Winter Storm Elli paralyzes Germany’s rail network in January 2026

A rare shutdown left thousands stranded—but was it the right call? How private operators raced to clear tracks as Germany’s rail system froze.

, 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.

Winter Storm Elli paralyzes Germany’s rail network in January 2026

Winter Storm Elli brought heavy disruption to Germany’s rail network in early January 2026. Deutsche Bahn halted services across northern regions to prevent trains from being stranded. The decision was made to prioritise the safety of passengers and staff during the extreme weather.

As the storm approached, Deutsche Bahn took preemptive action by shutting down operations on around 3,000 kilometres of track. The move ensured no trains were left exposed on open routes as Elli swept through the country between January 8 and 11.

With the company’s own units already closed, private operator Enno Bahn stepped in to clear snow and ice. Using a diesel locomotive fitted with a snowplow, their team worked on the Wolfsburg-Braunschweig-Hildesheim line. The effort aimed to restore services as quickly as possible once conditions improved. Deutsche Bahn CEO Evelyn Palla later issued a public apology to affected passengers. She acknowledged the frustration caused by widespread cancellations but stressed that safety remained the top concern throughout the storm.

The storm’s impact led to significant delays and cancellations, with recovery efforts continuing after the worst of the weather passed. While services gradually resumed, the disruption highlighted the challenges of maintaining rail operations during severe winter weather conditions.