Historic Hermann Hesse Railway reopens after 40 years of silence

Trains are running again on the Hermann Hesse Railway between Calw and Weil der Stadt after more than 40 years. The restored line officially reopens on Sunday, reconnecting the Northern Black Forest to Stuttgart and Böblingen. A ceremonial event at Calw's central bus station on Saturday will celebrate the milestone.

The railway first closed to passengers in 1983 and fully shut down by 1988. Landkreis Calw acquired the infrastructure in 1994, but reactivation took decades of planning. Feasibility studies began in 2001, with a positive cost-benefit analysis in 2015 showing a ratio of 1.21 for diesel operation. Groundbreaking finally took place in 2020, and all approvals were granted by 2024.

Local opposition from Weil der Stadt and Renningen caused delays, leading to lawsuits against planning approvals. These disputes were resolved through mediation in 2019. The project also faced technical challenges, including a 55 cm platform height and no direct link to the Nagoldtalbahn. Total investments reached around 50 million euros.

The modernised line now features barrier-free stations at Calw HHB, Calw-Heumaden, Althengstett, Ostelsheim, and Weil der Stadt/Renningen. Siemens-built battery-electric trains will run hourly, cutting the journey from Calw to Stuttgart's city centre to just over 60 minutes.

The restored route aims to boost regional accessibility, support the local economy, and reduce carbon emissions. Regular passenger services start on Sunday, marking the end of a long-awaited revival for the Hermann Hesse Railway.