ETCS digital signalling technology is now controlling every single train that commuters catch on the Great Northern route to Moorgate in the City of London.
The European Train Control System (ETCS) allows continuous communication between train and track to create a more punctual and reliable service for passengers.
It does this by removing the need for signals at the side of the track (these will be completely switched off in 2025). Instead, drivers are continually fed a safe target speed to aim for on a computer screen in their cab.
ETCS was introduced to the route between Moorgate and Finsbury Park in London (known as the ‘Northern City Line’) as the first stage of the GBP 1.4 billion government-funded East Coast Digital Programme. This involves partners from across the rail industry, including Network Rail, trade union colleagues, many train and freight operators and technology providers.
The first passenger train ran to the City of London using digital signalling a year ago. Since then, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has been steadily training its Great Northern drivers to use the system.
“Digital signalling is better for passengers because it means we can run a more consistent, more punctual service. It’s hard to overstate the challenge of moving to ETCS and, the significance of reaching the point where every train on our route into Moorgate is controlled this way. It is a huge achievement both for Great Northern and our parent company GTR and also for the railway as a whole because this has been a massive collaborative effort from so many different industry partners. We are pleased with how the new system is working and we are working with Network Rail and Siemens Mobility colleagues to continually review and improve how we operate it,” said Oliver Turner, head of digital signalling (Head of ERTMS) at GTR.
Introducing digital signalling on the busy commuter route to Moorgate is an important first step towards replacing regular signals with in-cab digital signalling on the southern part of the East Coast Mainline, between King’s Cross and Grantham. This in turn provides a foundation for the future expansion of digital signalling across the Great Britain rail network.
This is a great achievement on what will become the first commuter railway in the country to operate without any physical signals. I’d like to thank all the signallers, drivers, engineers and planners across our whole partnership who have worked hard to make the Northern City Line project a success. Introducing digital signalling on this route has provided many learnings and invaluable experience as we prepare to introduce digital signalling to the East Coast Main Line, creating a higher performing railway for the many passengers and freight customers who depend on it,” Ed Akers, Network Rail’s industry partnership director for ECDP, said,
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