Can't figure out if my overnight train was canceled

Who did you book through?

Nightjet.com which I believe is OBB. The confirmation came from: [email protected]

Not cancelled, but that Nightjet train has three changes of trains before reaching Brussels: one at Munich OST, another at Munich Hbf, and a third in Cologne. You can see it on www.TheTrainline.com which states “Timetable subject to change.” There are other trains that are not Nightjets making the same journey ( one with just one change of train) with fares starting at $108 and $144.

I appreciate the info! That doesn't seem like what I booked as we didn't have any changes....we're supposed to be sleeping. And we had only one seat assignment for the entire length. So now it looks like I have the sleeper for only the first leg which is less than 2 hours? I spent a lot of money on that. :(

It looks like your train is running, but limited to Aachen.
Just board as normal. Then in Aachen change as suggested to the ICE. Your ticket will be valid.

Well, where it comes to informing passengers the railways still have to learn a lot.

You can see the schedule on www.oebb.at.

Thanks, that link is very helpful! Do you think I might now be on the one that stops in Aachen? Looks like I could still sleep from Salzburg to there. I'm confused by the fact that the one I just referenced and one leaving at the same time, but stopping in Munich instead has the same number (NJ 40468).

The train, as is common in Europe, divides into 2 parts- Brussels and Paris, the Paris section divides off at Munich Ost.
It continues as 468, your section is 40468.

But it is definitely through cars to Aachen, arrive 0747.
There you take a day train to Brussels at 0820.

If you put Salzburg to Aachen into OBB your train reappears.

The Trainline is giving 2 faster options to make the journey ahead of the sensible option. So you sleep for 10 hours, not 2. The other options are for the hard core cheapskate.

Thank you so much! Is it safe to assume I still have my sleeper car for the route to Aachen? I don't have to make any changes with OBB? I'm willing to do the 2 transfers in the morning.

Yes, totally safe to assume you have the sleeper to Aachen with no change- OeBB are just a bit clumsy with their notifications.
Looking at the Vagonweb website you should be either the 2nd or 3rd car from front of the 11 car train.
If it gives you extra reassurance try contacting OeBB to reconfirn.

Thanks all for your help!

Also, I reached out to OBB through a form on their website. I was intimidated to call customer service because of the language barrier. :0

I found out what is happening. The Belgian Railways are doing maintenance on the Liege - Verviers railway line, and that is the route your NJ was supposed to take go get to Brussels. There is an alternative route, but that is a high speed railway, that the train is not cleared for. So the train is going to be terminated in Aachen, where you change to the ICE.

A good thing to know is this: Railways have a transport obligation. They cannot at their own discretion decide not to transport you. You have a ticket Salzburg to Brussels so they must get you to Brussels somehow. I am pretty sure that they will just instruct you to take the ICE in Aachen.

You all have been incredibly helpful! Thanks for all of your research and time!