The consortium led by Compagnie des Signaux (CSEE), together with Eiffage Énergie Systèmes and Systra, has reached a major milestone in the modernisation of France’s national rail network with the successful commissioning of the first ARGOS digital interlocking at the Reding–Saverne pilot site in the Grand Est region. The achievement, completed in partnership with SNCF Réseau, marks the culmination of five years of development, testing and coordinated delivery.
“The commissioning of the Reding Saverne pilot site rewards the commitment and expertise of the women and men of SNCF Réseau and our consortium, who contributed to the success of this programme. It also demonstrates the technological know-how and industrial capacity of Compagnie des Signaux, which joined the Mermec group in August 2024, and paves the way for a series of deployments at the heart of the digital transformation of rail infrastructure,” Gilles Pascault, CEO of Compagnie des Signaux, said.
ARGOS: a new generation of digital interlocking
Developed by Compagnie des Signaux, the ARGOS solution introduces a fully digital, modular architecture designed to meet the growing operational demands of the French National Rail Network (RFN). As part of a long-term innovation partnership with SNCF Réseau, ARGOS aims to double the rate of signalling renewals by 2032, contributing directly to the national strategy to regenerate the network and improve the performance and resilience of railway operations.
The technology enables the deployment of high-performance interlocking stations with real-time data exchange, rapid incident management and localised containment of failures to limit operational disruption. Cybersecurity has been integrated from the design stage, with reinforced protections to ensure safer and more reliable operations.
“Drawing on our experience with previous generations of Integrated Interlocking Systems, the EIFFAGE ENERGIE SYSTEMES teams were particularly keen to succeed with this third generation of Computerised Interlocking, known as ‘ARGOS.’ This innovation partnership has enabled, more than ever, a collective success in an extended enterprise between SNCF Réseau and the consortium led by CSEE. The signals are now green for our Eiffage teams to actively contribute, in the coming years, to the development of low-carbon mobility, a key challenge for the future,” Arnaud Carlier, Director of Eiffage Énergie Systèmes Transport Ferroviaire, said.
A long-term modernisation programme
Systra has played a central role in the development and validation of the system, contributing signalling design, engineering support and on-site testing activities throughout the programme.
“Systra has been involved at every stage of the ARGOS programme since the research phase began in 2018. We are now involved, throughout the deployments that will continue for more than 10 years, in carrying out signalling design and on-site testing. We are particularly proud, through this commissioning, to contribute to the Centralised Command programme implemented by SNCF Réseau, and to participate with our partners in making the French rail network more reliable, for the benefit of all users,” Éric de Balincourt, President of Systra France, said.
Towards a digital, interoperable European network
The successful commissioning at Reding–Saverne strengthens the long-standing partnership between SNCF Réseau and the consortium members. It also demonstrates their collective ability to deliver complex industrial programmes supporting the digital transformation of the French network.
The ARGOS programme forms part of a broader vision that includes the development of the ARGOS RBC—a future ERTMS-compatible solution designed to support an interoperable European rail system. These developments will contribute to improved mobility at national and cross-border levels, while supporting France’s decarbonisation goals and enhancing the reliability of day-to-day operations for passengers.
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