It is a landmark year for Britain’s railway heritage. Now, 200 years after passenger services started, work is underway to future-proof one of the country’s most recognisable passenger trains, the iconic InterCity125, and retain examples for freight and infrastructure work. Sixteen of the classic High Speed Train (HST) Class 43 power cars are being fitted with European Train Control System (ETCS) equipment. That will ensure these veterans of the rails remain fit for freight, infrastructure, and charter duties on tomorrow’s railway.
The £1.4 billion (€1.75bn) East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP) is leading the charge to replace traditional lineside signals with real-time, in-cab digital displays. The HST upgrade, due for completion by mid-2026, will allow the world-beating classic diesel units to operate safely and seamlessly on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) and beyond, as digital signalling expands across the UK network. An example of the marque holds the world record speed for diesel traction.
Freight, infrastructure and charter operators invest in digital future
Of the 16 HST power cars undergoing the upgrade, four belong to RailAdventure, a specialist freight and stock movement operator with pan-European reach. Another four are owned by Locomotive Services Limited and are primarily used for high-end charter work. The remaining eight are part of the Colas Rail infrastructure fleet, leased from rolling stock owner Porterbrook, and include the yellow-liveried New Measurement Train (NMT) used for track monitoring.
“RailAdventure are both proud and excited to play our part in the introduction of ETCS signalling on the ECML,” said Kevin Walker, Managing Director at RailAdventure. “Having supported the project through the last 12 months of testing by operating data collection test trains, having our own locomotives ETCS compliant will put in place our final building block for full ETCS readiness.”
Digital signalling for a digital railway
The HST fleet has already played a key role in paving the way for digital transformation. Three Class 43s were previously fitted with ETCS as part of a ‘First in Class’ development project. Those units have been instrumental in proving the system on the Welwyn–Hitchin section of the ECML, just north of London, a corridor expected to transition to ETCS operation from 2026.
“Giving Britain’s legendary InterCity 125 power cars a ‘digital brain’ shows how the past and future of rail can run side-by-side,” said Paul Maynard, Vice President for Integrated Communications Supervision at Hitachi Rail. “By equipping these Class 43s with ETCS, we’re making them even safer and better connected, extending their working life for charter, freight, and infrastructure duties.” HSTs worked the East Coast Main Line, predominantly in the late seventies to early nineties, on express passenger diagrams, running at up to 125 miles per hour (200km/h). The record was set in 1987, with a test run at 148.5 mph (238 km/h).
Collaborative effort drives progress
As the industry embraces the digital future, rolling stock companies are playing a central role in realising the ECDP vision. Porterbrook, which owns and leases much of the UK’s older rolling stock, has overseen the technical aspects of upgrading the Class 43s in this current tranche.
“Porterbrook is pleased to be playing our part in supporting Network Rail and our industry partners with the delivery of the ECDP,” said Ben Ackroyd, Chief Operating Officer. “Having managed the Class 43 First-in-Class design and fitment as the lead ROSCO, it’s great to see more vehicles being upgraded now in the next phase of this important programme.”
HSTs still rolling across the network
The HST design is credited with rejuvenating the British railway industry. The fitting of modern equipment to these historic machines is more than a technical upgrade. It’s a symbolic gesture in the year marking the 200th anniversary of the public railway. As the industry celebrates two centuries of progress, equipping older traction with new tech ensures a future for these units. “This work will enable the Class 43 power cars to continue providing freight movements, infrastructure work and charter services for many years to come,” said an ECDP spokesperson. “ECDP continues to progress and build capability as we work to deliver a more reliable, greener and even safer railway.”
Several units were exported to serve in South America and Africa. A derivative design still runs in Australia. Though retired from frontline intercity service, the High Speed Train still maintains a daily presence on Britain’s rails. A short-formation fleet of refurbished HSTs continues to operate. As reported by sister service RailTech.com, the Inter7Cities service in Scotland offers inter-urban passenger connections across the central belt and the Highlands.