Govia Thameslink Railway carries passengers in 717 using updated version of ETCS

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), with Siemens Mobility, has run its first Class 717 Great Northern train in passenger service using an updated specification of the in-cab digital signalling software, European Train Control System (ETCS).

On Monday 8 July, unit 717020 ran on the Northern City Line using ETCS Baseline 3, Release 2 (also referred to as version 3.6.0). The train left Finsbury Park at 17.17 and arrived in Moorgate at 17.31. Since then, it has been running regularly in passenger traffic.

This specification of ETCS allows more flexibility for services to operate in a high traffic area by connecting the train to the trackside via GPRS instead of GSM-R (see editor’s notes). It will be needed to accommodate the high frequency of services that operate on the East Coast Mainline, as part of the government-funded East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP).

All 25 Class 717 trains in Great Northern’s fleet will now be upgraded to this software over the coming months and the baseline will also be used by all train operators on the East Coast Mainline.

Jonathan Daniels, Network Rail’s ECDP integration lead, said: “The new baseline level of ETCS is integral to achieving the introduction of digitally signalled services on the East Coast Main Line from next year. Its successful introduction on GTR’s Class 717 commuter fleet will be followed by its introduction to the various fleets that make up the high intensity of service on that busy route.”

GTR’s head of ERTMS Oliver Turner said: “Only seven weeks ago, working closely with our industry partners, we created the UK network’s first-ever ‘signals-free’ commuter railway on the Northern City Line between Finsbury Park and London Moorgate.

“Now, together with Siemens and Network Rail, we’ve successfully proved the use in passenger service of this updated version of the in-cab digital signalling software.

“This is the version specified through the East Coast Digital Programme to roll out digital signalling along the main line, bringing huge benefits to passengers, with a more reliable, more sustainable railway, lower emissions, and even better safety for passengers.”

Ben Lane, infrastructure lead and ECDP project director, Siemens Mobility said: “The Northern City Line project continues to show how our digital signalling can transform rail travel and transport. With this updated ETCS software on our Siemens Mobility Class 717 trains, we will see more digital network capacity for train and freight operators over the busiest sections of the East Coast Main Line route.

“In partnership with Network Rail and GTR, we’re already seeing the benefits of ETCS on NCL with fewer disruptions, lower maintenance, and smoother, more reliable journeys for passengers.”