Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) and Siemens Mobility have upgraded a fleet of 25 Class 717 trains to operate with the latest specification of the European Train Control System (ETCS).

All trains are now in passenger service on the Northern City Line between Finsbury Park and Moorgate using ETCS Baseline 3, Release 2 (also known as version 3.6.0).

This version of the in-cab digital signalling system introduces changes to how trains communicate with the trackside. It replaces the current GSM-R radio link with GPRS, a step intended to provide greater flexibility in areas with frequent services. The same specification will be used across the East Coast Main Line under the government-funded East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP), where it is needed to support high traffic levels.

First Great Northern Class 717 in passenger service using 3.6.0

© Govia Thameslink Railway

The Northern City Line has played a pilot role in the wider introduction of ETCS, with conventional trackside signals removed from the route earlier this year. The line has therefore become the UK’s first commuter corridor to operate solely with in-cab signalling.

The completion of the 717 fleet upgrade demonstrates that passenger trains can operate with the new ETCS specification in daily service, providing a basis for future fleet conversions elsewhere.

Richard Cooper, Infrastructure Lead and ECDP Project Director, Siemens Mobility said:

The successful upgrade of the Siemens-built Class 717 fleet on the Northern City Line to the new ETCS specification marks a major milestone in our mission to transform rail travel through innovative technology.

Working closely with GTR and Network Rail, we are proud to be delivering a more reliable, connected, and higher-capacity railway for passengers travelling between Moorgate and Finsbury Park.

This achievement proves that an ETCS no-signals commuter railway unlocks a multitude of benefits on one of the UK’s most demanding urban corridors, and we plan to apply these lessons and improvements to the wider East Coast Main Line.

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