A 700-Metre Freight Train Exposes Europe’s Divided Rail Technology
Every week, Hans Blom guides a 700-metre freight train from the Netherlands into Germany. His journey highlights a stark contrast in rail technology. On one side of the border, digital systems like the European Train Control System (ETCS) lead the way, while on the other, outdated signals remain in place.
Hans Blom, a locomotive engineer with nearly 40 years of experience, operates a train carrying 50 containers. The route begins at Kijfhoek marshalling yard in the Netherlands and ends in Duisburg, Germany. The Dutch section runs through the Betuwe region, a dedicated freight corridor with no stations or level crossings.
This stretch is fully equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS). ETCS uses trackside transponders to send signals directly to a monitor in the locomotive cab. It regulates train speeds, improves safety, and allows for highly automated operations. Once the train crosses into Germany, the system changes. Traditional trackside lights replace the digital signals. Germany has been slow to adopt ETCS, with only 500 kilometres of track operational by late 2024. Most of this is concentrated in the Digitaler Knoten Stuttgart project, which includes the S-Bahn network and Stuttgart 21 infrastructure. Deutsche Bahn had originally planned wider digital upgrades during routine maintenance. However, the poor condition of much of the rail network forced a rethink. Both the company and the Federal Transport Ministry admit that underfunding and inefficient use of allocated funds have delayed progress.
Blom’s route reflects the uneven pace of rail modernisation in Europe. While the Netherlands embraces digital systems, Germany’s infrastructure still relies on older technology. The gap in adoption means trains like his must adapt to different standards along the way.
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