Danish rail infrastructure manager, Banedanmark, will carry out track reconstruction and renewal on the 67 km Skjern – Holstebro railway to prepare the line for the introduction of Mireo Plus B battery trains manufactured by Siemens Mobility.
The track reconstruction is scheduled to begin on March 1 and will involve the replacement of rails, sleepers, and ballast across a significant portion of the section. In addition to these upgrades, an essential aspect of the project is preparing the track to accommodate battery-powered trains. These trains, while more climate and environmentally friendly than their diesel counterparts, are notably heavier, requiring further adjustments to ensure the infrastructure can support their operation.
“The track is getting worn out, and the track renewal contributes to a more stable and comfortable train operation. The risk of errors in the track is significantly reduced when the track is new, and at the same time we are preparing the section for the climate-friendly battery trains of the future. The carrying capacity of the track will be improved, and in parallel with the work on the track, we will establish the charging facilities necessary for the battery trains to charge,” the project manager, Morten Sylvest Hansen, said.
Work also includes construction of new platforms, bridge renewal be carried out at Tim Å bridge and Store Å bridge, nine switches will be replaced and level crossing adaptation on the line between the two Jutland cities. 16 level crossings will be renewed, and three passenger crossings are getting new surface. At the Lem station Banedanmark is building new platforms and upgrading the drainage system and at the stations in Lem, Ringkøbing, Ulfborg and Vemb, the tracks are also being re-laid to make traffic flow easier.
Three passenger crossings at Lem, Vemb and Ringkøbing stations are being renewed.
The entire track reconstruction takes place in three stages and will last until July when trains can operate the line. During this period, the trains will be replaced by train buses. At the same time as the track renewal, Banedanmark is establishing charging facilities in Skjern and Holstebro, after which Midtjyske Jernbaner can deploy battery trains on the line.
Skjern – Holstebro railway will be the first on the Denmark railway network to be ready for battery trains, following the major track reconstruction and establishment of charging facilities for Midtjyske Jernbaner’s new trains.
In addition, the route will be upgraded to accommodate the heavier battery trains, which have an axle load of 22.5 tonnes. The current route can handle an axle load of 17.5 tonnes.
In May 2022, Midtjyske Jernbaner, the public transport company in the Central Jutland region, awarded Siemens Mobility a contract to supply 7 battery powered Mireo Plus B trains. The train can accommodate 120 seated passengers and are able to run at 140 km/h with a range of around 80 kilometers when in battery operation. This is the first contract for battery powered rail in Denmark and is part of a pilot project to replace all diesel trainsets throughout the country.
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