16.05.18
Successful signalling trial marks ‘exciting’ milestone ahead of summer operation
The brand-new Thales signalling system was operated for the first time this weekend, TfL has announced.
These successful trials mean that from summer, customers will begin to benefit from the new signalling system on the first section of the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines.
This was the first time that operational Tube staff used the new system, following extensive testing by Thales supported by the TfL project team.
During the trial, six out-of-service trains were operated under the new signalling system between Hammersmith and Latimer Road, which will be the first section to go live.
The project will introduce the new system in stages and, according to TfL, will benefit almost half of the network when complete in 2023.
TfL expects the new system to transform the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines, with improved reliability, capacity and customer information, as well as four additional trains running each hour in the central London section. Services will begin to increase in frequency from 2021.
It will replace some of the oldest equipment on the Underground network, including a signal box at Edgware Road that was built in 1926.
Hammersmith’s new control centre for all four lines is now complete and operational.
Stuart Harvey, TfL’s director of major projects, said that the new signalling system will transform customers’ experience.
“It's hugely exciting that the Hammersmith Service Control Centre is now operational and the successful trials on the first part of the network to operate under the system means we are close to introducing real improvements for our customers on some of the oldest parts of the Tube network,” he added.
Shaun Jones, vice-president for transport at Thales in the UK, added: “The success of the weekend's Operational Proving trial is another significant milestone on this programme that will deliver a world-class transport system for London.
“Thales's proven technology will ensure more reliable journeys on some of the oldest and most complex parts of the Underground network.”
Top image:
The brand-new Thales signalling system was operated for the first time this weekend, TfL has announced.
These successful trials mean that from summer, customers will begin to benefit from the new signalling system on the first section of the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines.
This was the first time that operational Tube staff used the new system, following extensive testing by Thales supported by the TfL project team.
During the trial, six out-of-service trains were operated under the new signalling system between Hammersmith and Latimer Road, which will be the first section to go live.
The project will introduce the new system in stages and, according to TfL, will benefit almost half of the network when complete in 2023.
TfL expects the new system to transform the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines, with improved reliability, capacity and customer information, as well as four additional trains running each hour in the central London section. Services will begin to increase in frequency from 2021.
It will replace some of the oldest equipment on the Underground network, including a signal box at Edgware Road that was built in 1926.
Hammersmith’s new control centre for all four lines is now complete and operational.
Stuart Harvey, TfL’s director of major projects, said that the new signalling system will transform customers’ experience.
“It's hugely exciting that the Hammersmith Service Control Centre is now operational and the successful trials on the first part of the network to operate under the system means we are close to introducing real improvements for our customers on some of the oldest parts of the Tube network,” he added.
Shaun Jones, vice-president for transport at Thales in the UK, added: “The success of the weekend's Operational Proving trial is another significant milestone on this programme that will deliver a world-class transport system for London.
“Thales's proven technology will ensure more reliable journeys on some of the oldest and most complex parts of the Underground network.”
Top image: TfL
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