Where can I check planned DB engineering works?

[Shinkansenfan]

I'm planning a trip later this year using Bahn.de:

Segment 1: Berlin Hbf to Leipzig Hbf
Segment 2: Leipzig Hbf to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf

I am seeking a 3 hour connection to visit Leipzig.

Bahn.de returns with ICE train times and this ominous message:

ICE 1509: Berlin Südkreuz->Leipzig Hbf: Construction work. The stop Leipzig Hbf is omitted. Please check your itinerary again shortly before departure.

Further, both ICE segments do not display a seat map for seat assignments.

Questions:

1. Where can I learn about planned DB engineering works that may affect my journey? I don't want to buy this ticket without knowing what exactly is planned. I couldn't find this anywhere on the Bahn.de website nor via Google.

2. Does anyone know what construction work may be in effect in September around Leipzig that could affect ICE services from Berlin; to Frankfurt?

3. Why doesn't the ICE seat map display?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Seaeagle]

This maybe of help to you, it seems to list forthcoming works http://bauarbeiten.bahn.de/fernverkehr

 

[30907]

This maybe of help to you, it seems to list forthcoming works http://bauarbeiten.bahn.de/fernverkehr

One of the last items says: Major software alterations to Leipzig Electronic Signalbox, Wednesday to Saturday 22 to 25 September.

Gist of the various entries: some Hamburg to Leipzig trains terminate at Leipzig Messe. Berlin to Munich trains are diverted and call at Bitterfeld or Halle (alternately).
Dresden to Frankfurt trains call at Messe. Messe to Hbf by tram.

It is nothing unusual for the details of short term engineering works to be finalised relatively near the time (even if they last some weeks, in my recent experience!). The seat selector probably isn't loaded yet for that reason.

So if you still want to visit Leipzig, choose a train that normally terminates there, rather than one of the Munich trains. The tram service is excellent and you should be able to travel for free (as far as the Hbf).

Alternatively, choose Erfurt for a stopoff. Or Eisenach. Or Weimar.

DB have a standard 3 month advance booking period. This workaround allows them to sell tickets but the warning means they won't pay out compensation against the original timetable. Whereas if they alter the times after you've booked, you are entitled to some money back (also in my recent experience).

 

[Shinkansenfan]

One of the last items says: Major software alterations to Leipzig Electronic Signalbox, Wednesday to Saturday 22 to 25 September.

Gist of the various entries: some Hamburg to Leipzig trains terminate at Leipzig Messe. Berlin to Munich trains are diverted and call at Bitterfeld or Halle (alternately).
Dresden to Frankfurt trains call at Messe. Messe to Hbf by tram.

It is nothing unusual for the details of short term engineering works to be finalised relatively near the time (even if they last some weeks, in my recent experience!). The seat selector probably isn't loaded yet for that reason.

So if you still want to visit Leipzig, choose a train that normally terminates there, rather than one of the Munich trains. The tram service is excellent and you should be able to travel for free (as far as the Hbf).

Alternatively, choose Erfurt for a stopoff. Or Eisenach. Or Weimar.

DB have a standard 3 month advance booking period. This workaround allows them to sell tickets but the warning means they won't pay out compensation against the original timetable. Whereas if they alter the times after you've booked, you are entitled to some money back (also in my recent experience).

Thanks Seaeagle and 30907!

I'm planning to attend Innotrans, and was hoping to stopover in Leipzig afterwards so that I could visit/ride through the city tunnel (which was closed for engineering works during the last time I was in Leipzig). Specifically, I was planning to travel Berlin to Leipzig to Frankfurt on Saturday, 24 September!

Any idea if the city tunnel will be open during that day? If not, I may as well skip Leipzig a second time!

Via Leipzig, I was also hoping to ride the newly opened HSR line that runs west of Leipzig to Erfurt.

 

[30907]

Oh dear! There's nothing on the local engineerIng, but the fact that they are advising pax to use the tram suggests to me that the S-Bahn isn't running either. However the Dresden- Frankfurts will be using the NBS from Messe, so you can still do that bit. Or take the direct Sprinter which picks up the new line near Halle.

 

[Shinkansenfan]

30907, thanks for the suggestions.

I find it amazing that it takes several days to cut over a signalbox software upgrade (and presumably testing) and that S-bahn services may or may not run through the city tunnel during that period.

Right now I'm thinking of saying "to Halle with that!" And taking the ICE Sprinter which covers most of the NBS. Or routing a stopover in Dresden and catching the ICE from there--to cover more of the NBS.

I wonder if the freight tram in Dresden runs on Saturdays?

This Leipzig city tunnel is becoming one of those bit of railroading that seems to elude me.

 

[30907]

It does seem a feature of German ESTW's that regular alterations are required and take a fair time. I suspect there are actual signalling alterations involved. Which never in the UK require extended closures, do they? -

The best suggestions I can make are to mail the local Verkehrsverbund www.vms.de or to try posting on http://www.drehscheibe-online.de/startindex2.php where most people will be happy to reply in English (I'm not the only one who posts on both sites!).

Drehscheibe-online has a tram forum where someone may be able to answer your Cargo Tram query, but IIRC it has ceased running owing to a downturn in production.