Porterbrook has completed dynamic testing of the European Train Control System (ETCS) for key passenger and freight trains, advancing the implementation of digital in-cab signalling on the East Coast Main Line. The tests involved Govia Thameslink Railway’s Class 387/1 Electrostar and DB Cargo’s Class 66 locomotive, both being the first in their respective fleets to undergo this process.
The tests were carried out at Network Rail’s Rail Innovation and Development Centre (RIDC) in Melton. The Class 387 Electrostar, widely used in commuter services across Southeast England, and the Class 66, a staple in Britain's freight operations, were put through various operational scenarios to evaluate their performance with the new ETCS technology.
This testing phase is part of the broader East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP), which aims to integrate digital signalling across the line. The process involved collaboration between Network Rail, Porterbrook, Govia Thameslink Railway, DB Cargo, and equipment providers Alstom and Siemens Mobility.
Following the successful dynamic testing, both trains will now accumulate fault-free running mileage, a necessary step in gaining approval for full operational deployment.
