic

The situation has made freight transport extremely difficult, with hundreds of trains currently at a standstill, particularly at the borders, where traffic has come to a complete halt. The backlog and processing of freight traffic are expected to take some time, leading to extended delays.

24th September 2024

SZCZ network:  traffic to Austria and Poland is still interrupted, main line Ostrava-Svinov – Bohumín – Dětmarovice has been closed because of floods since 14 September 2024. On 25 September at the earliest, it might be possible to estimate when it will be opened for traffic again.  There are re-routing options for the traffic flows from Austria/Italy to Poland via Ostrava-Vítkovice – Český Těšín – Petrovice u Karviné – Zebrzydowice.

Chalupki-Bohumin border point is still closed. Passenger traffics to/from Poland are cancelled for the time being. Forecasts for re-opening are not defined yet, even though the weather situation is improving. Border points with Slovakia are available (confirmed by ZSR).

PLK network : border point with Poland in Lichov is not available and trains can not run. Situation in Wroclaw is still difficult and re-routing via Zebrzydowice is envisaged.

OEBB-I network: section Wien-St.Polten on the new West line still has major disturbances. New West Line Tunnels are still under water with big damages. On the Old West line (Wien Westbahnhof–Rekawinkel–St. PöltenHbf) there are restrictions due to weather damages (single track section). Therefore, freight trains run only in the night, or they are rerouted via the south line.

The West Line has very restricted capacity, with only (reduced) passenger trains on the old West Line from 05:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Therefore, starting as of 23.09.2024 11:00 p.m. freight trains are only allowed between 11:00 p.m. and 05:00 a.m.. Contingent for 40 paths for freight trains.

No ad-hoc freight trains or paths are envisaged.

Update on 20th September at 15.00

On Friday 20th September  at 12:00 p.m. SZCZ put into operation the section of the main line between Hranice na Morava, Studénka, Polanka nad Odra and the stations Vítkovice and Kunčice in Ostrava region.

The line Ostrava-Svinov – Ostrava hl.n. – Bohumín – Dětmarovice will remain out of service for the time being. Freight transport can use the Petrovice u Karviné – Zebrzydowice border crossing for trains to Poland.

Updates on the situation on 18th September related to floods in Central Europe (Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, Slovakia)

• Major criticalities on SZCZ network, in particular in the Ostrava region: traffic to Austria and Poland is interrupted. Currently, the main line Hranice na Moravě – Studénka – Ostrava – Bohumín – Dětmarovice is closed because of flood. Part of this line is still under water, so it is still impossible to estimate when it is going to be opened for traffic again. As a consequence, now it is impossible to manage the transit traffic from Austria to Poland and unfortunately, currently, there is no re-routing option for this traffic. Transit trains to Austria and Italy are not operated. There are only two operational border-crossings to Poland, Petrovice/Zebrzyodowice (accessible only from Dětmarovice and from Slovak side only) and Lichkov/Miedzylesie (not accessible from Polish side).

• Slovakia: for traffic to Slovakia to and from the Czech Republic network, the border point in Cadca is operational.

• ÖBB-I network: as of 11 September major problems have occurred with snow and floods in particular in the Western part. Border points in Brenner and Tarvisio are operational and main ÖBB-I lines are open and used for rerouting.  Major problems are only on the West line (direction Wien-Pölten – Linz- Salzburg), as the New West Line Tunnels are still under water with big damages. On the Old West line (same direction Wien- St.Pölten ) there are still some mudflows and single track is operational, therefore, freight trains run only in the night or are rerouted via the south line.

• PLK network: South Western part of Poland most affected, a part of the damaged lines has been reopened on 18 September, enabling access to Szklarskiej Poręby, Jeleniej Góry, Nysy. Access was maintained at all times on the main routes, such as Wrocław – Wałbrzych. The most difficult situation is at the Kłodzko junction and the Głuchołazy station, which were most damaged by the flood. Border points with Czech Republic are not accessible (Chałupki – Bohumin, Zebrzydowice – Petrowice, Cieszyn). Please check detailed PLK press release in Polish:

Powódź na południu Polski – stan infrastruktury kolejowej – wtorek, 18.09. – PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A. (plk-sa.pl)