---
title: "IPDR - Turbostar - Onboard ETCS Fleet Fitment Contract"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06771d"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06771d"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06771d.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06771d.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED"
published: "2026-03-31"
---

# IPDR - Turbostar - Onboard ETCS Fleet Fitment Contract

Buyer: NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06771d

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## Summary

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited is in the planning stage of a significant procurement process for the onboard fitment of the European Train Control System (ETCS) on the Turbostar fleet of diesel multiple units (DMUs). This contract, spanning 15 years, aims to equip rolling stock with digital signalling systems to enhance railway efficiency and capacity; it is classified under railway signalling works. Key dates include a Supplier Engagement Event scheduled for 28 April 2026 and feedback opportunity due by 12 May 2026. The procurement activity falls under the 'works' category and involves organisations throughout the United Kingdom, focusing on the East Coast Main Line (ECML), with the operation commencing in February 2028.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in railway signaling and infrastructure upgrades. Such specialists are encouraged to engage in the Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) process to help shape the procurement strategy. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as voluntary and community sector enterprises (VCSEs), are deemed suitable to participate, facilitating potential collaborations that can yield economies of scale and improve cost-efficiency. With the transition to a digital railway, suppliers with expertise in rolling stock equipment, signalling systems, and related technological advancements will find prime opportunities to contribute to a project poised to redefine the future of the UK rail industry.

## Notice

The railway industry is undergoing a major shift from traditional lineside signals to a fully digital railway. Network Rail is replacing physical signals with the European Train Control System (ETCS), which provides real-time, in-cab movement authority. ETCS gives drivers accurate, continuous information, allowing trains to run safely at optimal speeds and closer together. This leads to fewer delays, more capacity, improved reliability, and a more modern and cost- efficient railway. To deliver ETCS, both the signalling infrastructure and train fleets must be upgraded with new onboard equipment. Network Rail plans to procure a 15-year single supplier contract to design, supply and install ETCS onboard equipment and associated services for the Alstom Turbostar fleet family. The Turbostar fleet is the next priority because fitment and driver training must be completed ahead of the planned "signals away" for the Grantham Infrastructure ETCS Scheme on the East Coast Main Line (ECML). The Turbostar fleet are diesel multiple units (DMUs) built by Adtranz and later Bombardier (now Alstom) in Derby between 1997 and 2011. The family consists of 202 units of Class 168, Class 170, Class 171, Class 172, of which 168 are planned to be fitted owned by Porterbrook (145), Beacon Rail Leasing (12) and Angel Trains (12). The fleet to be fitted is operated across 6 Train Operating Companies (TOCs). As such there is a significant opportunity to implement a consolidated sourcing strategy which will drive value, economies of scale and consistency into the procurement and delivery of the works over this proposed fifteen 15-year contract period.

### Planning Information

Network Rail intends to procure a national, long-term contract for the onboard fitment of digital signalling system equipment, European Train Control Systems (ETCS), and associated works on to IPDR Turbostar passenger trains.
The IPDR Turbostar fleet has been identified as the next priority procurement due to the required delivery dates to achieve fitment completion and driver training before the anticipated ‘signals away’ date for the Grantham Scheme on the East Coast Main Line (ECML). 
The Turbostar fleet are diesel multiple units (DMUs) built by Adtranz and later Bombardier (now Alstom) in Derby between 1997 and 2011. The family consists of 206 units of Class 168, Class 170, Class 171, Class 172, of which 172 are planned to be fitted owned by Porterbrook (145), Beacon Rail Leasing (12) and Angel Trains (12). The fleet to be fitted is operated across 6 Train Operating Companies (TOCs). 
As such there is a significant opportunity to implement a consolidated sourcing strategy which will drive value, economies of scale and consistency into the procurement and delivery of the works over this proposed fifteen 15 year contract period.
Network Rail is planning to conduct a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) to develop the procurement approach and provide the market with the opportunity to input.
Responding to the notice is an excellent opportunity to engage with the programme, share relevant information and provide vital feedback to inform the procurement approach. Should your organisation wish to respond to this notice please follow the instructions below.
1. Supplier Engagement Event 
NR intends to hold a virtual online supplier engagement session for registered parties in relation to the procurement of the IPDR - Turbostar - Onboard ETCS Fleet Fitment Contract on the 28 April 2026, via Microsoft Teams. 
NR encourages your organisation to attend this event and hear about this very exciting opportunity and the start of changing the GB Rail Industry for the future of ETCS.
This event will have a greater level of detailed information provided on our proposed approaches, and we encourage attendance therefore to help shape the requirements and contracting strategy. Our team will be on hand to take away any questions which will answered by publishing the Q&A in the BRAVO sourcing portal after the event. All supply chains are encouraged to attend (large or small) to understand how your organisation can become engaged and involved.
To register for the event please follow the instructions below:
1. Follow the link 
https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html
2. From the welcome screen, access the "View Current Opportunities" link and select “IPDR - Turbostar - Onboard ETCS Fleet Fitment Contract” (Login is not required).
3. Then follow the instructions in the "Responding to the Preliminary Market Engagement Notice" section of the attached document titled “IPDR - Turbostar - Onboard ETCS Fleet Fitment Contract Supplier Briefing Document” in the Opportunity Attachments section in BRAVO.
Should you have any difficulties in registering for the event or have any clarifications or questions in respect of this market engagement they should be directed to: 
PFP@networkrail.co.uk
2. Market Sounding Questionnaire
In conjunction with the publication of this PME Notice and the supplier briefing document, NR has published a Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ) in the Opportunity Attachments section in BRAVO which invites all participants to provide feedback on key areas to help shape the requirements and contracting strategy for the IPDR - Turbostar - Onboard ETCS Fleet Fitment Contract. 
3. Supplier Clarification Question (CQ) process 
NR shall run a full clarification question process throughout this whole market engagement process via the NR BRAVO sourcing portal messaging function. Where no Unique Selling Points (USP’s) or Intellectual Property Rights are disclosed then in these cases our responses and the original question will be shared with all potential participants via BRAVO. 
NR therefore request that should anything be considered a USP and IPR to your organisation that this is marked (CONFIDENTIAL & COMMERCIALLY SENSITIVE) on the clarification or email at the very top of the clarification or email, so that NR can consider ensuring protection of the same.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030010-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Works |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 31 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 9 Sep 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 11 Feb 2028 - 10 Feb 2043 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £234,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planned |
| Lots status | Planned |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED |
| Additional buyers | NETWORK RAIL (HIGH SPEED) LIMITED |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | South East London |
| Postcode | SE1 8SW |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI4 Inner London - East |
| ITL 3 | TLI45 Lambeth |
| Local authority | Lambeth |
| Electoral ward | Waterloo & South Bank |
| Westminster constituency | Vauxhall and Camberwell Green |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation
- 45 - Construction work

### Codes

- 34600000 - Railway and tramway locomotives and rolling stock and associated parts
- 34620000 - Rolling stock
- 34630000 - Parts of railway or tramway locomotives or rolling stock; railways traffic-control equipment
- 34631000 - Parts of locomotives or rolling stock
- 34632000 - Railways traffic-control equipment
- 45234115 - Railway signalling works
- 45316200 - Installation of signalling equipment

## Release History

- 31 Mar 2026 at 16:11 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030010-2026
- 27 Mar 2026 at 17:03 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028759-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030010-2026
  31st March 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028759-2026
  27th March 2026 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.networkrail.co.uk/
- https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.networkrail.co.uk/

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06771d. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06771d.json.