{"id":282921,"date":"2025-09-12T19:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T09:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/railuk.com\/?p=182593"},"modified":"2025-09-12T19:30:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T09:30:00","slug":"azuma-in-cab-digital-signalling-is-successfully-tested","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=282921","title":{"rendered":"Azuma in-cab digital signalling is successfully tested"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Testing at speed of digital in-cab signalling has been successfully completed for the train which provides the largest inter-city fleet on the East Coast Main Line.<\/p>\n

The iconic LNER Azuma has been put through its paces in recent weeks on the Melton test track through the Leicestershire countryside.<\/p>\n

Completing its dynamic testing is a step forward towards providing passengers with more reliable and greener journeys through the Government-funded East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP).<\/p>\n

The British-built Hitachi Rail train came fitted with European Train Control System (ETCS) in-cab signalling equipment, and has gone through a software upgrade in readiness for using this performance boosting technology on passenger services from next year.<\/p>\n

The testing at Melton \u2013 using the site\u2019s ETCS capability \u2013 proves that the upgraded equipment on the train works well, including its integration with the lineside and signalling centre components of ETCS, in operating conditions.<\/p>\n

The collaboration between Hitachi Rail, LNER, Network Rail and Agility Trains to progress this \u2018First in Class\u2019 train is paving the way for all Hitachi Rail\u2019s intercity fleets on the East Coast Main Line to be cleared for operating in passenger services using ETCS.<\/p>\n

The milestone is significant not just for the East Coast Main Line but for the wider network\u2019s digital masterplan.<\/p>\n

Ed Akers, Network Rail\u2019s industry partnership director, ECDP, said: \u201cThe Azuma fleet is pivotal to the upcoming change in how the East Coast Main Line operates, so this marks significant progress for our transformational programme. We\u2019re also helping the wider digital mission by readying for ETCS operation a train type that operates as far and wide as Inverness and Penzance.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe continue to work with our partners to prepare for the introduction of main line ETCS services next year, delivering a more reliable and resilient railway for passengers.\u201d<\/p>\n

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