LNW-GW Joint
Veteran Member
From what I read in the current Rail feature on the digital railway (819, p44), the plans for ETCS rollout are once more in the melting pot.
Not long ago, the plan was for the GWML to be equipped (replacing ATP) as an overlay to the current signalling system.
That was to be followed by a full implementation on ECML South (removing fixed signals). This would have forced ETCS cab fitment for all trains south of Doncaster.
We were also to have a pilot on the Yarmouth/Lowestoft lines out of Norwich (subsequently binned) and a localised scheme at Romford.
It seems the new supremo David Waboso wants a more evolutionary approach, starting with the planned ETCS fitment on Thameslink (core) and Crossrail (Heathrow), and extending from there with existing signalling continuing alongside.
The contract has already been let to Alstom for Paddington-Heathrow/Reading.
It would mean existing stock could continue to use the routes unmodified, and only new stock would have in-built ETCS kit.
Only later, when all stock over a route is fitted, will fixed signals be removed.
He also talks about upgrading existing signalling with more block sections, to be more like ETCS.
Apparently NR is working on business cases for 8 installations, and it is this which the government has produced extra funding for in the last budget statement.
Anyway, it seems the early big bang planned for the ECML is dead, and maybe also the GWML beyond Reading.
Not long ago, the plan was for the GWML to be equipped (replacing ATP) as an overlay to the current signalling system.
That was to be followed by a full implementation on ECML South (removing fixed signals). This would have forced ETCS cab fitment for all trains south of Doncaster.
We were also to have a pilot on the Yarmouth/Lowestoft lines out of Norwich (subsequently binned) and a localised scheme at Romford.
It seems the new supremo David Waboso wants a more evolutionary approach, starting with the planned ETCS fitment on Thameslink (core) and Crossrail (Heathrow), and extending from there with existing signalling continuing alongside.
The contract has already been let to Alstom for Paddington-Heathrow/Reading.
It would mean existing stock could continue to use the routes unmodified, and only new stock would have in-built ETCS kit.
Only later, when all stock over a route is fitted, will fixed signals be removed.
He also talks about upgrading existing signalling with more block sections, to be more like ETCS.
Apparently NR is working on business cases for 8 installations, and it is this which the government has produced extra funding for in the last budget statement.
Anyway, it seems the early big bang planned for the ECML is dead, and maybe also the GWML beyond Reading.
Last edited: