Alstom Launches 5G Remote Train Shunting For Existing Rolling Stock

Deutsche Bahn and Alstom conducted a demonstration of remote-controlled shunting with an S-Bahn commuter train on 29 January 2026. The operation took place at a depot in Munich, where the vehicle was manoeuvred from a distant command centre. A dedicated local 5G campus network was used for data transmission between the control station and the train.

The system architecture integrates with the train’s existing Train Control and Management System (TCMS) through a generic driving interface. An operator at a remote workstation receives real-time status information and video feeds from onboard cameras and sensors. Control commands are transmitted from the workstation to the train, replicating the functions of the driver’s cab in a human-in-the-loop configuration.

The complete system, including the control centre, onboard equipment, and the 5G network, was deployed over a four-month period. Alstom designed the technology for retrofitting onto existing rolling stock. The solution is applicable to several hundred train series built by the company that are currently in service across Germany.