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%>.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Portable, smart desktop laser marker
    November 20, 2013
    IRIS Corporation’s DLP400 Series is, the company says, the world’s first smart desktop laser marker that can be used for both passports and cards. It offers high functionality to meet growing demand for a wide range of identification issuance solutions among government bodies, financial institutions, healthcare providers, insurance companies, universities and card retailers.
    Read More
  • 3D-Kennzeichen’s flexible approach to numberplates
    March 26, 2014
    Small German company 3D-Kennzeichen is seeking to replace traditional numberplates with its new, polypropylene version, which the company says has several advantages over the existing aluminium type. Company owner Dr Michael Baueionr comes at the sector from an unusual direction. A label industry specialist, he is also a polymer chemist with a longstanding interest in polypropylene and its qualities.
    Read More
  • Morelock and 3M cement longstanding partnership
    March 21, 2018
    Another decade of cooperation between 3M and its long-standing UK sign manufacturer client Morelock Group was cemented with firm handshakes on the 3M stand yesterday. Morelock has purchased a Durst Rho 163 TS printing system after a decade of operating the previous model, a Rho 161. The new printer can produce more than 25m² per hour on 1,220mm-wide media in high-quality mode for traffic sign use. It uses specially designed 3M Piezo InkJet 8900UV series inks on 3M reflective sheeting as well as rigid
    Read More
  • Truck parking app now includes occupancy data
    June 16, 2015
    Occupancy data for 23 parking spaces on the A9 between Nuremberg and Munich from the Bavarian Traffic Information Agency new truck parking information system (displayed on www.bayerninfo.de) has now been added to PTV Group’s free Truck Parking Europe app. Truck drivers across Europe can use the app to search real time information on parking space occupancy, make informed route decisions and add or edit parking options themselves.
    Read More

Highlighted Content