A major step forward in the introduction of digital signalling on the East Coast Main Line took place last weekend, Saturday, 22nd and Sunday, 23rd November.

For the first time, multiple trains running simultaneously were being controlled by the new digital in-cab signalling system.

During the weekend, testing was carried out on the line south of Peterborough, as part of the £1.4 billion East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP).

The programme is replacing the conventional lineside ‘traffic light’ signals with continuous signalling information passed to the driver through the European Train Control System (ETCS).

Major benefits of the system include more punctual and reliable journeys.

The landmark was achieved when two Great Northern Class 717 commuter units were controlled by ETCS at the same time, which was the first time that had happened on an inter-city main line in the UK.

A Grand Central Class 180 unit also took part in the tests, providing data updates for the parts of the ETCS system involving trackside interlocking and the Radio Block Centre to prove the desk and signaller screens at the Rail Operating Centre at York.

Other work during the weekend included enabling the balises, which communicate with the train, to remain switched on, so that future testing will be more efficient. The next time that testing will affect passengers will be at the end of January.

Digital control of trains between Welwyn and Hitchin is set to become operational next year.

The system has already been tested on trains travelling at speed on a test track in Leicestershire.

“We’re really pleased with our testing from this weekend, and it’s a great achievement to have two of our Great Northern Class 717 trains out on the line using ETCS simultaneously. A lot of collaborative work between Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) and our partners goes into ensuring we can make the most out of these short testing windows.”

“The combined expertise of our GTR test drivers and specialists alongside colleagues from Siemens and Network Rail means the test crew can work together as one integrated team on the night – partnership working truly in action. I’m happy to see that we had a lot of successful tests on all the trains and can continue working towards switching on ETCS between Welwyn and Hitchin next year to bring more reliability and even better safety to our passengers.”

Raj Patel, Govia Thameslink Railway’s head of digital signalling