Eversholt Rail Enhances UK Train Fleet with New Tech

TransPennine Express (TPE) in partnership with Eversholt Rail and Siemens Mobility will prepare for the future of rail travel by upgrading its current fleet of Class 185 trains with the European Train Control System (ETCS), a next-generation digital signalling technology that will improve safety, reliability, and customer experience over the long term.

Work to install this equipment is being planned well in advance, with the timing for the operational use of ETCS to be confirmed at a later stage. The railway network is expected to face significant congestion, as outdated signalling systems will continue to create performance and capacity constraints. The introduction of ETCS will tackle these challenges by allowing trains to run closer together without compromising safety, enabling more frequent services on existing tracks and helping to minimise delays. ETCS will replace traditional railway signals with real-time updates on train speeds and braking distances, delivered directly to the driver’s cab.

By providing real-time information about the position and speed of trains, ETCS allows for better control of train movements. The continuous monitoring of train speed and position leads to a higher level of safety compared to traditional signalling systems. The system’s resilience is expected to improve recovery from disruptions, reducing maintenance issues and lessening the need for engineering work.

This upgrade will be a key part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) project, a multi-billion-pound investment set to improve rail connections between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York. In March 2025, the government announced the latest funding for TRU, with an additional investment of £415m to enable further progress on the programme. This funding will also support the future installation of ETCS. The work will be carried out at Siemens Mobility’s Ardwick depot.

www.eversholtrail.co.uk