Norway’s 100th train with retrofitted ETCS
posted on 29th Jan 2026 14:09
On 28 January 2026, Alstom has reached a significant milestone in Norway with the upgrade of the 100th train with on-board ETCS. Alstom is part of one of Europe’s most ambitious signalling programmes, with a mission ultimately covering the equipment of more than 350 trains. Key stakeholders were gathered at Alstom’s Grorud depot in the greater Oslo area to mark the milestone.
The upgrade and production work is carried 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. The work using Alstom’s Onvia Cab system is done in collaboration with various players on the Norwegian railway market: Bane NOR, Norske Tog, Vy Group, SJ Norge as well as freight operators.
The ERTMS upgrade programme covers all passenger trains, locomotives, and track maintenance machines, fitted with a next‑generation odometry system using satellite positioning engineered to perform reliably in Norway’s demanding climatic conditions. Two fleets are already fully completed: heavy‑duty maintenance machine vehicles and rescue locomotives, both owned and operated by Bane NOR. The system upgrade is progressing at strong pace, currently with 3 - 4 passenger trains per month.