Network Rail has begun testing at speed for an operational steam locomotive fitted with ETCS (European Train Control System) technology.

LNER ‘A1′ No. 60163 ‘Tornado’ is the world’s first steam engine with digital signalling technology installed. Tornado is a modern steam locomotive and was built in 2008.

The loco is the first to be included in the charter and heritage pathfinder project for the East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP), which combines steam power with digital signalling.

As the modern railway celebrates its bicentenary this year, Network Rail sees this project as blending nineteenth century innovation with twenty-first century technology.

Network Rail explains that the pathfinder project aims to “enable all parts of the railway to share in a digital transformation”. Digital signalling, which is being installed on the East Coast Main Line, will improve safety and reliability on the railway, and will reduce harmful emissions.

The heritage pathfinder aims to enable main line running of steam and heritage diesel for the future. Heritage rail contributes over £600m per year to the UK’s tourist economy.

Fitting the signalling technology involved contributions from four organisations. Hitachi Rail was responsible for onboard equipment, AtkinsRealis for fitment design, and Network Rail for integration. The locomotive’s owner, the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, was also involved.

The work met what Network Rail calls “significant challenges” concerning supply of electricity, management of braking, and running in both directions. It also had to overcome the difficulties involved in enabling people to work in a noisy, dusty, and sometimes rainy, environment, with vibrations.

This week’s tests follow earlier testing between Carnforth and Hellifield in March, which cleared the locomotive for mainline operation and allowed it to progress to the next stage of testing.

This week, Tornado has undertaken overnight test runs on the Cambrian line between Shrewsbury and Newtown in Mid Wales.

West Coast Railway operated the test trains. Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) provided test train officers for each trip.

Network Rail expects to complete this phase of testing on Thursday, 17 April.

Later this year, BR Class 55 No. D9000 ‘Royal Scots Grey’, a heritage diesel pathfinder loco, is scheduled to undergo dynamic testing. This will also take place on the Cambrian line. It will then need to undertake more refining and assurance processes before it can run in mainline heritage operation in ETCS Level Two.

“The innovation and expertise delivered through the Tornado pathfinder has provided significant learnings for our programme, applicable for fitment across a range of fleets.

“The pathfinder project reflects the ‘whole railway’ nature of our collaborative ECDP partnership. This week’s testing is an important stage in a process to determine the technical and commercial feasibility of fitment for heritage and charter fleets.”

Ed Akers, Network Rail’s industry partnership director, East Coast Digital Programme