Work on a £1.4billion upgrade to a major UK railway line is set to continue this weekend.
The work involves closing part of the East Coast Main Line (ECML) this weekend in order to test ‘21st century digital signalling systems’.
The East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP) will see traditional, lineside signals replaced with signalling displayed inside drivers’ cabs. Network Rail says the new tech will mean more reliable and punctual services on the ECM.
It uses ETCS, a ‘proven’ technology that is already in use in many countries in Europe and elsewhere. Officials say: “The ECDP will see the first introduction of ETCS to an intercity mainline in Great Britain, and will provide the foundation for the future expansion of digital signalling across the network.
“ETCS is currently in use in the central London section of Thameslink and on the Cambrian Line in Wales, and now on the Northern City Line (Finsbury Park to Moorgate), in the first stage of ECDP.”
Network Rail adds: “With signalling information being provided directly to the driver, via a screen in their cab, there will no longer be a need to maintain a large amount of lineside equipment involved with traditional ‘traffic light’ signals. As a result, the amount of signalling-related engineering work will reduce in the future by around almost half.
“Additionally, trains are sometimes affected by signal failures; moving to a modern, digitally based system makes this less likely, potentially reducing thousands of hours of delays, and making train services more reliable.”
The digital signalling also gives train drivers ‘continual information’ about the safe maximum speed for their train, as well as additional information about the route ahead, which today’s fixed ‘traffic light’ signals do not. This enables more ‘efficient’ operations, helping trains stay on time, Network Rail says.
The operator adds: “The new technology allows continuous communication between the trackside and onboard equipment. Signallers can continuously communicate with every train on the network and respond in real time using digital tools to help smooth the flow of trains and recover services more quickly after disruption.”
The latest round of works will affect long-distance trains in and out of London King’s Cross this weekend. London Northwestern Railway (LNER), Hull Trains, Great Northern, Lumo and Grand Central customers have been advised to plan ahead of their journeys by officials.
Network Rail has detailed that LNER will be operating a reduced service on Saturday, November 30, and Sunday, December 1, starting and terminating at St Neots or Peterborough.
Rail replacement coaches will run between St Neots and Bedford, where customers can join Thameslink or EMR services to London St Pancras. Hull Trains will be running a reduced train service of two trains in each direction which will divert and terminate in London St Pancras.
Lumo will operate a reduced service involving a non-stop rail replacement coach between London King’s Cross and Peterborough. There will be no Grand Central services.
Amid the disruption, East Midlands Railway (EMR) services to and from London St. Pancras are expected to be ‘extremely busy’, and customers have been advised to use Thameslink services and interchange at Bedford for rail replacement services to St Neots.
Thameslink and Great Northern services will be running into King’s Cross, officials say, but only between London and Potters Bar. Onward journeys northwards will be served by rail replacement buses.
