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Automated locomotive celebrates premiere: DB Cargo pushes ahead with automation & digitalization in freight transport

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10. July 2025, 13:18 o'Clock

Article: Automated locomotive celebrates premiere: DB Cargo pushes ahead with automation & digitalization in freight transport

More efficiency and more capacity: DB Cargo launches a new era in European rail freight transport

A significant step forward for rail freight transport: DB Cargo is the first company in Europe to equip a locomotive for automated track operation. The use of state-of-the-art technologies marks a decisive step towards digitalized and automated sustainable logistics.

The locomotive is equipped with two key technologies - Automatic Train Operation (ATO) for automated driving and Remote Train Operation (RTO) for remote control. This will enable it to cover long distances automatically in the future. During the journey, the technology takes over acceleration, braking and stopping. Safety is guaranteed at all times - by a train driver on board and a central remote monitoring and control team.

Start of the test phase on one of Europe's most modern freight lines

From October 2025, the one-year test phase will begin on the Dutch Betuweroute - an ultra-modern rail route specially designed for freight transport. The aim here is to further develop and optimize the technology in real-life operation.

Copyright: Oliver Lang

The Vectron is equipped with the ATO system.

The Vectron is equipped with the ATO system.

"Automated, namely self-propelled locomotives use the tracks more efficiently - this is how we create more capacity and better quality in rail freight transport. The premiere of this automated locomotive in the Cologne-Gremberg classification yard is an important step for the future of European rail freight transport.DB Cargo and rail freight transport are crucial to the success of the decarbonization of transport and therefore essential in the fight against climate change. After all, shifting freight to rail is the biggest and most effective lever for reducing CO₂ and relieving our roads," says Dr. Sigrid Nikutta, Member of the Management Board and CEO of DB Cargo AG.

A project with strong partners

The project was developed as part of the Federal Ministry of Transport's "Future Rail Freight Transport to Promote Innovation" program, which specifically supports technologies for greater efficiency, capacity and environmental friendliness. Together with partners such as the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Hitachi and Remoot, DB Cargo is working on making better use of existing line capacities and reducing energy consumption.

Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder underlines the importance of the project:"Innovations are the driving force behind modern, intelligent and efficient rail freight transport. Automated driving relieves the burden on employees and creates viable jobs for the future. This is exactly what we need in order to counter the staff shortage and demographic change, which of course does not stop at rail freight transport. With this project, we are doing pioneering work for the entire rail freight sector in Europe."

DB Cargo is thus consistently driving forward digitalization and automation in rail freight transport and making an important contribution to the transport and climate transition.