The German train system isn't awful, when talking about long distance trains. It's not good, but it's not awful.
Look at the regional feeder lines, though. Unmaintained tracks, ancient trains, diesel instead of electric. Many towns have no connection at all - where I used to work, there was an old train station, but the tracks had been ripped up years earlier.
I used to (have to) rely on the German train system. Thankfully, I am now in Switzerland. It is a huge difference.
That probably strongly depends on where exactly you're living, though. I can't complain about my local trains, which are nothing like what you describe.
Look at the regional feeder lines, though. Unmaintained tracks, ancient trains, diesel instead of electric. Many towns have no connection at all - where I used to work, there was an old train station, but the tracks had been ripped up years earlier.
I used to (have to) rely on the German train system. Thankfully, I am now in Switzerland. It is a huge difference.