ryan125hst
Established Member
I've just been having a look at ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) and have noticed that they are planning to install it on the southern part of the East Coast Main Line, between London Kings Cross and Doncaster, by the end of the decade. This will see the removal of colour light signals from the line, with movements controlled over GSM-R and Eurobalises.
Like my opinions with the abolition of semaphore signalling and old signal boxes across the country, a massive on-going project at the minute, I sit on the fence with how I feel about it. On one hand, i'll be sad to see the old colour light signals go as I've grown up with them. Only last weekend, I was stood on platform 1 at Retford looking at Union of South Africa, and kept glancing around to check the signal, knowing that if it was on red for the platform line, and showing a proceed aspect for the up fast, 60009 wasn't going anywhere! It will be strange when they are removed.
On the other hand, I am into technology: smartphones, 3DTV's, high spec computers etc., and am aware that a new signalling system will increase capacity on the very busy ECML, and could allow for 140mph trains on the route. The current colour lights must date from the 70's (around Retford at least) when the area was resignalled and control went to Doncaster Power Signal Box, so they will need replacing anyway I would have though.
So, I was wondering how everyone else feels about the implementation of ERTMS. For some of you, your local lines will be signalled by it within the next five or ten years. For others, you might have to wait another 50! Are you looking forward to it? Will you be sad to see the old colour lights go? Are you "on the fence" like me".
Ryan
Like my opinions with the abolition of semaphore signalling and old signal boxes across the country, a massive on-going project at the minute, I sit on the fence with how I feel about it. On one hand, i'll be sad to see the old colour light signals go as I've grown up with them. Only last weekend, I was stood on platform 1 at Retford looking at Union of South Africa, and kept glancing around to check the signal, knowing that if it was on red for the platform line, and showing a proceed aspect for the up fast, 60009 wasn't going anywhere! It will be strange when they are removed.
On the other hand, I am into technology: smartphones, 3DTV's, high spec computers etc., and am aware that a new signalling system will increase capacity on the very busy ECML, and could allow for 140mph trains on the route. The current colour lights must date from the 70's (around Retford at least) when the area was resignalled and control went to Doncaster Power Signal Box, so they will need replacing anyway I would have though.
So, I was wondering how everyone else feels about the implementation of ERTMS. For some of you, your local lines will be signalled by it within the next five or ten years. For others, you might have to wait another 50! Are you looking forward to it? Will you be sad to see the old colour lights go? Are you "on the fence" like me".
Ryan