Maarum station – A crossing station in the middle of the forest
A branch line station in the middle of Gribskov forest
Heated crossover turnout at Maarum Station
Crossing station
Mårum station is located in the middle of Gribskov on the branch line between Gilleleje and Hillerød. This is a crossing station with a turnout at each end of the platform, allowing trains to pass each other at the station. The line is single track, so it is crucial that all turnouts at the crossing stations are working in order to maintain normal operations. In winter, snow and ice in particular can prevent the turnouts from being changed.
The turnout points are heated
The points at the turnouts are therefore equipped with heating that can melt ice and snow when necessary. The heating is switched on manually station by station from the control center and remains on for one hour. It must be switched on again if there is still snow or frost. Lokaltog do not have automatic heat control. If there are local snow showers that cannot be seen from the command post, it is the train driver who reports the snow and turns on the switch point heating.
If there are local snow showers, it is the train driver who reports the snow and, to turn on the switch point heating.
Technical staff from SAN Electro Heat replace the installation of switch point heating at Maarum station
Low voltage - no risk of electric shock
In November 2024, Lokaltog replaced rails and turnouts at Maarum station. At the same time, new turnout heating and isolation transformers were installed. Lokaltog chose a system based on the same principle as the old one, where all heating elements are powered by 48 volts. This is such a low voltage that everyone can work on the system without risk of dangerous electric shocks.
Read more about Safety Transformers
Low voltage saves time and money
The low voltage (below 50V) also means that the heating elements do not need to be tested regularly for electrical insulation capacity. This saves time-consuming – and therefore expensive – routine maintenance. There is also no need for a ground fault meter. This is an advantage because a ground fault meter can shut down the entire system if just one of the heating elements has an insulation fault.
The new transformers are 3-phase and are designed so that the power grid sees the same load on all three phases (3x400V in and 2x48V out). This is better for the power grid.
Technical staff from SAN installed the new system. The most visible difference is the new transformer boxes, which are located above ground for ergonomic and thermal reasons.
Switch point heating installation with the new transformer boxes
Heated turnout at Maarum Station before replacement in 2024.
Installation in operation for 40 years
The previous switch point heating system has been in use for over forty years and was also installed by SAN Electro Heat. This photo was taken in December 2023 and shows the almost 40-year-old installation.
We expect that the new installation, with regular maintenance, will also last for the next 40 years.
Similar new installations were also carried out at the branch line railway stations in Hojstrup and Helsinge.
Customers can purchase BluePoint's automatic control system for heating and thereby save energy on the system if they wish.
Read more about switch point heating from SAN