Engineering Matters Podcast
On track for a rail revolution
Published
21 Sep 2021
The railway network in the United Kingdom is old and vast and home to the first public railway to use steam locomotives in the entire world. The Stockton and Darlington Railway opened in 1825 and connected coal mines in the north east of England, marking a significant milestone in the industrial revolution history.
It was the metal track, the coal-fired furnace, and the shrill whistle of the industrial steam engine that truly signalled the birth of the age of rail.
But in the present day, asset owners such as Network Rail face an immense challenge to keep track of and maintain this massive array of ancient assets, some of which are centuries old and require constant attention. However, new surveying techniques are allowing them to gather enormous amounts of data and unlock new options for predictive maintenance, improving efficiency and safety as we move into the future of railway management and modernization.
Guests
Andrew Bartlett, Route Asset Manager - Wales Route, Network Rail
Jasper Hellemons, Business Development Manager, Fugro
John Edgley, Interim Chief Engineer, Network Rail
Jos Berkers, Consultant - Rail, Fugro
Mark Thomas, Rail Business Manager, Fugro
Supporters
This podcast episode is made in partnership with Engineering Matters.
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