The Great Northern’s Northern City Line, running into the heart of London, has made history by becoming the UK’s first commuter railway to operate without traditional trackside signals. This marks a significant leap forward in the nationwide rollout of advanced digital rail technology.
For over 120 years, since the line between Finsbury Park and Moorgate first opened, trains have relied on conventional signals—those familiar ‘traffic lights’ beside the tracks. But over the weekend of 17–18 May, these were officially removed as part of the £1.4 billion East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP).
In their place, train drivers now receive real-time instructions on speed and distance via an in-cab display, powered by the European Train Control System (ETCS). This cutting-edge digital signalling system continuously communicates with the train, offering a safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly alternative to physical signals.
Passengers can look forward to improved reliability and punctuality, while the reduced need for trackside infrastructure means lower maintenance demands and a smaller environmental footprint.
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said:
“Thanks to £1.4bn of Government funding this cutting-edge programme is bringing our railways into the 21st Century and beyond.”
“Digital signalling is not only more cost effective, but even safer and more resilient than traditional signalling. This technology, which is as advanced as it gets, could reduce delays by up to a third, evidence that this Government’s Plan for Change is making a real difference to people’s everyday lives.
“This is a Government on the side of working people and, through ambitious projects like this this one, is improving vital access to jobs, services and loved ones.”
Ed Akers, industry partnership director, ECDP, at Network Rail, said: “This milestone represents a real step forward in how we work together as an industry to deliver change, with a deep collaboration across track and train. The learnings we have had from delivering a no signals railway in the heart of London, are what will enable us to deliver a railway transformation on the East Coast Main Line and then nationally.
“I want to thank our partners for their tireless work in making this happen, and also passengers for their patience while the work of transformation continues.”
Oliver Turner, head of ERTMS and digital signalling at Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “This is a huge achievement, doing away with signals and moving to digital control on such an intensive commuter route. For the past 200 years there’s always been something physical at the side of the tracks.
“In terms of modern signalling this is as cutting edge as it gets; it’s like moving from a Nokia 3210 to an iPhone 16. It effectively allows our drivers to see around corners by telling them how far and how fast they can travel. They can drive more smoothly and efficiently, to the best of the train’s capabilities, helping them arrive on time and doing so in even greater safety.
“Our train crews have been brilliant in the way they’ve migrated to this new way of working and taking on board a lot of new learning and I am also incredibly proud of the team here at GTR for what they’ve achieved alongside our industry partners.”
Ben Lane, infrastructure lead and ECDP project director at Siemens Mobility UK&I, said: “This weekend, our engineering teams began removing lineside signals from the Northern City Line - a visible sign of how digital technology is transforming our railways. By integrating our ETCS solution with our Siemens Mobility Class 717 trains, we can see how important it is to bring track and train together.
“We will now see further benefits of ETCS on this route - from reduced maintenance and fewer disruptions to smoother, more reliable journeys for passengers. This achievement sets the standard for digital rail transformation across the UK and shows what's possible when industry partners collaborate to put passengers first.”
Image credits: Northern Rail
