Britain’s historic steam trains, now operating as rail heritage trips, may soon be derailed by a change in signal technology that will eliminate the trackside signals they use.
Network Rail, which operates the UK’s rail infrastructure, is in the process of changing all lines to the European Train Control System, or ETCS, which uses wireless communication and automatic controls that can slow or stop a train remotely if it overrides signals. It allows more trains to operate along a line, and saves significant cost of maintaining the old traffic light-style signals.
But, questions remain of whether historic locomotives such as those that haul the Flying Scotsman and other classic runs can be adapted to work with the new signaling. Network Rail says it is working with operators, because it wants the historic steam and heritage diesels to continue operation as they contribute about £600 million a year to the economy.
Right now, tests are being carried out by Tornado, a 1940s-style steam engine built from scratch by steam enthusiasts in 2008. If the tests are successful, the modifications would be applied to other heritage engines; otherwise, they will be restricted to heritage shortlines that are not part of the national rail network, meaning an end to long-distance nostalgia runs.
Photo by Neil Mewes on Unsplash
