Track monitoring at St. Gallen railway station

In spring 2025, unstable ground in the track area at St. Gallen railway station led to the precautionary closure of one track and extensive rehabilitation works. During routine inspections, SBB specialists discovered clear signs of soft ground that was affecting the track bed and thus jeopardising the safe operation of the rail connection. The measures taken on this basis resulted in operational adjustments to regional services and once again highlighted the importance of continuous monitoring and rapid response in rail transport.
Efficient collaboration for greater safety in the rail network

In this challenging environment, a track monitoring system with Amberg TrackControl was installed as part of the monitoring programme-an innovative solution in the field of GeoMonitoring that measures safety-relevant track parameters such as cross-level, twist and vertical versines at a high sampling rate and provides them in real time. The system operates independently of weather conditions and delivers reliable measurement data at one-minute intervals, forming the basis for well-founded decisions and alerts.

Efficient, partnership-based implementation

From the initial enquiry to the operational installation, only one week passed-an outstanding example of the performance and efficiency of the cooperation within the SIGN network. Team Leader Reto Schreiber recalls:

“I immediately picked up the phone, and all the partners I contacted assured me of their support without reservation.”

This rapid response time made it possible to activate track monitoring at an early stage and address potential risks promptly. Thanks to the dedicated support of employees from HMQ AG, Osterwalder, Lehmann – Ingenieure und Geometer AG, and Schällibaum AG, the installation was successfully completed in just two night shifts.

Continuous joint deployments

This was not the only deployment in the project: a total of five joint night shifts have already taken place, with mixed teams from various partner companies. Each of these deployments demonstrates how valuable a strong network is-especially when fast, reliable and technically demanding solutions are required.

A project like this clearly demonstrates how coordinated collaboration, technical expertise and modern monitoring technologies can minimise risks in critical infrastructure and ensure long-term safety.