Cologne-Rhine/Main high-speed line

The dates shown are legally non-binding forecasts based on the current status. The forecasts are in no way intended to establish any kind of legal claim whatsoever that completion will take place by the specified date and that use will be possible. For these reasons, the information should also not be used to make or prepare business decisions, for example, but not conclusively, with regard to the vehicle equipment or the compatibility between the vehicles and the infrastructure. If you have any questions, particularly regarding technical network access or obtaining binding information, please contact your customer advisor.

Most of the infrastructure projects are still in the planning phase, which means that the information provided on these pages reflects the current planning status and is updated regularly.

Alongside the Fast-Track Programme, the starter package marks the start of the rollout of Digitale Schiene Deutschland (DSD). With a target horizon of 2030, three projects will comprehensively digitalise routes by equipping them with the standardised European Train Control System (ETCS) and modern interlockings. In this way, the programme is replacing technologies that in some cases date back to the 19th century. The knowledge gained in the starter package supports the nationwide rollout of Digital Rail for Germany and serves as a template for the entire German rail network.

The Cologne-Rhine/Main high-speed line (2690) is one of the three projects in the starter package. With a route length of around 180 km and speeds of 300 km/h, it connects the two major cities Cologne and Frankfurt am Main. The route has 27 tunnels with a total length of around 40 km and 18 bridges with a total length of around 6 km. Twenty years after its construction, an upgrade is now due: the digitalisation of the control and safety technology (LST).

The line will be equipped with ETCS level 2 without signals (ETCS L2oS). This includes the replacement of the three controlling Electronic Interlocking sub-centers (ESTW-UZ) in Troisdorf I, Montabaur and Frankfurt Airport long-distance train station with modern interlockings. The project also includes upgrading the telecommunications systems as well as the construction of the Troisdorf and Frankfurt II Digital Control Centres (DCC) and the Troisdorf and Limburg Digital Technology Centre (DTC), taking into account the Operations Control Strategy (BSS).

The length of the line to be equipped with ETCS is around 173 kilometres. Including entrances and exits, around 200 kilometres of track are planned for implementation. The installation of modern interlockings will lead to a further increase in the number of line kilometers to be equipped with ETCS, as it makes technical sense to equip entire sections with ETCS. In the Cologne network, sections of line that are not part of the Cologne-Rhine/Main high-speed line will therefore also be equipped with modern interlockings and will be equipped with ETCS as part of another project (Corridor Rhine-Alpine). In total, around 300 kilometers of track are to be equipped with modern interlockings and ETCS.

In future, the route will be controlled from two DCC: The Cologne network will be operated from the DCC Troisdorf, the Frankfurt network from the DCC Frankfurt. The modern interlocking will be bundled in the Troisdorf and DTC Limburg. This means that the current 1,237 interlocking units (1,089 after conversion), including 230 points, will be controlled centrally. 

The planning is currently (as at 05/2025) in preliminary design (HOAI phase 3). For the LST, block optimisations and the installation of track switching operations at previously missing points are planned. The project planning is generally BIM-capable, with digital planning also being used in the LST area. This means that the entire planning is mapped in virtual up to 5D-models. Start of construction work is scheduled to mid-2027. Commissioning is scheduled for December 2030.

The high-speed line will ultimately be one of the first routes to be fully equipped with ETCS and modern interlockings. Together with its partners, in particular politicians and industry, Deutsche Bahn will gather valuable experience for the further rollout of Digital Rail for Germany: Regulations will be adapted, processes accelerated and operational trials and commissioning procedures tested. Passengers will benefit from greater reliability.

This is a Deutsche Bahn project. We are building. So that people can build on us again. More information about the Bauende Bahn can be found here (in German only).

In the starter package, the lines will be equipped with ETCS technology and modern interlockings and thus comprehensively digitalised. The programme replaces existing technologies, some of which date back to the 19th century. The knowledge gained from the starter package will be used for the nationwide rollout of Digital Rail for Germany to the entire German rail network.

The following two projects are part of the starter package in addition to the Cologne-Rhine/Main high-speed line (SFS KRM):

• Corridor Scandinavian-Mediterranean (ScanMed) with adjoining DB Netz districts
• Stuttgart Digital Node (DKS)

• Non-binding market information ScanMed & high-speed line Cologne-Rhine/Main | 01/2023 (in German only)