Wunderline Groningen–Leer back in service after eleven years

The Groningen–Leer (East Frisia) rail link, a stepping stone towards the fast international Wunderline to Bremen, is expected to carry passengers again in early October 2026 after more than ten years; Arriva began training runs for train drivers in August 2026, so trains are running over the Friesenbrücke again for the first time in ten years. On the Dutch side ProRail has renewed track, signalling and cabling, made level crossings safer, redesigned platforms and strengthened the embankment in places so that trains can run faster; the province of Groningen, Lower Saxony and Bremen are pushing the link forward with DB and ProRail, and the report gives no costs. Announced on 19 August 2026; the date is a placeholder: only early October 2026 is given, with no exact day, and the end of the month is used. (LOK Report, 19 Aug 2026) Update (7 Oct 2026): The line was officially opened with a special run in Weener on 1 Oct 2026; Arriva has been running passenger trains again since Monday 5 Oct 2026, cutting journey times by about 15 minutes. Costs rose from about EUR 180 million to about EUR 250 million because of higher construction prices, supply bottlenecks and a larger scope of works (Deutsche Bahn, 1 Oct 2026).