Join the discussion on electrification in Glasgow on 21 April!
The Scottish Government has recognised the benefits of a rolling programme of electrification and Network Rail Scotland is developing those plans. Electrifying an existing railway requires the electrification system to be integrated into the broader railway system: the configuration of the traction system and its constituent parts has implications for the operation, maintenance, and performance of the railway. In Scotland and throughout the UK, funders recognise the operational and ecological benefits of electrification but CP5 performance severely damaged the case for further electrification work. Benchmarking with Europe highlights the extremely high cost of work in the UK.
The challenge facing the whole industry is to simplify the contractual model, reduce implementation managerial complexity and focus system design and construction on affordability.
PWI Deputy President Peter Dearman says “Against the background of the climate emergency and the UK 2050 net-zero commitment, the railway has a vital role and big opportunity to be part of the solution. Transport is a major contributor to the atmospheric carbon problem. A modal shift from roads and domestic flights to trains will help towards delivering a net-zero economy, but the benefits of that shift can only be maximised if railway traction is de-carbonised. A large programme of electrification is proposed, but the business case for electrification must be satisfied.”
The PWI Electrification seminar will help engineers and project managers understand the implications of converting a route to electric traction, and explore ways in which system specification, design, and implementation can support a rolling plan.
Electrification: Delivering the business case takes place in Glasgow on Thursday 21 April.
Recent activities
Ukraine emergency
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has had a massive impact on the world, and resulted in new guidelines for and initiatives within the engineering community. These relate primarily to the provision of technical assistance to Russia, and to work and qualifications for Ukrainian refugees.
One Big Circle join the PWI
We’re thrilled to welcome One Big Circle to our community as a corporate member! One Big Circle are specialists in Intelligent Video and Integration and have designed and developed the multi-award-winning AIVR (Automated Intelligent Video Review). They create intelligent video solutions in challenging industrial environments to improve efficiency and safety. They focus entirely on solving real-world industry problems by fusing new technology in the field of Video, IOT, Cloud and AI.
Understanding your carbon footprint
A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases generated by our actions. Reducing your carbon footprint is important because it can mitigate the effects of global climate change. There are a number of tools available to help you understand and reduce your carbon footprint including on the WWF site, carbon footprint calculator, and Giki.
Technical visit to Tensar
Tensar offers leading, high-performance site solutions that save time and money on projects. PWI members are invited to attend Tensar UK manufacturing facilities in Blackburn, Lancashire on either 19 or 20 May 2022 (10am – 3pm). Places are limited to 15 and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Are you an IEng or CEng applicant who missed the deadline for professional review interviews in March? Don't worry, submit your application by 18 April for an interview in June!
Interviews are not mandatory for EngTech applicants.
Success shout out
Gregory Strong applied for joint chartered status with the PWI to demonstrate professional recognition of his experience working on the track asset to aid him in his role at the ORR.
Upcoming PWI seminars
Tomorrow's rail safety today
26 May 2022 - Birmingham
Attend this seminar in-person or virtually.
On our railway, the safety of those who work on the infrastructure and of the infrastructure itself are of vital importance to the delivery of a reliable railway for our passengers and freight customers. Intelligent Infrastructure - earthworks and structures, track, power, electrification, control, and train systems - integrated with diagnostic and predictive ‘decision support tools’ and coupled with smarter inspections, make for a railway where we can predict the work we need to do and proactively plan to do that work in the safest possible way.
Modern safety equipment that significantly reduces the risk of human error is now available across our network to keep infrastructure workers and trains separate and safe. Bring predictive work schedules and this safety equipment together via a simple-to-use planning and ‘Safe Work Pack’ system and deploy site safety leaders trained with the most up-to-date human factor skills, and we have tomorrow’s safety expectations today!
The conference will show how this vision can be our reality now. Delegates will be encouraged to consider how the techniques presented can be embraced and applied widely to real world operations, to keep infrastructure workers and railway infrastructure as safe as they can possibly be.
The future is here - and ready to use...
Austin Court, Birmingham | £80 Member | £150 Non-Member | £10 Student
Sponsorship and exhibition space available; for more details contact: secretary@thepwi.org
Sustainable infrastructure: Design & maintenance
10 November 2022 - Bristol
This seminar will tackle three critical railway industry themes: infrastructure resilience, designing for maintainability and sustainability, and strategic thinking. Come and join us as we challenge ourselves to collaborate to design, build, operate and maintain a safe and reliable railway infrastructure that delivers value for money for passengers and freight operators in a sustainable manner. The guest speakers will provide their views on the new paradigm of changing travel patterns, improving personal track safety and maximising revenue.
St Michael's Centre, Bristol | £85 Member | £150 Non-Member | £10 Student
Sponsorship and exhibition space available; for more details contact: secretary@thepwi.org
Your PWI
Your local link to our wider Institution
PWI Sections hold over 200 meetings a year on all aspects of rail infrastructure engineering throughout the UK and beyond.
Learn about rail projects, new technical developments and network with like-minded professionals.
These meetings are open to all PWI Members, so you can dip into other regions when it suits you. Non-members are also welcome to attend as a taster and will be invited to join up to our Institution if the experience was found to be beneficial.
Other activities for Members that are organised by local Sections include technical visits and online talks.
Access hundreds of technical resources
Our online resources library provides hundreds of technical documents, reports, presentations, videos and more, written and delivered by world-class experts in the field of rail engineering.
Browse at your leisure, use the filters, or simply type a topic in the search bar.
Pursuing your career in engineering
Professional registration is an important step in pursuing a career in engineering and it lends itself to a ready-made career path, progressing through the titles as your experience broadens and deepens.
Whatever your academic background, you can be recognised as a professional Engineer. We have different routes to registration available to facilitate this, depending on your unique circumstances.
Training delivered by industry experts
PWI training started over 100 years ago and has been providing high level technical training for engineers and professionals operating at all levels ever since.
Our courses are designed to develop skills and knowledge in all aspects of rail infrastructure repairs, renewals and projects – and can help you on your journey to professional registration.
Not only will you gain an understanding of the underlying theory, you will develop an appreciation of the real-life challenges facing engineers from our team of experienced rail infrastructure lecturers.
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