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• Fortescue Metals Group has awarded Knorr-Bremse a major contract over industry-leading signaling and wayside solutions destined for its heavy-haul rail network in Western Australia;
• Knorr-Bremse’s KB Signaling enhances infrastructure intelligence and train control to improve safety and efficiency under extreme desert conditions;
• Long-term order in the upper double-digit million-euro range underscores Knorr-Bremse’s global growth strategy in wayside technologies and smart electronics.
To further strengthen the resilience and performance of its rail operations, Fortescue Metals Group (fortescue.com) has awarded Knorr-Bremse a long-term contract to modernize and digitally upgrade its extensive rail network, which stretches across hundreds of kilometers of desert terrain.
“Across the globe, rail operators are determined to run their networks at higher performance levels while maintaining the highest standards of safety and reliability,” said Dr. Nicolas Lange, Member of the Executive Board of Knorr-Bremse AG responsible for the Rail Division. “This creates significant opportunities for Knorr-Bremse to enhance infrastructure utilization and efficiency through intelligent, digitally enabled signaling solutions. The Fortescue project is a strong example of how we are expanding our footprint in an attractive market while helping shape the future of smart, efficient, and sustainable rail transport.”
Bringing intelligence to the tracks
The modernization program will be implemented step by step through mid‑2027. At its core is the upgrade of Fortescue’s existing Incremental Train Control System (ITCS) and the migration of key infrastructure components to KB Signaling’s ElectroLogIXS platform. These technologies bring a new level of intelligence to the network, enabling real-time, data-driven track monitoring, more agile train control, and deeper operational insights. Among other benefits, this allows Fortescue to respond more flexibly to changing conditions in a dynamic heavy-haul environment.
For example, heavily loaded ore trains, some weighing up to 5,000 tons, no longer need to stop and move to sidings to adjust trip data when route conditions change. Instead, dispatchers will now be able to update train parameters remotely and in real time. The result: smoother operations, reduced delays, and significantly improved network efficiency, particularly in case of congestion at loading points or unexpected maintenance requirements.
Smart technologies for extreme conditions
Looking ahead, Knorr-Bremse and Fortescue are also exploring the potential integration of additional digital technologies to further enhance network performance. These include Electro Code 6 (EC6), a next-generation digital track circuit that enables highly precise train detection, as well as Rail TempEst, which measures rail temperature in real time and supports safe and optimized speed management. Especially in an environment where extreme temperatures can impact infrastructure integrity, innovations help improve safety and maximum asset utilization.
“Fortescue has consistently been at the forefront of adopting advanced rail technologies and proving their value under real heavy-haul conditions,” said Jeff Baker, Managing Director of KB Signaling. “By combining proven systems with new digital capabilities, we are enabling Fortescue to run its network in a more flexible, resilient, and data-driven way supporting higher productivity today and sustainable growth in the future.”
Local expertise meets global strength
As part of Knorr-Bremse, KB Signaling, headquartered in the USA, supports rail customers worldwide with leading expertise in onboard and wayside Control, Command, and Signaling (CCS) technologies. Its scalable solutions enable operators to advance infrastructure and networks, thereby making rail transport more agile, flexible, and efficient. In the Fortescue program, as in many other projects in the USA and in other markets, KB Signaling combines local presence with Knorr-Bremse’s global engineering expertise. Building on this approach, the company continues to strengthen its international position across passenger, heavy-haul, and mining railway markets.
About Knorr-Bremse
Knorr-Bremse (knorr-bremse.com) is the global market and technology leader for braking systems and a leading supplier of other rail and commercial vehicle systems. Knorr-Bremse’s products make a decisive contribution to greater safety and energy efficiency on rail tracks and roads around the world. More than 32,000 employees at over 100 locations in 30 countries develop and produce innovative solutions and services that meet the highest technological standards. In 2024, Knorr-Bremse’s two divisions together generated revenues of approximately € 7.9 billion. For 120 years, the Company has been at the cutting edge of its industries, driving innovation in mobility and transportation technologies with a leading edge in connected system solutions. Knorr-Bremse is one of Germany’s most successful industrial companies and profits from the key global megatrends: urbanization, sustainability, digitalization, and mobility.
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julian.ebert[.]knorr-bremse.com 
