Leipzig to Erfurt NBS high speed line

[davetheguard]

Does anyone know when the Neubaustrecke from Leipzig to Erfurt is due to open? My Ball atlas suggests "2015".

In June, I'm travelling on train IC 2250 11.11 from Leipzig Hbf. to Frankfurt Hbf. It's booked to take 72 minutes to travel from Leipzig to Erfurt non-stop. The following ICE takes quite a bit longer, but it has three intermediate stops including Weimar. Does this suggest that the IC travels via the new route?

 

[Groningen]

December 2015; i think old line, because that slower ICE has a stop of 13 minutes in Naumburg (Saale) + more stops. The ICE of 13.11 has the same time as the IC.

http://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Erfurt–Leipzig/Halle_high-speed_railway

German > http://mgrobe2.free.fr/nbserfurthalleleipzig.pdf

 

[30907]

Definitely the old route. Test running supposed to start this summer.

 

[sarahj]

I heard they found some underground caves during the tunneling. I know it wont happen, but it would have been good to leave these open with perhaps some dim lights. Would have made a great view from the train. Very spooky.