Alstom said its ALTLASTM 400 signal system installation would also include work on 31 rail vehicles, "as well as on the historical 'Kaiserwagen' [Emperor's car], which is over a century old."

The signaling system is based on ETCS Level 2+2 technology, including trackside and trainborne sub-systems, Alstom said. At the end of this project, WSW will operate its vehicles under ETCS Level 2+ supervision, without lineside signals.

"We are proud that WSW has chosen Alstom for the implementation," said Martin Lange, managing director of Alstom Deutschland AG. "This project allows us to make a big step towards the introduction of ETCS technology in Germany."

System components will be produced at Alstom's sites in Villeurbanne, France, and Bologna, Italy.