Passenger traffic on the Schozach-Bottwartalbahn - popularly known as the "duck killer" - was discontinued in 1966 due to the steady increase in motorized private transport and a parallel rail bus line. The line was decommissioned in 2000, but in the years that followed, the districts launched further initiatives and investigations into reactivating the line, which did not lead to a viable concept.
The project received a new boost six years ago: Overcrowded freeways and roads as well as a general rethink about protecting nature and the environment in times of climate change led the districts of Heilbronn and Ludwigsburg and the city of Heilbronn to look at reactivation once again. A feasibility study already completed in 2020 has now been updated due to changes in funding conditions and now serves as a preliminary study for a subsequent standardized assessment to demonstrate the economic benefits and eligibility for funding. After the results in 2020 were still very sobering with regard to a possible reactivation of the Heilbronn - Beilstein - Marbach line, the feasibility study, updated on the basis of new funding conditions, now shows concrete positive prospects for reactivation.
The public is cordially invited to take part in the public event and to contribute to the discussion after the presentation of the measures.
