Bavarian Forest Railway

Bavarian Forest Railway. The Bavarian Forest Railway is a major railway line in southeastern Germany, connecting the Danube valley with the highlands of the Bavarian Forest along the border with the Czech Republic. Opened in stages during the late 19th century, it was engineered to overcome significant topographic challenges and has served as a vital transport link for both freight and passengers. Today, it is a scenic route operated by DB Regio, important for regional transport and tourism.

History

The line's construction was driven by the Kingdom of Bavaria to improve connections between eastern Bavaria and the burgeoning industrial regions of Bohemia. The first section from Plattling to Regen opened in 1877 under the direction of the Royal Bavarian State Railways. The final, most challenging segment through the mountains to Bayerisch Eisenstein was completed in 1878, involving significant engineering works like the Rachel Tunnel. Historically, the railway transported timber, glass from factories in Zwiesel, and granite from quarries near Bodenmais. After World War II, the border station at Bayerisch Eisenstein became a terminus due to the Iron Curtain, with through traffic to Železná Ruda in Czechoslovakia severely restricted until after the Velvet Revolution.

Route and stations

The 92.1-kilometer line begins at Plattling station, a major junction on the Regensburg–Passau main line near the Danube. It proceeds northeast, following the valleys of the Kleine Ohe and Große Ohe rivers. Key intermediate stations include Gotteszell, Viechtach, and the district capital Regen. The line then climbs steeply into the central Bavarian Forest, serving the glassmaking town of Zwiesel, where it connects with the branch line to Grafenau. The terminus is Bayerisch Eisenstein, located directly on the border with the Czech Republic, where the station building is bisected by the international boundary. The route passes through the Bavarian Forest National Park and the Upper Palatinate Forest.

Operations and rolling stock

Passenger services are operated by DB Regio as part of the Bavaria-wide Bayern-Takt schedule, typically running hourly regional trains categorized as Regionalbahn or Regional-Express. The line is fully electrified and services are predominantly operated by electric multiple units from the DB Class 425 and DB Class 426 families. Freight operations, though reduced from historical levels, still transport timber and other regional products. The infrastructure is maintained by DB Netz, and the line features centralized traffic control. During major winter sports events or summer festivals in Zwiesel, additional services are often scheduled.

Significance and tourism

The railway is crucial for mobility in the structurally weak Bavarian Forest region, connecting remote communities to urban centers like Deggendorf and Munich. It is a cornerstone of tourism, marketed as a scenic gateway to the Bavarian Forest National Park and the Šumava National Park across the border. The Arber, the region's highest mountain, is a major destination accessible via the line. Special tourist trains, like the seasonal Bayerwald-Ticket offerings, promote travel. The line also forms part of the international Munich–Prague corridor via Plzeň, enhancing its transnational significance since the fall of the Iron Curtain.

Technical specifications

The line is built to standard gauge (1,435 mm) and is electrified at the German standard of 15 kV, 16.7 Hz AC via an overhead line. The maximum permitted speed is 120 km/h on select sections, though many mountainous segments have lower limits. The ruling gradient is 1:40 (2.5%) on the demanding climb between Zwiesel and Bayerisch Eisenstein. The most notable engineering structure is the 160-meter-long Rachel Tunnel near the summit. The line is predominantly single-track, with passing loops at key stations like Gotteszell and Viechtach. Signaling is governed by the PZB train protection system.