German Railway Journey and Sheep: An Exhilarating Summer Expedition in Germany
In a recent series of events, Deutsche Bahn, Germany's national railway company, faced several setbacks, while Swiss Federal Railways continued to shine as a beacon of punctuality and reliability in Europe.
The journey from Berlin to the North Sea island of Föhr was disrupted when a train ahead hit a flock of sheep on the tracks near the destination, Föhr. As a result, the train had to be separated into two parts in Niebüll, with one going to Sylt and the other to Dagebüll with the ferry pier.
Amidst the chaos, the train conductor distributed gift vouchers with the message "Deutsche Bahn says sorry" to the passengers. However, the crew had exceeded their working hours and were not allowed to continue the journey, and railway emergency officers, a shepherd, a hunter, and other officials were called to the scene of the accident.
In contrast, Swiss Federal Railways are widely regarded as among the most punctual and reliable in Europe. The Swiss network maintains very high standards of punctuality, so much so that Swiss Federal Railways reportedly refuse entry to Basel station for German trains delayed by more than 15 minutes.
This difference in reliability standards is significant. While Deutsche Bahn once had a reputation for efficiency, it has been undergoing a crisis characterized by infrastructure backlogs, chronic delays, and customer dissatisfaction. These problems are severe enough to strain cross-border cooperation with neighboring Switzerland.
In summary, Deutsche Bahn's punctuality and reliability lag behind Swiss Federal Railways, which is considered a benchmark for rail service punctuality in Europe.
Meanwhile, passengers traveling from Germany have to change onto Swiss trains in Basel due to punctuality issues. The direct train from Dagebüll to Berlin is no longer operational due to staff shortages, and long-distance trains will have to take a 100-kilometer detour during the construction starting from August 1, closing down the main rail route from Hamburg to Berlin for nine months.
Despite these challenges, Germany's railway infrastructure has been underinvested for decades, leading to dilapidated or antiquated bridges, switches, and signal boxes. On a positive note, most pubs, bars, and restaurants on Föhr only accept cash payments, and signing up for the weekly email newsletter, Berlin Briefing, provides updates on German politics and society every Tuesday.
[1] Source: Deutsche Bahn's official website (early 2025) [3] Source: Swiss Federal Railways' official website [5] Source: Deutsche Welle (2022)
- The world watches as Deutsche Bahn, once a symbol of efficiency, struggles with infrastructure backlogs, delays, and customer dissatisfaction, contrasting starkly with the unparalleled punctuality and reliability of Switzerland's Swiss Federal Railways.
- The international media has been abuzz with news of Deutsche Bahn's setbacks, casting a shadow on Germany's transportation industry and shaking society's confidence in its national railway company.
- European politics have been impacted by Deutsche Bahn's struggles, as cross-border cooperation with neighboring Switzerland becomes strained due to reliability issues.
- As finance regulations for public entities tighten, the lack of investment in Germany's railway infrastructure becomes a growing concern, with dilapidated or antiquated bridges, switches, and signal boxes causing delays.
- In a twist of fate, travelers from Germany may find themselves opting for Swiss trains in Basel due to Deutsche Bahn's punctuality issues, while the direct train from Dagebüll to Berlin remains out of service due to staff shortages.
- Among the hardships, there are glimmers of hope: many pubs, bars, and restaurants on Föhr only accept cash payments, and staying informed about German politics and lifestyle is as easy as signing up for the Berlin Briefing's weekly email newsletter.
