Alstom has reached a new milestone in the digital rail transformation of Norway with the upgrade of the 100th train to incorporate onboard European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) signalling technology.
The signalling programme, which is one of the most ambitious in Europe, will ultimately see more than 350 trains converted to utilise the state-of-the-art signalling technology.
Employees and industry partners gathering in Grorud depot to celebrate the 100th ERTMS-equipped train
© Alstom
Key stakeholders gathered at Alstom’s Grorud depot in Oslo to celebrate the milestone, which marks a significant step towards the strengthening of the foundation for high capacity, improved punctuality and long-term interoperability across the Norwegian rail network.
Jörg Nikutta, MD Alstom Denmark & Norway said:
Passing the 100‑train mark shows how far we have come on this journey. ERTMS will help boost track capacity, raise punctuality and save money by reducing wayside equipment.
None of this would be possible without the outstanding commitment of our teams, who are driving this transformation every day.
Alstom currently holds a number of contracts that will ultimately see it equip the entire Norwegian railway fleet with ERTMS on-board train control solutions.
The upgrade programme covers all passenger trains, locomotives and track maintenance machines, all of which either have been or will be fitted with a new, next-generation odometry system utilising satellite positioning engineered to perform in Norway’s demanding climatic conditions.
Thus far, two fleets have ben fully fitted: a set of heavy‑duty maintenance machine vehicles and rescue locomotives, both owned and operated by Bane NOR.
All upgrade and production work is carried out in Norway at Alstom’s facilities in the Grorud Depot near Oslo and the Marienborg Depot near Trondheim, where teams are upgrading the software and hardware for signalling on a broad range of rolling stock.
Work is done in close collaboration with a plethora of companies on the Norwegian railway market, including Bane NOR, Norske Tog, Vy Group, SJ Norge and a series of freight operators.
At present, the system upgrade is progressing at a steady pace, with 3-4 passenger trains equipped with the company’s Onvia Cab system per month.
To date; Alstom has delivered over 300 onboard digital-signalling projects across more than 40 countries.