To minimize headways between trains at stops in short-distance rail transport systems, an electronic drawbar is proposed which makes it possible to cause a following train to approach a train ahead up to a few meters and to follow at this distance in an electronically coupled mode. A method for carrying out the invention is wherein a rail vehicle with zero speed or with a speed below a predetermined minimum speed transmits a message which contains propulsion and braking control information or ready signals for activating an electronic drawbar for a following rail vehicle, and that after reception of the message from the rail vehicle ahead, the following rail vehicle approaches the rail vehicle ahead up to a predetermined distance.