Tuesday 7 Oct 2025
GTR and Siemens Mobility update entire 717 fleet to updated version of ETCS
- Region & Route:
- Eastern
- | Eastern: East Coast
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), with Siemens Mobility, has updated its entire fleet of 25 Class 717 Great Northern trains to run in passenger service using an updated specification of the in-cab digital signalling software, European Train Control System (ETCS).
The trains now operate on the Northern City Line between Finsbury Park and Moorgate in London using ETCS Baseline 3, Release 2 (also referred to as version 3.6.0).
This specification of ETCS allows more flexibility for services to operate in a high traffic area by connecting the train to the trackside via GPRS instead of GSM-R (see editor’s notes). It will be used by all train operators on the East Coast Main Line, as part of the government-funded East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP), where it will be needed to accommodate the route’s high service frequency.
Jonathan Daniels, Network Rail’s ECDP integration lead, said:
“In less than three months, the entire fleet of GTR Class 717s has been upgraded to the new baseline level of ETCS that will be used for digitally signalled services on the East Coast Main Line. The excellent collaboration we had on the Northern City Line has continued into this project, and more fleets will now be upgraded ready for ETCS 3.6.0 operation.”
Govia Thameslink Railway’s senior programme delivery manager Aaron Meakin said:
“Once again, innovations delivered on the Northern City Line are forging the way for the introduction of in-cab digital signalling on the wider UK network.
“By upgrading all our trains to operate with this updated version of the European Train Control System, we’ve proved the concept ready for its roll-out to other train fleets.
“Digital signalling along the main line, promises huge benefits to passengers, with a more reliable, more sustainable railway, lower emissions, and even better safety for passengers.”
Richard Cooper, infrastructure lead and ECDP project director, Siemens Mobility, said:
“The successful upgrade of the Siemens-built Class 717 fleet on the Northern City Line to the new ETCS specification marks a major milestone in our mission to transform rail travel through innovative technology.
“Working closely with GTR and Network Rail, we are proud to be delivering a more reliable, connected, and higher-capacity railway for passengers travelling between Moorgate and Finsbury Park.
“This achievement proves that an ETCS no-signals commuter railway unlocks a multitude of benefits on one of the UK’s most demanding urban corridors, and we plan to apply these lessons and improvements to the wider East Coast Main Line.”
In May, trackside signals were removed on the Northern City Line between Finsbury Park and Moorgate to create the UK’s first signals-free commuter railway.
Notes to Editors
ETCS upgrade
ETCS Baseline 3, Release 2 (also referred to as version 3.6.0) introduces the use of packet switched communication found in GPRS to alleviate a restriction on capacity on the GSM-R network which uses circuit switched data.
Digital signalling
Digital signalling, using ETCS is a proven technology already in use in many countries in Europe and elsewhere. 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.
More reliability: 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.
More punctual services: Digital signalling gives train drivers continual information about the safe maximum speed for their train. It provides drivers with additional information about the route ahead, that today’s fixed ‘traffic light’ signals do not. This enables more ‘efficient’ operations, helping trains stay on time. 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.
Greener journeys: Digital signalling contributes to a greener railway. The East Coast Main Line is already electrified, and these upgrades will deliver a further 55,000 tonne reduction in carbon emissions over 60 years – the equivalent to over 65,000 one-way flights from London to New York, or over 2 million passenger train journeys from London to Edinburgh. This is because there is much less physical equipment to produce and maintain compared with what’s needed for ‘traffic light’ signals. The estimated whole life carbon saving over a 60-year period (the expected life span of a ‘traditional’ signalling system) is around 39%. The technology also allows gentler braking, meaning journeys are smoother and use less energy. Finally, a more reliable and punctual railway will encourage more people to choose rail over road and air, ultimately reducing transport emissions for the long-term.
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