Eiffage Énergie Systèmes helps modernize a new SEI 2006 signal box for SNCF Réseau at Villeneuve-Saint-Georges.

The consortium formed by Hitachi Rail STS France, in charge of developing, setting and supplying the SEI 2006 IT system, and railway signalling work and studies specialists Eiffage Énergie Systèmes has already resulted in the renewal and digitization of 35 signal boxes for SNCF Réseau, including the ones in Rennes, Toulouse and Paris-Gare de Lyon. 

"For the Villeneuve-Saint-Georges station, SNCF has replaced the old P4 (the only one of its kind in France) and P1 PRSI tele-combinator stations with SEI 2006 computer racks supplied and parameterized by Hitachi Rail STS France. We carried out all the preliminary studies, and connected the new system to the safety equipment in the field, which detects trains, controls train speed, activates points and lights signals," explained Rail Signalling Business Manager Loïc Dennez. 

Our experts installed two computer stations (P22 and P23) to replace the old signal box that had been in service for 74 years. They also connected the distribution hubs rerouted in the countryside, safety equipment to the track, and Y-linked the new facilities with the old ones still in operation, enabling SNCF testers to anticipate commissioning tests. The work was carried out at night, in difficult "dense zone" conditions. 

"After more than four years of studies and works, traffic was temporarily suspended from Friday March 15 (11.30pm) to Sunday March 17 (4.50pm) to enable the switchover between the old Villeneuve-Saint-Georges signal box (P4) and the new one at Vigneux (P22). Tests were carried out by SNCF Réseau before the new signal box went into operation on schedule", continued Loïc Dennez. 

Eiffage Energie Systèmes has been a privileged partner of the Hitachi Rail Group since 2006, and is also involved in the digitization of all the signal boxes on the section between Villeneuve-Saint-Georges station and Paris-Gare de Lyon. The vast project chiefly aims to guarantee greater regularity for all trains running on this line, and also to prepare for the implementation of the NEXTEO BD system. This particularly busy South-East route is used daily by Ligne R and RER D trains and freight trains, as well as TER, Intercity and TGV trains.