Eurostar has received authorisation from the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) to bring the first e300 train fitted with the ERTMS/ETCS onboard system into active service, with its first commercial journey having been completed on Friday 17 July.
This authorisation marks a key milestone in the modernisation of the Eurostar fleet, bringing it in line with European standards for both safety and interoperability.
A programme to modernise a set of eight e300 trains will complete the installation of the ERTMS/ETCS onboard system across Eurostar’s entire fleet, as well as support the continuity and performance of operations in the medium term by extending each unit’s service life whilst improving interoperability.
The authorisation of the e300 train follows a process centred on the conversion of a prototype train, which was able to complete static and dynamic testing with MASTERIS, SNCB and SNCF Voyageurs Matériel.
As ERTMS is rolled out across Europe, it now covers a substantial proportion of the Eurostar network, with the new trains expected to answer capacity queries for increasing demands for international rail travel amongst the imminent harmonisation.
The programme has now entered its final phase before the gradual introduction of the modernised e300 fleet into commercial service. The project has drawn on expertise from Eurostar’s engineering teams and industrial partners in order to adapt safety-critical technology to rolling stock, within a constrained environment and for trains operating at speeds of more than 300 km/h.
Eurostar is now moving into the series production phase, with industrial work now being carried out at SNCB workshops in Namur, where the first modifications are already under way, marking the project’s transition into large-scale deployment.
Zelda Crambert, Director of Rolling Stock at Eurostar, said:Securing this authorisation reflects our ongoing commitment to safety, European interoperability and the performance of our fleet. By equipping 100% of its fleet with ERTMS signalling, Eurostar is fulfilling its pioneering role as a backbone of European rail. We would like to thank all of our partners for their contribution to this complex and strategically important project.
The introduction of Eurostar’s e300 modernisation programme forms a key part of the operator’s wider industrial roadmap, and will support the fleet’s transition to the new Celestia trains, which are scheduled to enter service from 2031 and be comprised of up to 50 Avelia Horizon trains manufactured by Alstom.
