Plans for Hamburg-Copenhagen via Kolding-Odense after Fehmarn Tunnel opens

(Long time lurker, first post after I couldn't find the answer in the archives)

Does anyone have any pointers to sources discussing what the timetable Hamburg-Kolding/-Odense might look like after the Fehmarn Tunnel has been opened to rail traffic? I realise this is akin to gazing into the crystal ball since the rail connection is unlikely to open before 2032, but there surely must have been some discussion about whether Danish Jutland and Fyn are likely to be cut off from mainland traffic some time in the 2030s?

Considering how DB has practically cut Flensburg off from long-distance rail, I'm not too hopeful about the prospects of Padborg, Kolding and Odense but any suggestions as to where to look for DSB's and DB's long term planning on this trajectory would be very welcome!

A sensible option, which probably means it will not be adopted(!), would be an Aalborg to Hamburg service (particularly as Aalborg is being electrified), with Odense passengers connecting at Fredericia. Back in the day there was such a service as I recall - the 'Nordpilen'. I guess for Odense passengers going via Ringsted or even Copenhagen for Hamburg might be just as quick when the Fehmarn Tunnel opens.

I really think it is much too early to tell and neither DSB nor DB will have any but the vaguest thoughts as yet. I think they will wait until they have long-term traffic figures of just how much traffic going south of Padborg originates from Fyn; if there is enough traffic a couple of København-Padborg trains could be extended to Hamburg. As far as Kolding and Sønderjylland are concerned, a train up the spine of Jylland to Aarhus (why did they change the name?) or Aalborg is possible.

The Nordpilen ran right through from Hamburg (possibly further south for a period) to Frederikshavn for the boats, but that isn’t possible now. (Happy but blurred memories of returning home hungover on the Nordpilen after a party at a friend’s flat in Hamburg. It was a slow train, so I was much less furry by the time I got to Århus.)

But, as said, I think it will be a few more years before any but the vaguest ideas are seriously put forward. That probably won’t stop local politicians demanding a half-hourly direct service service from Bred to Hamburg.

There was (is?) a direct Hamburg-Aarhus and I see no reason why that shouldn't be the same post Fehmarnbaelt. Maybe one or two would divert to Odense but I'm with Sir Felix on this.

Thanks for the answers. I do remember the Hamborg-Aarhus connection (but wasn't it only a few times a day?), let's hope the DSB and DB choose the 'sensible option' and reinstate it once the Rødby-Puttgarten trains are running again. Or maybe Italo will fancy running up to Skagen/Hirtshals by then ...

Gloster said:

Aarhus (why did they change the name?)

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I always assumed Aarhus was the old old name, and Århus was the old new name that was reverted?

Dantripper said:

I always assumed Aarhus was the old old name, and Århus was the old new name that was reverted?

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Pretty much! Å and Aa are pronounced the same way, so you could also use Ålborg.

Dantripper said:

Thanks for the answers. I do remember the Hamborg-Aarhus connection (but wasn't it only a few times a day?), let's hope the DSB and DB choose the 'sensible option' and reinstate it once the Rødby-Puttgarten trains are running again. Or maybe Italo will fancy running up to Skagen/Hirtshals by then ...


I always assumed Aarhus was the old old name, and Århus was the old new name that was reverted?

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Well, the letter Å/å was only introduced in 1948, but was the norm for words using the aa sound, including place names, previously it was Aarhus. There were exceptions, including where one word ending in -a and a second starting in a- were combined or for foreign names. However, from 1984 it was permitted to use Aa-. It appears that Århus changed to Aarhus in 2011 and why they did so is what puzzles me.

Source: Retskrivningsordbogen (Gyldendal, 1992.)

Aalborg resolutely stuck with the 'old fashioned' spelling and is nicknamed the 'Double A City'. It does have advantages in the internet age, appearing at the top of lists etc!

To get back on track, DSB has previously stated that the Hamburg-Århus trains will return as soon as the line is electrified. But maybe that should also be "and the Talgos are working". They have also mentioned that an extension to Ålborg is possible. But, plans can change. And it will be interesting to see if there will be any trains to Fyn or if those going to/from Odense will have to change somewhere.

JonasB said:

To get back on track, DSB has previously stated that the Hamburg-Århus trains will return as soon as the line is electrified. But maybe that should also be "and the Talgos are working". They have also mentioned that an extension to Ålborg is possible. But, plans can change. And it will be interesting to see if there will be any trains to Fyn or if those going to/from Odense will have to change somewhere.

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Thanks for this. Let's hope DSB don't change their plans too drastically (and that the Talgos are working by 2032).

What is the issue with Talgos not working? I have heard of complaints about ride quality etc. but nothing that suggests they were not usable.