Eurostar has reached a significant milestone in its fleet modernisation programme after receiving authorisation from the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) to introduce the first e300 train equipped with the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) into commercial service.
The approval, granted on 6 July 2026, enabled the first ERTMS-equipped e300 train to enter passenger service on 17 July 2026, marking a major step forward in the upgrade of Eurostar's legacy high-speed fleet.
The project is designed to bring the operator's historic e300 fleet in line with the latest European standards for safety, interoperability and network compatibility. Once complete, eight e300 trainsets will be upgraded with the ERTMS/ETCS onboard signalling system, meaning every train in Eurostar's fleet will be equipped with the technology.
As ERTMS deployment accelerates across Europe, the upgrade will strengthen Eurostar's ability to operate seamlessly across an increasing proportion of the continent's rail network. The programme is also expected to extend the operational life of the e300 fleet, supporting capacity and reliability as demand for international rail travel continues to grow.
Authorisation followed an extensive testing programme centred on a prototype train. Static and dynamic trials were carried out in collaboration with MASTERIS, SNCB and SNCF Voyageurs Matériel, paving the way for regulatory approval and wider fleet deployment.
With certification now secured, Eurostar has entered the final stage of the programme and will progressively introduce modernised trainsets into commercial service. To minimise operational disruption and maintain passenger capacity, only one trainset will be removed from service at any given time during the upgrade process.
Delivering a Complex Engineering Upgrade
Integrating ERTMS technology into the e300 fleet has represented one of the most technically demanding projects undertaken by Eurostar in recent years.
The programme has required close collaboration between Eurostar's engineering teams and industry partners to integrate safety-critical signalling systems into existing rolling stock operating at speeds exceeding 300km/h.
Following the successful approval process, large-scale industrial modifications are now underway at SNCB's workshops in Namur, where work on the first production trainsets has already begun.
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."
Supporting the Arrival of the Celestia Fleet
The e300 upgrade programme forms a key part of Eurostar's wider fleet and investment strategy, ensuring the continued performance of its existing trains ahead of the introduction of the operator's next-generation fleet.
From 2031, Eurostar plans to introduce its new Celestia fleet, comprising up to 50 Alstom Avelia Horizon trains as part of a €2 billion investment programme.
The ERTMS modernisation initiative will help bridge the transition period, ensuring Eurostar can continue to meet growing cross-border demand while maintaining high standards of safety, reliability and interoperability across the European rail network.
Image credit: Eurostar
