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Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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31st January, 2026

Commuter train operated remotely thanks to Alstom / DB partnership​

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Remote Operation Centre at Munich


On Thursday, 29th January, Alstom collaborated with German train operator Deutsche Bahn to demonstrate the remote operation of a commuter train.

The demonstration, carried out within the confines of a maintenance depot at Munich in Germany, was designed to show how digitising movements within a depot could significantly increase their speed and efficiency.

The technology is suitable for installation on both new and existing trains, and heralds the future of carrying out shunting remotely.
 
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During the demonstration at the Remote Operation Centre in Munich


An S-Bahn commuter mainline train was used for the demonstration.

It was driven from a remote operation centre and was the first time in Germany that a commuter train had been driven remotely in a real depot environment.

A generic driving interface, suitable for installation on different types of trains, connects the train to a remote workstation.

It reduces the need for staff to walk long distances and enables shunting movements to be carried out more efficiently.

The train is linked to the remote operation centre by bridging legacy train control systems (TCMS) with a modern, standardised interface for remote operation, which emulates the train’s existing TCMS.

The train used in the demonstration was fitted with extra cameras and sensors so that the remote operator was aware of the train’s situation whilst carrying out shunting movements.

Many types of Alstom trains, including several hundred in Germany, are suitable for deploying remote operation.

The successful demonstration of the system paves the way towards towards development of a prototype, and marks the future for digital operations in depot environments.
 
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The S-Bahn commuter mainline train used in the demonstration


Aymeric Sarrazin, President Digital & Integrated Systems, Alstom, commented that the technology brings the driver’s desk to the operator in the control centre and streamlines every movement in the depot.

Alstom values Deutsche Bahn’s collaboration and its confidence in implementing this test deployment.

Alstom also has experience in remote technology through its remote diagnostic system for predictive maintenance, which it is deploying in new Avelia Horizon double-decker TGV high-speed trains being built for French train operator SNCF.

In the UK, Celsa Steel in Cardiff already use remotely-controlled shunting locomotives, provided by GB Railfreight.,


“Shunting trains by remote control can reduce the workload for our employees and significantly speed up processes in our depots. In just four months, we have put the test system on the rails: from the local 5G network to the control centre and the technology in the train. This proves that technical innovations can also be realised with existing vehicles.”

Harmen van Zijderveld, DB Group Board Member for Regional Transport
 
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31st January, 2026

Yorkshire railway station restoration approaches completion​

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Scarborough's roof from inside the train shed


The £14m restoration of the Grade II-listed Scarborough station in Yorkshire is drawing to a close.

The new louvre window roof, restored masonry, and improved drainage systems are all nearing completion, while the waiting rooms and ticket office have also been refurbished.

The roof of the station was showing signs of leakage in the run-up to 2021, but due to the station’s listing and restrictions on funding, the restoration did not start until the spring of 2025.
 
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Restored roof at Scarborough Station


Being a seaside resort, the work on Scarborough station has involved using specific types of wood, paint and tiles so that they would not weather too quickly in the heavy, salty sea air.
 
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Scarborough’s new louvre windows


Above the roof, Network Rail employed the use of Hawks to deter the seagulls from nesting around the station while the work was being undertaken.

The new glass has enabled more light to shine through into the train shed onto the platforms.
 
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Scarborough view from the top of the clock tower


The last part of the work to be undertaken has received a £203k grant for the Railway Heritage Trust to restore the unique clock tower to its former glory, complete with a working timepiece.

The station’s restoration should be complete by April 1st 2026.


“We’ve made significant progress at Scarborough station, and it’s great to see the results taking shape.

“All of the new louvres are now installed, and the main trainshed roof has been fully repaired, repainted and fitted with a new lighting system that really enhances the space. While there’s still important work to complete in the ticket office, waiting area and on the clocktower, we remain on track to finish by 31 March.

Once we had full access with the scaffolding, it became clear there was a real opportunity to restore the clocktower to its former glory. Thanks to additional funding from the Railway Heritage Trust, we’ve been able to repair all four clock faces, fully refurbish the tower and finials, and upgrade the lighting.

The finish line is now in sight, and visitors will see a real difference both inside and outside the station, with the beautifully restored clocktower providing the crowning glory.”

Ann Shannon, scheme project manager for Network Rail
“We’re pleased to award one of our largest grants of recent years to the work which Network Rail and Colt Construction are undertaking at Scarborough.

Having seen at close hand the effect of the weather and pollution on the clocktower, we are determined to support the restoration of this impressive structure so that it can be appreciated by passengers and residents for generations to come.”

Tim Hedley-Jones, executive director of The Railway Heritage Trust
 
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