This whole thread is a massive generalisation, with little help for the OP or others. We can all chime in with our anecdotes, but that does not help in the specific instance. Of the last 20 ICE trains I have taken in the last two months, for example, two were delayed by more than 15 but less than 30 minutes. The rest ran pretty much on time. Is that useful for someone who takes a train next week? No. Germans complain massively about DB but for the most part the system runs well enough get people moving. Of course it could be better, and it should be, but it is one of the better national rail services in the world. I will grant you that the reputation that Swiss and German train punctuality enjoys abroad is not entirely 100% correct.