First ARGOS Digital Interlocking System Enters Service in France

Inaugural ARGOS System Commissioned in Chasse-sur-Rhône

The first ARGOS digital interlocking system has officially entered service in France, marking a pivotal moment in the country's railway modernization efforts. Commissioned between April 24 and 25, 2025, the advanced system is operational at a pilot site in Chasse-sur-Rhône, located south of Lyon in southeastern France. This milestone was achieved by the HR/EQUANS/SNIC consortium, with Hitachi Rail leading the initiative.

The ARGOS Program: Modernizing French Rail Infrastructure

The deployment is part of the broader ARGOS program, launched in June 2018 by SNCF Réseau, the French national rail network manager. The program's primary objective is to modernize and digitalize France's aging interlocking infrastructure, replacing outdated mechanical, electro-mechanical, and electrical systems with cutting-edge digital technology. The consortium responsible for this first commissioning was selected in September 2020.

Technological Advancements and Operational Benefits

The ARGOS digital interlocking system introduces significant advancements designed to enhance railway operations. It centralizes real-time information management while utilizing decentralized field controllers, which helps manage train movements by ensuring trains only access unoccupied track sections. This digital technology offers several benefits over conventional systems, including:

• A reduction in physical connections and the capability for remote operation.
• Enhanced safety, efficiency, and reliability of rail operations.
• Significant reductions in cabling, civil works, and relay connections due to its decentralized architecture.
• Expected 15% reduction in total ownership costs and a 30% decrease in deployment times.
• Improvements in cybersecurity, maintenance, and overall operational efficiency.

Christophe Jeanney, GTS Country Director of Hitachi Rail in France, emphasized that this collaboration with SNCF Réseau has enabled the pioneering of a new generation of digital interlocking.

Consortium Collaboration and Future Outlook

The successful commissioning is the result of extensive collaboration within the HR/EQUANS/SNIC consortium. Hitachi Rail, which succeeded the former Thales GTS business, played a leading role, with contributions from EQUANS and SNIC Signalisation. Xavier Payet, General Director of SNIC SIGNALISATION, expressed pride in supporting this milestone, highlighting SNIC's long-standing partnership with Hitachi Rail and commitment to SNCF Réseau. This initial deployment at Chasse-sur-Rhône marks the beginning of a broader rollout, gradually extending digital interlocking capabilities across the wider French rail network, aligning with SNCF Réseau's long-term goals for a more modern and efficient railway system.