ETCS tests surpass key milestone for both passenger and freight trains

Progress is being made with the East Coast Main Line’s transition to digital in-cab signalling, underlined by the successful completion of dynamic ETCS trials for passenger and freight trains.

Govia Thameslink Railway’s Great Northern Class 387/1 Electrostar No. 387101 and DB Cargo’s Class 66 locomotive 66039 have successfully completed their tests in various operational scenarios.

Each train represents the First in Class (FiC) for its respective fleet.

The Class 387 is part of the Electrostar family, a group of commuter trains used extensively in south-east England, while the Class 66 is Britain’s main freight train.

Dynamic testing being carried out at Network Rail’s Rail Innovation and Development Centre (RIDC) in Melton is a crucial stage in preparing fleets for use with digital signalling under the East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP).

The project required close collaboration between Network Rail, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), Porterbrook, DB Cargo and their respective on-board equipment suppliers, Alstom and Siemens Mobility.

The next phase in the approval process for both trains involves building up mileage without errors.

The development of ETCS in the UK has progressed rapidly since early 2024, with the digital in-cab signalling programme taking shape on the east coast.

Over 50% of trains to Moorgate are already running with the ETCS system. A class 66v train is also equipped with the equipment, but testing has yet to begin.

“This is significant progress with two strategically important fleets. Our partners have worked hard on both projects to get to this point – those efforts will deliver lasting benefits with sustainable designs for key fleets. Preparing all the fleets is ECDP’s biggest challenge, but the facilities at RIDC are helping us make great strides toward a digital future.”

Ed Akers, Network Rail’s Industry Partnership Director for ECDP

“Completing dynamic testing is a huge achievement. The Class 387 will be the country’s first major commuter fleet to adopt this technology, and we look forward to completing work on the remaining 28 units at our depot in Hornsey, North London.”

Aaron Meakin, Senior Programme Delivery Manager for ERTMS at GTR

“The completion of the dynamic testing of 66039 at RIDC marks another important milestone for cargo and the programme. A lot of hard work has gone into getting us to this point, so I would like to recognise and thank our colleagues at DB Cargo, Siemens and RIDC for their dedication and professionalism during the dynamic testing.

We are incredibly proud to be the first in its class to install a Class 66 and we look forward to seeing how the car performs in the next phase of testing, where it will complete 8,000 kilometres of trouble-free driving as part of the approval process.”

Neil Ethell, Chief Operating Officer, DB Cargo UK