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150 km/h Maglev Through the Black Forest? Nagold–Herrenberg Link Moves Into Focus

A proposed local maglev line could link Nagold and Herrenberg—roughly 15 km apart—in the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) region. The concept targets “regional transit at metro frequency,” with trains running as often as every 15 minutes and speeds up to about 150 km/h, potentially making it Germany’s first public-use maglev project.

What’s on the table: Route/role: A new direct connection between Nagold and Herrenberg, improving access toward the Stuttgart region (with a transfer at Herrenberg still required).

Technology: The system under discussion is the “Transport System Bögl” by Max Bögl, designed for automated, high-frequency regional and urban service. Why maglev here: The terrain between the Gäu and northern Black Forest is a key driver—maglev is positioned as easier to run on steeper grades and potentially cheaper to build than tunnel-heavy rail extensions.

Regulatory milestone: A dedicated operating company received authorization from Eisenbahn-Bundesamt to operate public maglev lines in Germany—positioned as a key prerequisite for any real-world deployment.

Multiple German cities are evaluating the same maglev platform for local corridors, and the Nagold–Herrenberg corridor is being treated as a plausible “first mover” candidate.

Info based on: https://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/pa ... -113289606 Accessed 2026-02-01

Calw SPD Wants County Council Briefing on Bögl Maglev Monorail for Herrenberg–Nagold Link

The SPD group in Calw’s county council is pushing to further develop the Herrenberg–Nagold rail connection and wants the Transport System Bögl (TSB)—an innovative monorail maglev—to be formally presented to the county council. The group has filed a request with District Administrator (Landrat) Helmut Riegger and the council to arrange a briefing, according to a statement by Florian Kling.

The push is tied to results from a feasibility and cost-benefit study. In that study, the Bögl system was one of only two options to achieve a benefit–cost ratio above 1.0 (meaning benefits exceed costs). Seven other variants did not reach that threshold. TSB reportedly scored best overall with a benefit–cost indicator of 1.19.

The SPD says the region should not “stop halfway” and argues that the study results show significant potential in the monorail option. A council presentation is intended to put all facts on the table and enable a substantive, evidence-based debate. From the SPD’s perspective, the county should use every opportunity to improve mobility and consider future-oriented technology. SPD council member Rainer Prewo, a long-time advocate of rail connectivity in the Nagold valley, emphasized the need to take innovative options seriously.

The group also ties the proposal to climate targets and rising mobility demand, noting that the study itself was influenced by an impetus from Baden-Württemberg’s Ministry of Transport. They describe TSB as a quiet, locally emissions-free public-transport mode that could make regional transit more attractive. The SPD expects that a presentation by manufacturer Max Bögl—either in the full council or a specialist committee—would provide valuable technical insight.

The SPD is asking the administration to begin the necessary steps now so the system can be presented as soon as possible, and is seeking broad support for the request.

Info based on: https://www.schwarzwaelder-bote.de/inha ... 4365a.html Accessed 2026-02-18