Rail Transport in Denmark Train Network

Rail Transport in Denmark Train Network

Rail Transport in Denmark Train Track Gauges

Banedanmark is in charge of 2,045 km of railway lines, which do not include the lines controlled by private railways. All Danish railways are 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) (standard gauge), with the exception of a few narrow gauge museum railways, 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) gauge was previously common on branch lines, with 700 mm (2 ft 3+9⁄16 in) being prevalent on industry railways, such as those for transporting sugar beets or even calcium, coal, peat and many other things as well. The narrow gauge lines generally disappeared during the 1950s and 1960s.

The maximum speed allowed on main lines is generally 180 km/h, with less trafficked lines usually allowing between 75 and 120 km/h, the speed may be lowered in places due to the condition of the track. While wooden sleepers are used on sidings and branch lines, concrete sleepers are the norm on all main lines, the common two-block concrete sleepers are now being phased out in favour of monoblock ones.

The age of the tracks in Banedanmark's network has become increasingly problematic in later years. A 2002/03 analysis of Banestyrelsen's (now Banedanmark) network states that the average age of the track is too high, with a present average age of 24 years compared to the recommended 20 years.

Banedanmark also owns the S-train lines, but does not own every railway in the country. It does not own local railways around Hillerød, Zealand (such as the Frederiksværk Line and Gribskov Line) and the East Line, Odsherred Line, Tølløse Line, (Thy Line, Lemvig Line, Aarhus Letbane Jutland) and Copenhagen Metro.

Rail Transport in Denmark Electrification

General-purpose electric propulsion was adopted quite recently in Denmark, the political decision to electrify the main lines was made in 1979. The first line to be electrified was Copenhagen–Helsingør, electrified in 1986, followed by the main line across Zealand, Funen and Southern Jutland in the 1980s–90s. On the main lines that are equipped with them, the overhead lines carry 25 kV AC at 50 Hz. The system is used on the main line from Sweden through Copenhagen to Fredericia, and from there to Padborg and the German border. Both Sweden and Germany use 15 kV at 162⁄3 Hz and 16.7 Hz respectively, and the multi-system class EG goods locomotive is equipped for both 25 and 15 kV.

The S-train network in Copenhagen operates at 1650 V DC, supplied from overhead lines, it was the first electric network in Denmark, electrified around 1930. The newer Copenhagen Metro uses 750 V DC, supplied from a third rail.

Since there are heavy delays of several years with the construction of the new IC4 diesel multiple units, many commentators argue that it is better to electrify major railways and purchase electric multiple units instead, since that is a more common product. At least the route Fredericia-Ålborg must be electrified in order to run electric passenger trains between Jutland and Copenhagen. The route between Kolding-Esbjerg was due to be to open for electric trains in 2015. The government has in 2009 decided to delay all electrification for several years until the new signal system ERTMS is introduced, since electrification earlier than that requires rebuilding of the existing signal system.

In September 2013 the government reached a deal with the Danish People's Party and the Red-Green Alliance (Denmark) to use additional oil taxes to create a train fund. This train fund would be used to electrify all of the main line trains by 2025, and increase train speeds to 250 kilometres per hour (160 mph) for InterCity trains. This would allow for travel between the cities of Copenhagen, Odense, Esbjerg, Aarhus, and Aalborg in four hours.

On 29 May 2015 Banedanmark announced a 2.8 billion DKK (€375 million) contract to have Aarsleff-Siemens electrify 1300 km of tracks before 2026.

Danish State Railways received a €500 million loan in 2022 from the EIB to purchase 100 new electric trains, to replace diesel-powered trains for more sustainable passenger traffic. The Coradia Stream train sets are to be delivered from 2025.

Rail Transport in Denmark Safety and Signalling

Rail Transport in Denmark S-train

HKT, which was introduced in 1975 and utilised cab signalling, was used on the S-train network, although a simplified version, "forenklet HKT" (F-HKT), was used on some of the lines.

The S-train network was to be refitted with the CBTC system, which allows driverless trains, by 2020. The migration to CBTC was completed by 2022.


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)