Missing link: Digital signal boxes in Norway – A role model for Germany?
Norway wants to digitize its rail network and is relying on a German manufacturer. heise online took a look at the first section without signals.
Press visit to Jaren station (Jaren Stasjon)
(Image: Andreas Sebayang/heise online)
When it comes to the digitalization of the railways, Norway wants to be at the forefront. Together with Siemens Mobility, Bane Nor, which is responsible for the Norwegian railroad infrastructure, wants to convert the entire railroad network to a modern platform. Light signals are to disappear and be replaced by electronically transmitted signals. The same applies to the entire train control system. At the invitation of Bane Nor and Siemens Mobility, heise online was able to take a look at the system, which has already been in use for over 100 days.
The relevant abbreviations here are ETCS – European Train Control System – and ERTMS – European Railway Traffic Management System. The latter includes ETCS, but also GSM-R for train radio and simply a system for managing the whole thing.
ERTMS is an IT project
Norway's modernization plan is therefore a gigantic IT project that covers almost the entire country. Why almost? Because part of the Norwegian rail network can only be reached from Sweden and must therefore be considered somewhat more independently. For the sake of simplicity, we will omit the railroad line between Kiruna in Sweden and Narvik in Norway in the far north of the country. Siemens does not show this section in its graphics either, although Bane Nor naturally has Narvik in mind.
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So it's all about the major railroad, which includes Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger as well as the network towards Bodø north of the Arctic Circle in the Northern Hemisphere. The network is rather small. Siemens Mobility is to equip a total of 4,169 kilometers of track with ERTMS/ETCS Level 2 Baseline 3.6. The light signals will then disappear and be displayed on the train monitors. Only 337 km are double track.
A first line has been in operation since November 2024. ETCS Level 2 Baseline 3.6 is already in operation on part of the Gjøvikbanen, between Roa and Gjøvik north of Oslo.
