26 October 2026, United Kingdom — Alstom has announced receipt of Authorisation for Placing into Service (APiS) for the European Train Control System (ETCS) fitment on Grand Central’s Class 180 fleet, a retrofit programme led by Alstom and involving Grand Central (an Arriva Group open access operator), Angel Trains, the National Joint ROSCO Project and the East Coast Digital Programme. The APiS is described as ‘first in class’ for the fleet and clears the way for the ten-vehicle fleet, already retrofitted with digital signalling equipment by Alstom, to progress toward ETCS-enabled operation.
According to the report, the fleet will undergo a series of software updates and then enter an extended period of 50,000 miles of fault-free running starting in December. Train drivers are being trained in Level National Train Control (L-NTC) mode to operate ETCS-fitted trains over conventionally signalled routes. Alstom said the programme now focuses on supporting the fleet through fault-free running and progressing toward ETCS Level 2 operation on the East Coast Main Line between Welwyn and Hitchin by Spring 2027. The Class 180 fleet, built by Alstom between 2000 and 2001, is maintained by Alstom at Crofton Depot near Wakefield. The activity forms part of the East Coast Digital Programme, which has already delivered the UK’s first ‘no signals’ commuter railway in 2025 and saw some Great Northern services using digital signalling on the Welwyn to Hitchin section since August 2026.
Lead
26 October 2026, United Kingdom — Alstom has celebrated receipt of regulatory approval, Authorisation for Placing into Service (APiS), for the ‘first in class’ fitment of the European Train Control System (ETCS) on Grand Central’s Class 180 fleet. The report identifies Alstom, Grand Central (an Arriva Group open access operator), Angel Trains, the National Joint ROSCO Project and the East Coast Digital Programme as involved parties in the achievement.
Verified facts
Alstom has received APiS for ETCS fitment on the Class 180 fleet operated by Grand Central, described in the report as a ‘first in class’ approval for that retrofit. The fleet comprises ten vehicles that have been retrofitted by Alstom with digital signalling equipment, and the APiS is said to enable their operation with ETCS enabled. The report states the fleet will undergo a series of software updates before entering an extended period of 50,000 miles of fault-free running commencing in December. Train drivers are being trained in Level National Train Control (L-NTC) mode for operation of ETCS-fitted trains over conventionally signalled routes. Alstom indicated the programme’s next focus is supporting the fleet through fault-free running and towards ETCS Level 2 operation on the East Coast Main Line between Welwyn and Hitchin by Spring 2027. The Class 180 trains were built by Alstom between 2000 and 2001 and are maintained by Alstom at Crofton Depot near Wakefield in West Yorkshire. The retrofit and APiS are presented as part of the East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP).
Organizations and responsibilities
- Alstom: reported as the supplier that retrofitted the Class 180 fleet with digital signalling equipment, maintainer of the fleet at Crofton Depot, and the party that has received APiS and stated plans to support fault-free running and progress to ETCS Level 2 operation. The report describes the retrofit as Alstom’s first passenger fleet retrofit to receive APiS.
- Grand Central (Arriva Group open access operator): reported as the operator of the Class 180 fleet that will enter the fault-free running period and whose drivers are being trained in L-NTC mode.
- Angel Trains: reported as owner of the fleet; the report says the Angel Trains-owned fleet will undergo software updates.
- National Joint ROSCO Project and East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP): reported as collaborative stakeholders in the programme; the report links the APiS achievement to a collaborative approach across these organisations.
- Crofton Depot (Alstom maintenance location): reported as the maintenance base for the Class 180 fleet, located near Wakefield in West Yorkshire.
Operational and commercial context
The report frames the APiS as a regulatory milestone enabling the next operational phases for the Class 180 fleet: software updates, driver training in L-NTC, an extended 50,000-mile fault-free running period starting in December, and a planned move to ETCS Level 2 operation on the East Coast Main Line between Welwyn and Hitchin by Spring 2027. The retrofit is presented as part of the East Coast Digital Programme, which the report says delivered the UK’s first ‘no signals’ commuter railway between Finsbury Park and Moorgate in 2025 and that some Great Northern services have used digital signalling on the Welwyn to Hitchin area since August 2026. The report states the retrofit is expected to enable delivery of more efficient, reliable and greener services over the long term, but does not disclose commercial terms, financial amounts, or contract values. Implementation timelines beyond the stated December start of fault-free running and the Spring 2027 target for ETCS Level 2 operation are not publicly disclosed.
Sources
Source URL: https://railway-news.com/alstom-achieves-approval-for-digital-signalling-on-grand-central-fleet/
Source organisation: Railway News
Disclosure
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