IPDR - Turbostar - Onboard ETCS Fleet Fitment Contract

The railway industry is undergoing a major shift from traditional lineside signals to a fully digital railway.

Network Rail is replacing physical signals with the European Train Control System (ETCS), which provides real-time, in-cab movement authority.

ETCS gives drivers accurate, continuous information, allowing trains to run safely at optimal speeds and closer together. This leads to fewer delays, more capacity, improved reliability, and a more modern and cost- efficient railway. To deliver ETCS, both the signalling infrastructure and train fleets must be upgraded with new onboard equipment.

Network Rail plans to procure a 15-year single supplier contract to design, supply and install ETCS onboard equipment and associated services for the Alstom Turbostar fleet family.

The Turbostar fleet is the next priority because fitment and driver training must be completed ahead of the planned “signals away” for the Grantham Infrastructure ETCS Scheme on the East Coast Main Line (ECML).

The Turbostar fleet are diesel multiple units (DMUs) built by Adtranz and later Bombardier (now Alstom) in Derby between 1997 and 2011. The family consists of 202 units of Class 168, Class 170, Class 171, Class 172, of which 168 are planned to be fitted owned by Porterbrook (145), Beacon Rail Leasing (12) and Angel Trains (12). The fleet to be fitted is operated across 6 Train Operating Companies (TOCs).

As such there is a significant opportunity to implement a consolidated sourcing strategy which will drive value, economies of scale and consistency into the procurement and delivery of the works over this proposed fifteen 15-year contract period.