TRANSPORT FOR London staff operated and maintained the new Thales signalling system for the sub-surface lines for the first time over the weekend of 12-13 May.
The new Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) system is being introduced across the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Lines under the Four Lines Modernisation (4LM) programme. The new system is due to go live in passenger service between Hammersmith and Latimer Road this summer, and the test running involved staff operating six trains over this stretch. The new control centre at Hammersmith for the lines is also now complete and became operational on 6 May. TfL says staff underwent extensive classroom and simulator training to operate the new system.
Meanwhile, a report to the TfL Board on 23 May indicated a total of 78 ‘S’ stock trains had been fitted with the Thales CBTC equipment.
A programme to retrofit this to all 192 trains is currently ongoing, with fitment taking place at Bombardier’s Derby factory.
The 4LM project will see the new signalling introduced across the four lines in stages, with the first frequency increase planned for 2021 and the programme due to be completed in 2023.
