Deutsche Bahn trains were paralyzed for over two hours due to a technical failure in the GSM-R communication system. The company restored service but warns of delays and cancellations until the following morning. Affected passengers can opt for taxis or hotel vouchers while the cause of the problem is investigated.
GSM-R: the Achilles' heel of the German railway network 🚆
The GSM-R system is a digital communications network specific to railways, based on the GSM standard but adapted to railway safety frequencies and protocols. It enables data transmission between trains and control centers, including emergency braking signals and speed control. A failure in this system leaves drivers without direct communication or traffic data, forcing the fleet to stop due to safety protocols. Deutsche Bahn is investigating whether it was a software error or a hardware failure.
Germany: where even trains take union breaks 😅
When German trains decide to go on strike on their own, no one informs the passengers. Two hours stranded while engineers searched for the GSM-R reset button. The funny thing is that the system failed on a Friday, just when everyone wants to escape the office. The company offers taxis and hotels, but many ended up knowing Frankfurt Airport better than their final destination. At least the carriages have good Wi-Fi to tweet the complaint.