Tornado to be fitted with in-cab signalling as part of East Coast Digital Programme

[ainsworth74]

Interesting one this I thought:

ECML Upgrade: Steam locomotive Tornado to be trial fitted with in-cab signalling

Thales and Atkins have been chosen by Network Rail to deliver a new Pathfinder Project for heritage locomotives as part of the East Coast Digital Programme.

The project will see design and trail fitment of the European Train Control System (ETCS).

The system will be supplied and trial fitted on LNER A1 No. 60163 Tornado and designed for a Black 5 steam locomotive and a Class 55 Deltic locomotive.

These locomotives have been selected as they are best placed to help support the project.

ETCS is the new signalling system for the East Coast Main Line and will see lineside signalling replaced with in-cab radio-based signalling.

Toufic Machnouk, Network Rail’s Director, Industry Partnership Digital, said: “This is an important world first pathfinder project which is also immensely technically challenging. The technology blends steam technology with modern electronics; by trying it out and then taking stock of the results, we will know if it is a technically and commercially viable option for heritage and charter operators.

“Establishing the pathfinder project and the work required to fit the vehicles with the technology is an example of exceptional industry collaboration.”

...

ECML Upgrade: Steam locomotive Tornado to be trial fitted with in-cab signalling

Thales and Atkins have been chosen by Network Rail to deliver a new Pathfinder Project for heritage locomotives as part of the East Coast Digital Programme.

www.railadvent.co.uk

Good sign that railtours will continue even in the digital age but possibly with less variety of locomotives if the kit cannot be made easily transferable between locomotives.

 

[swt_passenger]

Back in June we were discussing the problem of heritage steam on ECML ERTMS, and I linked to a presentation about the electrical systems of Tornado, (and the future P2), and towards the end of the presentation they explain how they’ll install ETCS:

Resignalling on the East Coast/Great Northern route including Moorgate branch

Kings Cross 9 and 10 will see quite a bit of use as Moorgate route will be closed at weekends over the summer https://railuk.com/digital-railway/weekend-service-changes-on-northern-city-line-as-major-project-to-create-uks-first-intercity-digital-railway-continues/ However, to carry out this...

www.railforums.co.uk

Tornado as built has a pretty complex electrical installation anyway.

 

[markindurham]

It's been known for a while that Tornado would be the guinea pig, as it were, for in-cab signalling suitable for steam locomotives. Good move on the part of the A1 Trust, as their financial liability will be limited.

As for transferring kit between locomotives/multiple units, and not just steam locomotives - that too is a potential minefield. It's been discussed ever since the Cambrian Coast was set up as a trial area, & is why there are only certain 97s and 158 units seen west of Shrewsbury these days.

 

[NSEFAN]

Given each locomotive is different, then each one would probably need a lot of customisation to make it work properly. But, if the underlying kit itself can be standardised then this means only the installation is bespoke, which will help.

 

[dgl]

I'm guessing in the end the only bot of customisation will be the loco wiring with the ETCS module connecting to a standardised set of cabling so modules can be swapped between locomotives as necessary and it save the cost of having to fit every loco that ever ventures out o0n to the mainline with ETCS, I would guess that there would not need to be different modules for steam or diesel as the control/sensor differences can either be handled in software or the module could be fitted with all the I/O needed for both steam and diesel use.

 

[D365]

Good sign that railtours will continue even in the digital age but possibly with less variety of locomotives if the kit cannot be made easily transferable between locomotives.

If a loco needs ETCS fitting, an engineering specialist (in this case, Atkins/SNCL) is required in order to produce the installation designs. Aside from the ETCS "core" equipment, the following equipment needs to be fitted:

• Driver-machine interface
• Eurobalise antenna
• Radar sensors
• Odometer Pulse Generator
• GSM-R antenna

The ETCS computer will be programmed to the specific locomotive (or unit) type and will be installed by fitters in accordance with Atkins designs.

In short, ETCS is not transferable between vehicles!

Given each locomotive is different, then each one would probably need a lot of customisation to make it work properly. But, if the underlying kit itself can be standardised then this means only the installation is bespoke, which will help.

Yes, the Thales kit is standardised.

For context, the previous forum discussion on ETCS for Heritage stock is linked here.

 

[33101]

I realise this is likely trade secret and stuff, but any notions as to roughly how expensive the core ETCS and the per-type fitting are?

 

[Roast Veg]

Aside from the ETCS "core" equipment, the following equipment needs to be fitted:

• Driver-machine interface
• Eurobalise antenna
• Radar sensors
• Odometer Pulse Generator
• GSM-R antenna

I can imagine finding a good place for the eurobalise antenna under a steam locomotive is really quite a challenge.

 

[Dave S 56F]

Do I recall a black 5 5MT is also to be trial fitted with E.T.C.S. to run on the Cambrian lines there are 6 out of the preserved 18 black 5,s that run on the national network 45212 45231 (45305 out of ticket now) 45407 44871 and 44932 (under overhaul at Carnforth)

 

[Tim M]

I can imagine finding a good place for the eurobalise antenna under a steam locomotive is really quite a challenge.

Possibly (based on experience with similar CBTC/DTG-R equipment on Mass Transit ATP systems):

Driver-machine interface - in the cab for continuous reference by the driver
Eurobalise antenna - under the Tender or wherever the AWS/TPWS antenna are installed
Radar sensors - under or at the side of the Tender, mounted close to rail level facing backwards so as not to suffer from steam from injectors etc.
Odometer Pulse Generator - possibly two off on the end of separate axles on the Tender, if one wheelset is unbraked that would be good to obviate wheel slide issues
GSM-R antenna - existing as the loco will already have voice comms over GSM-R

The ETCS on-board box might also go on the Tender. When I retired a few years ago such housings were getting much smaller than the Ansaldo rack on Class 158’s on the Cambrian.

 

[D365]

Do I recall a black 5 5MT is also to be trial fitted with E.T.C.S. to run on the Cambrian lines there are 6 out of the preserved 18 black 5,s that run on the national network 45212 45231 (45305 out of ticket now) 45407 44871 and 44932 (under overhaul at Carnforth)

Black 5s are definitely within scope.

Possibly (based on experience with similar CBTC/DTG-R equipment on Mass Transit ATP systems):

Driver-machine interface - in the cab for continuous reference by the driver
Eurobalise antenna - under the Tender or wherever the AWS/TPWS antenna are installed
Radar sensors - under or at the side of the Tender, mounted close to rail level facing backwards so as not to suffer from steam from injectors etc.
Odometer Pulse Generator - possibly two off on the end of separate axles on the Tender, if one wheelset is unbraked that would be good to obviate wheel slide issues
GSM-R antenna - existing as the loco will already have voice comms over GSM-R

The ETCS on-board box might also go on the Tender. When I retired a few years ago such housings were getting much smaller than the Ansaldo rack on Class 158’s on the Cambrian.

GSM-R antenna is likely to be replaced with a more modern version for consistency across installations.
Radar is usually x2, one in each direction.

You're right about the equipment enclosure. The Ansaldo rack is very sizey, but the installers had the luxury of space by using luggage racks within the passenger salon. It will be interesting to see how the computer equipment is housed on locomotives with far more limited space.

 

[Matt34028]

It’s a network change, so as long as your loco is registered, Network Rail bare the cost.

 

[33101]

It’s a network change, so as long as your loco is registered, Network Rail bare the cost.

Thanks for that. So, anything not currently registered (and not yet fitted) would presumably incur the additional expense?

 

[Egg Centric]

It’s a network change, so as long as your loco is registered, Network Rail bare the cost.

Registered as of when?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Registered as of when?

It would usually be the date the change was declared, but they may be flexible over the inclusion of stock that was on the point of being registered when the change was announced.