Earlier this month, a team from Porterbrook, PCMS, Great Western Railway, Bombardier and DB Cargo (with support from ROG), successfully completed European Train Control System tests on an eight-car Class 387 train between Reading and Heathrow.

Heathrow Airport Limited and Network Rail supported the test team.

To enable the tests to be completed, despite COVID-19 Social Distancing guidelines, innovative remote monitoring equipment was installed to link the driver’s cab with the passenger saloon where the testing team were based.

Cameras were located in the train’s cab above the driver to relay the ETCS Driver Machine Interface display back to the testing team. The DMI shows the trains speed and authority of movement to the driver.

A second camera was located in the second man position to capture the signalling ahead to make sure there were no discrepancies between the ETCS and the classic signals on the route.

A total of 20 tests were completed over the weekend of 1st – 3rd May 2020. This also means that ETCS operation on the Heathrow route remains on target to be introduced later in 2020.

Mary Grant, Porterbrook CEO, said: “The latest successful Class 387 ETCS proving run is a testament to what can be achieved when the railway industry works together. Despite the challenges of Covid-19, the team managed to safely maintain social-distancing and complete an exhaustive programme of tests in record time. My thanks to all our suppliers and partners for supporting this programme, which is a key to delivering enhanced capacity on services to Heathrow.”

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