Paddington 2 and Top Gear’s British Steam Train is the first thing in the world to be a network rail plot to remove traditional signals from the railway
The iconic British steam train used in Paddington 2 and Top Gear has become the first ever to be “future”, a wider plot of land that removes popular traditional traffic signals.
These changes will be launched nationwide in the coming years, meaning the UK will follow it in Europe’s footsteps as it introduces digital-only technology.
Network Rail plans to run in digital-only mode using some trains starting at the end of 2025, while the historic “A1” No.60163 Tornado becomes the world’s first operating steam engine to run with a new train control system earlier this month.
This means that Britain’s beloved steam engines can continue to run well in the future – even if they become more outdated.
Hitachi Railway’s European Train Control System (ETCS) is a digital signal technology that replaces traditional orbital signals.
It works by transmitting signals and speed limits directly to the train cab to allow drivers to operate more accurately.
Peppercorn A1 Pacific Class 60163 Tornado Steam Locomotive drags a special train on the Ribblehead viaduct when it travels from Preston to Carlisle (2021) through the Dales of Yorkshire (2021)
Hitachi Railway’s European Train Control System (ETCS) is a digital signal technology that replaces traditional track signals (file images)
60163 Tornado’s cab with (top left) electronic screen. The pioneering technology was installed earlier this month
Network Rail said it plans to remove the iconic Lineside color light signals to protect the cab signal system along critical routes to protect the future of about 500 steam trains spread throughout the UK every year.
So far, no digital signal inside the CAB has been run using a tornado train, which costs about £9 million.
The tornado was first west of Shrewsbury to Newtown and Welshpool to the first time earlier this month to be used in Europe on a Monday earlier this month tornado (ETC).
“We have to test whether you can use a touch screen at up to 75 mph,” Amy Clouston, a leading human factor expert at Atkinsréalis, an engineering consultant that designs system assembly, told observers.
“We had to think about vibration, lighting, noise, coal dust, water and steam and dirty fingers.”
The news came as Network Railway issued a £40 million bid document last year for the company to bid for 24 mainline steam and heritage diesel locomotives.
The boss launched ETC technology in 2021.
Clouston of Atkinsréalis believes the project is crucial to the future of the steam industry: ‘Steam is part of the American engineering heritage, so it would be a shame if it was included only on the private heritage railroad.
Tornadoes appear on top gear when Jeremy Clarkson is hired to run from London to Edinburgh (pictured above)
It also appears in the beloved family movie Paddington 2, a climax scene in the movie
Engineers say they have to strengthen the system to ensure it can operate in a 75mph steam engine environment
The upgrade of the tornado will ensure it can continue to operate until the 21st century, protecting British steam
This iconic train is featured in Paddington 2 and Top Gear (pictured in 2021)
“It’s a great thing to have a steam locomotive on the main line.”
Andy Bell, vice president of Hitachi Rail UK, added: “This very special project not only demonstrates the adaptability of our system, but also demonstrates that it is possible when we combine engineering expertise with an in-depth, trusted partner across the industry.
“This collaborative advancement rooted in real-world testing and mutual trust will continue to drive transformation across the railway sector.
“The insights we gain here create a valuable blueprint for what will come.
“Continuing the relationship between this work, curriculum and technological advancements are crucial to maintaining the legacy integration and wider application of modern rolling stocks.”
The show’s former host Jeremy Clarkson competes in the iconic top gear in 2009, with the Tornado Train along with other speakers Richard Hammond and James May, from London to Edinburgh.
This incident forced Mr. Clarkson to use constant coal supply to boilers, and no entire train would stop.
