Rail Transport in Denmark Main Lines

Rail Transport in Denmark Main Lines

Main lines were equipped with the ATC safety system during the 1990s, with a partial, cheaper implementation, ATC train stop, being used on some (but not all) branch lines.

Denmark has its own ATC system (ZUB 123), not compatible with other countries. It is a modification of the Swiss system. Trains crossing the border to Sweden or Germany have to have two ATC systems, and handle two electrical supply systems.

In order to replace the different and aging signal systems, it has been decided to replace all current signal systems on Banedanmark's active network, except the S-train lines, with ERTMS level 2, relying entirely on cab signalling, general rollout is scheduled for 2018–21.

In October 2023, the migration to ERTMS was scheduled to complete by 2030.

Rail Transport in Denmark Safety Record

Serious incidents on Denmark's railways have been rare. The six most serious are:

• 1897: The Gentofte train crash. A delayed local train was hit by a special train. 40 were killed and 132 were injured in the accident.
• 1913: The Bramminge train accident. An express train became derailed near Bramming. 15 were killed, including Peter Sabroe, and 54 injured.
• 1919: The Vigerslev train crash. An express train from Korsør drove violently into five wagons at Vigerslev. The train was stationary due to an emergency application of the brakes and reversing to retrieve a child who had fallen onto the rails. 40 died and 30 were severely injured.
• 1967: The Odense express train accident. An express train hit another outside Odense. 11 people died while 47 were injured in the accident.
• 1988: The 1988 Sorø derailment. A train ran off the rails at high speed at Sorø. Eight people died and 72 were injured.
• 2019: The Great Belt Bridge rail accident. A passenger train collided with a semi-trailer from a passing freight train. Eight people died and 16 were injured.

Rail Transport in Denmark Future Expansion

As part of ongoing plans for high-speed rail in Denmark, new corridors and lines are or were being planned.

• Vestfyn Line between Odense and Kauslunde

As of 2023, still planned. Originally slated for construction from 2023. Like the Copenhagen–Ringsted Line, the Vestfyn Line will be built to allow speeds of up to 250 km/h, and while DSB does not have any trains capable of operating above 200 km/h nor any plans to acquire such, the Swedish State Railways (SJ) has ordered 250 km/h-capable trains and has expressed interest in operating intercity trains via the line.

• A new Hovedgård-Hasselager line.

Professor Otto Anker Nielsen estimated in 2023 that this project could be started between 2035 and 2040. As of 2023, there is no political majority for the project.

Other regional rail plans include:

• A new Aarhus–Silkeborg line

As of 2023, the government was planning a single-track railway. Banedanmark is planning to have battery-driven trains use new 30 km section.

• A line to Billund

This proposal was scrapped in 2021.

ERTMS Rollout

ERTMS will be implemented on various sections of railway.

Rail Transport in Denmark Overview

Rail Transport in Denmark National Railway: DSB
Rail Transport in Denmark Infrastructure Company: Banedanmark
Rail Transport in Denmark Major Operators:
DSB
DB Cargo
Rail Transport in Denmark Ridership: 206,566,000 (2017)
Rail Transport in Denmark Passenger km: 6.653 billion (2016)
Rail Transport in Denmark Freight: 2.575 billion tkm (2016)
Rail Transport in Denmark System Length Total: 2,633 km (1,636 mi) (2022)
Rail Transport in Denmark Double Track: 1,098 km (682 mi)
Rail Transport in Denmark Electrified: 964 km (599 mi) as of Jan 1st 2023
Rail Transport in Denmark Freight Only: 4 km (2.5 mi)
Rail Transport in Denmark Track Gauge Main: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Rail Transport in Denmark Electrification:
Main Arteries: 25 kV 50 Hz: 474 km (295 mi) (2023)
1650 V DC (S-train): 171 km (106 mi) (2023)
750 V DC (Metro): 38 km (24 mi) (2023)
Light Rail (Aarhus, Odense, Copenhagen): 124 km (77 mi) (2023)
Rail Transport in Denmark No. Stations: 567 (2022)