As we start to think about 2024 and what differences we are all going to make to our lives, our careers and the railway world we live in, I can give you a few pointers. The autumn of 2023 was a period of change and re-focusing, particularly about technical education and training and we have been contemplating the future direction of our Institution. We, more than ever encompass and interface with all disciplines and it is time to build upon our great PWI history and as I mentioned last time, concentrate on railway systems!

My time in the latter part of 2023 was spent on technical knowledge enhancement through innovation and technical education both formal and informal. In this article, I am going to cover innovation, people and research – my three favourite railway areas.

VERY LIGHT RAIL

Joan Heery, Stephen Barber and I visited the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation – (BCIMO) which is a not-for-profit research and technology organisation and operator of the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre, a unique, world-class centre for rail innovation based in Dudley in the West Midlands. We were introduced to an innovative and very cost effective way of providing a tram system that does not require major road works, services diverted or wholescale electrification as fast battery charging is a key feature. This will be trialled in Coventry in 2024.

The track is prefabricated, relatively lightweight and shallower than traditional tramway track, enabling it to be laid over existing utilities and thus avoiding the need for these to be relocated, requiring less excavation. All of these factors make it quicker and cheaper to install. If required, the track can be dismantled and reused at other locations, being held together by a series of clips; this feature has also been promoted for ease of maintenance. The track is seated upon slabs, the materials of which can comprise a high-strength foam core with a recycled plastic coating Figure 1, 2 and 3.

WORLDWIDE – AREMA CONFERENCE (American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association)

I was privileged to attend the AREMA Combined Conference and Railway Exhibition in Indianapolis in October, the first since 2019 due to COVID-19. It was great to meet at least 12 PWI corporate members and witness the international working between UK and North America including transferable technical innovation. I met the AREMA CEO Liz Caruso again and discussed PWI collaboration including membership, technical papers and seminars. Other areas covered included their technical standards committee processes and transferable professional qualifications such as Chartered Engineer Figure 4.

ENGINEERING CAREERS IN AUTUMN 2023

As a Railway Engineering Institution, we have recently been involved in the induction of new apprentices at technician and degree levels and had an influx of over 100 members. We are always looking to promote the value of our Institution to assist people in career development and knowledge. 

Brian Parkinson and I were delighted to attend the new excellently organised Network Rail apprentice launch in York to welcome over 170 level 3 Rail Engineering Technician apprentices on their third day on the railway. We organised a raffle with a chance to win a £50 prize and UTE textbook for those who signed up for membership. Simon Day Figure 5 from Network Rail a recent PWI Chartered Engineer was on our stand and was great at promoting our cause!

MORE RAILWAY DEGREE APPRENTICES JOIN THE FOLD!

Liz Turner and I have been working with two more universities following the success of the MSc Level 7 and Chartered Engineer integrated reviews at the University of Birmingham.

Sheffield Hallam and London South Bank Universities have been working with Amey, TfL, WSP, Siemens, Network Rail and others on BEng (Hons) degree apprentices which will lead to Incorporated Engineer through the Government Institute of Apprentices and Technical Education (IFATE) scheme for EPA (End point assessment). We are expecting about 50 to become registered PWI Incorporated Engineers during 2024.

PRACTICAL ELECTRIFICATION CHALLENGE

There are always plenty of firsts with our Institution and this challenge was amazing with 30 young electrification delegates who learnt how to install electrification equipment at the NR training centre in Swindon. They were from all different companies and most wanted to progress in their professional registration careers. (The PWI coordinator was Mike Barlow – well done! See other journal article) Figure 6.

FURTHER EXPANSION OF OUR EDUCATION IN DC 3RD/4TH RAIL LONDON

I cannot be but more amazed by the support we get from experienced multi-disciplinary railway engineers who want to help us develop new courses for our Institution’s members and soon-to-be members! Our networking is extensive thanks to people like Peter Dearman, our Past President and we contacted Bob Hutchison and Tony Fella who stepped into the breach and created a week long course on the subject in London. They were ably supported by Nigel Wheeler of Network Rail and Zoe Wormald of TFL. The assessment challenge was to electrify a line section using a third rail system to Chessington World of Adventures. I am very pleased to say that 23 delegates passed and received a very unique university level certificate Figure 7.

AND FINALLY… RESEARCH AT HERIOT WATT

We joined the Joint Board of Moderators in 2022, who with ICE and others accredit university engineering degrees on behalf of the Engineering Council. 

It is always a pleasure to be on the JBM visiting team but when they clearly do railway research it makes it interesting and it is even better when they do railway teaching. Heriot Watt is a well established Scottish university near Edinburgh with great facilities and staff.

We were shown around the labs and introduced to the testing facility Figure 8 which was looking at ballast degradation associated with differing cycles of loading and the impact on sleepers. Professor Omar Laghrouche, a PWI member, explained the equipment and that he is working alongside Professor Peter Woodward, who is very well known to the PWI and now works at Leeds University. They have exciting plans for other railway research which may include electrification – watch this space!

2024 is going to be a watershed year for the PWI which will include an expansion of our Technical Education and Training provision with credit bearing courses, more registrants through combined Apprentice Degree assessments and further development of our rightful place as the national and international ‘go to place’ for Railway Engineering knowledge and advice. 

I look forward to meeting many of you at events and courses.