Young Rail Professionals UK visit train protection training facility

Date

05 June 2026

Expertise

Strukton’s training centre in the Netherlands, the Strukton Academy, and its train protection training facility are gaining international recognition. On Wednesday 3 June, a large delegation from Young Rail Professionals UK visited the site.

The group represented the British infrastructure manager Network Rail and public transport operator Transport for London. Young Rail Professionals (YRP) is a network of young professionals (under 35) working in the rail sector.

The delegation was visiting the Netherlands to learn how the rail sector operates in other countries. Training institutes are therefore a valuable part of their programme. Before travelling on to Railcenter, the group first visited the Strukton Academy, with a particular focus on the train protection training facility.

During their visit, they were guided by representatives of the IRSE Dutch Section Young Members, an international association for railway signalling professionals. Members of Strukton’s own young professionals network, Strukton Scope, were also present.

We are very proud to have welcomed the Young Rail Professionals.

Want to know more?

Ben van Schijndel

Ben will be happy to tell you all about ERTMS

Strukton Rail

ben.vanschijndel@strukton.com

+31 (0)6 53 31 50 53

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to frequently asked questions here.

What is the innovative ERTMS Trackbot used in digital rail modernisation?

The ERTMS Trackbot is Strukton’s robotic solution designed to mount balises and axle counters efficiently and safely on sleepers and rails—components essential for ETCS operation. With tens of thousands of balises and over twenty thousand axle counters required for ERTMS rollout in the Netherlands alone, the Trackbot automates this repetitive, physically demanding work and helps speed up deployment.

What is train protection?

Train protection refers to the systems and processes that ensure trains operate safely. The systems detect train locations, manage movement authorities and intervene automatically—typically by applying the brakes—if a train exceeds safe speed limits or passes a signal at danger. Train protection therefore prevents collisions, derailments and other hazardous situations.

Which train protection systems are used in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands primarily uses Automatische Treinbeïnvloeding (ATB), a national automatic train control system developed to enforce speed limits and intervene when drivers fail to respond to signals. ATB monitors speed and automatically applies the brakes when required. The Netherlands is also transitioning to ERTMS, Europe’s digital signalling and train control standard that will gradually replace older systems to improve safety, capacity and interoperability.

What experience does Strukton have with ERTMS?

Strukton has extensive expertise in designing, installing and integrating ERTMS on major European corridors. Our experience includes deployments on the Betuweroute and the Amsterdam–Utrecht line, as well as a large‑scale ERTMS programme in Denmark. We are also rolling out ERTMS in the Dutch province of Friesland and on the Rotterdam–Belgian border route. Our in‑house innovations help accelerate implementation and support Europe’s transition to a fully interoperable rail network.

What is ERTMS?

The European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) is Europe’s standardised digital signalling and automatic train protection system. It uses ETCS cab signalling to provide real‑time speed and movement information directly to the driver, supported by GSM‑R radio communication. ERTMS increases rail capacity, enhances safety and enables seamless cross‑border operations, making it central to the modernisation of Europe’s railway network