ETCS at Heathrow

Testing of Class 387 Electrostars equipped with European Train Control System (ETCS), enabling them to serve Heathrow Airport, has been completed successfully.

Teams from the Department for Transport, Porterbrook, Great Western Railway, Bombardier and DB Cargo UK were involved in the project, which is the next step in the replacement of Heathrow Express Class 332 electric multiple units with 12 Class 387/1s.

More than ten return trips between Reading and Heathrow Airport were undertaken by a pair of ‘387/1s’ at the end of March, to prove the new signalling equipment fitted to the EMUs.

As well as the functionality of the on-train systems, the tests also proved the related infrastructure worked with the EMUs. Previous tests had been confined to the Old Dalby test track.

Twelve Class 387/1s are being refurbished and fitted with ETCS to operate for Heathrow Express, which is now crewed by GWR staff. Bombardier has carried out the work at its Ilford depot.

The move should also enable TfL Rail to start running Class 345s to the Airport, instead of shuttles to Hayes & Harlington. These trains should have started in May 2018.

Heathrow will be served by the ‘387s’ from later this year, replacing the CAF/Siemens EMUs that have been used since the service was launched in 1998. It’s expected that these EMUs will be scrapped.

“Notwithstanding these challenging times, we need to continue focusing on delivering key projects so that the railway is ready to support UK plc when the current situation stabilises,” said Porterbrook Chief Executive Mary Grant.

“Introduction of an ETCS-fitted fleet on services to Heathrow is just such a project and will enable a service uplift to meet expected passenger numbers when the airport returns to its role as a key European aviation hub.”