There are problems with the ETCS system on the new Wendlingen-Ulm line. This morning there were significant delays, trains were diverted. A train driver apologized.
Trains from Ulm could not run on the new line between Wendlingen (Esslingen district) and Ulm as planned on Monday. According to the German Press Agency, passengers were therefore stuck in a tunnel for a long time. The reason was apparently problems with the European Train Control System (ETCS).
Problems with ETCS again?
“We cannot dial in on the new route,” said a train driver, according to information from the dpa. This means that problems with the ETCS train control system appear to have recurred on the new line, which, according to SWR information, had already caused problems for train traffic on the previous day. The train drivers have to dial into the ETCS in order to be able to drive on the new line.
So far, there have only been test and special trips: Since Sunday, regular trains have been running on the Wendlingen-Ulm rapid transit route. Not everything went according to plan.
On Monday morning, trains in the direction of Stuttgart had to be routed back to Ulm and diverted via the old, slower route over the Alb. As a result, trains were sometimes more than an hour late.
“On the first day we feel sorry for ourselves.”
As compensation, passengers who were stuck in a tunnel for a long time were offered a free hot drink.
Bahn: Operator error by a train driver – trains are now back on schedule
Deutsche Bahn blames the operating error of a train driver for the delays on the route between Ulm and Stuttgart. So the train had to turn back. The new line was therefore blocked for almost two hours. Several regional and long-distance trains would have had to be diverted via the old route. The trains are now running according to plan again.
Background: Problems with ETCS
According to information from the SWR from Bahnkreisen, there are three possible causes for the problems, of which at least two have probably occurred:
* The test dial-in to ETCS between Augsburg and Ulm or between Stuttgart and Plochingen does not work, which means that the train has to use the old Filstal route.
* The trial dial-in to ETCS works, so the train drives onto the new line, but cannot finally dial into ETCS there. This stops the train. The train then has to reverse, which is also referred to as “resetting” in technical jargon.
* There are obviously also problems logging out of ETCS. If a train comes from Ulm to the new line, it can happen that it cannot switch from the ETCS system to the old PZB system before Wendlingen. This leads to the train stopping and driving commands also having to be written. In this case, trains can continue with a maximum speed of 50 and a special permit until the registration finally works – in the worst case, it only works in Stuttgart.
New line: in regular operation since Sunday
On Friday, representatives of politics and the railways inaugurated the new line, which cost around four billion euros. It has been in regular operation with the new timetable since Sunday. Since this Monday, the fast connection between Wendlingen (Esslingen district) and Ulm has been used for the first time in rush hour traffic. An ICE train runs hourly on the new line between Stuttgart and Ulm and vice versa.
On December 11, after ten years of construction, the new Wendlingen – Ulm line goes into operation. Here you will find information about the opening, what is changing for travelers and much more.