The private provider National Express has been testing its new trains on the Rhine route for a month. The RRX trains have now taken over all RE5 journeys from Deutsche Bahn. But not everything is running smoothly.
In the past few weeks, only one RRX train (Rhein-Ruhr-Express) has been commuting between Koblenz and Wesel on the Lower Rhine during the test phase. National Express has been operating twelve trains since Sunday. And the long carriages stand out: The RRX is white-dark gray-orange and looks significantly more modern than the old, red double-decker trains on the RE5 route.
However, the new train type also has problems at the start: The doors of the RRX, for example, are just under 40 centimeters higher than in normal Deutsche Bahn trains. Some platforms along the Rhine line were not designed for this and had to be raised. This is the only way for passengers with a walker or wheelchair to get in without outside help.
Barrier-free entry possible at all train stations
In Remagen, the work for this could be completed on time, for the stops in Sinzig and Bad Breisig the change to the RRX is a bit early, there is still construction going on. However, barrier-free entry will still be possible, a provisional platform has been installed there. This emergency solution worked well during the test drives. The new regional trains should therefore be able to stop anywhere according to plan.
At the Koblenz-Stadtmitte stop, however, there is another problem. The RRX is too long for the platform. There the train cannot open the last two doors. Nothing will change for the time being, but the train driver points out the situation to the passengers before they reach the station.
–
According to National Express, the new trains offer WiFi and socket outlets on the seats.
SWR
No train separation in Remagen
It was originally planned that the RRX from Remagen to Koblenz would only be on the road with one car. From Remagen, a second train part should then be attached to Cologne, because there are significantly more commuters in this section. The train separation will not come because the decoupling would have taken too long, according to the operator. The traffic planners did not want to risk further delays on the already heavily used Rhine route.
Additional stop in Oberwinter
Instead of a longer stop in Remagen, the RRX will stop in Oberwinter once an hour. This stop will be added on the line. But not until next year, because the platform in Oberwinter also has to be raised.
