According to the company, the train chaos on Tuesday evening was caused by a disruption in the railway radio.Image: keystone
Nothing worked on the train on Tuesday evening. A system that was supposed to ensure more security failed.
June 24, 2026, 3:17 amJune 24, 2026, 3:17 am
Thomas Wanhoff / t-online
According to the company, the train chaos on Tuesday evening was caused by a disruption in the railway radio. This is based on the GSM-R system (Global System for Mobile Communications – Railway), a digital mobile communications system developed specifically for railway transport. It was introduced in the mid-2000s and replaced analog radio connections.
It is based on the GSM standard for mobile communications, but has been adapted to the special requirements of rail operations. Train drivers, dispatchers and other operating departments communicate with each other via GSM-R. The system not only enables voice connections, but also group and emergency calls as well as the transmission of data for modern train control systems such as the European Train Control System (ETCS).
According to the railway company DB InfraGO, digital GSM-R train radio offers numerous advantages for rail operations. It enables communication between the employees involved and ensures a “high level of security” because the system works independently of public mobile networks and cannot be influenced by them. In addition, graded priorities for individual connections ensure that line and radio capacities remain available at all times, especially for emergency calls.
Video: twitter/Excision77
Used in numerous countries
GSM-R is of central importance for safe rail operations, as many operational processes are based on reliable communication between those involved. If the system fails, train drivers and dispatchers can no longer exchange important information or can only exchange it to a limited extent. For safety reasons, train services often have to be slowed down, restricted or even temporarily stopped in such cases. That happened on Tuesday, all trains were initially stopped briefly, then some were allowed to drive into train stations.
GSM-R is used in numerous countries around the world and forms an essential basis for cross-border rail traffic. In the long term, it is to be replaced by the more modern communication system FRMCS (Future Railway Mobile Communication System), which is based on next-generation mobile communications technologies.