Deutsche Bahn is moving away from conventional diesel fuel in order to be a fully climate-neutral business by 2050.
In order to achieve this goal, Deutsche Bahn is trialling different opportunities for alternative traction and fuels. The advanced TrainLab test train is already operating with green diesel, which reduces carbon emissions by 90 percent. Starting in October, the Sylt Shuttle between Westerland and Niebüll will start operating with green diesel. Further tests in regular train operations are also planned.
“The railways can only become climate-neutral when we say goodbye to diesel. We have to radically reduce the use of fossil fuels and bring it down to zero. By 2050 DB will not operate a single diesel-powered vehicle anymore. That's quite a challenge with an annual consumption of more than 250 million litres of diesel per year – and we're tackling it. Industry must massive push ahead with research and development so that alternative fuels and traction systems can be used on rail, the roads and in the air.”
Two types of green diesel are being used in the advanced TrainLab and the Sylt Shuttle, which are made either wholly or partially from waste products. The diesel engines of the test train have coped successfully with this new fuel and did not require any technical alterations. Preparations for implementing green diesel on a larger scale on regional services in Baden-Württemberg are currently under way.
Since there is no universal solution as to how conventional diesel is best replaced, DB is testing not just alternative fuels but alternative traction power. Some hybrid vehicles are already in use. There will be battery-powered trains that can recharge their batteries on short stretches of overhead line. More trains powered by hydrogen are also in planning.
Deutsche Bahn, the federal government and the state governments will invest a total of 12.7 billion euros in Germany's rail network in 2021.
Deutsche Bahn and SCNF have signed a cooperation agreement on digitalisation and technology to help drive ahead the European rail sector.
Deutsche Bahn's head of digitalisation and technology, Prof. Sabina Jeschke, is leaving the railway company in May 2021.
Germany has suffered some severe winter weather in February, with heavy snowfall across much of the country, affecting the railway too.
Coca-Cola is partnering with DB Cargo to transport its goods for all long-distance journeys in Germany to become a greener business.
The rail link to Bucharest's airport is complete. There is a new station at T1, connecting passengers to the city centre in 20 minutes.
Alstom is to equip 13 DB Cargo locomotives, type EG3100, with its ETCS solution. They will operate in Germany, Denmark and Sweden.
Siemens Mobility will supply 31 regional trains for the passenger network in Bavaria. The order comprises 25 Desiro HC and 6 Mireo trainsets.
Siemens Mobility has won its biggest-ever service contract from Deutsche Bahn. It is to revise 40 ICE 4 trains, with an option for 50 more.
Following clearance from the European Commission, the German transport ministry is funding ERTMS for rolling stock for the first time.
There will be new international night trains in Europe from 2021, as agreed by the bosses of Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, OEBB and SBB.
Bombardier has won a contract to modernise the 430 and 423 fleets for S-Bahn Stuttgart, which is operated by DB Regio.
DB Cargo is trialling automatic shunting locomotives and automating brake inspections at its shunting yard in Munich-North.
Deutsche Bahn and Siemens Mobility launch the H2goesRail partnership to trial a hydrogen train (Mireo Plus H) and refuelling infrastructure.
Deutsche Bahn has become a member of the US High Speed Rail Association, which aims to promote support for high-speed rail in America.
Deutsche Bahn updated its vegetation management programme in 2018, investing more money and personnel and cutting storm damage by 25 percent.
Deutsche Bahn has completed the migration of all of its IT to the cloud, a project begun in 2016 and completed two years ahead of schedule.
Deutsche Bahn International Operations, as part of a consortium has won a major rail freight line operating contract in Uruguay.
Deutsche Bahn has announced it is opening a new maintenance facility for ICE trains in Nuremberg. It is due to be ready in 2028.
The last of the 50 12-car ICE 4 trains has been delivered to Deutsche Bahn and underwent a naming ceremony in Dusseldorf.
Deutsche Bahn has launched Europe's largest rolling wifi network, [email protected], covering more than 100 stations, all ICE and some regional trains.
A look back at InnoTrans 2000 and a couple of its main attractions on the bigger Outdoor Display: the ICE TD and Alstom Lirex.
VTG and DB Cargo have presented their new m2 – modular and multi-functional – freight wagon, following several years of working together.
Deutsche Bahn has signed a framework agreement with Siemens Mobility for up to 400 Vectron dual mode locomotives. First order: 100 units.
DB has premiered the first trial of digital automatic coupling technology for its freight wagons in a project that will run until 2022.
Deutsche Bahn is partnering with LiveEO to use satellite images and AI to generate data about trees' resiliance to storms.
A collaboration between DB and TU Chemnitz will establish a digital railway test site to test future technologies in live conditions.
The German Ministry of Transport has launched a project to test and certify digital automatic coupling. A DB-led consortium will run it.
Deutsche Bahn (DB) has ordered 30 new ICE trains from Siemens Mobility. The first are to enter service in 2022, all by 2026.
Germany is investing almost €0.5 billion in the upgrade of the Berlin-Szczecin railway line. It will be fully double track and electrified.
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is expanding its programme to paint rails white as a way of keeping them cool and protecting the steel from the heat.
Deutsche Bahn has equipped 28,000 points with sensors turning them into smart points. These points enable predictive maintenance.
Deutsche Bahn says that despite the coronavirus pandemic less than 1 percent of rail infrastructure works have been cancelled or postponed.
Deutsche Bahn has reached a coronavirus agreement with the German government, union, works council and employers' association.
From June Deutsche Bahn will run train services into all neighbouring countries again, following a gradual resumption in May.
Deutsche Bahn reduced its timetable significantly during the coronavirus pandemic. DB Regio services are now back up to 90 percent.
DB Cargo creates new department of Marketing and Transport Policy and appoints former marketing chief of BVG, Martell Beck as its new head.
Deutsche Bahn is continuing its recruitment efforts despite the coronavirus pandemic but has shifted to digital interviews and training.
Passenger rail services between Austria and Italy have been suspended until further notice as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
By the end of 2020 all DB Cargo freight cars will have composite brakes (quiet brakes) in line with new regulations governing rail noise.
Deutsche Bahn, the EU and the German government are investing money to electrify the Oldenburg-Wilhelmshaven line and make it double-track.
The Sggrs80 articulated flat cars UWC is manufacturing for Deutsche Bahn have successfully passed their standard gauge track testing.
DB's supervisory board has extended Martin Seiler's contract until December 2025. Due to end in 2020, it will now run for a further 5 years.
DB Regio Mitte is modernising 54 Bombardier Twindexx double-decker trains as part of its contract to operate the Frankfurt-Limburg route.
Alstom has won a contract with Deutsche Bahn to equip 19 ICE 1 trains with its ETCS solution. It will complete the works by September 2021.
The VBB has awarded a contract to Siemens Mobility for 18 three-car Mireo electric multiple units, which will enter service in 2022.
DB Engineering & Consulting and Ukrainian Railways have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to modernise operations and rail services.
DB will put the first Stadler KISS double-decker trains into service (IC2) on 8 March. It purchased them from Westbahn (Austria) last year.
Deutsche Bahn is halting the acceptance of the remaining 25 IC2 trains from its order with Bombardier following grave operating problems.
DB will make a 12.2 billion euro infrastructure investment in 2020, improving tracks, bridges, signalling equipment and stations.
DB Cargo is purchasing 50 Toshiba hybrid locomotives to reduce its carbon footprint. They will save 1 million litres of diesel per year.
Deutsche Bahn will feed solar power directly into its traction power network with a new solar park measuring 70 football pitches in size.
A new German-Swiss agreement to develop interconnected infrastructure projects to encourage a shift to rail and maritime transport.
Deutsche Bahn has opened a new training centre in Cologne, where it will train new apprentices and upskill its existing workforce.
The Deutsche Bahn supervisory board has agreed a €100m investment in 30 new trains. Dr Sigrid Nikutta, head of BVB, will join DB in 2020.
The Berlin Wall came down 30 years ago, on 9 November 1989. After German Unity, the government implemented major transport projects.
Deutsche Bahn is transforming its rail network with digital signal boxes. The first regulating a long-distance route has entered service.
Germany will cut VAT on long-distance rail journeys to 7%, down from the current 19%. It will also increase taxes on air passengers.
Alstom has been awarded the contract to retrofit 17 ICE 3 trains with its Atlas ETCS solution in a contract worth more than 30 million euros.
Deutsche Bahn is experimenting with white rails to reduce the temperature of the steel, thereby avoiding stress on the rails in extreme heat.
Deutsche Bahn has established Digitale Schiene Deutschland GmbH to drive forward the digital transformation in the rail industry.
Deutsche Bahn is investing in hybrid technology for its maintenance fleets and shunting locomotives to reduce its environmental impact.
Deutsche Bahn (DB) have renewed their commitment to green energy across the network by signing an agreement with the Nordsee Ost wind farm.
Deutsche Bahn has completed the 2020 timetable for its network after having received more than 72,000 applications for track access slots.
Deutsche Bahn says it will halve its use of glyphosate in 2020 and instead focus on more mechanical, manual options for removing weeds.
DB Cargo says its entire fleet of 68,000 freight cars will be digital by 2020. The freight cars will be equipped with GPS and sensors.
The flat cars Deutsche Bahn ordered from UWC are undergoing testing to ensure they are fit for purpose prior to certification.
Deutsche Bahn is investing in Swiss start-up Teralytics, which analyses passenger behaviour using big data gathered from mobile phones.
The Railway-News Industry Insider week 30: Deutsche Bahn resumes acceptance of ICE 4 trains, purchased 17 new double-decker trains and more.
Deutsche Bahn is speeding up the development of its long-distance services and has made a quick decision to purchase 17 double-decker trains.
Siemens, Bombardier and Deutsche Bahn have come to an agreement regarding the ICE 4 fleet. DB will resume acceptance of the fleet right away.
The Railway-News Industry Insider week 28: Alstom supplies final 'Jazz' train, traction systems for 222 metro cars and delivers training.
Deutsche Bahn is now able to manufacture heavy components made of metal using 3D printing. A single component can weigh up to 17kg.
Etihad Rail Stage 2 Packages B & C have been awarded to China Railway Construction Corporation and Ghantoot Transport & General Contracting.
Stadler and DB Regio have signed a contract for 18 double-decker KISS trains, which will enter service in the Hamburg area in June 2022.
Bombardier Transportation's supervisory board has unanimously elected Professor Rüdiger Grube, formerly CEO of DB, its Chairman.
The German Ministry for Transport has held a rail summit focusing on digitalisation and the Deutschland-Takt timetable.
Deutsche Bahn celebrates Europe Day 2019 by illuminating Berlin Central Station. DB is evidence of the success of European collaboration.
The Railway-News Industry Insider week 17: a summary of the global rail news, including new rolling stock orders from Hungary and Canada.
Rail freight noise pollution is a major problem along busy lines. For International Noise Awareness Day DB has published its progress report.
The innovative freight car project, run by DB Cargo AG and VTG AG has concluded successfully, following 150,000km of active testing.
The new Berlin S-Bahn, built by Stadler, is undergoing testing in the Siemens Rail Vehicle Test Centre in Germany, the largest in the world.
The German and Dutch tranport ministries have voiced their support for improvements to be made to the Amsterdam-Berlin rail link.
Siemens and Bombardier must improve the ICE 4 car bodies. Deutsche Bahn's flagship high-speed trains do not meet quality standards.
Global railway news summary: our Industry Insider week 14, with rail news from Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Italy and the UK.
Deutsche Bahn participated in Earth Hour, plunging its major office buildings in Berlin, Frankfurt and Essen into darkness for one hour.
In the Industry Insider Week 13: Deutsche Bahn considers sale options for DB Arriva and Stadler wins its biggest vehicle order to date.
Deutsche Bahn is looking at options for a DB Arriva sale. The UK-based passenger transport company was fully acquired by DB in 2010.
DB is upgrading all of its InterCity 1 & 2 trains by 2021 to equip them with free wifi, a service already available on its ICE trains.
All the important news from the railway sector for week 11 of 2019 in the Railway-News Industry Insider, from rolling stock orders to signalling and more.
Deutsche Bahn and Talgo have unveiled the new ECx, a locomotive-hauled passenger train that will enter service in Germany in 2023.
Our Railway-News Industry Insider for 25 Feb–1 Mar 2019 featuring all the important news of the week in the rail sector from rolling stock to business news.
DB is to continue its record-breaking investments in Germany's rail network. It says it will funnel 10.7 billion euros into improving capacity and quality.
All the important rail news of the week, summed up for you in one place: our Railway-News Industry Insider for 4–8 February 2019.
Deutsche Bahn subsidiary DB Arriva has won its biggest rail contract in the Czech Republic to date. It will start operating four services in December 2019.
Talgo wins contract with Deutsche Bahn: the two companies have signed a framework agreement as well as a contract for 23 long-distance trains.
In order to develop digital technologies efficiently, Deutsche Bahn has launched its advanced TrainLab to allow their on-board testing.
All the important rail news of the week, summed up for you in one place: our Railway-News Industry Insider for 28 January–1 February 2019.
In 2019 DB wants to hire 22000 employees, including train drivers, traffic controllers, maintenance workers and service personnel.
All the important rail news of the week, summed up for you in one place: our Railway-News Industry Insider for 21–25 January 2019.
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