Rail Minister Huw Merriman visited London Kings Cross to see the transformational technology and the people making it happen.

The Rail Minister’s visit coincided with The East Coast Digital Programmes ‘year of breakthrough delivery’ and saw him treated to a demonstration of digital signalling on the London North Eastern Railway driver simulator and also a visit to the cab of an LNER Azuma train which was pre-fitted with European Train Control System, the minister also met with industry leaders who are delivering the impressive programme.

The innovative programme will see the replacement of traditional lineside signals with the very latest digital signalling for the East Coast Mainline southern area. The impressive technology will bring continuous real-time information to the driver using the European Train Control System and will provide more reliable and environmentally friendly services for both passengers and freight.

2022 has seen the East Coast Digital Programme deliver:

• The commissioning of new signalling and the successful testing of trains utilising digital signalling for the Northern City Line between Finsbury Park and Moorgate. This work lays the foundations for the very first passenger trains to run using the European Train Control System for the Northern City Line during Spring 2023.
• Successful testing of the first retrofitted passenger trains with the European Train Control System which took place at the improved Rail Innovation and Development Centre testing facility
• The first stage of major European Train Control System retrofitting programmes in both freight trains and commuter trains which do not already have the system fitted
• A considerable array of ‘full cab’ and desktop-based driver simulators with the European Train Control Systems capability, and will see approximately 3,000 train drivers able to be trained to drive using digital signalling
• They have also made headway in a world-first project which will see the European Train Control Systems on steam locomotives for main-line use

2022 also saw the Government approve the Full Business Case for the East Coast Digital Programme with more than £1b in further funding put in place which will allow the full provision of digital signalling for the very first time for one of the country’s busiest intercity routes.

Rail Minister, Huw Merriman said: “It has truly been a year of breakthrough delivery on our East Coast Digital Programme, from the commissioning of new signalling to the testing of trains.

“This programme is a fantastic example of cross-industry working with Network Rail and train operating companies to deliver a safer, faster, and more efficient rail network right along the vital East Coast Main Line”

Toufic Machnouk, Network Rail’s Director, Industry Partnership for Digital Railway, said: “We are creating the future railway, and breakthrough delivery is happening at pace across the many partners involved with the Programme.  We are pushing the boundaries with our collaboration across the industry, and demonstrating what the industry can achieve when working together across the whole system.”

David Horne, Managing Director at LNER, said: “We are proud to be at the forefront of the digital transformation of the railway, working with our industry partners to make journeys even greener and more reliable for customers. This vital investment in digital signalling will enable our Azuma fleet to realise its full potential. LNER Azuma train cabs are already fitted with the latest world-class technology in preparation for the upgrade which will enable us to bring numerous benefits for our customers. It will help transform customer journeys and make rail travel even smoother, more punctual and more sustainable.”

Tom Moran, Managing Director of Thameslink and Great Northern at Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “By working together with Network Rail, Siemens and our trade unions, we have gone from a standing start to commissioning the new digital signalling system on the Northern City Line to Moorgate in under two years. This is a great start for such a complex project. The future really does look bright for the East Coast.”

Maggie Simpson OBE, Director General, Rail Freight Group, said: “Digital signalling creates opportunities for longer, heavier and faster freight trains to run on a more reliable railway.  By providing more attractive services for our customers we can reduce emissions by shifting more freight from road to rail.  The freight sector is making great progress in delivering the necessary changes across our businesses.”