Particle.news

DB InfraGo Maps Decade-Long Rail Fix as Corridor Closures Scale Up

The infrastructure chief cites pre-computer signal boxes as the bottleneck, with digital train control postponed until old interlockings are replaced.

Overview

  • DB InfraGo projects roughly ten years to rehabilitate Germany’s aging network, saying performance will improve step by step as each corridor is completed.
  • About 40 corridor-wide total renewals are planned, with the operator arguing compressed closures are the most effective way to tackle the backlog on heavily used routes.
  • Around half of the more than 4,000 signal boxes cannot be digitized, many still relying on cables or electromechanical technology.
  • ETCS installation will largely wait until legacy interlockings are renewed, shifting near-term work to fundamental track and asset replacements.
  • InfraGo reports a record of over 60 new signal boxes last year and targets roughly 100 per year long term, while pledging better, earlier communication on the 28,000-plus smaller works scheduled this year.