- Railways plans to clean up ICE in Berlin-Schönholz
On the grounds of an old freight yard in Berlin-Schönholz, ICE trains are set to be cleaned in the future to get them back on track quickly. "The facility will be used to clean trains, supply them with fresh water, dispose of used water, and perform minor repairs and maintenance," the railway announced. The facility also includes eight 400-meter long parking tracks.
This additional infrastructure is necessary as more people are expected to travel by rail in the future. Long-distance trains need to be back in service quickly after cleaning. To achieve this, there will be more maintenance stations. "The new facility is particularly well-suited for this purpose," it was stated. "The Gesundbrunnen station, the starting and ending point of several long-distance lines, is only three kilometers away."
Construction of the cleaning site is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026. As a result of the work, there may also be restrictions in road and rail traffic around the Gesundbrunnen station. A feeder switch and overhead lines to the site are needed.
The railway has already submitted the planning documents to the responsible Federal Railway Authority. Citizens can now inform themselves about the project on the EBA website.
The new maintenance facility, specifically designed for cleaning and minor repairs of ICE trains, will be located on the grounds of the old freight yard in Berlin-Schönholz, acting as a crucial part of the railway's infrastructure. With the facility's proximity to the Gesundbrunnen station, it will significantly reduce the turnaround time for long-distance trains after cleaning, ensuring they can quickly return to service.
