Tuesday Brief: Europe’s rail modernisation moves slowly
Plus: Norway deploys robot for ERTMS switch inspections / Austria reports robust DAC winter test results
Europe’s rail network is modernising — slowly
EU: Europe’s railway network has become more electrified and includes more double-track infrastructure than in 1990, but most lines still operate on single-track routes.
Capacity remains limited across large parts of the network. Where only one track is available, trains travelling in opposite directions must pass each other at designated loops or stations, restricting the number of services that can run and reducing timetable flexibility.
The gradual expansion of electrified lines and additional tracks reflects steady investment, but progress remains slow because rail projects have long planning cycles and limited national funding.
For policymakers and infrastructure managers, the figures show how much modernisation is still needed to support higher traffic volumes and cross-border train operations.
Railchap robot speeds up ERTMS switch inspections
NORWAY: A new automated inspection setup combining the Railchap robot and Siemens Mobility’s Railigent software is being used to check switches ahead of installation of the new ERTMS signalling system.
The system combines Railway Robotics’ Railchap track robot with Siemens Mobility’s Railigent platform to capture and analyse switch condition data before new signalling equipment is installed.
It is being deployed as part of Norway’s nationwide ERTMS programme, where switches and other infrastructure elements must be inspected before the new signalling system can be installed.
FS acquires Titagarh Firema rolling stock unit
ITALY: Italy’s state railway group FS has completed the acquisition of the Titagarh Firema rolling stock business, bringing train manufacturing capacity under the control of the national railway.
Firema produces regional trains, metro vehicles and light rail rolling stock at facilities including Caserta in southern Italy.
The acquisition places an established Italian rolling stock manufacturer inside the state railway group as the country prepares major rail investment and fleet renewal programmes.
ÖBB says DAC winter tests show robust performance
AUSTRIA: Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC), the planned replacement for Europe’s manual freight-wagon coupling system, has come through winter testing in Austria with positive early results.
ÖBB Rail Cargo Group said on March 6 that a three-week winter test phase exposed DAC systems to temperatures down to −15°C, freezing rain and fresh snow.
The trials used a DAC demonstration freight train operating under real traffic conditions in Austria rather than on a closed test track.
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