Friday, August 23, 2024 Alstom advances digital rail on the UK’s East Coast Main Line with successful ETCS testing, setting the stage for fleet-wide upgrades and a new era of rail travel. Significant progress has been made in the journey to bring digital in-cab signalling to the UK’s East Coast Main Line (ECML) with the successful completion of dynamic testing for the European Train Control System (ETCS) by Alstom. This key milestone marks a crucial step in modernizing the rail line.
Alstom’s Digital and Integrated Systems (D&IS) team spearheaded the installation of the advanced in-cab signalling system on Govia Thameslink Railway’s Great Northern Class 387/1 387101. Following the installation, the train underwent rigorous testing across various operational scenarios to ensure its readiness and reliability under real-world conditions. The 387101, a member of the widely utilized Electrostar family of commuter units in South East England, stands out as the First in Class (FiC) for its fleet.
Remarkably, it is the first major commuter fleet in the UK to be retrofitted with digital signalling technology. This pioneering achievement sets the stage for similar upgrades across the extensive Electrostar fleet and paves the way for the broader implementation of the European Train Control System (ETCS) on additional routes throughout the country. “We are proud to have provided the cutting-edge technology and expertise necessary to retrofit the Class 387 fleet, paving the way for a new era of safer, more efficient and sustainable rail travel,” said David Maddison, D&IS Regional Director at Alstom.
He added: “Working with partners across the industry, Alstom is committed to advancing the digital rail revolution, ensuring that passengers and freight operators alike benefit from enhanced performance and reliability.” The Electrostar family of electric multiple-unit (EMU) passenger trains, produced at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane facility in Derby between 1999 and 2017, remains a cornerstone of the UK’s rail infrastructure. In 2023, the 387101 unit returned to this renowned facility to be retrofitted with the latest onboard ETCS (Atlas 3) system.
Each component underwent rigorous powered-up static electrical testing to ensure reliability and performance. Additionally, Alstom conducted low-speed dynamic testing of the Eurobalise antenna and odometry system, critical for accurately detecting the train’s location. As one of the largest rolling stock manufacturing sites globally, Alstom’s Derby facility is the UK’s sole establishment capable of designing, engineering, building, and testing trains for both domestic and international markets.
The site also provides comprehensive servicing and signalling solutions. Industry collaboration has been essential throughout this process. Dynamic testing at Network Rail’s Rail Innovation and Development Centre (RIDC) in Melton Mowbray marked a crucial phase in readying the Class 387 fleet for digital signalling under the East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP) and future ETCS rollouts.
This effort has been a collaborative venture, involving Alstom, Network Rail, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), and Porterbrook, the owner of the Class 387 Electrostar fleet. “Porterbrook is pleased to be playing our part in supporting Network Rail and our industry partners with the delivery of the ECDP,” said Ben Ackroyd, Chief Operating Officer at Porterbrook. He added: “Completing the dynamic testing of these FiC units is an important milestone that can be directly attributed to the hard work and close collaboration of all those involved with this complex project.
” These upgraded trains are equipped with a cutting-edge operating system that continuously monitors and communicates their position, speed, and direction. Signalling information is relayed directly to a computer screen in the driver’s cab, eliminating the need for traditional trackside signals. The 387101 unit will now enter the next phase of the approval process, where it will accumulate fault-free running mileage.
The ETCS is an advanced digital signalling technology that aligns with the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) standards..
