First Digital Rail Germany project commissioned

Earlier this month, the renewed signalling and interlocking technology on the Ruhr-Sieg line in Germany was inaugurated. This marks the first-such commissioning under the fast-track Digital Rail Germany programme.

As part of the work, Siemens Mobility and Deutsche Bahn renewed and upgraded 15 level crossings along the 45-kilometre Ruhr-Sieg line between the towns of Letmathe and Kreuztal. The project also entailed the installation of 235 signals, 73 point machines and 9 new signal arms, as well as 385 kilometres of cable.

The renewed signalling and interlocking technology should simplify maintenance and increase reliability. Thanks to better control, a greater flexibility of trains should also be feasible. The work was completed over a period of 18 months as part of a 500-million-euro government programme for the rollout of digital interlocking technology in Germany.

“By introducing digital interlocking technology, we are reducing service disruptions and creating the basis for rail automation and expanded rail mobility. Passengers, freight and the environment all profit from this,” said Andre Rodenbeck, CEO rail infrastructure at Siemens Mobility.

Together we are creating a new rail network for Germany – with higher capacity and greater reliability. This way, we’ll be able to offer our customers more environmentally friendly trains and thus actively protect the environment,” Jens Bergmann, board member for Infrastructure Planning and Projects at DB Netz, added.

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