Over the Christmas and New Year period, Siemens Mobility successfully completed a major programme of rail commissioning work, delivering critical signalling and infrastructure upgrades across key UK rail corridors. The work supports a more modern, reliable network for passengers and freight, aligning with national rail upgrade priorities and strengthening capacity for the future.
Matt Kent, director of operations and manufacturing, Siemens Mobility UK&I, said: “Delivering on our commitments safely, reliably and to budget, is fundamental to the trust our customers and partners place in us. Our reputation rests on these principles, so I’m delighted that we delivered successfully over the Christmas and New Year period.
“I’m incredibly proud of the dedication and professionalism our teams have shown. The scale of what we’ve achieved reflects the commitment of our engineers and the strength of our partnerships. These projects mark an important step forward in modernising Britain’s railways as part of our mission to transform rail travel for passengers and freight operators.”
The £61 million Kingmoor resignalling project modernised one of the UK’s busiest rail corridors, replacing life-expired infrastructure with digital signalling systems. Fully compatible with European Train Control System (ETCS) standards, the new installation enables future digital integration while improving day-to-day performance. As part of the upgrade, 26 new LED signal heads have been installed to enhance driver visibility, delivering measurable improvements in reliability and operational efficiency.
On the Transpennine Route Upgrade, Siemens Mobility worked in partnership to deliver a significant signalling transformation between 24 December 2025 and 4 January 2026. During the blockade, engineers commissioned 34 new signals and 60 axle counters, introducing advanced train detection technology that monitors train movements in real time. This upgrade improves safety, resilience, and punctuality for millions of passengers and freight services using the route. The final phase of signalling work in this commissioning blockade is scheduled for the end of January, with further upgrades planned at Neville Hill depot in 2028.
As part of the East Coast Digital Programme, Siemens Mobility, together with Network Rail and train operators Govia Thameslink Railway and Grand Central, carried out additional system testing between Welwyn Garden City and Hitchin on the East Coast Main Line. Engineers conducted 16 hours of intensive testing on the Class 717 and Class 180 trains, executing 57 test cases that all passed successfully.
These results show that both trackside and onboard systems are functioning safely and correctly. The programme will continue testing in 2026 to prepare for digitally signalled services using the European Train Control System (ETCS), which are expected to launch on this route in the summer.
Image credit: Siemens
