Work has commenced to equip the iconic Class 43 High Speed Trains (HSTs), a cherished symbol of British rail heritage, with digital in-cab signalling technology. This significant undertaking coincides with Railway 200, celebrating two centuries of railway innovation.
A total of 16 Class 43 power cars are being fitted with European Train Control System (ETCS) equipment. This fitment is a crucial part of the £1.4 billion East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP), a transformative initiative set to revolutionise rail operations by replacing traditional lineside signals with continuous information displayed directly inside drivers’ cabs. This advancement is expected to deliver a more reliable, greener, and even safer railway.
The first four power cars to undergo this vital upgrade belong to RailAdventure, a specialist European freight operator, and are utilised for freight and rolling stock movements. Four more power cars are owned by Locomotive Services Limited and are used for private charter trains. The remaining eight units are leased by Colas Rail from Porterbrook and are deployed for infrastructure management, including Network Rail’s New Measurement Train (NMT).
Upgrading these 16 power cars with ETCS will ensure their continued operational fitness for the future, allowing them to run on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) and other routes as ETCS expands across the network. The complete fitment programme for all 16 units is anticipated to be finalised by mid-2026.
Ben Mason, Charter and Heritage Lead for ECDP, commented: “In this year of Railway200 we’re pleased to be equipping iconic older generation trains for the next generation railway. This work will enable the much loved Class 43s to continue providing vital freight movements, infrastructure work and charter services for many years to come. ECDP continues to progress and build capability as we work to deliver a more reliable, greener and even safer railway.”
Paul Maynard, Vice President, Integrated Communications Supervision (ICS), Hitachi Rail, stated: “Giving Britain’s legendary InterCity 125 power cars a ‘digital brain’ shows how the past and future of rail can run side-by-side. 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. Working shoulder-to-shoulder with Network Rail through the East Coast Digital Programme, we’re proving that brownfield integration can unlock quick wins on the journey to a fully digital railway.”
Kevin Walker, Managing Director, Rail Adventure, said: “RailAdventure are both proud and excited to play our part in the introduction of ETCS signalling on the ECML. 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.”
Ben Ackroyd, Chief Operating Officer at Porterbrook, added: “Porterbrook is pleased to be playing our part in supporting Network Rail and our industry partners with the delivery of the ECDP. 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.”
