The consortium made up of Siemens Mobility and Equans, together with Infrabel, the Belgian railway infrastructure manager, has completed a large-scale modernization project for Belgium’s national rail network. This project began in 2015 and involved upgrading 2,274 kilometers of track to the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 standard.
The ETCS Level 2 system integrates advanced interlockings and digital communication to improve operational efficiency and allow seamless cross-border train operations. The completion of this project means that Belgium’s railways now meet the highest European standards for safety and interoperability.
Siemens Mobility was responsible for implementing and modernizing the ETCS Level 2 technology and interlocking systems across most of Belgium’s rail infrastructure. Equans managed on-site installation work, including civil engineering, electrical works, hardware deployment, cabling, and documentation.
Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility, said: “Belgium is the first country to implement ETCS across a highly complex network under rolling conditions with almost no closures – setting the example Europe must follow. The on-time completion and commissioning of this project, exactly ten years after its start, reflects the strength of our partnership with Infrabel and the consortium’s unwavering commitment. With much of Belgium’s rail network now running on ETCS Level 2, our proven signaling technology delivers the highest safety standards and a more efficient, future-ready rail system for the entire country.”
Mark Dirckx, CEO Equans Belux stated: "With the nationwide installation of the European train control system ETCS and the achievement of the ETCS Masterplan, we have made an important contribution to safer, more efficient and future-proof rail transport in Belgium. Thanks to a partnership with Siemens Mobility, we realized a technically and logistically complex project of impressive scale: extensive rail lines, thousands of track equipment, and a robust digital infrastructure. This project strongly supports the modal shift and is an investment in technology, reliability and sustainability for the future of Belgian rail.”
Before this upgrade began in 2015 as part of Belgium's 'ETCS Masterplan', Belgian trains operated using older systems that limited reliability as well as compatibility with other countries’ networks. The plan aimed to equip all lines with advanced ETCS by December 2025—well ahead of deadlines set by European regulations requiring improved safety standards across member states.
The rollout followed a phased approach focused on major routes linking key cities such as Bruges, Ghent, Hasselt, Arlon, Verviers,and Mons. Technology from Siemens included Trainguard 200 RBC (ETCS L2) along with Simis W interlocking systems using GSM-R communications—measures intended to increase capacity while optimizing train movements.
The completed network covers critical corridors throughout Belgium's north-south axis as well as east-west links; it incorporates integration between 46 interlockings,and 37 Radio Block Centers (RBCs), managing real-time train movement over approximately19 thousand balisesand more than four thousand signals.This brings full national coverage at both Level1andLevel2ofETCStechnologyacrossBelgium.