Retrofit signals success for Porterbrook

Three of Porterbrook’s Class 43 Power cars have now been retrofitted with a modern European Train Control System (ETCS).

Porterbrook says the retrofit is a “major step” forward for the UK Digital Railway Programme.  

The systems are compliant to the latest Union of Signalling Industry (UNISIG) baseline.

Porterbrook says the ETCS in-cab signalling technology is set to transform the railway network; improving performance, reducing delays, enhancing safety and reducing costs by removing trackside signalling.  

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Porterbrook, the lead ROSCO for the Class 43 under the National Joint ROSCO Programme, and owner of the three vehicles that have been successfully retrofitted, awarded the contract to carry out the First in Class (FiC) design and fitment project to Thales in 2018.  

The Class 43 Power cars that have been fitted and tested are part of Network Rail’s New Measurement Train, which carries out essential infrastructure monitoring work across the whole network. Fitment of ETCS is a priority to enable continued data recording on the East Coast and other areas as the technology is rolled out.  

The project is the first time that Thales has fitted the ETCS On-Board System in the UK. Following successful Level 2 Testing at Network Rail’s Melton Rail Innovation & Development Centre (RIDC) over the last two weeks, preparation is now underway for the units to undergo full testing and reach Approval to Place Into Service by the end of the year.  

Ben Ackroyd, chief operating officer at Porterbrook, said: “Successful testing of Thales ETCS equipment is a major milestone, and we are delighted that the New Measurement Train will continue to operate on the East Coast once conventional signals are removed as we move to ETCS Level 2. This project is a key part of the rollout of the Digital Railway and my thanks goes to everyone who has played their part in getting us to this important stage.” 

Mark Newill, head of on-board portfolio at Thales, said: “This milestone proves Thales’s capability to modify existing cabs with the new digital in-cab system so they can be ETCS-compatible. The multiple stakeholders involved worked collaboratively to get us to the point where we can trial the system on an operational track.” 

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