Tag Archives: rail

News

Composite Braiding to showcase low-carbon rail technology at Clean Futures Demonstration Day

Composite Braiding, the leading manufacturer of low-carbon advanced composite material structural components, will unveil its lightweight twin track cantilever assembly to the rail industry at the Clean Futures Demonstration Day in February, an event showcasing the technological innovations emerging from the Clean Futures Accelerator Programme.

Led by the Connected Places Catapult (CPC), the Clean Futures is a six-month, challenge-led accelerator that sees West Midlands-based SMEs receive bespoke support and up to £50,000 in grant funding to trial their low-carbon technology solutions.

As part of the programme’s second cohort, Composite Braiding has engineered a lightweight twin track cantilever – an essential piece of rail infrastructure that supports overhead line equipment in electrified railway systems. Each composite cantilever structure weighs less than 300kg, representing in excess of an 80% reduction in weight to traditional steel structures. Design for the cantilever was supported by Tier 1 critical infrastructure organisation Amey, with the company also providing installation support at the Demonstration Day.

With the use of steel cantilevers across the UK’s rail network numbering in the tens of thousands, this ground-breaking new technology has the potential to considerably reduce the carbon footprint of the sector – a critical step for reaching the UK’s target of net zero railways by 2050. The design will be showcased at the Demonstration Day, with Composite Braiding’s Technical Director, Alastair Barnett, in attendance to answer questions about its performance and development.

Barnett commented: “With our innovative and award-winning manufacturing capabilities, we combine fibres like carbon, glass and basalt fibres with thermoplastics to create advanced composites quickly and at scale. This ground-breaking fully automated process can reduce labour costs by 90%, industrial waste by 97% and uses 95% less energy that traditional composite manufacturing.

“We believe that our new lightweight cantilever design is the next step in sustainable rail infrastructure and, once scaled, can truly help to move the needle towards a low-carbon, cost-effective rail network for the future.”

The Demonstration Day will take place on Tuesday 25 February 2025 at the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation headquarters in Dudley. For more information about Composite Braiding and its award-winning manufacturing processes, visit www.compositebraiding.com.

Business, Construction, Construction News, Mid Wales

Premier Forecourts and Construction achieves RISQS accreditation, enters rail infrastructure market

Premier Forecourts and Construction, a leading provider of forecourt and infrastructure solutions, has secured RISQS (Railway Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme) accreditation. This key achievement marks the company’s entry into the rail infrastructure sector, expanding its service offerings alongside its established proficiency in EV charging hubs and traditional fuel stations.

The RISQS accreditation is a critical step in the company’s development strategy, enabling it to work alongside major contractors, on projects that focus on infrastructure surrounding the rail network, such as stations, adjoining amenities, and car parks. Leveraging decades of experience delivering comprehensive service station solutions, Premier Forecourts and Construction is uniquely equipped to meet the challenges of the rail sector with precision and innovation.

A key factor in the South Wales-based company’s successful accreditation is its unwavering commitment to compliance and quality. The company’s achievements in attaining ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety), and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) certifications have laid the foundation for this latest success.

Supporting these efforts is Premier Forecourts and Construction’s newly formed Compliance Team, an all-encompassing function designed to ensure that the company’s operations continue to meet and exceed the highest industry standards. The team is led by Ashley Davies, who has been with the business for 14 years and was recently promoted to Head of Compliance. Previously serving as Health & Safety Manager, Davies now oversees all aspects of Compliance, Health & Safety, Environment, and Quality Assurance, supported by Iesha Llewellyn and Leigh New.

Ashley Davies, Head of Compliance at Premier Forecourts and Construction, said:

“Compliance is vital to everything we do. Our RISQS accreditation is a testament to the team’s hard work and the systems we’ve developed over the years. It represents not just a certification but our ongoing commitment to excellence in every aspect of our operations.”

This strategic expansion builds on Premier Forecourts and Construction’s decades of success in delivering complex projects for service stations nationwide. As the only company of its size with the capability to execute both electric vehicle (EV) and traditional fuel projects, the business now applies its unique skillset to meet the specific demands of rail infrastructure.

Steve Evans, Managing Director of Premier Forecourts and Construction, said:

“Our ability to pivot into new sectors like rail is a testament to the depth of talent and experience we have within our business. Our strong foundation in compliance, combined with our reputation for delivering high-quality infrastructure solutions, positions us perfectly to support the needs of the rail sector while continuing to excel in our core markets.”

Premier Forecourts and Construction’s expertise positions it uniquely to address the evolving needs of transportation infrastructure. The company’s commitment to sustainability and forward-thinking designs ensures it remains a trusted partner for both existing and new sectors, offering innovative solutions tailored to client needs.

Midlands News, News

Whitcombe Pipelines steps on the gas with £2m HS2 contract

A strategic partnership – developed in the Black Country – has helped a gas distribution and reinstatement specialist secure a major £2m contract to work on the UK’s premier rail project.

Whitcombe Pipelines (WPL), which employs 160 people at its base in Rowley Regis, tapped into Wolverhampton’s National Infrastructure Solutions (NIS)’ unique ‘Recruit, Train, Retain’ model to pass all the requirements for working on HS2.

The Achilles-registered company will complete reinstatement works for gas pipelines, as well building new access roads and verges.

WPL anticipates more than 40 people will be employed across several project locations at any one time, as it supports the biggest rail revolution in the UK’s modern history.

It marks what has been a major year of growth for the Black Country firm, with sales doubling to £10m over the past twelve months.

 

Damian Whitcombe, who launched Whitcombe Pipelines in 2018 after learning his trade from his father Ron, commented:

“Health and safety, training and compliance are very important features in our sector and come as a prerequisite for working on major rail and infrastructure schemes such as HS2.

“Growing as fast as we are, we need to bring in additional expertise and the relationship with NIS typifies the type of partnerships we are trying to build.

“The training specialist took a lot of time to get to know our business, understand what we require and have subsequently implemented a ‘best-in-class’ training service.”

 

He continued: “It is a complete approach to training and managing the skills of our expanding workforce and one we highly recommend. Our focus must be the whole picture – recruiting fresh people into the industry, in addition to multi-skilling and upskilling our current workers.

“We also have a dedicated induction process for all staff and have developed a modern, digital skills matrix which is hosted by an app that clearly displays everyone’s qualifications. The app gives an automated traffic light system for when training competencies need renewing to help keep us and our workforce compliant.”

 

HS2 isn’t the only big win secured by Whitcombe Pipeline in recent months, with a touch of innovation helping it impress Cadent.

National Infrastructure Solutions, which provides specialist training for the rail, infrastructure and construction sectors, was again heavily involved, developing a workflow app for the UK’s largest gas distribution network’s design and build process.

This delivered a multi-user reporting application that allows the user to conduct surveys, and arrange appointments, whilst also supporting planning and delivery of reinstatement works.

The app allows operatives to upload picture evidence and information is then collated into a single job card report that ensures the client receives a ‘right first time’ approach to work and customers enjoy a first-class experience.

 

Matt Wright, Operations Director at NIS, went on to add: “Companies can sometimes see training and qualifications as a burden, but we have turned the tables on this view through the power of technology and being able to offer everything in one place.

“We are steadfast in our commitment to improve training standards for rail and infrastructure workers and our MD, Davie Carns, is passionate about ensuring delegates can confidently take new skills into their work environment. By doing so, NIS are aiding progression amongst the workforce and improving lives which is a key aspect of our daily approach.

“Our close working relationship with the City of Wolverhampton College (CoWC) and the West Midlands Combined Authority has allowed companies like WPL to grow through recruitment, training and development of new and existing staff. This can only have a positive impact on the region and its people’”

 

Damian concluded: “NIS has increased our ability to attract fresh talent to our sector while ensuring compliance amongst our current workforce. This has been vital when tendering for both HS2 and other rail work as it gives us an easy way of demonstrating a forward-thinking approach and competency compliance across our current workers.

“We also used its expertise to create a bespoke Leadership Academy to develop our business unit leaders and senior managers.”

 

Whitcombe Pipelines and NIS are in discussions about introducing bespoke industry specific courses to support WPL’s move into major civil engineering projects across the West Midlands and beyond.

Telecoms

Passenger hand signalling at end of line as Telent installs new request to stop technology

Warwick, U.K., February 28, 2022 – Passengers at remote rail stations on the Far North Line in Scotland will soon wave goodbye to years of hand-signalling train drivers if they wish to board the train.

A new ‘request to stop’ system is being deployed by critical infrastructure firm Telent at Altnabreac, Culrain, Dunrobin Castle, Invershin, Kinbrace, Kildonan, Rogart, and Scotscalder stations. Trains on the line currently operate on a request to stop basis – meaning passengers must hand signal approaching trains to stop.

Telent is currently installing the new technology – part of a contract for a £5m Network Rail improvement package – using the existing RETB radio signalling system. With the new system, the driver will be notified on approaching the station if there are passengers waiting to board. Trains will be able to maintain line speed if no passengers are alighting or boarding the train, whereas currently they need to slow down every time they pass a station.

Ken Kyle, Business Development Manager at Telent, said “We are delighted to be working with Network Rail Scotland to deliver an improved passenger experience on the Far North Line. Many people depend on transport links like the Far North Line on a daily basis, so we’re really proud to be part of making needed upgrades to make people’s lives easier and help encourage positive impacts on the local economies.”

The new equipment is scheduled to go live across all eight stations on the line from late Summer 2022. Installations are underway across the stations and Scotscalder has been selected for initial trials and functional testing of the enhanced system prior to it being rolled-out.

Partnership Manager at HITRAN the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership Frank Roach, who lives on the line, said: “Allowing trains to pass through at linespeed if there is no requirement to call at the station means an environmental gain as brakes and fuel are saved and provides a performance buffer. The request to stop kiosks will be of great benefit to local residents and visitors alike, additionally providing real-time running information for the first time.”

As well as the request to stop deployment, Telent has been contracted by Network Rail to enhance the radio coverage across the route through deployment of additional network infrastructure at Muir of Ord, Kildonan, Wick and Invergordon.

This will improve the reliability and resilience of the communications network across the route which will improve the overall passenger experience for those travelling on the line.

For more information about Telent, please visit: https://telent.com/