Digital signalling now fully controls trains on Great Northern route to Moorgate

Credit: Govia Thameslink Railway

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has announced that every train on the Great Northern route to Moorgate in London is now operated using digital signalling technology. This advancement, part of the European Train Control System (ETCS), allows continuous communication between trains and the tracks, aiming to improve punctuality and reliability for commuters.

This digital system, introduced in 2023 between Moorgate and Finsbury Park on the Northern City Line, replaces traditional trackside signals. Instead, train drivers receive real-time speed guidance on an in-cab screen, tailored to ensure safety and optimal flow. The remaining physical signals along the route are set to be deactivated by 2025, marking a new era of rail technology.

The ETCS implementation is a flagship initiative under the £1.4 billion East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP), which is funded by the UK government. The programme is supported by a broad coalition across the rail sector, including Network Rail, GTR, freight operators and technology partners.

Oliver Turner, Head of ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) at GTR, said: “Digital signalling is better for passengers because it means we can run a more consistent, more punctual service. It’s hard to overstate the challenge of moving to ETCS and, the significance of reaching the point where every train on our route into Moorgate is controlled this way. It is a huge achievement both for Great Northern and our parent company GTR.”

As part of the digital transformation, GTR has been training drivers to operate with ETCS, which involves mastering the use of in-cab displays for real-time speed and route information. The technology provides a streamlined system that is expected to boost service frequency and reduce delays.

Ed Akers, Network Rail’s industry partnership director for ECDP, said: “This is a great achievement on what will become the first commuter railway in the country to operate without any physical signals. I’d like to thank all the signallers, drivers, engineers and planners across our whole partnership who have worked hard to make the Northern City Line project a success.”

Following its success on the Great Northern route, ETCS is set to expand along the East Coast Main Line between King’s Cross and Grantham, with further ambitions for digital signalling across the broader UK rail network. This modernisation is expected to reduce congestion and delays, signalling a shift toward a more resilient and high-capacity railway system across Britain.