Research, training & skills news
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News
SBB tests automated shunting without possessions
SWITZERLAND: SBB and Alstom have carried out a series of trials using a remotely controlled shunting locomotive on tracks that remained open for normal operations. As part of the research trials, 24 locomotive drivers operated a shunter in the marshalling yard at Zürich-Mülligen from a control ...
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Metro Report International
Chicago Transit Authority launches first Innovation Studio challenges
USA: Chicago Transit Authority has launched its Innovation Studio project to partner with the private sector to explore new ideas. In the first round, CTA is seeking proposals by April 15 which address: the automatic detection of people or large objects on railway tracks to ...
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News
Communication training to improve suburban train accessibility
AUSTRALIA: Adelaide suburban train operator Keolis Downer Adelaide has been accredited under the Communication Access Symbol initiative to help passengers with communication difficulties. Accreditation involved 234 front line staff completing nine months of specialised training. Tools include communication cards and vision boards showing stations and key ...
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Metro Report International
Rail skills and innovation collaboration
UAE: A strategic partnership to develop rail sector skills and innovation in the UAE and the wider region has been agreed by Dubai metro and tram operator Keolis MHI and the UK’s University of Birmingham, which has a campus in Dubai. Students will be offered internships ...
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News
Battery tender for freight loco to be developed
AUSTRALIA: Freight operator Aurizon has been awarded a A$9·4m grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to develop, test and trial a battery electric tender to be used in conjunction with a modified diesel locomotive. The tender, described as ‘essentially a big battery-pack on wheels’, will ...
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Metro Report International
Quantum train location testing on the London Underground
UK: Researchers are using a London Underground train to test whether quantum inertial navigation systems could be used to provide accurate location information for condition-based monitoring, train control and signalling applications without needing satellites or lineside equipment. Source: MoniRail This forms part ...
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Metro Report International
Tram training transformation
UK: The Light Rail Safety & Standards Board has launched a sector-wide initiative to ‘revolutionise’ training and development at tram operators. This will include an central online resource for operators to plan and maintain their own training programmes. The platform will monitor employee competencies, keep track ...
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Rail Business UK
Rail training academy to develop local skills
UK: The Transport, Rail & Infrastructure Academy developed by City of Wolverhampton College and National Infrastructure Solutions was officially opened by Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street on February 20. The academy at the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation’s Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre ...
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News
East Japan Railway to work with University of Birmingham
INTERNATIONAL: East Japan Railway has signed a memorandum of understanding to work with the UK’s University of Birmingham on innovative technology and staff skills development. Shunzo Miyake, Director General of International Affairs at JR East, said the partnership announced on February 19 aims to ‘develop railway ...
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Metro Report International
Secondment scheme to develop tram talent
UK: Light rail industry body UKTram is developing a framework for staff secondments with the aim of helping the sector retain top talent and to provide additional experience for young managers, engineers and other key personnel. More than half of UK light rail operators have already ...
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Metro Report International
Youth representatives to join Transport for London meetings
UK: Members of Transport for London’s Youth Panel will represent the views of young Londoners at the quarterly Safety, Sustainability & Human Resources and Customer Service & Operational Performance panel meetings from February 21. TfL’s independent Youth Panel was established in 2009 and consists of around ...
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Rail Business UK
YRP Politics In Rail event returns
UK: Young Rail Professionals hosts its Politics In Rail event on February 8 as part of Rail Week.
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News
Violeta Bulc named European Rail Champion as concerns over skills and diversity grow
EUROPE: Former European Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc and Danish national operator DSB were the winners of the two annual awards handed out by trade associations CER and UNIFE at the European Railway Award in Brussels on January 29.
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News
Australian rail sector promotes non-university career paths
AUSTRALIA: The Australasian Railway Association says that thousands of jobs are on offer across Australia in more than 80 careers in rail, and has launched an initiative aimed at school leavers seeking a path into work that does not require a university-level qualification. According to ARA ...
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News
Hydrogen high speed train to be developed
SPAIN: A group of Spanish companies has been awarded funding for the Hympulso project to power a Talgo 250 gauge-changing high speed trainset using renewable hydrogen. Talgo Class 730 electro-diesel trainsets used by national operator RENFE have a power car behind each driving car containing a ...
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Rail Business UK
Digital twin used to test novel turnout concept
UK: A digital twin simulation method has been developed to test a concept for a new design of turnout.
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Rail Business UK
Innovation in Railway Construction funding announced
UK: Funding to test rail infrastructure technology has been awarded in the second round of the Innovation in Railway Construction competition. The first round covered feasibility studies, and the second round provides funding to take the ideas to concept stage at the Global Centre of Rail ...
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Rail Business UK
Rail Forum joins European Railway Clusters Initiative
UK: Rail Forum has joined the European Railway Clusters Initiative, a b2b networking organisation which brings customers and the supply chain together across Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the UK. Rail Forum ...
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Metro Report International
Career opportunities at Nexus
UK: Tyne & Wear transport body and metro operator Nexus has announced a range of jobs, apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships which are now open for applications. ‘Apprenticeships are vital for the long-term future of Nexus’, said Head of Learning Heather Blevins on December 28. ‘We are ...
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Metro Report International
Passenger Transport Driver apprenticeship programme now includes trams
UK: The Passenger Transport Driver apprenticeship programme has been expanded to cover the light rail sector. This follows work by industry body UKTram and the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education to ensure the course meets the requirements of light rail operators. ‘In an ideal world, ...