The German rail network company Deutsche Bahn (DB^» (Deutsche Bahn - German State Railway - about)) has once again smashed the myth of German trains running on time, according to statistics published by the company on Friday.

Just 64% of long-distance trains reached their destination on time — meaning less than six minutes late — last year. This was a similar share to 2022 when 65.2% could be considered punctual.

For regional trains, the rate of punctuality was much higher, with 91% reaching their destination on time.

Why are so many trains delayed in Germany?
DB said that the reason for the widespread delays was the increasing number of short-term works and repairs on the rails.

According to the rail operator's own data, around 75% of all long-distance trains had to slow down for construction sites by the end of the year.

The prospects for 2024 don't look much better, with works on the tracks continuing and even ramping up.

By 2030, Germany aims to have renovated dozens of routes into high-speed corridors that should eventually speed up journeys across the country. It has however warned that this could lead to things getting worse before they get better.

But even without the latest shutdowns, rail passengers in Germany are encountering a wide range of problems this summer:

• Missed connections due to late-running trains
• Sudden cancellations or re-routings
• Inadequate or incoherent information

Now, a leading expert has warned against assuming standard train connection times will work.

During his latest trip across Germany, Mark Smith – known as The Man In Seat 61 – recommended allowing extra time to change trains when planning trips online because so many services run behind schedule.

“Always change ‘Transfer time’ from ‘normal’ to 45 minutes when using bahn.de,” he wrote on X.

Almost half of German long-distance trains were at least six minutes late at some point in their journey in June 2024.

Deutsche Bahn blames outdated track infrastructure, intensive engineering work and sheer traffic density at key hubs including Frankfurt, Cologne and Stuttgart.

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

IT has been 50 years since the railway branch between Maiden Newton and Bridport closed.

This railway closed on May 5, 1975, the goods service having been withdrawn on April 5, 1975.

The line first opened on November 12, 1857.

It was extended to West Bay in 1884, but the extension was not well used and it closed to passengers in 1930, however the extension remained open for goods until December 3, 1962.

Although it was a little used service, on the last day 50 years ago extra carriages had to be laid on for the huge interest with local people wanting to ride the last train.

* When a train is cancelled, the App should offer alternative which are still running and fits within the normal interchange criteria

Part of the "Project Churchill" campaign perhaps?

[cough] Churchward! 

Some trains were re-routed to London Waterloo.

Sunday train services will be as reliable as those on weekdays under plans to renationalise the railways, the new transport secretary will claim in a keynote speech on Monday.

I think Payton was the actor who played "Gloria" in "It Ain't Half Hot Mum", now banished form our screens for making fun of peoples' differences.