A Network Rail test train has run through central London completely under the control of the European Train Control System (ECTS) over two weekends of testing.

These tests are a result of six years of development by the Thameslink Programme and it is the first time a train on the national rail network has run under the cab signalling system in the capital.

Installing cab signalling is instrumental to the Thameslink Programme as when it's combined with automatic train operation it will allow 24 trains per hour to run between London Blackfriars and London St Pancras during peak hours.

Speaking on the installations, Paul Bates, project director for the Thameslink Programme, said: "It was a credit to everyone who has worked on this project that the equipment worked first time, even on the technically demanding switchover from traditional signalling to ETCS at Elephant and Castle."

The next step of the installation will be the spring visit of the Class 700 to the test track and more intensive testing with the 313. Following this, the Class 700 will begin testing the ECTS equipment between Blackfriars and St Pancras International.