As part of the Railway Industry Association’s Rail Fellowship Programme, Jason McCartney, Conservative MP for Colne Valley in West Yorkshire, visited the Institute of Railway Research (IRR), a leading centre for railway engineering research linked to the University of Huddersfield.
The Rail Fellowship Programme matches politicians to rail sites relevant to their brief or in their constituency and the visits help bring the sector to life by providing them with a hands-on experience provided by a rail supplier business. Since its launch in 2018, the RIA Rail Fellowship Programme has grown rapidly, with more than 36 parliamentarians having taken part.
Mr McCartney was shown around the facility and also engaged in discussions on the present condition of the rail industry and how best to harness its future potential. He reiterated his support for HS2 and highlighted the valuable lesson learned from the successful completion of Crossrail, commenting that the absence of complaints after the completion demonstrates how quickly the public can arrive at a positive consensus once they see the benefits.
The MP, representatives of the Railway Industry Association (RIA) and their hosts also discussed the significance of skills in the industry and the importance of attracting young talent and parental support in fostering careers in the rail sector. As part of his tour, he was introduced to the facility’s robots, which are capable of performing a wide range of tasks that are currently carried out by humans in depots across the country. These robots showcased the potential for increased efficiency and productivity in the rail industry.
The tour also featured the £3.5 million High-Speed Pantograph Testing Rig, unique equipment used for research and assessment of new pantograph designs and the development of improvements.
Another highlight was the £1.2 million Train Hi-Fidelity On-board Motion Simulator (THOMoS), a replica train carriage that accurately replicates on-board motions and sensations. This advanced simulator enables research into enhancing passenger comfort and evaluating the impact of vehicle designs.
The visitors were also introduced to the HAROLD (Huddersfield Adhesion, Rolling Contact, and Brake Rig), a unique full-scale testing rig, functioning as a form of ‘rolling road’ for rail. The rig is instrumental in conducting research on adhesion, traction and braking, materials assessment and the evaluation of wheel and rail profile designs.
At the end of his visit, Jason McCartney MP said, “It’s always great to catch up with the IRR to see the innovative technologies developed here.
“The commitment to research and development in the rail industry is commendable and promises a bright future for our nation’s railway infrastructure.”
Justin Moss, chairman of RIA North, commented: “We are delighted to collaborate with the Institute of Railway Research in facilitating discussions between industry representatives and supportive MPs like Jason McCartney.
“This exchange of ideas is crucial in shaping a sustainable and technologically advanced rail sector.”
RIA North is the voice of the rail supply community in the north of England, representing RIA members across the region where the industry supports £7.7 billion in economic growth (GVA), 154,000 jobs and £2.5 billion in tax revenue. Rail is also an essential industry in delivering the government’s build back better, decarbonisation and levelling-up agendas.
Their host, IRR director Paul Allen, said: “We are honoured to have hosted Jason McCartney MP and the delegates from RIA North. The visit not only allowed us to demonstrate our research but also fostered constructive discussions on the future of the rail industry.
“We remain committed to driving innovation and research within the sector to shape a sustainable and technologically advanced railway system for the benefit of all.”
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