The initial phase involves constructing a second track on the 5.8km stretch between Horb and Neckarhausen.

“This is a very important step for the expansion and modernisation of the internationally important connection between Stuttgart, Lake Constance and Zürich,” says Baden-Württemberg state transport minister Mr Winfried Hermann. “The federal government now has to show it is serious about expanding the line.”

In October 2016 Germany’s federal government committed to the upgrading of the Stuttgart - Singen line as part of the Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan (BVWP), which envisages allocating €550m for this purpose.

According to Baden-Württemberg’s Ministry of Transport, Stuttgart - Zürich journey times could be reduced by up to 20 minutes through a combination of track-doubling and the introduction of tilting trains.