Danish Electrification

[melon68]

I have just returned from Denmark and I made a return trip from Copenhagen Airport to Aarhus by diesel traction, the trains were reasonably fast but still a type of DMU. The line appeared to be electrified all the way to the outskirts of Aarhus although there is lots of rebuilding work in the station so no overhead wires. Does anyone know when the electric trains will start running? I saw very few until Ringsted, and then mostly EMUS running suburban services plus a couple of DB/DSB international trains that were electrically hauled.

 

[Gloster]

It is due to be completed from Fredericia to Aalborg Lufthavn at the end of next year, although that isn’t guaranteed. This is seen as two projects, but with completion at the same time.

 

[andersj]

Yes, Fredericia-Aarhus-Aalborg Airport will open for electric trains in December 2026. The rebuilding of Aarhus H lasts almost two years to lower the tracks in the station to allow space for the wires, but a lot of other works are also being done with platform extensions and new track layouts.

The only problem is that with the Coradia Stream delays there won't be any more electric trains available in December 2026, so diesel trains will continue until they can get replaced by Coradia Stream.

 

[popeter45]

DSB still run alot of electric capable service with DMU's due to lack of electric traction
for years the 6hr Hamburg-Copenhagen trains were IC3 units until the Vectron locomotives arrived, even after the ferry service was stopped and they switches to the Mainland route

 

[Gloster]

DSB still run alot of electric capable service with DMU's due to lack of electric traction
for years the 6hr Hamburg-Copenhagen trains were IC3 units until the Vectron locomotives arrived, even after the ferry service was stopped and they switches to the Mainland route

Up until the through trains were diverted away from the Femer Bælt to the Padborg route much of the line was non-electrified. Even after the sleepers were diverted that way, they had to change locos at Padborg as neither DB or DSB had suitable bi-current locos. Although DSB has had its Class EB bi-current locos since 2020, it didn’t have a fleet of suitable coaches and so had to keep using the IC3, some of which are Indusi-fitted, on the Padborg route; they had previously worked the services via the Femer Bælt. DSB‘s traction and rolling-stock policy has not recovered from the IC4 debacle.

 

[JonasB]

The only problem is that with the Coradia Stream delays there won't be any more electric trains available in December 2026, so diesel trains will continue until they can get replaced by Coradia Stream.

Which is in 2027, according to the current plan. And assuming they get approval.

 

[MrJeeves]

For those interested in the rollout of both major electrification and also in-cab signalling (ERTMS/ETCS) in Denmark, Kenny's Film has a good video on the first stage of the rollout (ERTMS between Aarhus and Aarhus Airport). He also goes into the lowering of the tracks at Aarhus to fit the the wires in.

It's in Danish, but with manually translated subtitles so quite watchable.

 

[Gloster]

For those interested in the rollout of both major electrification and also in-cab signalling (ERTMS/ETCS) in Denmark, Kenny's Film has a good video on the first stage of the rollout (ERTMS between Aarhus and Aarhus Airport). He also goes into the lowering of the tracks at Aarhus to fit the the wires in.

It's in Danish, but with manually translated subtitles so quite watchable.

That should be Aalborg Airport, which gained a station on a new short branch from the old main line north of Aalborg in 2020. Aarhus Airport is out in the middle of nowhere north-east of the city.