The University of Huddersfield’s Institute of Railway Research (IRR) will become a Centre of Excellence in Rolling Stock for the new £90 million UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN), launched at the House of Commons last month.(www.research.hud.ac.uk
/institutes-centres/irr)

Representatives from the industry partners and universities met MPs and officials from several Government departments to brief them on plans for developing the new research network and on projects that are already under way.

Within UKRRIN (www.ukrrin.org.uk), the IRR’s task will be to develop a new generation of rolling stock that lasts longer, is more energy-efficient and is less costly to maintain. It will be the conduit for almost £30 million of research funding.

IRR director Simon Iwnicki said: “It’s the largest contract we have had so far, and it will lead to a real step change in our capabilities.”

UKRRIN has been established (after a successful £28 million bid to the Higher Education Funding Council for England) to create four rail Centres of Excellence, backed by commitment from the rail industry to invest more than £60 million in research, development and innovation activities at these centres over the next 10 years.

In addition to the Centre of Excellence in Rolling Stock, led by the University of Huddersfield (in partnership with Newcastle University and Loughborough University), there will be Centres of Excellence in Digital Systems (led
by the University of Birmingham), Infrastructure (led by the University of Southampton) and Testing (led by Network Rail).

UKRRIN aims to build the capacity of the rail sector to develop, deliver and deploy new technologies, helping the UK to maintain its position as a global leader.

Having a key role in the network means that the IRR — based in its own purpose-built labs and offices in Huddersfield — will equip itself for a big expansion in activity.

It already has facilities that include a £4.5 million test rig (pictured). New equipment will include full-scale advanced test rigs to accelerate the adoption of new technology for the next generation of rolling stock.

Professor Iwnicki said that the centre would work closely with large manufacturers, leading to technological breakthroughs and boosting investment in UK manufacturing.

It is also anticipated the centre will carry out collaborative research with smaller innovative firms that are entering the rail sector.