Erding Ring Closure


The Erding ring closure is a project to build a long, double-track railway that is planned to run from Freising via Munich Airport to Erding.

Route

Line 5559 would run from Freising station as a four-track line together with line 5500 to Neufahrn North junction. It would run over the "Neufahrn counter curve" to reach line 5557 at Neufahrn East junction and connect with line 5556 at Airport West junction. From there the existing double-track line would be shared through the airport. The route from Freising to Munich Airport is long.
The route would continue under the eastern apron of Munich Airport in a tunnel until it resurfaces near Schwaigerloh. It would then run above ground to Erding. In the Schweigerloh area it is intended to build a system for turning trains, so trains coming from Regensburg or Landshut to stop at the airport could be reversed.
After another a junction station would be built on the grounds of the Erding Air Base that can accommodate both Munich S-Bahn trains and regional trains from the southeast using the “Walpertskirchen link”. The current station in the centre of Erding, which is 700 metres away, would then be closed. Trains would continue towards Munich on the existing Markt Schwaben–Erding railway. The section between the Altenerding station and the current Erding Station would be tunneled or lowered in order to avoid congestion at two level crossings. The resulting open space is planned to be redeveloped as residential and green areas.

"Neufahrn counter curve" (''Neufahrner Gegenkurve'')

The main construction work began in early October 2014. The line has opened in late 2018 with regular train service commencing in December 2018.

Planning

Neufahrn counter curve would be constructed first to improve airport access from north and east Bavaria. This would allow for direct operation of long distance and S-Bahn trains from Landshut via Moosburg and Freising to Munich Airport. In conjunction with the Erding Ring Closure, trains would continue via Dorfen to Mühldorf and Salzburg. Planning approval was given in November 2012 and construction was planned to start in the second half of 2013 but as of May 2014 the project is still in planning. An upgrade of the existing railway line to four tracks is initially not intended as an additional S-Bahn station in Mintraching is still being considered. The construction cost is estimated to be € 85 million.
A project management office was established at the end of January 2007 for the preparation of tenders for the design of the line. The obtaining of planning approval is to be carried out in three phases. of new railway lines will be built and about of existing lines will be upgraded. A railway tunnel is necessary for the improvement of the rail link to the airport. 85 bridges wil be built or modified. 15 stations will be adapted and the creation of three new S-Bahn stations will be examined in the preliminary design.
Since late 2009, several options for a route in the town of Erding have been issued for public discussion. In May 2012, Erding Town Council decided to support the so-called Nordeinschleifung of the regional railway from Walpertskirchen. The construction of the Airport–Erding section would require that the military withdraw from the Erding Air Base in time because the base includes a section of the line and the site of the new station, although no precise timing has yet been announced.

Planned services

After completion of all parts of the Erding Ring Closure the following services would be provided:
The Walpertskirchen link is a long, single-track, electrified railway line that would connect Erding with the Munich–Mühldorf railway. It would be used by regional trains running from Landshut through the airport to Mühldorf. Similarly, a further extension would use the Mühldorf–Salzburg line, carrying international long-distance services from Munich to Salzburg.