As part of the ‘Hitachi Inspire Life’ technology event held at QEII Conference Centre, London on 20-21 February 2008, Hitachi Rail’s General Manager Alistair Dormer announced a major collaboration with Network Rail for the development of a European Train Control System (ETCS) compatible signalling system.

Hitachi are presently obtaining full certification for its Class 395 EMUs for use on the domestic services which will use HS1 from London St Pancras to Kent from late 2009. In addition to their train production skills, the company are also market leaders in signalling technology in Japan and are now to enter the European signalling field.

ETCS has been in development since 1996 as part of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) and addresses a number of problems associated with the European operation of railways using different power systems, signalling systems and operating methods.

ERTMS will eventually remove the traditional lineside signal and bring all signalling control inside the driving cab, using GSMR radio technology, transmitted to trains by means of trackside Balise pods.

Hitachi are presently trialling a system in Japan which operates on a moving block signalling system, significantly reducing the headway between trains with a 10-15 per cent line capacity improvement of busy routes. Recent trials shown on film at the London presentation were of two trains following each other within line of sight at over 20mph, with just yards separating them, control being governed by automated signalling.

In addition to the present trails to be undertaken by Network Rail on the Cambrian route, which will see some Class 158s fitted with ERTMS, plus four modified Class 97/3s rebuilt from Class 37s, Network Rail and Hitachi plan to have an operational test train using the Hitachi system ready for trial running by 2010/11.

As is now common practise with Hitachi, an operational equipment prototype will be introduced and proven before tendering for any squadron production run. For the Hitachi ETCS project a spare Network Rail Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) from the existing Windhoff fleet will be rebuilt, using already proven equipment from Japan. The train will be known by Hitachi as V3 (V1 being the Class 310 development set for 395 technology) and V2 being the hybrid HST)

No decision has yet been made on which route will see the trial operation of V3, but it is likely to be one of the main line businesses.

The intention at this stage is for stock to be fitted which operates over the principal main lines for full ERTMS between 2016 and 2030, starting with the Great Western route in 2016 and ending with the Channel Tunnel Rail Link between 2020-30, with the East Coast stock fitted between 2013-22 and the West Coast fleet between 2014 and 2027. Infrastructure will take longer to install with present plans seeing the Great Western route fitted between 2013-18, East Coast between 2018-35, West Coast between 2027-30 and the HS1 between 2038-40.

Three levels of ERTMS exist, Level 1 is the basic system now in existence, Level 2 will provide a continual update from signalling equipment to train, while Level 3, which is not projected for UK fitting, would involve full moving block equipment, providing variable headways.

*            At the London Hitachi press brief, an update was provided on Class 395 production/testing. As of February 2008, three sets (395001-003) are in the UK at Ashford (Kent), set No. 395001 is fully instrumented for trial running and has achieved 100mph on conventional third rail tracks and a full 140mph on HS1 (CTRL), this was achieved in late December. At present due to Network Rail and the certification authority not issuing full authority, the set has to operate within an engineering possession, but it is hoped that full running authority will be granted soon. Sets Nos. 395001/03 have performed some minor test running, but will see linespeed operation during two and three set trails.

*            The fourth set, No. 395004 is presently completing active tests in Japan and will be shipped to Southampton and then Ashford in March. This set will be used for High speed passing tests on both domestic and HS1 systems.

*            Production of the remaining 26 squadron Class 395s is just commencing in Japan.

*            The Hybrid HST project is progressing well, with the modified powercar and battery trailer still working within the Network Rail New Measurement Train, as of the press brief on 20 February, no on-line failures had been recorded and fuel saving was on par with expectations. This technology will be going forward into the submission plans for the HS2 project, which will now see just Hitachi and Siemens/Bombardier fighting head to head for the deal to built up to 1300 vehicles of diesel, electric and dual power, following withdrawal of the Alstom from the bid process.