Two new interlockings for the Black Forest & surrounding area
Digitale Schiene Deutschland (DSD) has successfully put two more electronic interlockings (ESTW) into operation. These are the ESTW in Baden-Baden in the Black Forest and in neighbouring Rastatt. Both ESTW are part of the Rhine-Alpine corridor, which connects important seaports and economic areas in Europe. The commissioning of the ESTW Baden-Baden and Rastatt South is a further step on the way to equipping the Rhine-Alpine corridor with the standardised European Train Control System (ETCS) throughout Europe.
The ESTW Baden-Baden and Rastatt South are both located on the Karlsruhe – Basel section of the line. Both ESTW control train traffic along the routes 4280 and 4000 in the area between the Rastatt South junction and Baden-Baden station.
The ESTW in Baden-Baden replaces a relay interlocking (Dr S600), which was operated with old analogue technology. The interlocking replacement is the prerequisite for being able to put ETCS Level 2 into operation on the section of line from Karlsruhe–Dammerstock to Basel when the Rastatt tunnel goes into operation. In addition to the ESTW, the construction project included the replacement of 47 signals and 27 point machines.
From now on, the ESTW Rastatt South will control train operations at the Rastatt tunnel branch of the same name. There, the new line, which starts at the Bashaide junction and runs through the Rastatt tunnel, will be connected to the existing new line in the direction of Offenburg. The conversion of the Rastatt Süd junction will also prepare for the use of ETCS on the route. In addition to the ESTW, the construction project included the installation of 29 signals and the connection of 8 switches, including 4 new switches with point machines.
The corridor Rhine-Alpine is an important transport artery in Europe, linking major economic areas and seaports. Its German section, from Oberhausen in North Rhine-Westphalia to Haltingen in Baden-Württemberg, stretches for around 1,600 kilometers. In the project corridor Rhine-Alpine of Digitale Schiene Deutschland (DSD), this section is being equipped with modern interlocking technology and ETCS, making this one of the largest DSD projects.
Click here for the official press release.
