GTR introduces upgraded ETCS on Class 717 trainsJuly 14, 2025Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), in partnership with Siemens Mobility, has successfully operated its first passenger service using an updated version of the European train Control System (ETCS) on a Class 717 train.On Monday 8 July, unit 717020 ran on the Northern City Line between Finsbury Park and Moorgate using ETCS Baseline 3, Release 2 (version 3.6.0). The journey marked a significant step in the deployment of digital signalling on the route, with the train departing at 17:17 and arriving at 17:31. Since then, it has continued operating in regular passenger service.The new specification of ETCS enables trains to connect to the trackside via GPRS rather than the older GSM-R system. This upgrade offers greater flexibility and capacity, particularly in busy rail corridors such as the East Coast Main Line, which is undergoing a major digital upgrade as part of the government-backed East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP).All 25 Class 717 trains in the Great Northern fleet will be upgraded to this latest software version over the coming months. The same baseline will also be adopted by other operators running services on the East Coast Main Line.Jonathan Daniels, Integration Lead for the ECDP at Network rail, said: The new baseline level of ETCS is integral to achieving the introduction of digitally signalled services on the East Coast Main Line from next year. Its successful introduction on GTRs Class 717 commuter fleet will be followed by its introduction to the various fleets that make up the high intensity of service on that busy route.The milestone follows GTRs recent achievement of launching the UKs first signals-free commuter Railway, with digital in-cab signalling now fully operational between Finsbury Park and London Moorgate.Oliver Turner, GTRs Head of ERTMS, commented: Only seven weeks ago, working closely with our industry partners, we created the UK networks first-ever signals-free commuter Railway on the Northern City Line. Now, together with Siemens and Network rail, weve successfully proved the use in passenger service of this updated version of the in-cab digital signalling software.This is the version specified through the East Coast Digital Programme to roll out digital signalling along the main line, bringing huge benefits to passengers, with a more reliable, more sustainable Railway, lower emissions, and even better safety for passengers.Ben Lane,Siemens Mobilitys Infrastructure Lead and ECDP Project Director, added: The Northern City Line project continues to show how our digital signalling can transform rail travel and transport. With this updated ETCS software on our Siemens Mobility Class 717 trains, we will see more digital network capacity for train and freight operators over the busiest sections of the East Coast Main Line route.In partnership with Network rail and GTR, were already seeing the benefits of ETCS on the NCL with fewer disruptions, lower maintenance, and smoother, more reliable journeys for passengers.The introduction of ETCS Baseline 3, Release 2 represents a key advancement in the modernisation of the UK rail network, enabling increased capacity, improved performance, and greater safety across some of the busiest rail corridors in the country.Share on:RECOMMENDED EVENT: