DANISH infrastructure manager Banedanmark has completed electrification at 25kv ac of the 24km line from Ringsted to Næstved.
“With the electrification of the section between Ringsted and Næstved, we are an important step closer to the goal of a fully electrified railway,” says Mr Benny Engelbrecht, minister of transport.
Electrification is part of the DKr 9.5bn ($US 1.47bn) project to rebuild the 115km Ringsted - Holeby line as part of the Danish hinterland upgrade. This involves upgrading the entire 89km Ringsted - Rødby line to connect with the upgraded line to Vordingborg and Nykøbing to Germany that will pass through a new tunnel beneath the Fehmarn.
Trains on the newly-electrified line will operate using Siemens Vectron electric locomotives, with DSB highlighting the environmental benefits this will bring. “When we have replaced all our old diesel locomotives with the new electric locomotives around the turn of the year, we will reduce CO2 emissions by 27,000 tonnes and particulate matter from train operations by 60% per year,” says DSB director of operations, Mr Per Schrøder.
Banedanmark is due to complete the first stage to upgrade the 75km line between Ringsted and Nykøbing Falster in December. After that, the infrastructure manager will continue to upgrade the 33km line between Nykøbing Falster and Rødby. The planned connection between Ringsted and Fehmarn is financed by A/S Femern Landanlæg and the European Union and is expected to be completed in 2029.
IRJ subscribers can read an in-depth feature on the Fehmarnbelt tunnel here.
For detailed data on rail projects from Europe and around the world, subscribe to IRJ Pro.
