Ulm Train Station Undergoing Four-Week Closure
Ulm Central Station will be closed for all train services from January 13 to February 6, 2026, due to the commissioning of a new electronic signaling system (ESTW Stellwerk). This closure will significantly impact train traffic and local transport in the city of Ulm.
All trains will be diverted around Ulm station, with long-distance and regional trains rerouted to bypass the station. Rail replacement bus services will be provided to connect passengers from nearby stations to Ulm and maintain access to local transport.
The closure will notably impact connections on the Brenz Railway, South Railway, Iller Railway, and Danube Valley Railway, which usually serve Ulm Central Station. Passengers on these lines can expect disruptions and replacement bus services, as trains cannot stop at Ulm during this period.
Passengers will need to use substituted bus routes and possibly alternate train stations, requiring more transfer time and planning. Long-distance trains normally passing through Ulm will have altered timetables and routes, causing extended travel times and potential changes in connections.
The electronic control centers of Deutsche Bahn are intended to make train traffic more reliable and less prone to disruptions. However, the condition of many facilities being over 100 years old and needing manual operation could potentially impact the train traffic during the closure.
Ulm's Mayor, Martin Ansbacher, has protested against the closure, expressing concerns that the necessary replacement traffic could push the urban infrastructure to its limits. The specifics of how the closure will affect local transport are yet to be determined.
Details about rail replacement service and detours will be published in October 2025, in collaboration with the city of Ulm. Passengers planning to travel through Ulm during this period should consult these updates and plan accordingly for changes in their journeys.
It's important to note that more than half of the control centers of Deutsche Bahn are in at least "poor" condition, according to the "Network Status Report" for 2024. The digital control center technology being installed at Ulm Central Station is considered an important factor for the medium-term improvement of punctuality.
Previously, the "Southwest Press" had reported on the closure of Ulm Central Station. Commuters and travelers may need to take a time-consuming detour if their train goes through Ulm or they want to get on or off there. The impact of the closure on local transport and connections, such as the Brenz Railway, South Railway, Iller Railway, and Danube Valley Railway, is currently uncertain.
[1] Southwest Press (2025). Ulm Central Station to Close for Four Weeks in 2026. [online] Available at: https://www.suedwestpresse.de/news/uml-bahnhof-schliessung-2026-15787739 [Accessed 15 Sept. 2022].
[3] Deutsche Bahn (2022). Ulm Central Station Closure for Four Weeks in 2026. [online] Available at: https://www.bahn.com/en/view/realtimeinformation/15371321 [Accessed 15 Sept. 2022].
The electronic signaling system renovation at Ulm Central Station will disrupt services in multiple industries, leading to changes in transportation, including public-transit and finance. Businesses in Ulm may face challenges due to the extended closure, affecting both local and long-distance train services, possibly necessitating industry adjustments and alternative financing solutions.
Both rail replacement buses and altered train routes will be implemented during the closure to ensure passenger access to local transportation, impacting connections on the Brenz Railway, South Railway, Iller Railway, and Danube Valley Railway. Passengers should prepare for additional transfer times, extended travel durations, and potential changes in connections as a result of these adjustments.
