Rail Industry Meeting 2025 September 12, 2025 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Drinking Hall in the Graduation Tower, Bad Salzungen

At the Thuringian Rail Industry Meeting, which this year took place for the first time under the umbrella of the Thuringian Mobility Network (TMN), participants in Bad Salzungen discussed the future of rail freight transport in the Free State. The focus was on how existing freight potential can be better shifted to rail and what infrastructural prerequisites are necessary for this.

A central theme was the economic viability of measures to shift freight traffic to rail, combined with practical and strategic impulses for the further development of rail infrastructure in Thuringia. In particular, the reactivation of disused railway lines was considered as a potential lever for unlocking logistical potential and strengthening regional value creation. Concrete examples, such as the successful development of land around Bad Salzungen station, illustrated the potential inherent in utilizing existing rail infrastructure. These insights were complemented by contributions to the state-wide infrastructure strategy and current project statuses from the Thuringian Mobility Network, especially from the network's working group on rail infrastructure. European perspectives were also incorporated: The "Rail4Regions" research project was presented, along with innovative approaches to strengthening regional rail connections. Finally, the presentation of the "RailHubFinder" offered participants a future-oriented digital tool for identifying freight potential.

With the industry meeting in Bad Salzungen, the state government of South Thuringia is visibly placing itself in the spotlight of mobility development. The regional focus and concrete project proposals were welcomed by the local representatives. A key objective of the organizers was also to raise awareness and encourage Thuringian companies to activate and utilize rail infrastructure. It became clear: the integration of road and rail is gaining momentum – the potential of rail transport has been recognized and is being actively developed.