Progress continues with the East Coast Main Line’s transition to digital in-cab signalling, marked by the successful completion of dynamic ETCS testing for trains in the passenger and freight sectors.

Great Northern Class 387/1 Electrostar No.387101 owned by Govia Thameslink Railway, and DB Cargo‘s Class 66 loco 66039 have successfully completed their testing across a range of operational scenarios.

Each train represents the First in Class (FiC) for its respective fleet.

The Class 387 belongs to the Electrostar family, a group of commuter trains commonly used in South East England, while the Class 66 is the mainstay of Britain’s freight fleet.

Dynamic testing conducted at Network Rail’s Rail Innovation and Development Centre (RIDC) in Melton is a crucial phase in readying the fleets for operation with digital signalling under the East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP).

The project has entailed a tight-knit collaboration among Network Rail, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), Porterbrook, DB Cargo, and their respective on-board equipment suppliers, Alstom and Siemens Mobility.

The next phase in the approval process for both trains involves accumulating mileage without any faults.

Development of ETCS in the UK has progressed rapidly since the start of 2024 as the East Coast digital in-cab signalling programme takes shape.

Over 50% of trains to Moorgate already run using the ETCS system while a class 66v has also been fitted with the equipment and is yet to start its testing.

“This is significant progress with two strategically important fleets. Our partners have worked hard on both these projects to get to this point – those efforts will provide ongoing benefits with durable designs for key fleets. Preparing all the fleets is ECDP’s biggest challenge, but the facilities at RIDC are helping us take big steps forward toward a digital future.”

Ed Akers, Network Rail’s Industry Partnership Director for ECDP

“Completing dynamic testing is a huge achievement. The Class 387 will be the country’s first major commuter fleet to have this technology retrofitted, and we’re looking forward to completing the work to the remaining 28 units at our depot in Hornsey, north London.”

Aaron Meakin, GTR’s Senior Programme Delivery Manager for ERTMS

“The completion of 66039’s dynamic testing at RIDC marks another significant milestone for freight and the programme. A lot of hard work has gone into getting us to this point, so I’d like to recognise and thank our colleagues at DB Cargo, Siemens, and RIDC for their dedication and professionalism during dynamic testing.

We’re incredibly proud to be undertaking the first in class fitment of a Class 66 and we’re excited to see how it performs in the next phase of testing as it accumulates 5,000 miles of fault-free running as part of the approvals process.”

Neil Ethell, Chief Operating Officer, DB Cargo UK