ETCS for DE 6400

Alstom will equip a DB Cargo DE 6400 locomotive with ETCS. The project is being co-financed by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the European Union.

The new train safety technology ETCS is due to support rail cargo transport between the Netherlands and Belgium, starting with the new 2026/2027 timetable in the Netherlands. A system developed by Alstom will be installed: Atlas ETCS Baseline 3 Release 2, which has already proven itself in practice. The conversion is being carried out by Shunter in Rotterdam, which was acquired by Alstom at the beginning of this year.

Alstom and DB Cargo already announced in January 2020 that a total of 13 DB Cargo Scandinavia locomotives - intended for the train service between Germany, Denmark and Sweden - would be equipped with ETCS Baseline 3 Release 2. 'When the construction of the prototype is successful and we reach an agreement with the ministry on a much more generous compensation than the current 50%, the intention is to convert the entire fleet. We will then have 59 locomotives licensed for the Netherlands and Belgium,' says Jelle Rebbers, responsible for contact with the government, among other things.

Bernard Belvaux, Alstom's Managing Director for Benelux responds delightedly: "We are pleased that DB Cargo has once again entrusted us with this contract. Alstom is the first company to be fully certified according to the latest ETCS standards on board and at track side. Our advanced signalling solutions can be tailored to the requirements of any environment, ensuring safe, trans-European cargo transport of the highest standard."