In December 2021, Nykøbing Falster Station received new track switches. However, not all of them are functioning, leading to delayed departures.
A potential solution has been identified, but since it will only be implemented in 2025, train passengers must endure the delays a while longer.
This is reported by the professional journal Ingeniøren.
Extended approval procedure
The issue lies with the motor of the track switch, known as the switch drive. The moving parts do not push the rail far enough.
And although it’s only a matter of a few millimeters, it’s enough for the switches to not comply with Banedanmark’s tolerance regulations, as explained in the article.
The parts need to be replaced, but before this can happen, they must go through an extensive approval procedure. A process that is expected to be completed in about a year’s time.
The issue with “The English”
Since Nykøbing Falster Station got new track switches, Banedanmark and Alstom, the manufacturer and installer of the switches, have been working to get the parts to push far enough into the rail.
For several of the switches, this has been successful. But not for all.
The most complex switch, where train tracks intersect, has an embedded switch called an “English”. And it’s the “English” switches that are the last to cause problems. “English” switches are also called diamond switches due to their rhombus shape. The name refers to the fact that the first railways were established in England, and particularly advanced installations, such as a crossing switch, were deemed so complex that an English solution was required.
Mads Søndergaard, area manager at Banedanmark, explains to Ingeniøren that ten switch drives are being replaced at Nykøbing Falster Station.
