Siemens-ECML Signalling Project

A Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City Branch presentation.

Presented by Sarah Ponting (Siemens).

The decision to re-signal the southern end of the East Coast Main Line (ECML) has been well publicised. It is to be part of the Digital Railway initiative, although ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) and its ETCS component (European Train Control System) have been around much longer than the ‘Digital Railway’ banner.

ERTMS has been in development since the late 1980s and ETCS has matured into a reliable product which is being adopted right across Europe and beyond. In Britain, it is deployed on the Cambrian Line, commissioned in 2010, on the central core of Thameslink in London including an Automatic Train Operation (ATO) overlay – a first in the world – and soon on the Great Western Main Line from Paddington to Heathrow Airport, facilitating Crossrail and Heathrow Express operation.

So, what is special about the ECML? This will be the very first UK main line to be equipped over a considerable distance and where conventional lineside signals will be removed once all operational and technical elements are fully proven.
(Reproduced from “RailEngineer”)
(For more details see ERTMS on the East Coast Main Line – Rail Engineer)

Sarah tells us that her presentation will cover the East Coast Digital Programme – to include engineering aspects and how implementation brings the line up to European standards. The associated benefits will also be covered to include employment opportunities, carbon reduction, less maintenance and a safer railway for passengers and staff.

Doors open at 19:00