New power supply line commissioned in the Aachen area
A new power supply line has been commissioned at the Aachen rail node. It strengthens the power supply and supports reliable rail operations, particularly during periods of increased operational demands. At the same time, it lays an important foundation for the further modernization of the infrastructure and for efficient rail operations in western Germany.
During the night of January 11 to 12, a new power supply line between Stolberg and Aachen Central Station was successfully put into operation. The approximately eight-kilometer-long line will specifically strengthen and make the supply in the Aachen node more robust.
This step is particularly necessary because of of the current construction phase on the line between Aachen West and Herzogenrath. During this time, some of the train traffic is being routed via Aachen Central Station, and the feed from Herzogenrath is no longer available. As a result, this line is playing an important role in diverting traffic and has to handle significantly more train traffic than during normal operation. This requires more electrical power.
Therefore, electrical power flows must be specifically adjusted wherever train traffic is concentrated. The new line thus ensures that the necessary power is reliably supplied to the Aachen junction. This enables stable and efficient rail operations even under increased operational requirements.
At the same time, the new energy supply creates an important basis for the further modernization of the infrastructure in the Aachen area. An efficient energy supply is a prerequisite for the use of modern control and safety technology, such as modern interlocking systems and ETCS. This ensures that the junction is also sustainable in the long term.
The new power supply line runs entirely on railway property and was laid mainly in cable troughs. For the grid connection, the line was connected to an existing pylon at Aachen Central Station, while in Stolberg it was necessary to construct a new electricity pylon. The commissioning of this power supply represents a further step towards greater stability and reliability in railway operations in western Germany.
The measure was implemented by the DSD project team for the Belgium – Aachen – Düren border crossing. This ensures stable operation during the work to introduce a modern interlocking system in the Aachen area. ETCS and modern interlocking technology are being gradually introduced on the line between Düren and the Belgian border.
