Train chaos in Cologne: Travelers experienced hell on rails!

Train chaos in Cologne: Travelers experienced hell on rails!

On Saturday evening there was a dramatic incident in Cologne that turned into a chaotic experience for many travelers. An emergency medical intervention and a catenary fire meant that numerous people were stranded between Cologne Central Station and Cologne-Longerich. Michelle Wesendonk, a surprise reader reporter, describes her experiences during this unexpected wait in an impressive report. How Express According to reports, the travelers were trapped on the open road for a full three hours, which severely strained the nerves of many passengers.

With a power outage that knocked out not only the air conditioning and lighting, but also the toilets, the situation was anything but comfortable. Unfortunately, communication also failed as no more announcements could be made. The fire department was finally called in to evacuate the travelers. This motivated the transport of passengers across the tracks to a waiting new train, which was originally supposed to go to Düsseldorf, but ultimately went to Longerich - a place with no further transport connections.

Evacuation and subsequent return journey

The fire department built ramps to make it easier to transfer to the new train. Meanwhile, the staff provided the stranded people with drinks, which was a small ray of hope given the situation. However, some travelers, including parents with young children, were not enthusiastic about the diversion and got back on the train despite instructions to staff. After about 45 minutes, it then drove back to Cologne Central Station, where travelers had the opportunity to board a crowded train to Hamm. Would old travel habits be maintained even in this chaotic situation? Michelle's journey finally ended after five and a half hours in Oberhausen.

Such chaos not only adds to the tumultuous experiences on the train, but also falls into a larger context. Another incident in Berlin shows that it is not just Cologne that is struggling with infrastructure problems. A cable duct fire in Wuhlheide led to significant restrictions on regional transport in Berlin Day24 reported. Travelers there also had to expect major diversions and delays. This shows once again that rail is an unpredictable means of transport for many, especially when unexpected events such as fires occur.

Additional challenges posed by warning strikes

Another aspect that influences the traffic situation in cities like Cologne and Bonn are the current warning strikes. The ver.di union called for these strikes after the first round of collective bargaining failed to produce results. This collective bargaining dispute affects around 2.5 million employees in the federal and local public services. Here too, we are looking for a way out, because loud daily news The union intends to fight for a better salary of 8% or at least 350 euros per month as well as three additional days of vacation.

The consequences are already noticeable: In Cologne, numerous light rail systems and almost all buses failed, citizens had to rely on alternative means of transport, while in Bonn modest bus connections were maintained by subcontractors. In North Rhine-Westphalia, garbage collection and street cleaning were also on strike. These strike-related cancellations are a further disruptive factor in the already tense traffic situation in the region.

In these turbulent times, it may be time to think about travel planning, because with a chaotic rail network and the threat of warning strikes, the next trips in the Rhine metropolis could become real challenges.