The first Class 387/1 train to be fitted with ETCS has completed static testing, Great Northern has announced.

The work to install ETCS, which is in cab signalling, is part of the East Coast Digital Programme.

The Class 387 is the first commuter fleet of trains to have the technology installed. 387101 was commissioned at Alstom‘s Litchurch Lane site in Derby.

On the 23rd May 2023, GB Railfreight hauled the train from Derby to Melton Mowbray where dynamic testing can start. This is the first of three dynamic testing events for the Class 387, all of which are expected to be completed by October 2023.

When the Class 387 returns to Great Northern in November 2023, GTR will fit the remaining 28 units at Hornsey in North London.

GTR’s ERTMS Fleet Project Manager Aaron Meakin said: “We’re delighted with how the newly retrofitted ETCS system has performed on our Class 387 train in static testing. It bodes well as we move into dynamic testing at RIDC. Our engineering team and the team at Alstom are working closely together to ensure success and we’re looking forward to continuing this collaboration.”

Aaron Weeks, Project Director for Alstom said: “The Class 387 is the first unit in the UK to utilise the newest generation of Alstom’s ETCS Onboard signalling product, known as ATLAS 3. We are delighted to successfully complete the fitment and static testing and now we are looking forward to dynamically testing the train at RIDC in the coming months.

“Alstom recognises that the digitisation of the UK rail network needs new ways of innovative cross industry working and the ongoing close collaboration between our team and partners at GTR, Porterbrook and Network Rail on this project is a great example of this.”

Ed Akers, Network Rail’s Principal Programme Sponsor, East Coast Digital Programme, said: “This is another important step forward in the largest passenger fleet retrofitting project in the ECDP. We’ve got here because of pioneering collaboration across multiple industry partners. The partnership working will continue as the train gets put through its paces at our upgraded facilities at RIDC, preparing the way for its use with digitally signalled passenger services.”

Ben Ackroyd, Chief Operating Officer at Porterbrook, which owns GTR’s Class 387 fleet said: “Successful completion of static testing signals an important milestone in this project aimed at improving performance and reliability for passengers. We’re proud to be playing our part in this industry partnership and look forward to continued collaboration as the ‘first-in-class’ train moves into dynamic testing.”