Germany’s Rail Network Grinds to a Halt as Winter Storm Elli Strikes

A rare preemptive shutdown left thousands stranded—but saved lives. How Germany’s rail giant navigated one of its toughest storms in years.

, and Administrator

2026 January 15 . 2:07 AM

1 min read

The image shows a train traveling down train tracks covered in snow, with electric poles and trees... — The image shows a train traveling down train tracks covered in snow, with electric poles and trees in the background. The train is surrounded by a blanket of snow, creating a peaceful winter scene.

Germany’s Rail Network Grinds to a Halt as Winter Storm Elli Strikes

Winter Storm Elli swept across northern Germany, forcing Deutsche Bahn to halt services on nearly 3,000 kilometres of track. The disruption matched the entire length of Switzerland’s rail network, leaving thousands of passengers affected.

Deutsche Bahn took the rare step of shutting down operations before the storm hit. The move aimed to prevent trains from being stranded without power or heating on exposed routes. CEO Evelyn Palla later defended the decision, stating that passenger and staff safety came first.

Palla also acknowledged the inconvenience caused to travellers. In a public statement, she thanked passengers for their patience during the widespread delays and cancellations.

The preemptive closure kept trains from being trapped in dangerous conditions. Services resumed only after tracks were checked for storm damage. The decision highlighted the challenges of operating rail networks during extreme weather.