| The Lötschberg basic tunnel is equiped with European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). That allows trains to operate at 250 kph / 155 mph. Standard operation speed is 200 kph / 125 mph. The ETCS (European Train Control System) in the cab car shows the allowed 200 kph (red dot). With her 6100 kW power ouput, the pushing Re 460 reached 193 kph only, as there is the heavy double level coach train to be pushed up the 13 oo/o gradient of the southern ramp. The blue bar chart shows the allowed speed profil over a distance of 4000 m. If we have to brake down, a staircase shaped reduction will be shown on the ETCS to the engineer. The ETCS level 2 doesn't need any signals along the track as the communication is provided by a GSM-R mobile system, which shows driving permission and speeds directly to the engineers station. |