Welcome to the May 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:

• tusp
• TFC Ltd
• Hitachi Rail Ltd

• 691 registered individuals
• 473 registered companies
• 287 registered SMEs

Leaders from industry, education and government came together in April for a panel to discuss the findings of a report from Primary Engineer and explore strategies for cultivating a vibrant skills landscape within the Scottish rail sector.
 
The report, titled “Keeping Kids on Track: Evaluating 5 Years of the Primary Engineer Rail Programme” sheds light on the significant positive impact the programme has had on primary school pupils across the UK. It has been running in Scotland, England & Wales and Primary Engineer are hosting three launches to address the specific needs of each education system.
For five years, the Primary Engineer Rail Programme has brought practical Rail Engineering into classrooms and helped inspire the next generation of engineers. Launched in 2018 with Hitachi Rail, the programme embeds engineering at the heart of learning as young pupils collaborate to design, build, and refine rail vehicle models. Over the course of five years the Primary Engineer Rail Programme has provided Rail Engineering learning opportunities for over 40,000 pupils.

The programme culminates in a Celebration Event where pupils test and challenge their designs and share what they have learned with engineering professionals. The report was launched with Scottish Engineering and The University of Edinburgh School of Engineering, who partner with Primary Engineer in Edinburgh. Panelists were able to see the impact of the Primary Engineer Rail Programme first hand, and the excitement this inspires amongst the pupils and teachers who take part.

The Railway Industry Association (RIA) has published a new strategy “for a pathway to a lower cost, higher performing net zero railway by 2050”.

The RIA document also shows how making rolling stock procurement decisions now can stave off the current threat to UK rolling stock manufacturing capability.

The blueprint maximises current Government infrastructure plans and sets out how a co-ordinated ‘track and train’ approach could deliver improved outcomes for passenger and freight users, taxpayers and the supply chain.

RIA’s rail strategy fast tracks benefits by focusing on opportunities for carbon reduction and air quality improvements in the short-term. 

It will also enhance performance by introducing newer and more reliable trains while achieving lower costs and greater economic benefits by reducing ‘boom and bust’ for the rail supply sector.

Key findings are:

• Whilst Government plans will increase the proportion of the UK rail network which is electrified from 38% to 51% - and its recent commitment in March 2024 to this upper figure is welcome - RIA’s strategy identifies a further 15% of routes which if electrified would mean 100% of passenger services and 95% of freight services being decarbonised incrementally in the decades to 2050.
• Around a third of the network does not need to be electrified and can be decarbonised now with battery trains. An order for a fleet of battery-electric trains should be accelerated as a matter of priority to bring forward benefits at no additional cost to the public purse.
• Current uncertainty around future UK rail manufacturing highlights the need for a more consistent pipeline of work for infrastructure and rolling stock suppliers to support investment in skills and improve productivity.

Written by NSAR

The NSAR Apprenticeship Agency service supports businesses across the rail industry by providing and supporting their apprentices. 

Why this service is important
 
Having an apprentice will help your business with medium-term workforce and skills planning. Apprenticeships will allow your business to grow your own talent, developing people that are the right fit for your business.

We know that rail businesses face challenges when thinking about taking on apprentices. Ultimately, these insecurities or risks prevent many businesses from taking on apprentices. As a rail membership and not-for-profit organisation, NSAR has introduced our new Apprenticeship Agency service to help you with these challenges.

We can help mitigate concerns about having sufficient work in the pipeline to keep apprentices for the length of the apprenticeship, or whether there is a sufficient range of opportunities within your business to allow apprentices to meet all their training needs.
 
Benefits for your business

• This service de-risks the apprenticeship process for your business. 
• Ensures you get the skills you need for your business to grow.
• Saves your business time, money and effort in sourcing, recruiting and managing an apprentice.
• Your business gets access to skills and apprenticeship experts for on-going advice an support.
• NSAR takes responsibility for communication and support with the apprentices.
• One single month charge, no hidden extra charges.

Two Fife Primary schools made their own little bit of history by burying time capsules at the new Cameron Bridge and Leven stations.

Children from all year groups at Methilhill Primary were invited by Network Rail to collect and create items for their time capsule which was buried at Cameron Bridge to mark the completion of the new station.

Similarly, pupils at Parkhill Primary collated contents for their version before it was buried in the grounds at Leven station.

As well as seeing the new station facilities, the children spoke to members of the project team about the construction of the stations and the new railway as it gears up for opening on June 2.

Pupils were joined by Fife MSPs, Jenny Gilruth and David Torrance, for the time capsule ceremony which marked 25 days until the return of passenger services on the new Fife rail route.

A £3.4m project to carry out repairs on the 123-year-old Glenfinnan viaduct is underway.

Network Rail, along with principal contractor AmcoGiffen, have set up a compound at the foot of the landmark, which sits 100ft above the River Finnan on the West Highland Line, 17 miles from Fort William.

The work is part of Network Rail’s ongoing maintenance programme and will help futureproof the viaduct.

It’s expected to take just under 12 months to complete and will see engineers assessing the condition and strength of the viaduct and making improvements beneath the track to keep the stone ballast in place.

The Global Centre for Rail Excellence (GCRE) has agreed a deal with Spanish train manufacturer CAF for it to provide a range of services to the centre in South Wales.

Amongst the services in the agreement are rolling stock and technology testing as well as digital signalling development and other product innovations.

The CAF team recently visited the centre, which was established in 2021, and included the CAF UK director, Richard Garner and CAF’s commercial director, Julen Barrutia who took a tour of the 700-hectare site.

GCRE, which is based at Nant Helen opencast site near Swansea has been funded in part by the Welsh government with a £50 million pound investment as well as further backing from the UK government as it aims to establish itself as a major new research, testing and development centre. The location is key for CAF as it has a production base 50 miles away in Newport.

A consortium of mechanical and civil engineering, and robotic automation industry leaders, including Tunnel Engineering Services (UK) Ltd (TES), i3D robotics (i3D), the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), Costain, and VVB Engineering, has developed the first robotic and AI solution set to revolutionise the installation of mechanical and civil services in tunnels.

Traditionally, installing these services in tunnels is hazardous, labour-intensive and time-consuming. The prototype Automated Tunnel Robotic Installation System (ATRIS) can autonomously select brackets, locate where they need to be mounted along a tunnel wall, and install them. In doing so, the automated solution can improve on-site health and safety by reducing the risks associated with manual labour at the tunnel work face, for example, working at height in confined spaces, and hand-arm vibration experienced by workers during installation.

Once fully-developed, the final system can be deployed in tunnel construction for a variety of sectors including transport, water and energy. It is expected to increase productivity by 40% due to faster installation, reduce installation costs for new mechanical and electrical (M&E) systems by 30%, and cut construction plant movements by 40% to decrease embodied carbon.

SPL Powerlines has introduced the first of two high-capacity cranes with unparalleled heavy lifting capabilities, with the first already put to work on two of the UK’s newest railway electrification schemes. The Midland Main Line and East Kilbride are the first projects to benefit from the innovative new equipment.

The Doosan Ultimate 270 Teleboom crane bridges the gap between Road Rail Vehicle (RRV) cranes and excavators. Owned outright by SPL Powerlines rather than leased, it can be set up in 60 seconds and can lift up to 12,000kg at 17m in full 360 rotation.

SPL Powerlines took delivery of its first vehicle, which features a twin-cab design, late last year and, having completed testing and training, deployed it to its first site in January this year. The second vehicle is due for delivery early next year.

The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) has published a refreshed Rail Health and Safety Strategy for the industry.

Britain’s railways are among the safest in the world. However, it isn’t risk-free, and there is a need for industry to continue to work together to tackle shared risks, and deliver a safe railway for both passengers and freight customers.

Today’s railway is facing significant challenges in cost, performance and reliability. The new strategy aims to help Britain’s railways address both these and the key safety and employee wellbeing risks in a joined-up way. These are encapsulated in the vision: having the world’s healthiest, safest, and affordable railway.  

RIA are pleased to announce that they will be hosting their Scotland Rail Summit 2024 at Dynamic Earth, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AS on Tuesday 3rd September.

The RIA Scotland Rail Summit is an industry leading conference in the railway calendar and attracts some 100+ industry leaders and senior players, to discuss the strategic direction of the industry in Scotland. This event is open to all rail suppliers and stakeholders active in Scotland however the right to prioritise RIA Members is reserved.

With panel discussions, presentations, an exhibition and workshops, the event will be full of insights and opportunities for the supply chain in Scotland. The day will give the supply chain an opportunity to re-connect with stakeholders, clients and suppliers and help re-enforce your commercial credentials to Scottish decision makers.

There opportunities available for Sponsorship and Exhibitors.