Traction substations

The 'Maaslijn' – the line between Roermond and Nijmegen – is being electrified. As a result, electric trains will soon be running instead of diesel trains. This upgrade will make travel cleaner, quieter and more reliable.

To make this possible, we are constructing a number of new buildings along the line: a signal relay room at Nijmegen Heyendaal station and nine traction substations spread across the entire line.

What is a traction substation?

A traction substation is a building where electricity is converted and distributed to enable trains to run. It ensures that the high voltage of the electricity is reduced to a level that is safe and suitable for the trains.

• Here, the electricity is converted to the correct voltage.
• The power is distributed via the overhead lines, ensuring that every train receives sufficient energy.
• Traction substations ensure that trains can run reliably, even when there are many trains on the tracks at the same time.

Without traction substations, the 'Maaslijn' could not be safely electrified and trains would not be able to run on time everywhere. The new substations are being built in:

• Mook
• Cuijk
• Boxmeer
• Vierlingsbeek
• Melderslo
• Tegelen
• Reuver
• Swalmen
• Venray