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E1 - The Train Dilemma: To be or not to be on time

Nicolas Martin | Andreas Becker
November 27, 2025

If you think Germans are punctual and efficient, think again. Germany's national train system is so run down that most passengers are happy if they arrive at all. How did one of the world's most reliable train operators become an international joke? Can anyone help Germany to get back on track? New episodes every Thursday

https://p.dw.com/p/54KtG

Listen and subscribe to Delayland on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts.

 

Delayland is a DW-production, researched, written and produced by Nicolas Martin and Andreas Becker.  

Editors: Kathleen Schuster and Zulfikar Abbany
Audio editing and mixing: Simon Berkhahn
Sound design: Warner Poland
Cover Art: Nora Charlotte Tomm and Anke Jordan  

Feedback? Get in touch at delayland@dw.com 
 

Nicolas Martin
Nicolas Martin Editor with a focus on the global economy, globalization and organized crime.
Becker Andreas Kommentarbild App
Andreas Becker Business editor with a focus on world trade, monetary policy and globalization.
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Delayland Podcast Teaser

Delayland – Germany and the missing magic

Why don’t things run like they used to anymore in Germany, once dubbed an "economic miracle”? And how are other places getting things right? From the makers of Cannabis Cowboys, Delayland launched on November 27.

Go to show Delayland – Germany and the missing magic