US railroad maintenance company Loram has delivered the UK’s first On Track Machine equipped with ETCS digital signalling, after its new-generation RGC rail grinding machine successfully completed ETCS Level 2 testing.
The vehicle, known as RGC01, was supplied to Network Rail to replace an older rail-profile-treatment and remediation machine, with the UK infra manager stating the project would support preparations for the East Coast Digital Programme, which aims to introduce ETCS and eventually remove conventional lineside signals on sections of the East Coast Main Line.
Marking the first time a UK on-track maintenance machine has been equipped with ETCS for in-cab signalling operation, the system installed on the grinder was supplied by Hitachi Rail, with testing carried out earlier this year at Network Rail’s Tuxford and Melton Mowbray test tracks.
The integration programme ran for around two years, involving collaboration between Hitachi, Loram’s US operations, its production, testing and commissioning team in Derby, and design and integration specialists Aegis and TUV.
“Our Derby based team has successfully completed the integration and testing of ETCS on RGC01, demonstrating our capability to install the latest signalling technology to specialist vehicles,” Lee Tinney, Managing Director of Loram EMEA, said. “I’d like to thank all our partners for working alongside us to deliver this project within tight timeframes and to budget, as well as members of NR’s East Coast Digital Programme for sharing their ETCS operational experience.”
Collaboration across the supply chain
Progress on fitting the UK’s yellow fleet with ETCS has been slow largely because the programme has understandably prioritised passenger and freight fleets first, while specialist on-track machines sit in small, highly bespoke fleets where first-in-class retrofit costs are high and hard to justify.
“On-track machines present a unique integration challenge, operationally, mechanically and in assurance, but RGC01 has shown that with the right end-to-end engineering discipline, it can be delivered successfully,” said Paul Maynard, Hitachi Rail UK’s Vice President for Mainline Signalling.
“This milestone reinforces the value of early systems integration, robust testing and strong joint-working across the supply chain. We congratulate Loram on achieving a UK-first and look forward to supporting the next stages of digital capability for specialist fleets.”
Preparing for digital operation
Built in the United States and shipped to the UK in May 2025, the RGC01 is fitted with 40 grindstones, which can be digitally programmed to re-profile the railhead into different configurations depending on track condition, required line speed and specifications set by Network Rail’s route engineers.
“We welcome Loram’s introduction of a new grinding machine ready fitted for digital in-cab signalling,” said Network Rail’s Programme Director for the East Coast Digital Programme Chris Hobden. “We continue to work with all relevant partners to prepare the On Track Machine sector for the eventual transition to no-signals on the East Coast Main Line.”