"Saftbahn" near Bitterfeld could be reactivated - Saxony-Anhalt's 'Juice Railway' Could Reopen After 22 Years of Silence
A long-dormant railway in Saxony-Anhalt could soon return to service after more than two decades. Known locally as the Aldo Railway (Saftbahn), the line between Bitterfeld, Zörbig, and Stumsdorf last carried passengers in 2002. Now, a feasibility study has proposed reviving the connection at an estimated cost of €130 million.
The railway earned its nickname from its past role in transporting agricultural goods, particularly sugar beet syrup. For years, it also served as a crucial link for workers commuting to the coal and chemical plants in Bitterfeld and Wolfen. However, no official records confirm its existence under the name Aldo Railway, leaving some to question whether the term was ever formal.
A new study suggests the project would deliver strong economic benefits, especially if paired with extending the S2 regional train from Leipzig to Köthen on an hourly schedule. The restored line would connect around 31,000 residents to the wider S-Bahn network, improving access to employment, education, and essential services. It would also serve major industrial zones, including the Bitterfeld-Wolfen chemical site and the Central German Technology Park.
Despite the promising outlook, funding remains a major hurdle. The passenger advocacy group Pro Bahn supports the revival but warns against diverting resources from maintaining existing routes or building new ones. If approved, this would mark the first railway reactivation of its kind in Saxony-Anhalt.
The proposed revival of the Aldo Railway would restore a transport link lost over 20 years ago. With a positive cost-benefit analysis, the project could enhance regional connectivity and support local industries. Final decisions, however, hinge on securing the necessary €130 million investment.
