LNW-GW Joint
Veteran Member
The future of signalling and train control is ERTMS/ETCS, the whole point of which is that it is a European/global standard supported by all the majors.
NR has a live test facility on the GN network where ETCS products from several manufacturers (including Hitachi) can be approved for use.
The upcoming ETCS planned for the ECML, and HS2 when it comes, can have compatible trains and signalling from any of them.
If the UK is trapped into monopoly suppliers it is the result of BR/RT/NR's technical and procurement policy over decades.
If there is any money in it, I imagine the merged Siemens/Alstom will continue to support both legacy systems over their life cycle.
While NR's views are a factor, I doubt if the EU merger decision will be based on a UK view, especially after Brexit.
NR has a live test facility on the GN network where ETCS products from several manufacturers (including Hitachi) can be approved for use.
The upcoming ETCS planned for the ECML, and HS2 when it comes, can have compatible trains and signalling from any of them.
If the UK is trapped into monopoly suppliers it is the result of BR/RT/NR's technical and procurement policy over decades.
If there is any money in it, I imagine the merged Siemens/Alstom will continue to support both legacy systems over their life cycle.
While NR's views are a factor, I doubt if the EU merger decision will be based on a UK view, especially after Brexit.