History has been made on London’s transport network today (Monday, 19 May) as the first commuter/metro line into the capital has gone signal-free.

The 3.5-mile ‘Northern City Line‘, which has been testing and operating ETCS equipment over the last few years as part of the £1.4 billion East Coast Digital Programme, is the second line in the country to go signal-free since the Cambrian Line in 2011.

The last of the signals between Moorgate and Finsbury Park was removed over the weekend of 17 and 18 May, bringing to an end 121 years of signal operation on this line.

Trains on the ‘Northern City Line’ are now controlled by ETCS (European Train Control System), which provides information to drivers including the distances between each train and the speed they can travel.

This not only eliminates the need for signals it can also provide a steady, constant service between trains, offering passengers a more reliable service.

In the space of just six years, the ‘Northern City Line’ has gone from running 40+ year old class 313 trains, to the most modern railway in the country, thanks to the £240m investment and delivery of the class 717 trains and more investment in the ETCS.

This achievement could not come at a better time as the railways celebrate their 200th anniversary this year, which has led industry experts to call this moment symbolic in the history of our nation’s railways.

“Thanks to £1.4bn of Government funding, this cutting-edge programme is bringing our railways into the 21st Century and beyond.

Digital signalling is not only more cost effective, but even safer and more resilient than traditional signalling. This technology, which is as advanced as it gets, could reduce delays by up to a third, evidence that this Government’s Plan for Change is making a real difference to people’s everyday lives.

This is a Government on the side of working people and, through ambitious projects like this this one, is improving vital access to jobs, services and loved ones.”

Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy

In the years to come, ETCS is due to be extended nationwide. There have been several classes of trains and even heritage locomotives being trialled and tested with this new ETCS system.

The East Coast Main Line is one of a handful of test beds for ETCS and has seen several tests using a range of trains in recent months, and the installation of equipment for the new system.

Over the same weekend that the signals were removed from the ‘Northern City Line’, further digital signalling testing took place between Welwyn Garden City and Hitchin, while work on the first stages of installing the system between Biggleswade and Peterborough began.