ERTMS/ETCS L3 (Level 3) remains to be fully specified but should offer railway infrastructure managers reduced cost and increased infrastructure capacity. Better service, lower fares – what’s not to like about that? Ask an expert and they will say there are a couple of technical issues to be resolved – such as making sure a train doesn’t leave a wagon behind without the knowledge of the control system. Not the sort of problem that would be short of suggested solutions. Offer a crammed-in rail commuter the potential for a better service – it’s not hard to guess the answer. Offer a freight customer better assured transit times – yes please! Fact is however that Europe as a whole is making little material progress to realise this rail systems capability improvement – but is spending big time on infrastructure that could harness the technology.