ETF deployed to replace track equipment at Nancy station

Ce projet s’inscrit dans la volonté de SNCF Réseau de Nancy, which welcomes between 8 and 9 million passengers a year. Carried out in two phases between April and November 2026, this project involves replacing seven track switches, renewing over 500 metres of track and removing an entire track that is no longer needed.

A project carried out in two main phases

The works are organised into two distinct phases to accommodate the station’s operational constraints:

• A first phase carried out from 15 April to 21 June 2026;
• A second phase scheduled from 14 September to 20 November 2026.

During the first phase, several intensive works operations (OCP) were carried out over the weekends from 16 to 31 May. These concentrated interventions made it possible to optimise working times and minimise the impact on rail services.

By the end of the works, seven sets of points will have been replaced: five during the first phase and two during the second. Two further sets of points will also be removed as part of the planned closure of a track during the second part of the project.

At the same time, more than 500 metres of track renewal (RVB) is being carried out to replace a station exit track that has reached the end of its service life and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the infrastructure.

Technical equipment tailored to operational needs

Among the points installed, two are double-junction crossings (TJD). More complex than simple turnouts, these installations increase the number of possible routes and offer greater flexibility in managing traffic within the station.

The project also features a technical innovation: the laying of stainless-steel rail on a marshalling track leading to a buffer stop. As this track is subject to less wear than the others, the use of this material helps to limit corrosion thanks to its greater resistance to oxidation. This important detail significantly extends the infrastructure’s service life.

During intensive works, the teams used PEM-LEM machinery. This equipment enables precise, guided handling of track components, ensuring the rail is laid to the highest standard.

A collective effort to enhance rail performance

The success of this project relies on the complementary expertise of ETF’s divisions. The Track teams from the Grand Est Agency are responsible for carrying out the track renewal works, whilst ETF Catenaries is involved in the installation and adjustment of the catenary systems. ETF Services, for its part, helps to ensure site safety by guiding the PEM-LEM vehicles and organising the movement of works trains.

Beyond its technical challenges, the project also has a social dimension. Over the course of the entire operation, more than 2,000 hours of work placement will be carried out. Nearly half of the track maintenance workforce consists of people on work integration programmes, enabling them to discover the world of rail. This approach illustrates ETF’s commitment to local employment, training and inclusion on its projects.

Through this renewal project, SNCF Réseau and ETF are contributing to the sustainable modernisation of Nancy station.