Digital Rail Germany in the Ore Mountains: Test track reaches next milestone
26. March 2026
Digitale Schiene Deutschland aims to make rail transport more capable, reliable and ready for the future through modern control, signalling and communications technology. The Digital Rail Test Field in the Ore Mountains is an important location for this development. Here, new technologies are tested under real operating conditions on the railway, as well as in the laboratory. A central role is played by the future railway radio and data communications system FRMCS (Future Railway Mobile Communication System), which is based on 5G technology and is intended to succeed today’s GSM-R standard.
Another important milestone has now been reached on this test line: the station has been completed, the data centre installed and the current phase of trackside test infrastructure deployment concluded. MUGLER was once again involved in the technical implementation during this phase of the project. The images and video show the installation of the final antenna and work at Scheibenberg station, among other activities.
Current status of the test line
The current infrastructure comprises a total of seven equipment containers along the line. Their equipment varies according to the test configuration. Up to four antennas are planned per container, although the configuration differs between sites. As part of the 1900 MHz project, the infrastructure was prepared for further trials. This frequency band is particularly relevant to FRMCS, as the future system is intended to support transmissions at 1.9 GHz alongside other frequency bands. The Digital Rail Test Field provides a dedicated environment for testing these applications and preparing them for a subsequent rollout.
A distinctive feature of the project is the use of different types of equipment containers as test installations along the line. This enables practical evaluation of a range of structural and technical conditions. Ground conditions, available space, topography and other local factors can vary considerably from one site to another. These differences are essential to assessing how different infrastructure configurations perform under real-world conditions.
Looking ahead to further expansion
The next steps are already taking shape: an extension of the test line towards Schlettau is planned. This will include two additional sites, each with a steel platform, bored pile foundations and an antenna mast approximately 15 to 20 metres tall. The project is currently in the preparatory phase. MUGLER SE will also support the expansion during this next phase.
The test line in the Ore Mountains remains an important project for the future. It demonstrates how digital communications, new infrastructure and practical testing can work together to advance rail transport step by step. Findings from the test phase could later inform a large-scale rollout.