DB Netze Track

The rail infrastructure expertise of Deutsche Bahn is concentrated under the umbrella of DB Netze Track. The DB Netze Track Business Unit consists of the companies DB Netz AG, DUSS GmbH, DB Fahrwegdienste GmbH and DB RegioNetz Infrastruktur GmbH.

The DB Netze Track Business Unit has more than 41,000 employees. The following is a brief overview of its business portfolio. Use the drop-down menu on the right to obtain more detailed information.

DB Netz AG provides rail infrastructure in good quality and with a high availability factor on a non-discriminatory basis. The company also manages operations, which involves compiling timetables in close cooperation with the railway undertakings, as well as maintenance and repair of the rail network. It is also responsible for the ongoing development of rail infrastructure by investing in the existing network, in modern command/control technology and in new-build and upgrading projects.

Deutsche Umschlaggesellschaft Schiene-Straße (DUSS) GmbH is in charge of operations management for 243 transhipment terminals which are owned by the infrastructure manager DB Netz AG and third parties. The DUSS operations model enables the company to attend to dispatch, crane services and order processing extremely quickly and effectively.

DB Fahrwegdienste GmbH is responsible not only for protecting employees from the risks in the course of rail operations, but also provides logistics and service packages relating to all sectors of track upkeep.

DB RegioNetz Infrastruktur GmbH is in charge of the organisational management of the DB RegioNetz line network and stations. RegioNetz includes the regional railways Erzgebirgsbahn (EGB), Kurhessenbahn (KHB), Oberweißbacher Berg- und Schwarzatalbahn (OBS), Südostbayernbahn (SOB) and Westfrankenbahn (WFB). They use approx. 1,300 kilometres of rail tracks. Infrastructure and transport operations are effectively coordinated at local level (by DB RegioNetz Verkehrs GmbH) to make the most of synergies.

DUSS is responsible for managing 24 transshipment terminals throughout Germany. The DUSS operating model enables fast and effective dispatching, crane work and processing. 

Load units used in combined transport, such as containers, swap bodies and semi-trailers that can be moved by crane, are moved from the road to rail and vice versa at transshipment terminals.

The transshipment terminals operated by DUSS serve as an important foundation for the complex national and international freight transport networks of operators and railway companies via which all types of freight are transported to Germany’s economic centres and to the entire world. From everyday consumer goods and car parts to chemical products and full drilling equipment, today freight can be transshipped easily in standard shipping containers or alternative transport containers. Switching to the mode of transport for the next leg – truck or rail car – is especially important.

Through its operational management, DUSS not only ensures freight transport by rail is smooth and environmentally friendly, it also helps shift traffic away from the roads.

DB Fahrwegdienste GmbH is our specialist for track maintenance, logistics and ensuring construction sites are safe.

DB Fahrwegdienste GmbH has locations throughout Germany, where it offers construction site safety, logistics and track maintenance services.

DB Fahrwegdienste is one of the leading providers of track services in Europe. We put our expertise to the test every day along more than 61,000 kilometres of track with over 75,000 switches and crossings and over 100,000 construction sites per year.

Our areas of expertise include protecting employees from the hazards of working in railroad operations; transport and construction site logistics including logistics concept design and rail, track and vegetation maintenance; winter services; clearing construction sites; and many other track and construction-related services.

We make no exceptions when it comes to ensuring a high level of service quality and safety in operations; we create the optimal foundation for our customers for fewer delays along the route, fewer disturbances due to technical faults and seasonal influences, higher customer satisfaction and greater safety.

We offer our customers the best possible service with seven locations, a central coordinating office available 24/7 and a motivated management team.

As a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn AG, DB Netz AG is responsible for the rail infrastructure. The company's most important mission is to guarantee the basis for safe and reliable rail transport operations.

DB Netz AG is the service provider for the currently 420 railway undertakings (RUs) utilising a route network comprising nearly 33,300 km. The German railway network is the longest in all of Europe. On its own authority, DB Netz AG ensures non-discriminatory access to its infrastructure. Meanwhile the performance of non-Group railways in the network has greatly increased over the years. DB Netz is responsible for the operation of an efficient railway infrastructure (long-distance and conurbation networks, regional networks, train-formation and treatment facilities).

Activities also include the marketing of customer-oriented train path offerings, preparation of timetables in close co-operation with customers as well as maintenance and repairs. Added is the continued development of the rail infrastructure through investments in the existing network, in state-of-the-art control and command systems and in new and upgraded lines. Financing of the infrastructure by the German Federal Government and the States plays a central role in this regard.

DB RegioNetz Infrastruktur GmbH is responsible for managing the organization of the DB RegioNetze track network and stations – more detailed information on using these facilities is available here.

The Erzgebirgsbahn (EGB), Kurhessenbahn (KHB), Oberweißbacher Berg- und Schwarzatalbahn (OBS), Südostbayernbahn (SOB) and Westfrankenbahn (WFB) are all part of RegioNetz. They use around 1,300 kilometres of track. Infrastructure and transport (through DB RegioNetz Verkehrs GmbH) are closely integrated on site, enabling the companies to take advantage of synergies.

Rail network

The rules for using the track network of DB RegioNetz Infrastruktur GmbH are set out in the Conditions for Usage of the Rail Network (SNB) and Conditions for Usage of the Service Facilities (NBS) of DB Netz AG. More information is available online from the link on the right: network access.

Access to routes is granted to railway companies exclusively through the sales organization of the DB Netz AG location responsible for the particular railway company.

Stations

The Conditions governing the Use of Railway Infrastructure at Passenger Stations of DB RegioNetz Infrastruktur GmbH (ABP RNI) apply for the use of DB RegioNetz Infrastruktur GmbH stations. These detailed terms and conditions are available online from the link on the right: station use.

More information on the track infrastructure, stations and contact persons for the individual networks is available on the Erzgebirgsbahn, Kurhessenbahn, Oberweißbacher Berg- und Schwarzatalbahn, Südostbayernbahn and Westfrankenbahn websites.