Research, training & skills news – Page 4
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Metro Report InternationalEmergency services get to know Stadler metro trains
UK: Tyne & Wear Metro operator Nexus is running sessions to familiarise the emergency services with its new Stadler trains ahead of their entry into passenger service. The events at the Nexus Learning Centre cover the layout of the Class 555 trainsets, their fire suppression systems, ...
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Rail Business UKHow to tell rail passengers not to travel
UK: Transport Focus has published a report into how train operators can improve ‘do not travel’ messages at times of major disruption. The watchdog says its research has found that ‘many passengers struggled with the whole notion that the railway runs trains but tells people not ...
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NewsInfrastructure managers continue technology co-operation
EUROPE: British and Dutch railway infrastructure managers Network Rail and ProRail have signed a memorandum of understanding for continued co-operation in areas including automated inspection, acoustic monitoring using fibre optic cables, digitisation, asset management, measurement trains and embankment stability. The MoU signed in Den Haag on ...
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Rail Business UKImmersive training centre to increase rail worker safety
UK: Rail Minister Huw Merriman has opened a £2·7m immersive safety training centre designed to enable rail workers to experience safety-critical scenarios in a safe environment. The TRUST facility in Huddersfield has been developed by Active Training Team as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade programme, ...
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Rail Business UKNorthern orders SIM Factor motion platform train driver training simulators
UK: Polish company SIM Factor is to supply Northern with six motion platform cab simulators including 600 km of real footage of the operator’s routes. These will provide a full-immersion environment for training drivers, conductors and other apprentices. There will also be a passenger saloon simulator ...
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NewsTallinn safety conference seeks to embed a culture of learning
EUROPE: The third edition of the EU Agency for Railways’ Safety Days conference will take place in Tallinn on September 20-22.
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NewsSafety training prepares for commuter rail service launch
USA: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and train operator Keolis Commuter Services have provided emergency responders with hands-on training ahead of the launch of South Coast Rail Phase 1 passenger services later this year.
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In depthSafety: Divided by a common language
A proposed recast of the EU Directive for certification of train drivers to mandate the use of English for communications on international routes has divided opinion across the European rail sector, with little sign of a consensus emerging. Toma Bačić reports.
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Rail Business UKRail capacity planning qualifications launched
UK: Network Rail and the Chartered Institution of Railway Operators have launched three capacity planning qualifications for use in the infrastructure manager’s internal training programme. The qualifications delivered by Network Rail’s Capacity Planning Training & Development Team in Milton Keynes and awarded by CIRO are designed ...
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NewsNorfolk Southern enhances conductor training programme
USA: Norfolk Southern has launched a partnership with the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation Workers to enhance the railroad’s conductor training programme. A train-the-trainer programme for all conductors and foremen will ensure consistency and quality in the training ...
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Metro Report InternationalLondon Underground seeks alternatives to full-scale driver training simulators
UK: Transport for London is looking for ‘innovative solutions’ which would reduce its reliance on full scale mock-up cab simulators for training London Underground drivers. TfL says full-scale simulators ‘seem to add value to the training experience’, but are large, immovable, and require staff to travel ...
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Metro Report InternationalIdentifying tramway training needs
UK: The Light Rail Safety & Standards Board is working with sector professionals to identify their current and future training needs and provide access to practical information and forums to share best practice. This follows a workshop in Birmingham that brought together representatives of the Edinburgh, ...
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OrganisationsCarbon Literacy for Rail training course launched
UK: The Rail Safety & Standards Board has launched a Carbon Literacy for Rail training course, designed to provide anyone working in rail infrastructure, operations or the supply chain with the knowledge to lower their personal and organisational carbon footprint. The first course is scheduled for ...
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NewsSwiss MoU marks launch of Network Rail international research programme
EUROPE: UK infrastructure manager Network Rail has launched an International Research & Development partnership programme to strengthen ties with other railways by sharing knowledge and best practice. Projects would be jointly funded, with responsibility for resources, testing capabilities and best practices shared through both in-person and ...
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NewsAutomated train positioning trials
GERMANY: Fully automated operation of regional passenger trains has moved a step closer with the launch this month of the AutomatedTrain project by Deutsche Bahn and partners from industry and research. Forming part of the Digital Schiene Deutschland (Digital Rail Germany) initiative, the project aims to ...
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Rail Business UKSkills academy to provide route to rail careers
UK: Young people in Fife are being offered the opportunity to join a Rail Skills Academy launched as part of the Levenmouth Rail Link project. The nine-week full-time course delivered by QTS Training will equip the 12 participants with entry-level competencies, skills and experience to help them ...
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In depthTrain Control: Say goodbye to lineside hardware with satellites and digital comms
A marriage of satellite communications with fully digital train control could eliminate lineside signals and related equipment, achieving huge savings and making the rail mode more affordable. Preliminary trials are already in progress.
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NewsPitch for a rail career on InnoTrans digital platform
INNOTRANS: People seeking rail careers will be able to pitch themselves to potential employers at the Eurailpress Career Boost digital event on September 26 2023. The digital event follows a successful premiere during InnoTrans 2022 in Berlin. Five candidates in each of five categories will present ...
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Rail Business UKCentre of Excellence for Railway Through-Life Engineering awarded funding
UK: The UK Research Partnership Investment Fund has awarded £15m to support the creation of a Centre of Excellence for Railway Through-Life Engineering in Goole. The research and innovation centre will be established by the University of Birmingham, working with the University of Huddersfield and supported ...
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In depthSpace Technology: European aerospace bodies see rail opportunities
European aerospace organisations ESA and EUSPA are developing dedicated initiatives aimed at facilitating the use of satellite technology in rail applications, with ERTMS a particular focus. Nick Kingsley reports.