Rhineland-Palatinate records 41.1°C as heatwave severs regional train services across the state

Record-breaking temperatures

Rhineland-Palatinate set a new all-time high of 41.1°C on Saturday, according to the German weather service. The previous record was broken as the heatwave peaked, driving temperatures well above 40°C in multiple locations. The measurement was confirmed by the dpa newswire, which cited reports from Mainz and Offenbach.

Rail network collapses

Deutsche Bahn reported widespread disruptions on its regional network across the state. DB Regio Mitte warned that the extreme heat and associated storm impacts were causing delays and cancellations, particularly from the early afternoon into the evening.

Delays and cancellations are occurring on numerous lines, particularly in the afternoon and evening hours.

The Lahn-Eifel-Bahn network was among the first to be hit, with lines RB23 (Mayen–Limburg) and RB38 (Kaisersesch–Andernach) suspended and replacement buses deployed. Further impacts spread to long-distance regional express routes RE2 (Koblenz–Frankfurt), RE21 (Karlsruhe–Koblenz) and RE25 (Koblenz–Gießen).

Diesel routes paralysed

On the state's non-electrified diesel lines, services on more than a dozen routes were slashed. Affected lines included RB35 (Worms–Bingen), RB45 (Neustadt–Monsheim), RB46 (Frankenthal–Eiswoog), RB51 (Neustadt–Karlsruhe), and the RB55/RE55 pair between Landau and Pirmasens. Further disruptions struck the RB64 (Pirmasens–Kaiserslautern), RB69 (Weinheim–Fürth) and the RE6 express link (Karlsruhe–Kaiserslautern).

Advice to passengers

Travellers were urged to plan for significantly longer journey times. DB Regio Mitte did not give a timeline for restoration but warned that the extreme weather could persist. The state of Rhineland-Palatinate remained under a heat advisory as of Saturday evening.