GTR Retrofits First Class 387 with ETCS Signalling

Govia Thameslink Railway’s (GTR) first Class 387/1 Great Northern Electrostar train has been retrofitted with ETCS in-cab signalling as part of the East Coast Digital Programme.

The Alstom ATLAS 3 ETCS solution was installed on Unit 387101, along with the necessary equipment to allow the in-cab-signalling system to function.

This is the country’s first major commuter train to be retrofitted with the technology.

GTR and Alstom with the ‘first-in-class’ 387/1 that has been fitted with ETCS in-cab signalling

© Govia Thameslink Railway

Following this installation, the train was hauled to Alstom’s Litchurch Lane manufacturing site in Derby, where Train Control Management System software will be installed and the onboard ETCS system will be commissioned prior to static testing.

The unit will then be taken to Network Rail’s RIDC test track at Melton Mowbray for dynamic testing, which is scheduled for completion in December 2023.

Following successful testing, GTR will retrofit the remaining 28 387/1 units at its in-house depot in Hornsey, north London.

The East Coast Digital Programme will remove traditional signals from the tracks on the Northern City Line to London Moorgate and the East Coast Mainline from London to Stoke Tunnels.

These will be replaced with Alstom’s digital signalling technology in order to improve reliability and train performance.