Welcome to the September 2024 issue of our e-newsletter where you can read about industry events and publications as well as activities that the Rail Cluster project is leading or supporting.

New members
A warm welcome to new members of the Rail Cluster this month:

• G & M Precision Plastics Ltd
• Iconsys
• Highland Rail Services

• 710 registered individuals
• 482 registered companies
• 294 registered SMEs

Two members of the rail community have shared detailed lists of opportunities for funding and engagement within the sector in the past month. 

Click on the links below to read more. With thanks to:

• Daisy Chapman-Chamberlain, Specification Manager at Rail North Partnership
• Ben Cullen, Knowledge Transfer Manager for Rail at Innovate UK Business Connect

Rail Cluster member Rail Sidings Ltd, based in Eastriggs, hosted the 'Eastriggs Eloper' on Saturday 14th September. This was the first ever visit by a passenger train to the site since it was opened in 1916 as part of HM Factory, Gretna, producing munitions for the First World War.

Orgnised by UKRailtours, the unique event sold out very quickly. As pictured, the train was hauled by GBRf locos 66756 'Royal Corps of Signals' and 57310.

A two-year industry-leading pilot project to enhance the natural habitat near the iconic Glenfinnan viaduct is now complete.

Network Rail and Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) have invested £300k to improve biodiversity in that part of the West Highlands.

It’s in recognition of the impact safety-critical tree and vegetation management work across Scotland’s rail network has on animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms in the area.

Trees have been planted across approximately 200 hectares to protect, restore and expand rainforest and peatland habitats. Deer fencing has been installed at Ardmolich to protect the newly planted native woodlands from overgrazing.

The project sits within Scotland’s endangered Atlantic rainforest zone - an area of international importance for biodiverse habitats.

Nominations are open for the Railway Industry Supplier Excellence (RISE) Awards, which celebrates the talent and achievements of the UK rail supply community.

The winners will be announced at the sixth Railway Industry Association (RIA) Dinner and RISE Awards at The Landmark, London, on June 26, 2025.

Company awards include Innovation, Employer of the Year and Safety, while individual categories include Employee of the Year and Rising Star Award. The winners will be decided by an expert and cross-sector judging panel consisting of experienced industry figures.

The deadline for nominations is March 28, 2025, with those signing up before 5pm on December 14 able to take advantage of a discounted rate.

The Rail Cluster team were in attendance at the RIA Scotland Rail Summit which took place on 3rd September at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, where Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop highlighted the Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment to rail. 

On the same day the Scottish Government announced that procurement will begin to replace its Intercity trains to ensure the reliability of Intercity routes for the long-term, reduce emissions from Intercity services and support efforts to decarbonise Scotland’s railways. 

The event was open to all rail suppliers and stakeholders active in Scotland and featured panel discussions on topics such as weather resilience, presentations, an exhibition and question and answer sessions. 

AtkinsRéalis Group has been appointed by Network Rail to upgrade and digitise the country’s signalling over the next 10 years.

Network Rail’s £4 billion Train Control Systems Framework is a decade-long initiative to upgrade signalling across its 20,000-mile network. The framework comprises two categories: digital and conventional signalling. AtkinsRéalis has secured two of the eight contracts awarded across both categories, working independently on conventional signalling and partnering with CAF to deliver digital signalling.

The framework forms part of Network Rail’s ambitions to modernise the UK’s rail network and ensure greater reliability and safety through a combination of traditional signalling and digital control.

Register to become a supplier for AtkinsRéalis here. 

Thursday 5th September saw the 7th annual Rail Scotland Dinner organised by Peloton at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow.

With over 800 people from across the rail sector in Scotland, there was plenty of opportunity to network and lots to discuss, including the importance of freight, how we decarbonise the railway affordably, how we make sure that passengers get the best experience and much more. 
 
Thanks to Morgan Sindall for kindly inviting along Shona Clive. A great night was had by all!

A cohort of 11 young people taking part in the region's first Rail Skills Academy had the opportunity last week to meet local MSPs as part of their first week of the programme.

The Rail Skills Academy, which is being delivered by QTS Training on behalf on Network Rail, is funded through South Lanarkshire Council. It forms part of the legacy programme for the East Kilbride Enhancement Project.

The young people started their first week with the opportunity to meet some of the contractors on the programme that they will be working for, as well as some local MSPs with an interest in the project.

Gillian McKay, Green MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson, Conservative MSP for Central Scotland and Colette Stevenson SNP MSP for East Kilbride, all attended a special event which focused around updates to the East Kilbride Enhancement Project and an introduction to the trainees as part of the Rail Skills Academy.

Based at the East Kilbride Enhancement project site, the course will equip participants with the competencies, skills and experience required to thrive in the railway maintenance sector. From employability and core skills, to health and safety, track safety and track induction, as well as the SQA Level 4 Practical Skills for Employment qualification, young people who complete the academy will be on track to start their new career.

TransCityRail NORTH has been helping the supply chain unlock contract opportunities across the region through direct access to the leaders of the industry looking to partner with suppliers like you.

Seize the moment with CP7 and unlock exciting opportunities for the supply chain across Northern England. This is your exclusive chance to connect with key stakeholders like Network Rail and lead the way in shaping the future by contributing to the growth and investment in enhancing the region’s rail network.

Book your ticket and gain exclusive access to leaders of industry from Network Rail, Train Operators and Major contractors awarding £billions in contracts across CP7 and beyond.

This event brings the rail infrastructure industry together in one room for networking with no distractions of speeches or presentations at a very competitive cost to suit railway companies of all budgets so they can meet each other and potential new customers to grow their businesses.

Major buyers will be sending their procurement managers looking for new supplier products and services. There will be Meet the Buyer meetings - 15 minute private procurement interviews with major buyers in a private area away from the event.

This event is free for visitors.

The deadline to make an award entry for the SPOTLIGHT Rail Award is 30th September 2024. Be sure to enter while you can. 

The SPOTLIGHT Rail Awards play a significant role in recognising the accomplishments of the rail sector, showcasing innovative practices and outstanding contributions that drive the industry forward. By honouring these successes, the awards not only inspire continued improvements but also emphasise the vital connection between superior asset management, customer satisfaction, and net zero.

Key Dates:
30 September 2024 – award entry deadline
November 2024 – shortlist announced
January 2025 – shortlist webinars
20 March 2025 – awards ceremony

Engineering and Climate Action Conference: Driving Performance, Unlocking Innovation 

Explore the frontier of railway advancements as RIA bridges local expertise with national initiatives. Join them in shaping a seamless, efficient, and innovative future for UK rail.

On 19 November 2024, RIA invites you to the Unlocking Innovation event in Glasgow at the Technology and Innovation Centre at the University of Strathclyde. This special event is a joint collaboration with Network Rail’s Annual Engineering and Climate Action Conference.

This event offers a unique opportunity for everyone involved in the UK’s railways to come together, share new ideas, and discover tools that enhance the efficiency and sustainability of the railways.

Open to all and free to attend, this event encourages a diverse range of participants. They especially welcome innovators from various sectors to attend, explore opportunities within the railway industry, and share their expertise and inventions from other fields.

Network Rail Scotland is seeking innovative solutions to transform railway infrastructure management, specifically focusing on three key areas:
 
• Improving Train Performance
• Delivering Climate Action
• Reducing Net Cost

RIA’s Award-winning Annual Conference is a much-regarded highlight of the UK rail calendar and 2024 will be no exception. RIA members will have the possibility of meeting face-to-face with clients, industry leaders, influencers, international guests and policy makers.

This year’s Conference focuses on the theme of “A fresh Start for UK Rail?”. Over the space of two days, the programme will combine keynote speeches, panel discussions, interview sessions, spotlight exhibitor pitches and unique networking opportunities.

Last year’s Annual Conference saw a number of senior players across UK rail and beyond taking part.

At this Years Annual Conference we will have inspiring keynotes from:
•Andrew Haines, Chief Executive Network Rail
•Sir John Armitt CBE FREnd FICE, Chair, National Infrastructure Commission
•Sir Jon Thompson, Executive Chair, HS2
And many more!