Europe’s rail network is modernising — slowly
EU: Europe’s railway network has become more electrified and includes more double-track infrastructure than in 1990. That is not surprising, but the slow pace of change may be concerning
In 2024, 40.8% of the EU rail network had two or more tracks, compared with 31.8% in 1990, according to data published by Eurostat on March 9. Double-track infrastructure is a key determinant of rail capacity, allowing more trains to operate without waiting for opposing traffic.
Electrification has also expanded steadily, reaching 57.6% of the network in 2024 compared with 39.9% in 1990.
Double-track infrastructure still below half of network
Single-track lines remain a defining feature of Europe’s railway infrastructure and continue to constrain capacity on many corridors.
On single-track lines, trains travelling in opposite directions must pass each other at designated loops or stations. This limits the number of trains that can operate and makes rail corridors more sensitive to delays.
Although the share of double-track infrastructure has increased gradually since 1990, it still accounts for less than half of the EU rail network.
At the same time, the overall length of the EU rail network is shorter than it was in 1990, reflecting line closures and rationalisation in several member states over the past three decades.
Electrification expands across the network
Electrification has expanded steadily across Europe’s railways, allowing electric traction to replace diesel on a growing share of the network.
By 2024, 57.6% of EU rail lines were electrified, compared with 39.9% in 1990.
Progress has not been uniform across the continent, reflecting national investment patterns and infrastructure priorities.
Luxembourg the only EU network fully equipped with ETCS
Modernisation is also progressing in signalling systems across Europe.
The European Train Control System (ETCS), the digital signalling technology intended to replace Europe’s many national train control systems, has been rolled out unevenly across the continent.
But Luxembourg is the only EU country where the entire rail network is equipped with ETCS, according to the European Union Agency for Railways.
Belgium has installed ETCS on about 90.3% of its network, while Denmark has reached 51.6%.
At the other end of the scale, ETCS coverage remains very limited in several countries, including Hungary (1.6%), Croatia (3.0%), and Germany and Romania (both about 3.2%).