DB & Alstom: Remote-Controlled Train Shunting Trial Success in Germany

Deutsche Bahn and Alstom successfully demonstrated remote-controlled train shunting in Munich, using 5G. This tech boosts efficiency, offering digital upgrades for existing fleets.

January 29, 2026 6:39 pm

🛑 Key Takeaways:

Deutsche Bahn and Alstom successfully demonstrated Germany’s first remote-controlled shunting for a commuter train in a Munich depot.
The entire system, including a local 5G network and control centre, was deployed in four months on an existing S-Bahn train.
The technology is designed for retrofitting, potentially enabling digitalized operations for hundreds of existing Alstom-built trains in Germany.

MUNICH, GERMANY – Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Alstom have completed the first customer-operated remote driving trial on a commuter train in Germany, using a 5G network to control shunting movements in a Munich S-Bahn depot from a distant command centre. The 29 January 2026 demonstration confirmed the technical viability of digitalizing depot operations to increase speed and efficiency.

Category	Specification / Detail
Project	Remote-Controlled Depot Shunting Demonstration
Location	Munich S-Bahn Depot, Germany
Key Stakeholders	Deutsche Bahn (Operator), Alstom (Technology Provider)
Core Technology	Local 5G Campus Network, Remote Operation Centre, Generic Driving Interface
Implementation Timeframe	4 months
Applicable Fleet	Several hundred Alstom train series in Germany (existing and new)

Operational & Technical Details

The demonstration involved an operator in a Remote Operation Centre controlling an S-Bahn commuter train. The system functions as a “human-in-the-loop” solution, replicating the driver’s cab functions at a remote workstation. Alstom’s architecture links the train’s legacy Train Control and Management System (TCMS) to a modern, standardized interface.

This connection transmits control commands and receives status information in real-time over a dedicated 5G campus network. Onboard cameras and sensors provide the remote operator with the necessary situational awareness for safe shunting manoeuvres. The use of a generic driving interface ensures the solution can be adapted across different train types, not just the specific model used in the trial.

Market Impact Analysis

This successful trial positions Alstom to capitalize on the significant market for digital retrofits on existing rolling stock. By proving its technology can be rapidly deployed on legacy fleets, Alstom strengthens its competitive position against rivals in the rail digitalization sector. For operators like Deutsche Bahn, the technology offers a direct path to optimizing depot logistics, reducing staff workload, and increasing the velocity of train preparation and stabling processes.

The project’s success serves as a critical proof-of-concept for wider deployment across Germany’s extensive S-Bahn networks. It signals a move toward more automated rail operations, mirroring similar remote-control trends in complex industrial sectors like offshore energy and logistics. This technology could become a standard requirement for future fleet procurements and a key upgrade for mid-life fleet modernizations.

FAQ: Quick Facts

What is the main value of this project?

The project demonstrates that remote-controlled shunting can significantly speed up depot processes and improve operational efficiency. Its adaptability to existing train fleets is a key value proposition.

How long did the system take to implement?

The entire system, including the 5G network, control centre, and onboard technology, was installed and implemented in four months.