In a landmark moment for UK rail, dynamic testing of a steam locomotive fitted with Hitachi Rail’s European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 has been successfully completed on the Cambrian Line in Wales. The historic trial marks the first time a steam locomotive has operated with the cutting-edge digital signalling system.
As part of Network Rail’s East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP), the iconic Peppercorn Class A1 60163 Tornado has become the first steam engine in the world to run with ETCS, blending heritage with high-tech innovation to pave the way for a digitally integrated future.
Steam locomotive with ETCS: A world-first
ETCS is a digital signalling technology designed to replace traditional lineside signals. By transmitting movement authorities and speed restrictions directly to the driver’s cab, ETCS enables real-time communication between trains and infrastructure. The result is increased safety, enhanced reliability, and greater network capacity.
The Tornado’s integration with Hitachi Rail’s ETCS onboard system demonstrates the flexibility of the technology—even when applied to heritage stock. The testing provided vital insights into how ETCS functions within non-standard, complex environments, including the unique challenges of steam locomotive operation.
“Tornado’s retrofit with our ETCS is a world-first project that has tested our technology in one of the most complex and harsh operating environments, proving heritage and digital systems can coexist without compromise,” said Tank Porteous, Mainline Signalling Programme Director at Hitachi Rail UK.
Engineering a bridge between eras
Successfully integrating a 21st-century signalling system into a steam locomotive cab required both technical ingenuity and cross-industry collaboration. The project is being hailed as a critical step in proving the broader applicability of ETCS—both for modern rolling stock and legacy vehicles.
“This very special project demonstrates not only the adaptability of our system but also what’s possible when we combine engineering expertise with deep, trusted partnerships across the industry,” added Andy Bell, Vice President, Hitachi Rail UK.
“The insights we’ve gained here have created a valuable blueprint for what comes next.”
This breakthrough also highlights the future-facing talent driving progress across the rail sector. Tom Goulding, now a Senior Systems Engineer at Hitachi Rail, played a key role in the Tornado and Class 43 retrofit projects, starting during his apprenticeship. His work earned him the IRSE Engineer of the Year Award, and he represents the spirit of this year’s Railway200 celebrations—honouring the past while investing in future generations.
The success of the Tornado retrofit not only showcases the viability of heritage-modern integration but also serves as a model for the ongoing evolution of the railway industry, where innovation, safety, and sustainability remain at the core of progress.
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