Luxembourg-Wasserbillig railway line

Construction of the Luxembourg-Wasserbillig railway

In the 19th century, in November 1855, the Luxembourg government granted by law the concession for the construction of a railway line from Luxembourg to the Prussian border at Wasserbillig. The start of construction was postponed until 1860 due to disputes and lawsuits. 13 different routes were examined, leaving two variants. Variant 1 led from Luxembourg via Ötringen through the Syr valley to Mertert on the Moselle. Variant 2 would reach Wasserbillig via PIenfingen, Canach, Ehnen, Wormeldingen, and Grevenmacher. In March 1859, the government decided to build variant 2. However, this was overturned by the Wilhelm-Luxembourg Railway Company, and variant 1 Syrtal was implemented. On August 14, 1861, the single-track line was inaugurated. The expansion of the railway line to two tracks took place between 1897 and 1911, increasing the profile length of the line in the lower Syr valley. The viaduct between Manternach and Mertert - called "Spigelsbreck" - was enlarged by laying steel beams. To avoid seeing the steel structure from the outside, a brick façade with small arches was constructed in front of it.

Modernization of the railway line in the 20th century

Modern, safe, and efficient railway operation necessitated a complete renewal of the route from Luxembourg and Berchem to Wasserbillig. The required free space between the two tracks required an increase in distance. The modernization of the entire route started in 19951n and will be carried out in phases over several years. The demands of this modernization forced CFL to make a second modification of the "Speeistdreck", while retaining the original viaduct from 1860. The old steel bridges from 1910/11 were removed, and a new bridge of steel and concrete was constructed as a single track. The concrete structures are decorative elements of the small stone arches from that time. Due to their international significance, the extension of the line was promoted with EU funds.

Translated from German

Source: panel on the railway bridge

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