NETWORK Rail has awarded Siemens Rail Automation a contract to supply and install European Train Control System (ETCS) in-cab signalling on up to 750 British freight locomotives.
The scope of the 10-year contract covers the addition of Siemens’ Trainguard ETCS 200 on-board system and the upgrade of the locomotive’s Train Protection Warning System (TPWS), as well as a further 10-year support period, which will see Siemens working with Network Rail and six freight operating companies (FOCs).
Siemens will support the FOCs with up to 15 ‘first-in-class’ design and installation projects to be ready by late-2019. DB Cargo will provide a Class 67 and a Class 66, with GB Railfreight supplying a Class 92 for the test phase, due to start in early-2020.
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Digital Railway
The deal is potentially worth up to £150million and is part of NR’s ‘Digital Railway’ programme to create extra capacity on the network by enabling more efficient operation of passenger and freight trains. Further contracts for passenger fleets will be awarded in due course.
Experience gained with the initial testbed locomotives will be used to inform the planned wider fleet roll-out from 2022 onwards. Design, testing and approvals work has already started.
Read more in February’s issue of The RM – on sale now!
