Which railway lines will be closed in 2026?

2026 will be one of the busiest years for infrastructure work on Luxembourg's railway network. CFL has announced a programme that includes laying around 30 kilometres of new track, replacing more than 50,000 sleepers and almost 50,000 tonnes of ballast, and removing several level crossings. After 254 days of work in 2025, the company emphasises that it continues to view the railway as a "cornerstone of public transport" in Luxembourg and the Greater Region.

Most of the work requiring complete suspension of train services is scheduled for school holidays and weekends, when passenger traffic is lower and bus services can be arranged. In all cases of closures, CFL promises alternative bus transport.

Among the key projects of the year is the completion of the Howald transport hub, which is entering its final stage: four tracks instead of two should be available there in the first half of the year. Significant work is also planned for Bettembourg station, the second busiest in the country, which is being prepared for connection to the new Luxembourg–Bettembourg line. At the same time, work continues on eliminating level crossings, including in Dommeldange, Milbech and the Colmar-Usines station area. Investments are also being made in infrastructure for motorists: new P+R car parks will be built at the Wecker stop, and the Belval-Université car park will be rebuilt after a fire.

The most sensitive part of the programme remains the temporary closures of lines. During the holidays from 14 to 22 February, trains will not run between Luxembourg and Arlon, nor between Luxembourg and Bettembourg, with the exception of TGV trains, which will continue to operate.

The Easter holidays from 28 March to 12 April will affect several routes: services between Luxembourg and Arlon, Luxembourg and Ettelbruck and Diekirch, Bettembourg and Esch-sur-Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette–Audun-le-Tiche, and Rumelange–Noertzange.

From 23 to 31 May, the Luxembourg–Arlon, Luxembourg–Ettelbruck or Diekirch, and Luxembourg–Bettembourg lines will be closed again.

The longest restrictions will be in place during the summer. From mid-July to the end of August, the Bettembourg–Volmerange-les-Mines, Luxembourg–Bettembourg, Luxembourg–Thionville, Luxembourg–Esch-sur-Alzette, as well as the northern sections Ettelbruck–Troisvierges/Gouvy and Kautenbach–Wiltz. Additional work is also planned on the Luxembourg–Wasserbillig–Trier line.

The autumn half-term holidays, from 31 October to 8 November, will once again bring restrictions: trains will not run between Luxembourg and Bertrange/Strassen, towards Athus and Longwy, or northbound towards Ettelbruck and Diekirch.

Despite the scale and duration of the work, CFL emphasises that it is precisely such projects that enable the gradual elimination of bottlenecks in the network, improve safety and prepare the railways for growth in passenger traffic in the coming years.