No DB ICE Copenhagen-Hamburg Weekdays?

[Crisso]

I'm travelling by train on a weekday later this month (October 2012) from Copenhagen to Hamburg. I thought there was a direct ICE Diesel Unit only taking 4-1/2 hours? However, for a weekday (Tuesday/Wednesday) there are only trains taking 5-3/4 hours via the Great Belt and changing from DSB to DB at Flensburg alternatively, via the Rodby-Puttgarden Ferry taking 5-1/4 hours, with 2 changes of train. For some reason, the aforementioned ICE non-stop only runs on Saturdays and Sundays. Anyone here know the reason? I would have thought a weekday service would be an attractive proposition?

 

[Masbroughlad]

I'm travelling by train on a weekday later this month (October 2012) from Copenhagen to Hamburg. I thought there was a direct ICE Diesel Unit only taking 4-1/2 hours? However, for a weekday (Tuesday/Wednesday) there are only trains taking 5-3/4 hours via the Great Belt and changing from DSB to DB at Flensburg alternatively, via the Rodby-Puttgarden Ferry taking 5-1/4 hours, with 2 changes of train. For some reason, the aforementioned ICE non-stop only runs on Saturdays and Sundays. Anyone here know the reason? I would have thought a weekday service would be an attractive proposition?

We did it midweek last December. It was good fun going on the train on to the ferry. Very busy train though - throughout.

 

[KingBBoogaloo]

Ive just done an search for 24/10/12 and the DB web site is giving me an ICE departing Copenhagen at 07:45, 09:45, 11:45 and 15:45 with a EC at 17:45, all via the ferry/

 

[30907]

Clicking on the arrow for fuller details reveals that the ICE/EC workings are running Hamburg-Nykoebing (Falster) for one week in October only, connecting with the internal Danish RE (semi-fast) to Copenhagen. The delay is around 15 minutes.

This means that the train uses the Puttgarden-Roedby ferry as normal - enjoy it!

Investigating further (on the Engineering Works section of www.bahn.de) gives the reason as "track renewals at Copenhagen H." My guess is that this week has been chosen because it is in the Danish autumn school holidays.

 

[Oscar]

Engineering work is affecting these trains on certain dates in October. The PDF with details is here (German): http://bauarbeiten.bahn.de/docs/fernverkehr/ICE_EC_75.pdf

Between 15th and 19th October the ICE trains will only run from Hamburg Hbf to Nykøbing st because of track renewal at København H.

 

[Crisso]

Thanks for all the info people, which clarifies why the ICE 4-1/4 hour express service isn't working that week (when I'm travelling!). The DB site correctly only shows which services are running during that time.

I've booked the long way round via the Great Belt Bridge/Tunnel Route, changing at Flensburg. I shall be on holiday with my female companion, have treated ourselves to 1st class and, will just enjoy the Danish, Jutland Peninsular and North German scenery. It's new trackage for me anyway.

 

[30907]

A very pleasant trip, plus the Rendsburg high-level bridge is spectacular, ditto the Great Belt crossing, but keep alert for the Little Belt bridge (between Kolding/Fredericia and Middlefart) too - it's much shorter.