An iconic British steam train featured in Paddington 2 and Top Gear has become the first ever to be ‘future-proofed’ amid a wider plot to remove much-loved traditional traffic signals.
The changes, set to be rolled out across the country in coming years, mean Britain will be following in the footsteps of Europe as it introduces the digital-only technology and considers replacement of the vehicles’ fire-breathing machines.
Network Rail has planned for some trains to run in digital-only mode from the end of 2025 and the historic “A1” No.60163 Tornado became the first in the world to operate with the new train control system earlier this month.
The Hitachi Rail’s European Train Control System (ETCS) is a digital signalling technology that replaces traditional trackside signals.
It works by transmitting movement authorities and speed limits directly to the train cab, in an attempt to allow drivers to operate with greater precision.
The Peppercorn A1 Pacific class 60163 Tornado steam locomotive hauls a special train over the Ribblehead viaduct as it travels through the Yorkshire Dales on its journey from Preston to Carlisle (2021)
The Hitachi Rail’s European Train Control System (ETCS) is a digital signalling technology that replaces traditional trackside signals (file image)
The cab of the 60163 Tornado with (top left) an electronic screen. The pioneering technology was fitted earlier this month
Network Rail says it has planned to remove the iconic lineside colour light signals in favour of the in-cab signalling systems along key routes to safeguard the future of some 500 steam trains currently running across the UK each year.
Until now, no cabs have ever been run with in-cab digital signalling – which was fitted in the Tornado train at a cost of about £9m.
The Tornado ran on ETCS – already widely used in Europe – for the first time west of Shrewsbury to Newtown and Welshpool overnight on a Monday earlier this month.
Amy Clouston, principal human factors specialist at engineering consultancy AtkinsRéalis, which designed the fitment of the systems, told the Observer: ‘We had to test whether or not you can even use a touchscreen while you’re hurtling along at up to 75mph.
‘We’ve had to think about vibrations, lighting, noise, coal dust, water and steam and grubby fingers.’
The news comes as last year Network Rail issued a £40m tender document for companies to bid to fit 24 main line steam and heritage diesel locomotives.
Bosses launched the ETCS technology in 2021.
AtkinsRéalis’s Clouston argued the project was vital to the future of the main line steam sector: ‘Steam is part of the nation’s engineering heritage so it would be such a shame if it were to only be contained to private, heritage railways.
Amy Clouston, principal human factors specialist at engineering consultancy AtkinsRéalis, which designed the fitment of the systems, told the Observer: ‘We had to test whether or not you can even use a touchscreen while you’re hurtling along at up to 75mph’
Andy Bell, Vice President of Hitachi Rail UK, added: ‘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’
The iconic train has featured in both Paddington 2 and Top Gear
‘Having steam locomotives out there on the main line is a wonderful thing to see.’
Andy Bell, Vice President of Hitachi Rail UK, added: ‘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.
‘This kind of collaborative progress, rooted in real-world testing and mutual trust, will continue to drive transformation across the railway sector.
‘The insights we’ve gained here have created a valuable blueprint for what comes next.
‘Carrying forward the relationships, lessons, and technical progress from this work will be essential to maintaining momentum for heritage integrations and wider applications across modern rolling stock.’
In an iconic Top Gear episode of 2009, she show’s former frontman Jeremy Clarkson took the Tornado train in a race with fellow presenters Richard Hammond and James May from London to Edinburgh.
The episode saw Mr Clarkson having to feed the boiler with a constant supply of coal, without which the whole train would grind to a halt.
