Romantische Schiene reactivation scores benefit-cost ratio of 3.1

Mittelfränkische Eisenbahnbetriebs GmbH has passed the cost-benefit assessment prescribed by the federal transport ministry for reactivating the Dombühl–Wilburgstetten line: the preliminary benefit-cost ratio calculated by Intraplan (Munich) is 3.1, three times the threshold value of 1.0. With a funding rate of 90%, the grant application was due in the first quarter of 2026; the report gives no costs. The mayor of Dinkelsbühl expects an hourly battery-train service from 6.00 to 22.00 at up to 100 km/h to start in 2028/2029, cutting the journey time to Nuremberg to about an hour. Announced on 3 Oct 2025; the date is a placeholder: 2028/2029 is the mayor's expectation, not an official opening date. (LOK Report, 3 Oct 2025)