DB Cargo freight locomotive to be equipped with latest ETCS technology

For a project subsidised by the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Alstom’s proven Atlas European Train Control System (ETCS) Baseline 3 Release 2 solution will be installed into one of DB Cargo’s DE6400 freight locomotives.

The new signalling technology will furthermore enable Belgian-Dutch freight traffic when the lines are converted to ETCS for the 2024/2025 timetable change in Belgium and the 2026/2027 timetable change in the Netherlands.

Michael Konias, Head of Digital and Integrated Systems at Alstom for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, said: “We are delighted that DB Cargo has once again placed its trust in us for their modifications. Alstom is the first company to be fully certified in the latest rolling stock and trackside ETCS standards and our state-of-the-art signalling solutions adapt to the specific requirements of each operating environment, ensuring the highest standards for safe, trans-European freight transport.”

Under the contract, the existing Dutch ATB-EG and ATB-NG systems, as well as the Belgian national system (TBL1+), will be integrated with the ETCS system. Among the most efficient train control systems in the world, this signalling technology modernisation will significantly improve Belgian-Dutch freight operations while increasing its safety, reliability, and punctuality – in addition to cutting maintenance costs.

Retrofitting work for the first prototype will be carried out by freight locomotive maintenance expert Shunter, whom Alstom signed an acquisition purchase agreement with in March 2021. With the acquisition, Alstom will strengthen its expertise in the service sector and expand its presence in the Benelux countries.