Safety equipment has been fitted to all driver cabs

Arriva Trains Northern says it has fitted the Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) to more than 360 driver cabs.

In February, the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) said warning systems had to fitted on all rail lines by the end of 2003.

TPWS is specifically designed to reduce the risk of trains going through red signals or travelling too fast.

Sensors, fixed to the track in front of a signal, set up a magnetic field that triggers a timer on the train as it passes over it.

A second sensor a few metres further on sends out another magnetic field.

If the timer on the train is still running as it passes over the second field it automatically applies the brakes, safely stopping the train.

TPWS is fitted to tracks and prevents train passing red lights

An Arriva Trains Northern spokesman said: "Over 360 driver cabs were fitted with TPWS at the rate of around 50 each month at the company's two train-care depots in Newcastle and Leeds.

"The project was completed with minimum disruption following strong planning and co-ordination between the company's teams responsible for fleet and delivering services."

Managing director Ray Price, added: "The safety of our customers and employees is central to everything we do.

"It is a superb achievement to have completed the installation TPWS well in advance of the national deadline set by the Strategic Rail Authority.

"This is a credit to the hard work of those employees who have skilfully planned and carried out the project from start to finish."

Arriva Trains Merseyside, the company's other UK rail franchise, was the country's first train operating company to have TPWS.