Northern City line trains now using digital in-cab signalling

Every train that commuters catch on the Great Northern route to Moorgate in the City of London is now being controlled using ground-breaking digital signalling technology.

The European Train Control System (ETCS) allows continuous communication between train and track to create a more punctual and reliable service for passengers. It does this by removing the need for signals at the side of the track. Instead, drivers are continually fed a safe target speed to aim for on a computer screen in their cab.

ETCS has been introduced to the route between Moorgate and Finsbury Park in London (the ‘Northern City line’) as the first stage of the £1.4 billion government-funded East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP).

The first passenger train ran to the City of London using digital signalling a year ago. Since then, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has been steadily training its Great Northern drivers to use the system, so that now all trains can run using the system. The existing trackside signals will be completely switched off during 2025.

Ed Akers, Network Rail’s industry partnership director for ECDP, said: “This is a great achievement on what will become the first commuter railway in the country to operate without any physical signals. 

“Introducing digital signalling on this route has provided many learnings and invaluable experience as we prepare to introduce digital signalling to the East Coast main line, creating a higher performing railway for the many passengers and freight customers who depend on it.

“I’d like to thank all the signallers, drivers, engineers and planners across our whole partnership who have worked hard to make the Northern City line project a success.”

Oliver Turner, head of digital signalling at GTR, said: “Digital signalling is better for passengers because it means we can run a more consistent, more punctual service.

“It’s hard to overstate the challenge of moving to ETCS and, now, reaching the point where every train on our route into Moorgate is controlled this way. It is a huge achievement both for Great Northern and our parent company GTR and also for the railway as a whole, because this has been a massive collaborative effort from so many different industry partners.

“We are pleased with how the new system is working and we are working with Network Rail and Siemens Mobility colleagues to continually review and improve how we are operating it.”