Romanian National Railways, CFR (Compania Naţională de Căi Ferate) has placed an order with the Transportation Systems Group (TS) of Siemens AG for the supply of type Simis W electronic interlockings. These interlockings are intended for seven stations to the northwest of Bucharest. The order is worth 45 million euro.

The Simis W interlockings will be installed in Ploiesti, about 50 kilometers north of the capital Bucharest, and in other Romanian cities in Corridor Four (Berlin/Nuremberg – Bucharest – Istanbul) of the trans-European railway network. This order calls for the conversion from the old relay technology to modern computer-controlled signaling systems that will ensure more flexible and economical railway operations. The new interlockings are due to enter service in 2007.

Simis W stands for “Fail-safe Microcomputer System from Siemens for the World Market”. The distinguishing characteristics of the system are cost-effectiveness and efficient operation combined with low life cycle costs. The modular system design is suitable for implementation as junction and line interlocking and permits interlocking adaptation to the operating require­ments of the individual railway companies and the line conditions. Integrated element inter­face modules reduce the investment costs for the operator.

This will not be the first Simis W interlocking to be installed by Siemens in Romania. The system commissioned in the junction station Ploiesti in November 2001 is also from Siemens and controls about 800 train and shunting routes, with more than 200 element interface modules, in everyday operation.

The Simis interlockings are developed and manufactured by Siemens TS in Braunschweig. The operating changes and engineering necessary for the new interlockings for Romanian National Railways will be carried out by TS in Austria.

With this new order, Siemens has strengthened its role as the market leader for electronic interlockings. Worldwide, TS has so far installed about 400 electronic interlockings, which control more than 55000 points, signals and other operating equipment.