Eurotunnel, the concessionaire of the Channel Tunnel, has launched the first phase of the implementation of the new ERTMS system on board locomotives. The project will be carried out by Compagnie des Signaux (CSEE), a subsidiary of Mermec, under the contract signed in November 2025.
The first phase of the project concerns the on-board signaling system for the 57 Brush locomotives used in LeShuttle services between Folkestone and Coquelles. ERTMS technology enables the continuous exchange of information between the train and the ground infrastructure and includes ETCS, the control and safety system installed on board trains.
Compagnie des Signaux has been selected to supply the new signaling and control system, based on a standardized and innovative solution that enables the transition of locomotives from the current TVM (track-to-vehicle) system to ETCS.
The solution proposed by CSEE is based on a dual ERTMS/TVM standard, specifically designed to ensure a smooth transition in line with the overall migration schedule for the system that provides ERTMS functionality on board locomotives. This approach helps to reduce locomotive downtime.
“Our dual-standard ERTMS/TVM solution has been designed to guarantee safety, performance, and availability, while facilitating the transition to European standards,” said Gilles Pascault, President of Compagnie des Signaux.
The dual-standard solution, adopted by numerous operators around the world, offers robustness, reliability, and sustainability. It is based on a hardware and software platform that ensures maximum levels of availability and safety, in line with Eurotunnel requirements.
The first phase of the project focuses on the systems installed on board the vehicles, with the ground infrastructure to be adapted at a later stage to enable communication between the two systems.
This project is part of the Channel Tunnel signaling system modernization program and the interoperability and accessibility strategy for the latest generations of trains. By adopting ERTMS, Eurotunnel is preparing for the future of its operations and will benefit from technological advances designed to improve infrastructure performance and enhance safety.
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