Premiere for future technology in rail freight transport: DB Cargo equips Europe's first locomotive for automated operation
The aim is to deploy the highly automated technology throughout Europe - automated driving makes better use of existing route capacities and increases quality and energy efficiency - one-year trial on the Dutch Betuwe route
For the first time in Europe, a freight locomotive has been converted for automated regular operation: DB Cargo has equipped the first mainline locomotive with state-of-the-art technologies for Automatic Train Operation (ATO) and Remote Train Operation (RTO) at its Cologne-Gremberg plant. Europe's largest rail freight operator, together with the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and partners Hitachi Rail and Remoot, has thus reached an important milestone in a pioneering pilot project. The aim is clear - ATO and RTO are to make rail freight transport more efficient, flexible and competitive throughout Europe.
The project is part of the federal programme ‘Zukunft Schienengüterverkehr zur Förderung von Innovationen’ (Future of rail freight transport to promote innovation), with which the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) aims to accelerate the development and timely market launch of innovative technologies in freight transport and thus increase rail's market share of freight transport in Germany. This project received federal funding totalling 18.86 million euros.
From October 2025, a one-year test phase will begin on the Dutch Betuweroute - one of the most important and modern freight transport routes in Europe. In ATO operation, the locomotive will automatically accelerate, drive, brake and stop. Safety remains the top priority: a train driver remains on board, supplemented by a centralised remote monitoring and control team. During the trial operation, journeys with different wagon types and loading scenarios will be considered - from heavy bulk goods wagons to partially filled tank wagons. In addition, the combination of ATO and RTO technologies will be trialled in the open network for the first time.
Dr Sigrid Nikutta, Member of the Management Board for Freight Transport at Deutsche Bahn AG and Chairwoman of the Management Board of DB Cargo AG: "Automated, i.e. self-propelled locomotives use the tracks more efficiently - this is how we create more capacity and better quality in rail freight transport. The premiere of this automated locomotive in the Cologne-Gremberg marshalling yard is an important step for the future of European rail freight transport."
"DB Cargo and rail freight transport are crucial to the success of the transport transition and therefore essential in the fight against climate change. Shifting freight to rail is the biggest and most effective lever for reducing CO2 and relieving our roads." - Dr. Sigrid Nikutta,
Federal Minister of Transport Patrick Schnieder (CDU): "Innovations are the driving force behind modern, intelligent and efficient rail freight transport. Automated driving relieves the burden on employees and creates sustainable jobs. This is exactly what we need to counter the shortage of skilled labour and demographic change, which of course does not stop at rail freight transport. With this project, we are doing pioneering work in this regard for the entire rail freight transport sector in Europe."
The automation of train operations will shift more freight from road to rail, making it a key lever for climate-friendly logistics in Europe. DB Cargo is thus consistently driving forward digitalisation and automation in rail freight transport and making an important contribution to the transport and climate transition.
Last updated July 23, 2025
Translated with DeepL.com (free version) from
Pictures from
