UK freight trains to be upgraded with European Train Control Systems

Network Rail has contracted Siemens Rail Automation to install European Train Control System (ETCS) in-cab signalling on 750 of the UK's heaviest locomotives to improve safety and provide better use of the network with plans to retrofit the entire fleet in 2022. This technology forms part of the country's Digital Railway programme, and the government has invested £450m ($602m) as part of its National Productivity Fund. For the first phase, Siemens will install its Trainguard 200 (T200) ETCS on-board
December 20, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
5021 Network Rail has contracted Siemens Rail Automation to install European Train Control System (ETCS) in-cab signalling on 750 of the UK's heaviest locomotives to improve safety and provide better use of the network with plans to retrofit the entire fleet in 2022. This technology forms part of the country's %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external Digital Railway programme Digital Railway website link false http://digitalrailway.co.uk/ false false%>, and the government has invested £450m ($602m) as part of its National Productivity Fund.

For the first phase, Siemens will install its Trainguard 200 (T200) ETCS on-board solution, with its Level 2, Baseline 3 system on freight locomotives which operate across the county. It will work with Network Rail and the six Freight Operating Companies.

ETCS is designed with the intention of ensuring trains operate within safe limits and speeds. The system permits the driver to operate the train and comes with on-board equipment that can take control should it go over or be in danger of exceeding the limit. T200 comes with fall-back odometry and radar configuration as well as an Automatic Warning System and a Train Protection functionality integrated into the ETCS driver display.

Siemens and Network Rail will support Freight Operating Companies by training around 2,400 drivers on how to use the solution.

Chris Grayling, secretary of state for Transport said: “We are making the biggest investment in the railways since Victorian times and this includes £450m for integrating digital technology on our railways. This technology has huge potential to improve journeys for passengers and to boost our freight industry by cutting delays and increasing the number of services. Today is an important step towards our future as a digital railway that is fit for the 21st century."

More information is available on the %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external website Network Rail Website link false https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/freight-trains-in-britain-to-be-upgraded-with-delay-busting-digital-technology-in-multi-million-pound-deal false false%>.

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