Siemens wins €180m German light rail digital interlockings contract

Contractor will replace five relay interlockings on Ruhrbahn network in northwestern Germany with electronic versions.

Guido Rumpel from Siemens (left) and Michael Feller from Ruhrbahn with one of the 50 year-old signalling relays that will be replaced by digital technology.

Photo Credit: Ruhrbahn

SIEMENS Mobility has signed a €180m contract with German light rail operator Ruhrbahn to digitise control and safety systems for its network centred on the cities of Essen and Mülheim an der Ruhr.

The project includes digitising Europe’s largest light rail interlocking system at Essen main station. Replacement of technology dating from the 1970s is due to be complete by 2031.

Around 60% of the project costs will be funded by the municipal rail renewal programme with regional and federal funds.

“After decades of wear and tear and the interim refurbishment of the relay technology in three of our five interlockings, we are now undertaking the complete renewal and digitalisation of the train control and safety technology for light rail transport in Essen and Mülheim an der Ruhr,” say Ruhrbahn CEO, Mr Michael Feller. “Our aim is to make the existing network more efficient and reliable.”

The train control system covering approximately 28km of track and 39 stations will be completely replaced. The signalling system will be equipped with LEDs, the track occupancy detection system will be upgraded with axle counters and all track-mounted automatic train protection permanent magnets that prevent LRVs from passing a stop signal will be replaced.

Modernisation of the five interlockings will be carried out in five phases. During the project, passenger services will be restricted for short periods in isolated parts of the network. The relay technology will be completely replaced, and the system’s control and safety technology will be converted to digital equivalents, making the infrastructure significantly more efficient.

The interlocking at Essen main station currently sets points around 5000 times a day and clears signals to allow LRVs to proceed 23,000 times.

A special feature of this major project will be the integration of the network’s three and four rail systems. The challenge here is to accommodate different track gauges and enable seamless operations using modern technology.

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