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Rail Industry

Quartzelec help get new ‘InterCity’ trains moving

As part of the Department for Transport’s Intercity Express Programme ( IEP) initiative across the East Coast Main Line ( and Great Western Main Line) the new fleet of Azuma ‘bullet’ electro-diesel and all-electric trainsets, required modifications to be made to the existing ‘High‑Speed Train’ ( HST) electrical infrastructure for connection integration and operation.

Quartzelec, an independent engineering service provider with an ever-extending global reach, working with Story Contracting, which had oversight of the civil aspects of the project, secured the contract for the necessary…

Pinpointing core to earth faults for a safer rail network

Railways require safe, reliable power systems to support signals, points and communications infrastructure.

Trackside equipment must be protected from failure, and with thousands of miles of track to maintain, Network Rail demands maximum visibility to assess the health and condition of its infrastructure.

UK rail networks are subject to harsh operating conditions and incidents of theft, accidental damage and degradation. Finding and locating faults is challenging, currently requiring rail personnel to spend thousands of hours trackside inspecting and locating failing cable.

Infrarail to be postponed to May 2021

Mack Brooks Exhibitions has today announced the postponement of Infrarail, the UK’s leading showcase of railway infrastructure technology and expertise.

The 13th edition of the event, which was planned to take place at London Olympia from 12-14 May 2020, is postponed following the escalation of COVID-19 in Europe. The exhibition will now be co-located and take place alongside Railtex 2021, the UK’s premier exhibition of railway equipment, systems and services, taking place at the NEC in Birmingham from 11-13 May 2021.

Speaking about the announcement, Nicola Hamann, managing director…

ECA calls for rail electrification programme

Government needs to kick-start a ‘rolling programme' of rail electrification, say business, passenger, freight, and community groups.

A number of industry bodies, including ECA, have published a joint letter urging the government to kick-start a rolling programme of rail electrification, in order to decarbonise the rail network by 2040.

The letter, coordinated by the Rail Industry Association, was supported by other bodies representing thousands of businesses and organisations from across transport, business and construction.

The signatories urged the government to end the…

Consultancy to review case for hydrogen trains

Rail industry body, RSSB, has appointed global engineering consultancy Arup to develop a ‘route map to enter service’ for hydrogen-powered trains on the Great Britain mainline.

The work will involve establishing a high-level operational concept, the associated operational hazards, and regulatory obligations.

The news follows a proposal by UK government to replace all diesel-only trains by 2040. Alongside electrified rail and battery powered trains, the deployment of hydrogen powered trains offers a lower carbon alternative to diesel.

Working closely with manufacturers, regulators…

Heritage railway goes wireless

Materials handling supply specialist, CP Automation, has donated a Magnetek wireless radio control system to Severn Valley Railway, after the heritage railway’s existing control system desperately needed replacing.

Severn Valley Railway is a heritage steam railway in Shropshire and Worcestershire, England, largely run by unpaid volunteers. Earlier this year, the charity was faced with a broken-down system that controlled the lifting of train axles via a hoist onto workstations for refurbishment.

Without the system, the voluntarily run organisation was unable to inspect and maintain…

Bringing smart connectivity to road and rail

Network Rail has announced a spend of £10. 1bn on enhancements to the UK’s railways from 2019 to 2024.

Part of the enhancements include updating over two thirds of the signalling network and providing new infrastructure for big data and communications. This will also involve looking at the use of new materials and technologies for both trackside services and rolling stock.

Communications infrastructure provider, CHH CoNeX, has achieved preferred partner status with German company, Berthold Sichert, developer and manufacturer of polycarbonate cabinets and bases. CHH says that this timely…

Low Voltage & Medium Voltage solutions for transportation

Urban and interurban mobility needs are constantly increasing and represents one of the main challenges for cities and countries. We are committed to contribute to the development of "Sustainable Mobility" by providing our expertise for reliable, efficient, environmentally friendly transportation solutions for infrastructure & rolling stock.

This includes innovative electrification solutions for power substations, passenger stations and buildings, control & signaling systems, depots, tunnels. . . as well as solutions for all types of rolling stock vehicles ( metro, trams, high speed…

Passengers and staff welcome new LED lighting at Britain’s third busiest station

LED Eco Lights, the award winning UK LED lighting manufacturer, has announced that Network Rail has fitted its Goodlight ( http: //www. goodlight. co. uk) LED lighting into all 18 platforms and the concourse at London’s Liverpool Street Station, Britain’s third-busiest station with over 66 million passengers annually. Passengers and staff are benefitting from higher, better quality lighting and at the same time Network Rail is seeing a significant saving in electricity costs and a reduction in its carbon footprint.

Adam Thackeray, Works Delivery Manager for Network Rail, commented…

Flexicon to Showcase Network Rail PADS-approved Conduit Systems and new UK Rail Infrastructure Brochure at Infrarail 2018

Flexicon will be showcasing its range of Network Rail Parts and Drawing System ( PADS) approved cable protection systems and launching its brand new UK Rail Infrastructure Brochure at Infrarail 2018.

Flexicon was the UK’s first flexible conduit manufacturer to receive Network Rail’s enhanced PADS approval for flexible conduits, glands and accessories intended for use in signalling and infrastructure applications, including applications prone to flooding or prolonged immersion under water. These systems will be showcased alongside Flexicon’s new UK Rail Infrastructure Brochure from stand…