The UK continues to enhance its railway system by adopting cutting-edge technologies, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Implementation of the European Train Control System (ETCS)

Recently, the reconstruction of the mainline section between Welwyn Garden City and Hitchin was completed as part of the East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP).

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A key step in this program was the implementation of the European Train Control System (ETCS), which operates in parallel with the existing signaling system.

This phase of the ECDP implementation is significant as it allows train operators to familiarize themselves with the new system, eliminating the need for trackside signals.

The reconstruction included the introduction of modern technologies such as Siemens Mobility’s microprocessor-based interlocking and the upgrade of trackside clearance monitoring devices.

Special equipment will be installed at the train control center in York to test the new system.

The first trial trains will start operating in spring 2024, with full transition to ETCS in passenger and freight services planned for 2025.

This is not the first experience with ETCS in the country. The Northern City Line (NCL) between Finsbury Park and Moorgate has been equipped with this system.

Currently, about a quarter of all trains on this line are operated using ETCS, and it is expected that by the beginning of 2025, train operations on the NCL will be completely without trackside signals.

Photo: Network Rail

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