Exploring Denmark's S-Tog — Copenhagen's Suburban Rail Network

Denmark's S-Tog regional rail system is a perfect example of a suburban railway network with several key upgrades enabling frequent service throughout the day on multiple lines.

The network's multiple lines radiate from downtown Copenhagen to various outlying regions — forming a "hand" with each line representing a finger of growth from the central business district's palm — with each generally running every 10 minutes throughout the day and every 20 minutes on weekends and late evenings.

Parallel lines increase frequencies and also exist to provide express service on various segments, such as the A and E pairing which each run express for one portion of the route's overlap (e.g. the A runs from the northern terminal to the northernmost stop of the E, then runs express to Downtown Copenhagen, continuing local to a midpoint on the southern segment. The E does the reverse, originating from a midpoint on the northern segment, running local from there to Copenhagen, then running express to the southern terminal of the A before continuing to the E's southern terminal). There is also a circumferential ring line connecting the various segments.

The network is grade separated and operated under automation level GoA3 with a driver controlling the doors and navigating in the event of emergencies, but operation is otherwise automated with CBTC moving-block signaling in effect.

Video contains various trains throughout the network and a complete rear-window video of the ride from Svanmøllen to København H.