Track works in Hergiswil

Zentralbahn is planning track renewal works in Hergiswil. At Hergiswil station, the rails will be replaced and the turnouts in the northern section will be renewed. Between Hergiswil station and Idyllweg, the track superstructure will be renewed.

The main works will take place during a full line closure in the first week of March, from 4 to 8 March 2024. Prior to this, installation areas must be set up and preparatory works carried out in the track area – works that can only be carried out at night. These will begin from 24 January 2024. Zentralbahn is making every effort to complete the works as quickly as possible.

We thank you for your understanding regarding any inconvenience caused.

Works in February

24 January 2024 to 1 March 2024, station and section station–Idyllweg:

• Setting up installation areas (daytime)
• Material unloading along the line (night-time works)
• Preparatory works on the tracks (night-time works)

Works in March

3/4 March 2024 to 8/9 March 2024, station and section station–Idyllweg:

• Replacement of turnouts in the northern section
• Renewal of the track superstructure

11 March 2024 to 28 March 2024, station and section station–Idyllweg:

• Rail replacement at Hergiswil station (one week of night-time works)
• Follow-up works on tracks and turnouts (daytime and night-time works)
• Dismantling of installation areas (daytime)

Incident on 18 December 2023

In mid-December 2023, a track defect led to a short-term closure of the line in Hergiswil. A temporary solution allowed the line to be reopened quickly. The damaged turnout frog is now being replaced.

For a railway undertaking, a track defect is comparable to a collapsed goal or a missing ball at a football international match. Such a defect occurred on Monday morning, 18 December 2023. The on-duty track inspector identified a defect in Hergiswil: the frog of a turnout was partially broken (frog point).

Turnout dating back to the Brünig Railway era

Under the applicable regulations, the track cannot be repaired in such a case and must be replaced. The affected turnout dates back to the time of the Brünig Railway and has a special geometry that is unique within the Zentralbahn network. No suitable replacement could be found internally within a reasonable timeframe, nor was a solution available on the market.

As a result, the Hergiswil–Horw section had to be closed and replacement bus services were organised for passengers. Although railway companies are prepared for such situations, the incident understandably led to heightened tension among some staff.

Swift decision-making

On the same day, those responsible decided to keep the straight track section (main track) in operation and to remove the diverging track. This measure helped avoid a longer closure and ensured the continuation of train services. However, Track 3 could no longer be accessed from Lucerne from that point onwards.

As the replacement process for the affected turnout had already been initiated, the turnout can now be replaced as planned during the full line closure from 4 to 8 March 2024.