10 February 2014
FutureRailway launch structures electrification competition
The railway electrification programme is one of the most significant railway
investments in decades. Increasing the electrification of Britain’s railways will lead to
cheaper, faster and more efficient trains along with rail becoming part of a long term
low-carbon, more sustainable transport strategy.
However, bridges and tunnels pose a challenge for an electrification scheme, since
catenary may not suit the original gauging to fit underneath the bridge. As part of the
electrification programme, FutureRailway, Network Rail and the Department for
Transport will shortly be running a competition to develop technology enabled
solutions addressing the avoidance of bridge reconstruction.
The competition aims to find solutions and ideas to harness novel methods of
increasing the clearance below the bridge whilst avoiding reconstruction, minimising
the cost of the works and disruption to the service beneath and across the bridge. This
could include techniques to:
1. Allow OLE equipment (wires) to run underneath the bridge for current collection
purposes
2. Improve the sophistication of gauging design and assessment
3. Secure additional clearance by lowering the track without compromising the
bridge structure.
There are also opportunities to improve operating efficiencies and solve issues around
the overhead and third rail changeover that will continue to exist within the network.
Overall, there is significant opportunity to innovate and make electrification easier,
cheaper and safer by applying the latest and best technologies.
A competition briefing/partnership forming event will be held on Tuesday 25 February
2014 to allow bidders to gain more information about the competition and seek
partners to form a consortium. To register for this event, please contact
bridgereconstruction@futurerailway.org
Any solution proposed has to be deliverable within conventional bridge reconstruction
railway possession times. Techniques which require full bridge reconstruction are out
of scope for this project.
-Ends-
Enquiries about the Bridge Reconstruction competition please contact
bridgereconstruction@futurerailway.org
Media enquiries, please contact the RSSB press office, on
020 3142 5333 / 5332 / 5331 or email pressoffice@rssb.co.uk
Notes to editors:
1. About FutureRailway: FutureRailway is one of the delivery activities working on behalf of the
cross-industry Technical Strategy Leadership Group (TSLG). The team has been set up by the
rail industry to accelerate the uptake of innovation. Our mission is to offer support to practical
cross-industry demonstrator projects, but also seeking out innovative ideas and proposals from
across the industry. Our approach is to: understand the challenges that industry faces; connect
potential innovators with these challenges; and, where necessary with potential funding. The
team is hosted by RSSB, and reports into TSLG, and is supported by the Rail Delivery Group,
RSSB’s Board as well as the Department for Transport.