Siemens Mobility, in a consortium with Leonhard Weiss, has been awarded a volume framework contract by Deutsche Bahn (DB) for the deployment of digital control and safety technology across Germany. Additionally, Siemens Mobility has been selected by HS2 to deliver signaling, power supply, and telecommunications systems for the UK’s high-speed rail network.
Deutsche Bahn’s digital rail expansion
Siemens Mobility, in partnership with the construction company Leonhard Weiss, has won a share of Deutsche Bahn’s (DB) first large-scale contract for modern railway control and safety technology. The contract, valued at approximately €2.8 billion for the consortium, is part of a broader €6.3 billion framework agreement designed to accelerate the rollout of digital signaling technology, including European Train Control System (ETCS) and modern Digital Interlockings (DSTW).
This long-term framework contract introduces a new procurement model in the German railway sector. Rather than issuing multiple individual contracts, DB has structured a single large-scale agreement with defined delivery and acceptance obligations. Siemens Mobility and Leonhard Weiss will provide standardized platform solutions with optimized interfaces, reducing project timelines from the typical eight years to just a few.
“The new award and contract model marks a paradigm shift for the rail industry,” said Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility. “It enables the industry to develop the resources necessary for modernizing Germany’s rail network. And thanks to its optimized interfaces, the contract will also make the implementation process much more efficient.”
The first call-offs under this framework agreement are expected in early 2025, with additional industry partners holding shares in the overall contract. The initiative supports Germany’s broader effort to modernize its railway network and improve operational efficiency through digitalization.
HS2 contracts for signaling, power supply, and telecommunications
Siemens Mobility has also secured four contracts for the UK’s high-speed rail project, HS2, with a total order value of approximately €670 million. These contracts cover signaling, high-voltage power supply, operational telecommunications, and an engineering management system.
For signalling, Siemens Mobility will implement ETCS Level 2 with wayside Automatic Train Operation (ATO) at Grade of Automation 2 (GoA2), a first for high-speed rail in the UK. The system will replace conventional signals with digital communication directly to train cabs, improving efficiency and safety. Siemens Mobility will provide technical support for at least 15 years.
A Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)-based Engineering Management System will be deployed to integrate real-time monitoring and control of railway equipment, optimizing maintenance planning and operations. Siemens Mobility has delivered similar systems for the Elizabeth Line and other major rail projects.
In collaboration with Costain, Siemens Mobility will design and install high-voltage power supply systems, including traction and non-traction substations. These will distribute electricity from the National Grid to HS2’s trains and infrastructure. Maintenance services for these power systems will continue for at least seven years.
For telecommunications, Siemens Mobility will install and maintain an Operational Telecommunications and Security System. Using the Global System for Mobile Communications-Railway (GSM-R), this will provide secure digital communication between drivers and control centers, with future compatibility for the upcoming Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS). Maintenance support will be provided for at least eight years.
HS2 is designed to enhance rail connectivity between London and the West Midlands, with potential extensions to the North West. The 225-kilometer high-speed line will integrate with the existing rail network, creating new travel opportunities for passengers and freight operators.
