Aalborg-Frederikshavn receives interim signalling system

New 'temporary' signalling equipment is being installed between Aalborg and Frederikshavn ahead of the planned rollout of European Rail Traffic Management System from 2016.
The existing equipment is said to be obsolete and increasingly hard to maintain (in common with many similar installations from the late 1960s/early 1970s). A consortium of CactusUniView and Bravida are replacing the existing system with a PC-based equivalent, and installation is due to be completed in November 2011.

DSB sets record punctuality level of 93.7%

DSB staff are celebrating a monthly punctuality record for long distance and regional trains of 93.7% of trains arriving on time - the highest figure since operational performance has been measured.

Traffic Manager Stig Friisbæk says 'hard and focused work every day' is responsible for the upswing in punctuality, allied with a close working relationship between DSB and Banedanmark staff. "We have a good work ethic and spirit," he adds.

Director of Traffic Planning Ove Dahl Kristensen was also delighted with the performance: "Banedanmark should definitely have a lot of credit for it here. Fewer local speed reductions due to improved rail has been the main reason for the great result. Meanwhile, the very close cooperation established between Banedanmark and DSB has provided fantastic results."

DSB acknowledges that it will be hard to maintain this level of performance, with the annual leaf fall season beginning to get underway, and long range predictions of a harsh winter.

"Very close cooperation between Banedanmark and DSB has provided fantastic results." Director of Traffic Planning Ove Dahl Kristensen. Image courtesy of DSB/Sine Fiig

 DSB train punctuality, September 2006-10. Image courtesy of DSB

Cable thieves target Sønderborg

Copper prices of DKK40 per kg have encouraged thieves to steal overhead power cables at the recently reopened Sønderborg station - even though they are electrified at 25kV.

Although such cable theft is not unknown in other European countries it remains comparatively rare in Denmark. Banedanmark believes the stolen cable may be being sold abroad and is appealing for witnesses.

The full press statement (in Danish) is here.

Bids submitted for S-banen resignalling

Invensys Rail has submitted its bid for the massive S-banen resignalling project. The company was unable to reveal further details of it's bid, which is being evaluated against competing offers from four other groups, but the company has a growing portfolio of similar projects under way around the world, including Singapore, Sao Paulo, Madrid and London.

Banedanmark expects to announce the winner of the contract in the second quarter of 2011.