The East Coast Digital Programme - new & improved train travel

The East Coast Digital Programme is a Network Rail Scheme to introduce in-cab digital signalling that will replace the traditional trackside signals currently used - with real-time information being displayed on screens inside the trains for drivers. 

It will improve the communication received by train drivers regarding the live conditions of the track and movement commands - essentially making journeys smoother!

Which line will be upgraded through the East Coast Digital Programme first?

The first line to benefit from the East Coast Digital programme and introduction of digital signalling will be the East Coast Mainline, between London King's Cross and Grantham. This is a vital line in the UK rail network, and has been used for over 150 years. Adding digital signalling will improve this line immensely, ensuring it can continue to serve UK train travel for the next 150 years! The upgrades to the East Coast Mainline will pave the way for future improvements across the UK rail network, with lots of other exciting work going on behind the scenes.

The introduction of the East Coast Digital Programme and digital signalling to the East Coast Mainline will effectively reduce the cost of introducing digital signals on further rail lines, and further upgrades will be scheduled as old signalling systems are ready to be renewed. 

Benefits of the East Coast Digital Programme

The East Coast Digital programme will provide a range of essential long-term benefits. See a breakdown of the improvements the programme will provide below. 

Eco-friendly train journeys

The digital signalling that the East Coast Digital programme will provide will result in more eco-friendly train journeys. The new digital signals use a lot less physical equipment compared to the traditional on-track signals. The digital signalling technology also offers the following benefits:

• Reduced carbon usage
• Gentler train braking, creating smoother journeys that use less energy
• A more reliable service that will encourage more people to travel by train, essentially reducing transport emissions 

Increased train travel reliability 

Because the East Coast Digital programme will offer new in-cab on-screen communication, this will significantly reduce the maintenance work needed on the traditional on-track signals. Eliminating this physical equipment will take away the need for these aspects to be worked on, meaning less engineering work in the long run, and much fewer disruptions to our services!

This new modern way of signalling through a digital system, as opposed to physical equipment, it will also reduce signal failures considerably, which would reduce delays and make Grand Central trains even more reliable!

Timely services

Digital signalling will provide train drivers with additional information about their route ahead, creating much more reliable and efficient services. This helps trains stay on time, and to be recovered more quickly after any disruptions, if any, meaning no more running late for work or your fun day out ahead! Creating more time for things you love. Discover the nation's favourite days out for plenty of inspiration for fun days out by rail.

Increased train safety

The East Coast Digital service will provide real-time information straight to the train driver's cab, including:

• Speed limits 
• Route details 
• Automatic braking for non-responsive drivers

This will offer a much safer and reliable railway, instilling people's confidence in train travel!  

Will Grand Central services be impacted by the programme?

Some Grand Central services will be impacted on certain dates due to the engineering works related to the East Coast Digital Programme. This is because the engineers need safe access to the railway tracks to carry out these essential updates and improve the line for the better.

Dates to be aware of

On the following dates, engineering works to introduce the new in-cab digital signalling will take place, impacting services on the East Coast Mainline:

• Saturday 31st January and Sunday 1st February - no Grand Central services
• Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th February - no Grand Central services
• Sunday 15th February - no Grand Central services
• Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd February - no Grand Central services 

You can check our live updates before travelling to be aware of any changes to services. Rest assured, although the works of the East Coast Digital programme will cause some disruption to services, this will be worth it in the long run when we start to see the long-term benefits of the upgrade.

Travel with confidence with Grand Central

All the work for the East Coast Digital Programme will be taking place over weekends, meaning your essential weekday travel won’t be affected. And once the work is complete, you will start to reap the benefits of these changes! Allowing you to travel with confidence. Be sure to view our array of on-board facilities for further information on travelling with us and find out what to expect from our trains.