The German rail network stopped working for about 2 hours on Tuesday night. This happened because of a problem with the way trains communicate with the platforms. The system they use is very old and was made in the 1990s. It is like the old flip phones that people used to use. Experts say that this old system is vulnerable and could cause more problems in the future. It might take about 10 years to replace this system.
The old system is used by almost every train network in Europe. It is hard to find spare parts for it, and the technology is being phased out. Upgrading the system is complex because it is very important for safety. The new system will use 5G and will allow for more automation. It will also help with punctuality and traffic management. However, it will take a long time to put the new system in place. Every locomotive in Europe will need to be refitted with a new onboard unit.
Until the new system is ready, people who travel by train in Europe will have to be patient. They will have to hope that the old system can keep working until it is replaced. This might not happen until 2035. The rollout of the new system has already started, but it will take time. The new system will be much better than the old one, but it is a big job to replace it.
