Hitachi Rail has been chosen to equip its digital bi-standard cab signalling technology on SNCF and Eurostar trains.
The bi-standard technology combines transmission voice-machine (TVM) and European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) technologies. This will enable the Eurostar E300 and SNCF high-speed trains to safely operate on both the French and cross border high-speed networks, and will allow passengers to more easily travel by train across European borders.
Eight Eurostar trains will be upgraded with the bi-standard technology, and a new version of the product will be developed for use onboard high-speed SNCF trains operating in Italy and Switzerland.
To date, approximately 1,000 Hitachi bi-standard products have been put into revenue service onboard a variety of trains across Europe and Asia.
The first was rolled out in France in 2007, when the technology was equipped onboard SNCF trains operating on the Paris-Strasbourg line.
