LNER reaches major digital signalling milestone on the East Coast Main Line

During testing that took place overnight on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 July, technicians, engineers and drivers worked together, drawing on expertise from across the railway industry. This milestone achievement is due to collaboration between LNER, Network Rail, Agility Trains, Hitachi Rail and LNER test train operator RailAdventure UK, which provides an excellent example of the integrated railway delivering digital innovation.

Travelling between Welwyn Garden City and Hitchin, the train and trackside systems were put through their paces to better understand how ETCS Level 2 technology performs at line speed in real operating conditions.

ETCS is an Automatic Train Protection system that replaces traditional lineside signals with digital in-cab signalling. It allows the signalling system and trains to communicate continuously, providing real-time information directly to a computer screen in the driver’s cab. The system will boost reliability, reduce carbon emissions, and will ultimately provide a more punctual service for customers.

The testing also provided an opportunity to use the technology in a controlled live railway operation and to experience how the train operated in ETCS Level 2 areas.

Gary Page, European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) Operations Interface Manager at LNER, said: This is a hugely important milestone for LNER and for the wider East Coast Digital Programme. Successfully operating an Azuma train under test conditions, under ETCS Level 2 supervision on the East Coast Main Line is the culmination of months of planning, and collaboration across all the partners involved.

The trial has provided valuable first-hand experience of operating with digital signalling in a live railway environment, providing important insights into how the technology performs. ETCS has the potential to transform the railway by improving safety, reliability and operational performance, and we are proud to be playing a leading role in its introduction.

Chris Hobden, ECDP Programme Director, Network Rail, said: This is a valuable step forward in getting the LNER Azuma trains and the other Hitachi long distance fleets ready for digital signalling on the East Coast Main Line. With this testing we have now successfully used four different onboard systems on Welwyn to Hitchin.

Bringing ETCS on to the East Coast Main Line is a huge challenge with a multiplicity of operators, fleets and onboard systems involved. Migrating regular services to ETCS will be a gradual process which we begin this year and step up in 2027. It’s great to see more activity out on the route as work continues across all our partners to deliver the benefits of the next generation railway.

Mark Frost, East Coast Fleet Director, Hitachi Rail, said: LNER deserves huge credit for using the Azuma fleet to pioneer intercity digital signalling and drive innovation on the East Coast Main Line for the benefit of the entire rail industry.

This successful testing milestone is an excellent example of the industry working together to deliver an integrated railway. It is the result of years of hard work and close partnership between Hitachi Rail, LNER, Network Rail, Agility Trains and LNER test train operator RailAdventure UK.

Miguel Frade, Engineering Director, Agility Trains, said: We are delighted to be facilitating the delivery of the East Coast Digital Railway, working in close collaboration with LNER and our industry partners to implement ETCS across the Agility Trains East Coast fleet.”

Today’s milestone is a crucial step in enhancing the capability of all 65 of our Class 800 and Class 801 Azuma trains, which will ultimately deliver increased efficiency, capacity, and safety across the route.