New S-Bahn trains are being introduced in Germany featuring the latest generation of digital signalling and automation systems. Alstom 490 class trains being introduced onto the Hamburg S-Bahn network will feature the latest ETCS 3.2 and ATO technology.

Alstom is providing 64 of the new commuter trains to S-Bahn Hamburg GmbH, at a cost of around €500 million.

For the first time in Germany, S-Bahn trains will be equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS) Baseline 3 Release 2 and automated train operation (ATO) technology.

The order is Germany’s first implementation of ATO in automation level 2 (GoA 2) for new S-Bahn vehicles. S-Bahn Hamburg GmbH will also receive vehicles that meet the latest signalling technology. The trains will be delivered with Alstom’s intelligent onboard technology for ETCS as well as with integrated ATO software.

The new S-Bahn trains will be able to couple with the 82 Class 490 S-Bahn trains already in service.

Initially, Alstom will manufacture three vehicles that will undergo extensive testing and inspection, in particular for approval of their ETCS and ATO functionalities. Vehicle deliveries to Hamburg are scheduled for 2025 and 2026.

“We are delighted that S-Bahn Hamburg continues to rely on the 490 series trains. The comfortable vehicles are perfectly adapted to the requirements of the Hamburg S-Bahn network and will convince with an even more flexible space arrangement. Equipping the trains with the latest ETCS and ATO technology is a milestone on the path to the digitalisation of Hamburg’s rail traffic and we are proud to make a decisive contribution to this,” said Müslüm Yakisan, President of Alstom in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

“By equipping Hamburg’s new commuter trains with ETCS and ATO, Alstom is once again pioneering the field of rail digitalisation. Implementing this modern technology for series operation in such a large city represents an important step for the digitalisation and capacity increase of local transport systems in German conurbations,” said Michael Konias, Head of Digital & Integrated Systems at Alstom for Germany, Austria and Switzerland.