Route‑knowledgeable railway pilots for safe operations
KATS GmbH provides experienced railway pilots with comprehensive route knowledge. Whether unfamiliar routes, foreign train drivers or special transports – our route‑knowledgeable railway pilots ensure compliant and safe train operations across Germany.
Route knowledge on unfamiliar lines
Our railway pilots have route knowledge on lines that are unfamiliar to your own crews. With a local railway pilot, we bridge knowledge gaps and enable safe operations on unfamiliar routes.
Route‑knowledgeable railway pilots for any line
Do you need a local railway pilot for a specific route – for example because your drivers do not yet have route knowledge there? We provide one. This bridges knowledge gaps and ensures your train can run safely and compliantly on unfamiliar lines.
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No time‑consuming familiarization runs Our railway pilots know signals, local specifics and operational locations – you can serve new routes immediately
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Bridge route knowledge gaps Close knowledge gaps – your train runs safely and in compliance on unfamiliar routes
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Open new markets immediately Start new connections without training lead‑time – while remaining fully compliant
Escorting foreign train drivers
Our railway pilots safely escort foreign drivers through the German network. With language skills and regulatory knowledge, we overcome cultural and linguistic barriers for smooth international operations.
German/English language mediation
Many of our railway pilots are bilingual (German/English) and facilitate communication in international rail operations. As railway interpreters, they act between foreign drivers and German dispatchers.
Safety through local expertise
If your staff is not familiar with German signals, regulations or language, our English‑speaking railway pilot ensures the train still arrives safely – including English communication with dispatch.
Support for international railway operators
With this support for foreign railway undertakings, cross‑border services can run in Germany without months of training your own staff. An international railway pilot service as your bridge.
Communication with operations control centres
The railway pilot handles all communication with the operations control centres, translates when needed and advises foreign drivers on local specifics – no misunderstandings.
Cultural bridge
Our railway pilots act as a bridge so cultural or language barriers do not affect punctual and safe train operations. Operating instructions are conveyed and implemented correctly.
Regulatory compliance
Bilingual competence is a key safety factor on cross‑border trains. All German regulations are observed, even with international crews.
Special‑transport escorting
For exceptional heavy‑haul or special transports we provide experienced railway pilots to escort. Our experts know the specific requirements and route constraints of demanding operations.
Expertise for exceptional transports
Whether over‑length blades, military shipments or highly sensitive cargo – our heavy‑haul railway pilots know the special requirements and route constraints. Our railway pilots for special trains plan ahead and check routes for bottlenecks.
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Pre‑journey route assessment Identify bottlenecks, plan speed reductions – execute out‑of‑gauge rail transports safely
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Special protective measures Coordinate with operations leads on bridge loads and tunnel constraints – professional special‑train escorting
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Permit compliant With our railway pilot service, special rail transports run smoothly and in full compliance
Detailed knowledge of local conditions
Route profiles
Our railway pilots are true regional experts with detailed knowledge of local conditions – unusual gradients, tight curves and special signal locations are familiar to them.
Local specifics
Local route knowledge means knowing exactly where braking is required – for example due to a station in a dip or wildlife crossings requiring caution.
Optimal speed profile
This route‑profile experience increases safety and efficiency – the train always runs optimally while respecting all local route specifics.
Safety during transfers and works diversions
From locomotive transfers to works diversions – our railway pilots ensure maximum safety on special runs. With expertise and local knowledge we handle even challenging situations.
Safety on transfer runs
For locomotive transfers, empty stock moves or other transfer runs we provide railway pilots for maximum safety. Transfer operations often involve special rules such as braking requirements or route coordination.
Master special regulations
Our service knows the special regulations for transfers – such as speed limits for hauled locomotives or shutting down non‑required systems – ensuring compliant execution.
Railway pilots for works diversions
When works require diversions in the rail network, our diversion railway pilots are ready. Trains often need to switch at short notice to unfamiliar secondary lines – our diversion route knowledge covers many alternatives.
Safe through work sites
Our support includes knowledge of temporarily changed signalling and speeds. With escort on diversion routes, your trains arrive on time and safely despite works.
Minimierung von Verspätungsrisiken
By deploying our railway pilots, the risk of delays is significantly reduced. A locally knowledgeable railway pilot can anticipate potential problems – such as sections to be driven slowly or typical bottlenecks. Avoid railway delays through local expertise.
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Timetable stability with railway pilots Practical optimisation – fewer train delays
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Punctuality through pilot deployment Faster coordination with control centres for prioritisation
Short‑notice railway pilot availability
We can provide railway pilots at very short notice. Through our network a suitable pilot is often at the origin station within hours – one call is enough.
Railway pilot hotline
Short‑notice railway pilots – 24/7 availability
Last‑minute solutions for your operations
If it turns out unexpectedly that a specific train needs a railway pilot – due to a diversion or crew change – we react immediately. This short‑notice railway pilot service prevents trains from being held or cancelled.
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Emergency railway pilot available Often under 2 hours response – short‑notice pilots ready for ad‑hoc needs
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Nationwide network Our network often enables a last‑minute route pilot at the origin station within hours
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Plan B for your operations Maintain flexibility – cover last‑minute needs even in volatile freight
Compliance & regulatory requirements
With our railway pilots, adherence to all local route regulations is guaranteed. We meet regulatory requirements and ensure maximum legal certainty for every run.
Compliance with all route regulations
Route book expertise
Every railway pilot is an expert in the respective route‑book requirements. They know every signal, speed restriction and operational specific by heart.
Legal certainty
Observing local addenda gives your railway undertaking maximum legal certainty and prevents incidents due to violations. Operational compliance at all times.
Full regulatory compliance
Bridge speed limits, whistle signals at level crossings, night‑time protection lines through towns – no rule is overlooked with our operational compliance.
Meeting regulatory requirements
On some lines or for certain transports a regulatory requirement mandates a railway pilot – we fulfil this requirement for you. Authorities may demand a local pilot on engineering trains without signalling or when operating on newly opened lines.
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Regulatory compliance We know the legal requirements and ensure the engineering‑train pilot is fully documented
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Regulatory approval Our railway pilots meet all qualification requirements for mandated deployments
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Complete documentation Your undertaking remains compliant – we document every railway pilot assignment securely
Expanding your operating area
With our railway pilot service you can expand your route network without delay. If you want to serve new lines or expand into other regions, we provide route‑knowledgeable pilots for the start‑up phase.
Expand your rail offering without waiting – leverage market opportunities immediately!
Integration & collaboration
Our railway pilots integrate seamlessly into your operations. From familiarisation runs and collegial cooperation to trusted interaction with control centres – we are your reliable partner.
Familiarisation runs for new lines
Unsere erfahrenen Railway Pilotn unterstützen auch bei Einweisungsfahrt und Schulungsfahrten auf neuen Strecken. Wenn Ihr Lokpersonal Streckenkunde Ausbildung erwerben soll, fahren wir als Railway Pilotn als Ausbilder auf den ersten Touren mit.
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Practical route knowledge We share knowledge, highlight key points and explain signals and specifics on site
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Accelerated training After a few accompanied tours your drivers can operate the line independently and compliantly
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Learn from experts Thorough, practice‑oriented familiarisation – under real conditions from day one
Seamless collaboration with train crews
Collegial support
Our railway pilots integrate seamlessly into your train crews. Collaboration between driver and pilot is at eye level – without friction or turf issues. A cab team with clear agreements.
Clear role allocation
The driver remains in control of the vehicle; the railway pilot advises and guides. This collegial support builds trust in the cab – seamless integration guaranteed.
Appreciation & respect
Your staff often learns even more and appreciates the presence of a railway pilot as support. The result is a well‑rehearsed duo that brings your train to its destination safely and efficiently.
Trusted interaction with operations control centres
Our railway pilots are trusted by signal boxes and dispatchers. With professionalism and local knowledge they work as equals with local control centres. This good collaboration leads to faster coordination.
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Local pilots are known Many of our railway pilots are known in their regions – they speak the same language
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Preferential train handling When priorities are set, our pilots can often find solutions that benefit your train
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Direct communication Harmonious collaboration with infrastructure improves chances of optimal pathing
Book KATS GmbH railway pilots now
Contact our team for professional railway pilot services. Whether unfamiliar routes, foreign drivers, special transports or works diversions – with KATS GmbH you have route‑knowledgeable railway pilots nationwide. 24/7 reachable, short‑notice on site, bilingual and compliant.