SNCF Réseau has awarded the new national contract for track and ballast renewal in high-stress environments to a consortium led by NGE subsidiary TSO, along with five of its subsidiaries and partners Scheuchzer and Colas Rail.
This 5-year framework contract (3 years firm + 2 renewable) is part of the drive to regenerate and modernize the French rail network, a priority reaffirmed at the Ambition France Transports conference. The aim is to accelerate infrastructure upgrades and guarantee the reliability of the lines that are most heavily used.
The first projects will start in 2026 in the Île-de-France region, the busiest in Europe. The project targets "highly constrained" areas, such as multiple lanes, tunnels and engineering structures, where industrial performance is key.
To achieve this, TSO will mobilize all its in-house expertise through several of its subsidiaries: TSO Caténaires, in charge of catenary piercing and adjustment operations; TSO Signalisation, responsible for signalling work; and FVF and Sages Rail, specialized in rail safety. This integrated organization guarantees smooth, coordinated execution of worksites, in the interests of network performance and safety.
Latest-generation machines, such as Scheuchzer's DRL-C, TSO's RM900 and Colas Rail's P95T, will ensure high-output production while minimizing the impact on traffic.
" This contract illustrates the strength of the collective and our shared commitment to sustainable rail performance. Modernizing the most sensitive areas of the network means strengthening system reliability and supporting the growth of low-carbon mobility," emphasizes TSO Chairman Romuald Hugues.
