Great Western Coffee Shop

SNCF Réseau have announced (https://www.sncf-reseau.fr/sites/default/files/upload/_Actualite/LAF989_SNCF_LGV%2B_165x220_FR_BD_P.pdf) the launch of a project to convert the Paris-Lyon LGV to ERTMS level 2 baseline 3. Up to now its signalling is TVM 300, roughly equivalent to basic ETCS (but incompatible). EU policy on open access in the single market, due to be implemented soon, has led to the a standard system being mandated. Presumably, if any new operators get into the older parts of the LGV system despite SNCF (and one suspect the government, despite what they say) being unhelpful, they will initially need trains with TVM 300 installed.

This obviously costs a lot. The ERTMS component itself costs 130M€, while a new centralised control room (replacing three) etc. needs much more - 340M€. The line's capacity will increase from 13 to 16 trains/hour, and to match that calls for 60M€ of extra traction current and 86M€ of other infrastructure works. The EU are paying for the ETMS installation under the  "Connecting Europe facility": 107M€ out of 607M€ for the whole project.

This is the first French LGV to get ERTMS retrofitted, and the project will serve to prove the process, to be extended to other parts of the network. This line is due to be finished by the end of 2023. Nerwer complete LGVs (Est, Sud-Ouest) were built with ETCS/ERTMS as well as a version of TVM (430, I think). For smaller additions it's bound to be a bit of a mixture.

I remember reading in Today's Railway Europe  if you wanted a universal electric loco (4 voltage TRAXX) in Europe you need up to something like 21 signalling systems.

You may have got the impression that ETCS has been a long time a-coming, never mind ERTMS. That can only be reinforced by the news that SNCF have retired their old ETCS test train due to old age and are building a new one (cf Global Rail News (https://www.globalrailnews.com/2018/06/27/sncf-to-deploy-etcs-test-train/)).

But that would be unfair. The old train was old before being converted in 2000, and has an odd history. It was one of a small class built with one diesel-powered car and one with a "small" gas turbine. That was in 1972, perfectly timed to become immediately unviable due to the oil price rise in 1973. Like other similar turbine-powered vehicles of that time, it was also found to be very heavy on maintenance. It was first rebuilt with a second diesel in 1993, for trails of Astrée (an ETCS precursor).

The new one is oldish too, having been in service since 1999, and perhaps surprisingly has a hydraulic transmission. While it has TVM 430 signalling too, so it is allowed out to play on LGVs, at 160 km/hr maximum it won't be easy to slot into TGV paths. Now, how long will this one need to last?