The fate of the signaling system was followed by European Train Control System (ETCS). Nearly 16 years after the signing of the contract and after six renewals, the system only works in section Thessaloniki – Promachonasand the rest will be handed over before the end of the year. This system transmits information about the movement of the train and can automatically brake it if it exceeds the set speed or moves along the part of the tracks where the signals are “red”.

The system in our country is being built by two contractors. Stationary equipment (on the ground) manufactured joint venture TERNA – Thales and related equipment in wires from Ansaldo Company (now Hitachi Rail). System in ose trains it was installed in 2007-2015 at a cost of 21.3 million euros (excluding VAT). But the linear system with a budget of 17.2 million euros (excluding VAT) was not lucky.

The contract (“Supply of ETCS Linear System and Related Services, No. 10005”) was signed on 5.9.2007 between the contractor and HAVE WORKED. It was about placing the system in line Athens – Thessaloniki – Promachonas (with the exception of the Tiforeas – Domokos section, which was reconstructed under a different contract) and Oinoy – Chalkis, which at that time already had signal systems from different companies. Having a functioning alarm system is a prerequisite for installing and operating an ETCS, as one system “snaps” onto another.

According to the original contract, the project provided for an installation period of 30 months and a maintenance period of 24 months (4.5 years in total). Therefore, it should have been ready in 2012. Simplified, the process was as follows: in order to start construction of each of the eight sections into which the project was divided, it was necessary to give an appropriate order from ERGOSE. The consortium delivered all the equipment (which was also a condition for paying the first 20% of the contract). Then he waited for the order from ERGOSE to start. The first order was for an ETCS installation in Northern Greece, where the alarm system was in good condition.

Only the Thessaloniki – Promachonas section has been handed over to ERGOSE, while the Oinoi – Chalkis and Domokos – Larisa sections have also been completed.

However, problems arose during the contract. The alarm system on the Athens-Thessaloniki section began to gradually fail as early as 2008 due to abandonment, vandalism, theft, even fires or accidents. As a result, the contract for the installation of ETCS could not be awarded.

ERGOSE signed it famous convention 717 for the restructuring of the entire signaling and telemechanics system, which was supposed to be completed in 2016, but continues to this day (see “K” 2.3.2023, 3.3.2023, 5.3.2023). The first section of the signaling, which should be commissioned at the end of 2021, was the Thessaloniki-Promakhona section. At about the same time, ETCS was also completed in the relevant part – it was certified and received by ERGOSE.

Where are the jobs on the balance sheet today? According to TERNA, the Oinoi-Chalkis and Domokos-Larisa sections are completed (but not yet accepted) and will be put into operation when the signaling is put into operation. At the remaining three sections (SKA-Oinoy, Oinoy-Tiforea and Larisa-Platy), work has been completed by approximately 50%. And the project, after six extensions, has a construction phase completion deadline of 12/19/2023 and a maintenance end date of 12/19/2025 for parts to be delivered last.

15 years in stock

Such as TERNA leader points to “K”., the equipment was purchased in 2008 and as a result, after 15 years of storage, part of it became obsolete. However, given that the specific contract concerns the supply, an additional contract cannot be concluded, and the contractor is obliged to “absorb” the cost of equipment that has become obsolete during this time. “However, vandalism occurs in many countries, it is not only a Greek problem,” says “K”. “Usually this is solved with long-term maintenance contracts and, of course, with electronic surveillance.”

Central train control

European Train Control System (ETCS) is an additional system for the safety of train traffic. It is placed on both trains and tracks, with the two parts of it “communicating” by exchanging information about the traffic on the track the train is traveling on, the state of the track, the speed of the train, etc. This system is of particular importance because, if necessary, allows remote control of the train. If there is a problem on the line, the system automatically informs the train to slow down (slow down) or even brake. These functions can also be activated automatically if the train exceeds the maximum speed limit or runs a red light.