http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Thu, 23 May 2013 10:48:06 +0200 Thu, 23 May 2013 10:48:06 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/berlin-alarmed-at-cost-overruns-of-stuttgart-21-station-project-a-880112.html#ref=rss After news that a massive new train station in Stuttgart would come in at more than 2 billion euros over budget, the German government is now questioning whether the much-contested project can even be concluded. Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:18:47 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/berlin-alarmed-at-cost-overruns-of-stuttgart-21-station-project-a-880112.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-rail-warns-of-delays-due-to-siemens-delivery-problems-a-868763.html#ref=rss German rail operator Deutsche Bahn on Thursday warned of yet another winter full of delays and cancellations because it still hasn't taken delivery of new high-speed ICE trains ordered from Siemens in 2008. The opening of the high-speed route from Frankfurt to London has been pushed back as well. Thu, 22 Nov 2012 16:41:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-rail-warns-of-delays-due-to-siemens-delivery-problems-a-868763.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-years-behind-with-rail-lines-to-brenner-and-gotthard-tunnels-a-844823.html#ref=rss European plans call for expediting north-south train traffic with new railway tunnels in the Brenner and Gotthard passes. But Germany could be creating a bottleneck in both projects because it hasn't made much progress on access lines -- and doesn't have any money set aside to do so. Wed, 18 Jul 2012 14:21:34 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-years-behind-with-rail-lines-to-brenner-and-gotthard-tunnels-a-844823.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/italian-firms-launch-italo-high-speed-rail-service-a-829474.html#ref=rss Italy's burgundy red Ferrari on rails is finally going into service. Starting on April 28, the "Italo" will travel at speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour between Milan, Rome and Naples. The new high-speed train is more environmentally friendly and also cheaper than its competitors -- on both the rails and roads. Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:03:51 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/italian-firms-launch-italo-high-speed-rail-service-a-829474.html Italy's burgundy red Ferrari on rails is finally going into service. Starting on April 28, the "Italo" will travel at speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour between Milan, Rome and Naples. The new high-speed train is more environmentally friendly and also cheaper than its competitors -- on both the rails and roads. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/high-speed-controversy-massive-rail-project-has-britain-divided-a-808747.html#ref=rss Politicians in the British capital are staunchly in favor of a high-speed rail project that would link London with northern England. But those who live near where the tracks would run aren't so sure. Though the government gave the enterprise the green light this week, many are hoping to block it. Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:28:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/high-speed-controversy-massive-rail-project-has-britain-divided-a-808747.html Politicians in the British capital are staunchly in favor of a high-speed rail project that would link London with northern England. But those who live near where the tracks would run aren't so sure. Though the government gave the enterprise the green light this week, many are hoping to block it.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-s-longest-subway-billions-upon-billions-for-berlin-munich-bullet-train-a-794125.html#ref=rss The new rail route being built between Berlin and Munich is nothing if not ambitious -- as well as being the most expensive transportation project to take shape since reunification. But the line is yet another example of how France beats Germany in the high-speed rail game and critics say its costs may not justify the advantages it will bring. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:11:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-s-longest-subway-billions-upon-billions-for-berlin-munich-bullet-train-a-794125.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/transrapid-revival-on-the-canary-islands-berlin-pushes-industry-on-high-speed-maglev-rail-a-758348.html#ref=rss Is the magnetic levitation Transrapid train making a comeback on the Canary Islands? German Transportation Minister Peter Ramsauer is enthusiastic about the high-speed monorail, but German manufacturers Siemens and ThyssenKrupp are showing little interest in such projects. Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:52:10 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/transrapid-revival-on-the-canary-islands-berlin-pushes-industry-on-high-speed-maglev-rail-a-758348.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/ditching-cars-for-bullet-trains-can-obama-get-high-speed-on-track-a-749631.html#ref=rss President Barack Obama wants to upgrade America's transport system using high-speed trains, bringing a taste of what is a part of everyday life in Europe and Asia to the United States. But the car-obsessed nation is divided over the plans. Is the mammoth project doomed to failure? Wed, 09 Mar 2011 19:41:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/ditching-cars-for-bullet-trains-can-obama-get-high-speed-on-track-a-749631.html President Barack Obama wants to upgrade America's transport system using high-speed trains, bringing a taste of what is a part of everyday life in Europe and Asia to the United States. But the car-obsessed nation is divided over the plans. Is the mammoth project doomed to failure?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/high-speed-train-to-trouble-french-germans-lock-horns-over-channel-tunnel-a-725503.html#ref=rss Since the Channel Tunnel opened in 1994, the only high-speed trains meeting the strict regulations for operating in it were made by France's Alstom. Those regulations might now be relaxed, giving Germany's Siemens a chance to put its trains on the line. Tue, 26 Oct 2010 18:30:20 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/high-speed-train-to-trouble-french-germans-lock-horns-over-channel-tunnel-a-725503.html Since the Channel Tunnel opened in 1994, the only high-speed trains meeting the strict regulations for operating in it were made by France's Alstom. Those regulations might now be relaxed, giving Germany's Siemens a chance to put its trains on the line.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/ice-dream-high-speed-train-from-germany-rolls-into-london-a-724047.html#ref=rss For the first time, an ICE high-speed train operated by German rail rolled into London on Tuesday. Deutsche Bahn hopes the test run is a sign of things to come, but France is unhappy. Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:56:11 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/ice-dream-high-speed-train-from-germany-rolls-into-london-a-724047.html For the first time, an ICE high-speed train operated by German rail rolled into London on Tuesday. Deutsche Bahn hopes the test run is a sign of things to come, but France is unhappy.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/breakthrough-under-the-alps-switzerland-celebrates-longest-tunnel-in-the-world-a-723407.html#ref=rss Workers and dignitaries alike erupted into cheers on Friday as the final bits of rock gave way in the Gotthard Base Tunnel deep beneath the Alps. The tunnel is now the longest in the world, and is the new pride of Switzerland. Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:53:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/breakthrough-under-the-alps-switzerland-celebrates-longest-tunnel-in-the-world-a-723407.html Workers and dignitaries alike erupted into cheers on Friday as the final bits of rock gave way in the Gotthard Base Tunnel deep beneath the Alps. The tunnel is now the longest in the world, and is the new pride of Switzerland.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/obama-s-high-speed-train-revolution-foreign-firms-hoping-to-ride-us-rail-boom-a-721592.html#ref=rss Siemens, Bombardier and other rail engineering firms have high hopes for the US market because the Obama Administration plans to promote the development of high-speed rail networks. Germany's Siemens will showcase its Velaro ICE trains in Florida this week ahead of a bidding process in the state. Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:41:34 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/obama-s-high-speed-train-revolution-foreign-firms-hoping-to-ride-us-rail-boom-a-721592.html Siemens, Bombardier and other rail engineering firms have high hopes for the US market because the Obama Administration plans to promote the development of high-speed rail networks. Germany's Siemens will showcase its Velaro ICE trains in Florida this week ahead of a bidding process in the state.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/on-the-wrong-track-exploding-costs-threaten-german-rail-s-high-speed-future-a-716217.html#ref=rss A new report reveals that the controversial "Stuttgart 21" rail project is likely to be the latest in a series of Deutsche Bahn ventures to go massively over budget. If the plug gets pulled on the project, it will cause enormous damage to Germany's vision of a Europe-wide high-speed rail network. Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:44:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/on-the-wrong-track-exploding-costs-threaten-german-rail-s-high-speed-future-a-716217.html A new report reveals that the controversial "Stuttgart 21" rail project is likely to be the latest in a series of Deutsche Bahn ventures to go massively over budget. If the plug gets pulled on the project, it will cause enormous damage to Germany's vision of a Europe-wide high-speed rail network.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-trains-in-the-channel-tunnel-plans-move-ahead-for-germany-britain-rail-connection-a-715277.html#ref=rss Germany's national railway has long resented the fact that its high-speed ICE trains are not allowed to operate through the Channel Tunnel. But a test run is planned for October and, if rules are eased, the company could be on track to introduce passenger services direct from Cologne to London in time for the 2012 Olympics. Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:27:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-trains-in-the-channel-tunnel-plans-move-ahead-for-germany-britain-rail-connection-a-715277.html Germany's national railway has long resented the fact that its high-speed ICE trains are not allowed to operate through the Channel Tunnel. But a test run is planned for October and, if rules are eased, the company could be on track to introduce passenger services direct from Cologne to London in time for the 2012 Olympics.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/stuttgart-21-a-four-billion-euro-makeover-a-710388.html#ref=rss The "Stuttgart 21" project is one of Germany's and Europe's largest urban renewal projects. It will see the train tracks that cut through the center of the southern German city placed underground, creating entire new neighborhoods. But many Stuttgart residents are deeply opposed to the multibillion euro undertaking. Fri, 13 Aug 2010 15:38:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/stuttgart-21-a-four-billion-euro-makeover-a-710388.html The "Stuttgart 21" project is one of Germany's and Europe's largest urban renewal projects. It will see the train tracks that cut through the center of the southern German city placed underground, creating entire new neighborhoods. But many Stuttgart residents are deeply opposed to the multibillion euro undertaking.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/frozen-in-ice-how-can-germany-s-high-speed-trains-get-back-on-track-a-699847.html#ref=rss German ICE trains still underperform their zappy French TGV counterparts. Deutsche Bahn hopes its new high-speed train will improve Germany's record -- but old tracks and complex networks may put the brakes on the plan. Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:03:36 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/frozen-in-ice-how-can-germany-s-high-speed-trains-get-back-on-track-a-699847.html German ICE trains still underperform their zappy French TGV counterparts. Deutsche Bahn hopes its new high-speed train will improve Germany's record -- but old tracks and complex networks may put the brakes on the plan.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/harmony-and-ambition-china-s-cut-throat-railway-revolution-a-692969.html#ref=rss China is spending mountains of money to expand its country's high-speed railway network and manufacture the world's fastest trains. But do its ambitions in the railway sector justify how these goals are being pursued -- and the risks they might ultimately pose? Mon, 03 May 2010 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/harmony-and-ambition-china-s-cut-throat-railway-revolution-a-692969.html China is spending mountains of money to expand its country's high-speed railway network and manufacture the world's fastest trains. But do its ambitions in the railway sector justify how these goals are being pursued -- and the risks they might ultimately pose?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-other-side-of-the-tracks-france-s-sncf-muscles-in-on-german-rail-market-a-670611.html#ref=rss As of Jan. 1, long-distance passenger rail services are completely deregulated within the EU. The French state-owned rail company SNCF is preparing to muscle in on the territory of its neighboring competitor, Deutsche Bahn. The German national railway company is hoping for help from the government. Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:48:38 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-other-side-of-the-tracks-france-s-sncf-muscles-in-on-german-rail-market-a-670611.html As of Jan. 1, long-distance passenger rail services are completely deregulated within the EU. The French state-owned rail company SNCF is preparing to muscle in on the territory of its neighboring competitor, Deutsche Bahn. The German national railway company is hoping for help from the government.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/like-ferraris-on-dirt-roads-german-high-speed-trains-to-link-moscow-with-st-petersburg-a-650558.html#ref=rss High-speed German trains will soon be traveling between Moscow and St. Petersburg. But they won't be able to go as fast as they do elsewhere because money hasn't been put into improving the rails they run on. In that sense, it reflects the situation in Germany, where the high-speed rail network is woefully underdeveloped. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:41:49 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/like-ferraris-on-dirt-roads-german-high-speed-trains-to-link-moscow-with-st-petersburg-a-650558.html High-speed German trains will soon be traveling between Moscow and St. Petersburg. But they won't be able to go as fast as they do elsewhere because money hasn't been put into improving the rails they run on. In that sense, it reflects the situation in Germany, where the high-speed rail network is woefully underdeveloped.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/all-aboard-siemens-and-deutsche-bahn-plan-us-high-speed-rail-offensive-a-645011.html#ref=rss German engineering giant Siemens and national railway operator Deutsche Bahn are making plans to penetrate the US rail market. They hope to benefit from President Obama's promised $8 billion in investments in the country's high-speed railway infrastructure. Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:37:21 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/all-aboard-siemens-and-deutsche-bahn-plan-us-high-speed-rail-offensive-a-645011.html German engineering giant Siemens and national railway operator Deutsche Bahn are making plans to penetrate the US rail market. They hope to benefit from President Obama's promised $8 billion in investments in the country's high-speed railway infrastructure.]]>