Extraordinary number of rail defects leads to delays and fewer trains between Copenhagen and Fredericia

An extraordinary number of rail defects means fewer trains between Copenhagen and Fredericia

Regional trains are cancelled, and trains must run slower after Banedanmark has registered a high number of rail defects.

Several factors, such as a burned-out technical hut on Funen and an extraordinary number of rail defects, are causing Banedanmark to announce extensive changes to train traffic from Monday morning. (Archive photo). (Photo: © Henning Bagger, Ritzau Scanpix)

By Ritzau ([email protected]) 54 minutes ago Updated 36 minutes ago

Banedanmark will, due to an "extraordinary" number of rail defects and a burned-out technical hut near Aarup on Funen, introduce speed reductions on several stretches in the country from Monday morning.

This is stated by the director of maintenance at Banedanmark, Nicolai Smidt Sigsgaard.

Banedanmark is also cancelling regional trains between Odense and Fredericia and replacing them with bus services.

The changes are expected to last until November 29, according to Banedanmark.

At that point, it will be assessed whether normal train traffic can resume.

In addition to the reduced speeds and cancelled regional trains, regional trains from Næstved via Køge Nord to Copenhagen Central Station will only run to Køge Nord.

This results in cancellations of some peak-hour trains on the Coast Line, according to Banedanmark.

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Read also: LIVE Disruptions in train traffic (https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/togtrafik-indstillet-mellem-odense-og-fredericia)

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50 percent more defects

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In its ongoing inspection of the rails this year, Banedanmark has found 50 percent more rail defects compared to a normal year.

"These are invisible cracks in the rails," says maintenance director Nicolai Smidt Sigsgaard.

"By reducing the speed, we eliminate the risk of rail breakage," he adds.

At the same time, train traffic across Funen continues to be affected by the fact that a technical hut near Aarup on Funen caught fire near the railway track in October.

A technical hut is a small technical building along the railway that contains electronics and equipment for the railway's signaling system.

The incident caused signal failures on the railway line between Middelfart and Odense and led to major disruptions in train traffic on Funen and across the country.

There is still a reduced speed and a time loss of approximately five to ten minutes on trains between Aarup Station on Funen.

RITZAU

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