The vehicles in the lab

At present, 35 trains and shunting departments are controlled simultaneously on the layout. Running in double traction, with lead locomotive and pushing locomotive is possible due to the vehicle control system used.

The vehicles used are commercially available model railroad vehicles (two-wire, DC 12 V). These model railroad vehicles were modified. Thus, the traction units received a digital decoder with 31 speed steps (Selectrix) and a magnet under the vehicle. For the detection of occupied tracks, the axles of the cars were provided with electrical resistors (high resistance approx. 15 kOhm-30 kOhm by applying graphite spray). Control cars as well as the first and last cars of passenger trains were retrofitted with magnetic switches in order to be able to switch on/off the peak/end lighting by means of a permanent magnet. The end cars of freight trains were fitted with a holder to accommodate the tail signs.

The vehicles in use are mainly those currently operating in Germany. All modern vehicle construction types and transport technologies are demonstrated.

Electric and diesel locomotives as well as railcars operate on the system:

• ICE 1, ICE 2, Thalys
• IC (partially push-pull), EC, IR,
• RE (partially push-pull)
• RB (locomotive hauled or railcar),
• S-Bahn (class 423, 424 of the DB AG),
• Block trains in bulk, coal and chemical traffic,
• "Rolling Road",
• Container and swap body transport,
• International and express freight trains,
• passing through and local freight trains in single wagonload traffic.

It is planned to build a camera train that can view the track from the driver's perspective (including the driver's cab), and thus to enable the processes between the driver and the outside world to be carried out more realistically.