First ETCS train operates on the East Coast Mainline

[Kentish RYS]

Hitchin to Welwyn ETCS now planned to go live after the final tests over the August bank holiday weekend

Yes, as said upthread with 717s only. LNER Azumas have had their first testing on the ECML ETCS

LNER reaches major digital signalling milestone on the East Coast Main Line

LNER has reached a significant milestone in its journey towards digital signalling, completing the first live operation of an Azuma train under European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 supervision on the East Coast Main Line.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

LNER reaches major digital signalling milestone on the East Coast Main Line​

Region & Route: Eastern: East Coast
LNER has reached a significant milestone in its journey towards digital signalling, completing the first live operation of an Azuma train under European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 supervision on the East Coast Main Line.

During testing that took place overnight on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 July, technicians, engineers and drivers worked together, drawing on expertise from across the railway industry. This milestone achievement is due to collaboration between LNER, Network Rail, Agility Trains, Hitachi Rail and LNER test train operator RailAdventure UK, which provides an excellent example of the integrated railway delivering digital innovation.

Travelling between Welwyn Garden City and Hitchin, the train and trackside systems were put through their paces to better understand how ETCS Level 2 technology performs at line speed in real operating conditions.

...

I was just wandering if anything official had been said recently about next stages, as I have not seen anything official other than the above

 

[St. Paddy]

Yes, as said upthread with 717s only. LNER Azumas have had their first testing on the ECML ETCS

LNER reaches major digital signalling milestone on the East Coast Main Line

LNER has reached a significant milestone in its journey towards digital signalling, completing the first live operation of an Azuma train under European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 supervision on the East Coast Main Line.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

I was just wandering if anything official had been said recently about next stages, as I have not seen anything official other than the above

Not seen a formal announcement but there’s been a lot of work north of Hitchin towards Peterborough with new cable troughs and under track excavations

 

[Class 800]

Yes, as said upthread with 717s only. LNER Azumas have had their first testing on the ECML ETCS

What about the 700s, 387s, 379s? What is the status of KGX to Welwyn, is that full ETCS already and with which operators / rolling stock?

 

[rmHawk765]

There’s a fourth 717 that reaches Letchworth, the morning staff train from King’s Cross, and this *does* run via Knebworth but not in service. It reverses via Letchworth reception roads, runs ECS to Stevenage, and then forms a Moorgate via Hertford service. Since May 18 this has been the only regular 313/717 service between Welwyn and Stevenage.

Was not aware of this one, interesting to know.

 

[Kentish RYS]

What about the 700s, 387s, 379s? What is the status of KGX to Welwyn, is that full ETCS already and with which operators / rolling stock?

So the Northern City Line is ETCS Level 2 with no conventional Signals, The Thameslink core is an older ETCS baseline but with a Conventional Signals overlay (so you can drive trains without ETCS). Both TL & NCL trains when going onto the ECML proper leave the ETCS and go to conventional signalling & train protection (AWS & TPWS). Welwyn to Hitchin (W2H) is both conventional signalling & train protection (AWS & TPWS) and an ETCS overlay to train staff & get them used to ETCS in normal service and is the first stretch on the 'main' ECML with ETCS. Kings Cross to Welwyn being still conventional signalling & train protection

The original intention was to do the next stages as 'signals away' (ETCS Level 2 with No conventional Signals) but the onboard ETCS fitment is behind in some fleets so the plan may change. Because the W2H is a newer system and multiple TOCs/FOCs the plan is to introduce different fleets in stages to the W2H ETCS. So 717s first, then later ones as fitment and testing happens. 700s obviously have onboards but it is older and has been tested less with the W2H scheme, so not happening the same day as the 717s. I'm not sure of the amount of onboards fitted to other fleets but they will need testing as well.

 

[rmHawk765]

What about the 700s, 387s, 379s?

I assume GTR will utilise it across their fleet first, then will come LNER and then Lumo & HT. The 700s already have it, and the 387s are being fitted incrementally. I suspect the 379s are also being fitted now that their rollout is complete.

What is the status of KGX to Welwyn, is that full ETCS already and with which operators / rolling stock?

ETCS is not fully fitted or used from KGX to Welwyn currently (except for Moorgate to Drayton Park). However it is incrementally being fitted, for example there are now many Eurobalises visible in the Harringay & Hornsey area.

W2H (Welwyn to Hitchin) does include a small section before Welwyn though so 717s will use it here. Also 717s via Hertford to Stevenage will use it for the short stretch between Langley Jn and Stevenage. From Hertford North to just before Langley Jn there is a rather interesting L2 installation already, which supports various experimental features and was used for testing with a converted 313 before the ECDP works began in full (one of the lines was resignalled to bi-di so passenger trains could continue running). This is probably not going to be reactivated for W2H but I imagine it may come soon after.

 

[zwk500]

ETCS is not fully fitted or used from KGX to Welwyn currently (except for Moorgate to Drayton Park). However it is incrementally being fitted, for example there are now many Eurobalises visible in the Harringay & Hornsey area.

Technically ETCS is fully fitted from Welwyn OHNS, about 1 mile south of Welwyn, as that's where the limit of W2H will be. https://sacuksprodnrdigital0001.blob.core.windows.net/etcs-and-radio-system-compatibility/ETCS System Compatibility Documents/GB ESC Checks ESC RSC Technical Document v1-6.pdf

Also, are those Eurobalises in the Up direction only? If so they may well be part of the calibration for the initial transition for trains to Moorgate/Thameslink. Verifying ETCS is active before Finsbury Park would be needed if the plan is/was to divert to King's Cross. [Edited to reflect info in post #372]

From Hertford North to just before Langley Jn there is a rather interesting L2 installation already, which supports various experimental features and was used for testing with a converted 313 before the ECDP works began in full (one of the lines was resignalled to bi-di so passenger trains could continue running). This is probably not going to be reactivated for W2H but I imagine it may come soon after.

The test track section is to a completely different baseline and AIUI (although far from an expert) would need to be replaced either in entirety or to a significant degree to be used. It isn't in W2H (the limit of the Watton-at-Stone area is given as 25m 60ch in the screengrabbed document above, so about 2 miles short of the W2H limit) but will need to be tackled when the Hertfood Loop section of ECDP comes around.

Class 66 fitment is also a big risk for ECDP, as Stevenage-Hitchin can't go Signals away until enough freight locos are fitted to run the flows that use that section, given the lack of reasonable alternative routes.

For Clarity, the Current (June 2026) Enhancements Delivery Programme has this entry for ECDP:

W2H Overlay - Aug26
W2H Signals Away - TBC at Sept26 issue
KGX-Stoke Jn (Signals away south of Peterborough) - Oct 30. Sadly it doesn't detail phasing beyond W2H, although the first phase is going to be the chunkiest one as it front-loads the rolling stock and staff training issues.

 

[rmHawk765]

The test track section is to a completely different baseline and AIUI (although far from an expert) would need to be replaced either in entirety or to a significant degree to be used. It isn't in W2H but will need to be tackled when the Hertfood Loop section of ECDP comes around.

Though it's probably easier to modify than it is to make a completely new installation somewhere else?

Also, are those Eurobalises in the Up direction only? If so they may well be part of the calibration for the initial transition for trains to Moorgate/Thameslink. Verifying ETCS is active before Finsbury Park would be needed if the plan is/was to divert to King's Cross.

I can't remember exactly on what tracks they are, though aren't the initial 'transition' balises only after Finsbury? I do remember watching a video from GN about this and if I remember correctly the transition happens just after Finsbury for both Moorgate and the Thameslink core.

Class 66 fitment is also a big risk for ECDP, as Stevenage-Hitchin can't go Signals away until enough freight locos are fitted to run the flows that use that section, given the lack of reasonable alternative routes.

I imagine the Hertford Loop might be the last to go signals-away (assuming it will be an overlay at first, I can't remember) due to this. And of course it will also delay going fully signals-away for most of King's Cross to Ally Pally.

 

[zwk500]

Though it's probably easier to modify than it is to make a completely new installation somewhere else?

Depends on what needs changing. Could be harder because the old installation has made modifications that need to be un-done. Noticeable, in NR's compatibility requirements Watton-at-Stone is a completely separate section to ECDP.

I can't remember exactly on what tracks they are, though aren't the initial 'transition' balises only after Finsbury? I do remember watching a video from GN about this and if I remember correctly the transition happens just after Finsbury for both Moorgate and the Thameslink core.

The specific transition happens between Finsbury Park and Drayton Park, but there will be several balise groups on approach to the actual transition point to ensure that the ETCS on-board equipment is correctly calibrated for distance etc and is communicating properly with the RBC, so that the train doesn't get a LTO (Level Transition Order), receive no response or detect an error, and slam on the brakes.
As I mentioned, if the plan is to divert to King's Cross, then the Driver and Signaller will need to know ETCS is going to have a transition error *before* it reaches the actual transition point so it can be diverted under a signalled MA. [Edited to reflect info in post #372]

NR have published a document on the 'Entering into ETCS' design considerations: https://sacuksprodnrdigital0001.blob.core.windows.net/system-requirements-suite/1. Baseline 4 documents/2. System Requirements Suite documents/Reference Design Topics/Topic N - Entering ETCS.pdf

I imagine the Hertford Loop might be the last to go signals-away (assuming it will be an overlay at first, I can't remember) due to this. And of course it will also delay going fully signals-away for most of King's Cross to Ally Pally.

AIUI the intent is for later stages to skip the overlay stage (or to keep it as short as possible during testing), as it requires a significant amount of additional work and assets to maintain both systems on the infrastructure. The phasing will also try and avoid creating multiple transitions in and out of ETCS, as it's a potential point of failure that you can reasonably easily design out. But given NR's own documentation says they're reviewing the programme timescales, I wouldn't want to attempt to guess NR's mind of the next phases.

 

[rmHawk765]

AIUI the intent is for later stages to skip the overlay stage (or to keep it as short as possible during testing), as it requires a significant amount of additional work and assets to maintain both systems on the infrastructure.

So to an extent the Hertford rollout depends on 66 fitment (or 93/99 introduction I guess), assuming it will not have an overlay.

 

[zwk500]

So to an extent the Hertford rollout depends on 66 fitment (or 93/99 introduction I guess), assuming it will not have an overlay.

Yes, although no more so than W2H Signals-Away. GBRf and DB have been fitting 66s with ETCS, you can find the First-In-Class fitment press releases with a quick google.

 

[St. Paddy]

A few points from recent posts.

The eurobalises in the Hornsey and Haringay area are for enabling additional door release above the baseline of 5, so 5.5 on the up at Hornsey and down at Haringay and 6 on the Down at Hornsey. They also have correct side door enabling and are nothing to do with ETCS.
Trains heading to Moorgate connect to the Radio Block centre just prior to arrival at Finsbury Park. If diverting to KX, there are further eurobalises to disconnect from the RBC so it’s not a problem as they don’t transition until they are on the up Moorgate.

Class 717s are all fitted with the latest software (known as 3.6 amongst other things) and will be good to go from day one on W2H with a small amount of Driver training. Class 700s need a software upgrade which has been fitted and tested on 700003. I’m not sure of the date they are planned to be upgraded by before they can be used. 387101 has ETCS fitted after 3.5 years of trying to make it work. I’m not sure if it has been tested on W2H yet

 

[rmHawk765]

The eurobalises in the Hornsey and Haringay area are for enabling additional door release above the baseline of 5, so 5.5 on the up at Hornsey and down at Haringay and 6 on the Down at Hornsey.

Ah alright. What is the purpose of the balise for 6 on the Down at Hornsey then, if 717s are only 6 coaches?

 

[Kentish RYS]

Ah alright. What is the purpose of the balise for 6 on the Down at Hornsey then, if 717s are only 6 coaches?

There are other balises all over the GB network not for ETCS but for Selective Door Operation (SDO), Automatic Power Change Over (APCO i.e. telling trains to switch to Diesel, Overhead or 3rd Rail as appropriate) and the like for all sorts of traction types that ETCS trains should ignore in the respect of signalling but are read by normal trains for whatever purpose by specific fleets. I don't know the area well enough to answer your exact question but don't think balise always equals for ETCS trains (though it could be for 700s)

Class 717s are all fitted with the latest software (known as 3.6 amongst other things) and will be good to go from day one on W2H with a small amount of Driver training. Class 700s need a software upgrade which has been fitted and tested on 700003. I’m not sure of the date they are planned to be upgraded by before they can be used. 387101 has ETCS fitted after 3.5 years of trying to make it work. I’m not sure if it has been tested on W2H yet

I don't think 387101 has been tested on W2H yet, not many fleets have done (about 5 I think).

 

[St. Paddy]

Ah alright. What is the purpose of the balise for 6 on the Down at Hornsey then, if 717s are only 6 coaches?

They were restricted to release the doors on the first 5 coaches when introduced. Further work was needed to ensure the whole train was in clear and balises were the preferred method as the database was programmed for 5 to cover the up platform as well

 

[rmHawk765]

They were restricted to release the doors on the first 5 coaches when introduced. Further work was needed to ensure the whole train was in clear and balises were the preferred method as the database was programmed for 5 to cover the up platform as well

Ah yes now I remember this whole debacle, as a user of this line. I was under the impression I had seen other balises on the fast tracks but I guess I just can't remember correctly.

 

[gravitystorm]

387101 has ETCS fitted after 3.5 years of trying to make it work.

I'm curious as to why this wasn't a straightforward task. There is already ETCS fitted to other class 387s (Heathrow Express). Perhaps a different vendor? Or something more complex in the versions?

 

[bahnause]

I'm curious as to why this wasn't a straightforward task. There is already ETCS fitted to other class 387s (Heathrow Express). Perhaps a different vendor? Or something more complex in the versions?

HEX is probably using Bombardier Ebicab 2000 hardware, 387101 Alstom Atlas 3.

 

[zwk500]

Hitchin to Welwyn ETCS now planned to go live after the final tests over the August bank holiday weekend

Rail Magazine now reporting this:

https://www.railmagazine.com/news/etcs-use-on-east-coast-main-line-stretch-from-late-august (may require singning up to the mailing list to view)

European Train Control System (ETCS) will be trialled for the first time in the UK on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) from the August Bank Holiday.

This next phase of the ETCS trial is an overlay, meaning that initially only GTR Class 717s operating between Moorgate and Stevenage/Welwyn Garden City will use ETCS.

 

[JN114]

I’m not quite sure why ECDP are still so insistent they’re the first on anything?

Like every press release from them seems to make out this is all so groundbreaking; when in actuality they’re not doing anything new whatsoever.

European Train Control System (ETCS) will be trialled for the first time in the UK on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) from the August Bank Holiday.

First use of ETCS in the UK was on the Cambrian over a decade ago

First use as an overlay was with the Thameslink programme nearly a decade ago

First mixed-fleet implementation was with the Heathrow branch of the GWML in 2020

First use on a 4-track, high speed mainline was in 2023 when it was extended from Heathrow onto the GWML proper.

***

See also there being a mature, proven Electrostar implementation but GTR and ECDP going for something different.

 

[rmHawk765]

First use on a 4-track, high speed mainline was in 2023 when it was extended from Heathrow onto the GWML proper.

I am always surprised how quietly this was done compared to the ECDP.

 

[D365]

See also there being a mature, proven Electrostar implementation but GTR and ECDP going for something different.

Following their acquisition of Bombardier Transportation, Alstom didn’t want to continue supplying Bombardier EVCs for new fleet fitment programmes.

 

[zwk500]

I’m not quite sure why ECDP are still so insistent they’re the first on anything?

Like every press release from them seems to make out this is all so groundbreaking; when in actuality they’re not doing anything new whatsoever.

Tbf that might just be Rail's reporting, not a direct ECDP press release. I haven't seen anything from ECDP/NR themselves on it.

I am always surprised how quietly this was done compared to the ECDP.

It being overshadowed by the much flashier part of the crossrail programme probably had a lot to do with that.

 

[Kentish RYS]

I think Rail Magazine must be creating the wording as "...will be trialled..." is not what is happening. Welwyn to Hitchin ERTMS is having its Entry into Service which is not testing. If it was conventional signalling that would be basically the end of testing (conventional jobs may have some items deferred that need testing but the bulk should be done before Entry into Service), just for Welwyn to Hitchin there will be more testing for the other train types.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jul 2026 ==

(I haven't read the whole article as I went to look but it wanted so much information to sign up for a free account I decided not to)

 

[nooohaah789885]

Is the date of late 2027/early 2028 still unchanged for the introduction of 897s and replacement of 91s? As i doubt they will get the ETCS stuff sorted on the ECML by then.

 

[3RDGEN]

Is the date of late 2027/early 2028 still unchanged for the introduction of 897s and replacement of 91s? As i doubt they will get the ETCS stuff sorted on the ECML by then.

LNER have said introduction in 2028 but nothing more precise than that, ETCS to Stoke Tunnel is due late 2030 so there's a bit of time yet.

 

[zwk500]

Is the date of late 2027/early 2028 still unchanged for the introduction of 897s and replacement of 91s? As i doubt they will get the ETCS stuff sorted on the ECML by then.

According to NR's Enhancements Delivery Plan, the first section of Signals-Away was originally planned for April 2027, and the date is currently being revised (expected update in September).

As some context, the previous phase of the current section ("ready to commence operational migration") was originally due to begin in July 2025, and was delayed by 13 months to now being programmed for August 2026 (this month) - press comms have gone out about the 717s starting to operate under ETCS in service from the August Bank Holiday.

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Enhancements-Delivery-Plan-England-and-Wales-June-2026.pdf

The September update of the EDP should be available in the first couple of weeks of the month at the very bottom of this page: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/who-we-are/publications-and-resources/