An advanced signalling system that will allow trains to travel every two to
three minutes through central London was successfully tested using Govia
Thameslink Railway’s new Siemens Class 700 trains for the first time.

The Thameslink Programme, part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan to
provide a bigger, better, more reliable railway for passengers and
businesses, achieved another milestone in the early hours of Saturday
morning as it successfully ran a Class 700 train through the central London
“core” using European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 in-cab
signalling.

In-cab signalling is required to allow trains to be driven automatically
between St Pancras and Blackfriars stations, under driver supervision, in
order to enable up to 24 trains to operate per hour from 2018. This was the
first in a series of functional and operational tests planned over the next
sixteen months to ensure that trains operate safely and efficiently.

Last year, Network Rail tested its in-cab infrastructure through central
London using a Class 313 test train and in collaboration with Govia
Thameslink Railway (GTR) and Siemens, tests have been run using a Class 700
train at the ETCS National Integration Facility. This weekend was, however,
the first time that a Class 700 train has been tested in central London
using the infrastructure it will run on in passenger service from 2018,
providing more frequent, more reliable journeys for passengers.

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http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co...nalling-system