InnoTrans, the world’s largest rail industry exhibition, was originally planned in September 2020, but will now take place in Berlin from 27 to 30 April 2021.

Rail Engineer reports on station construction and redevelopment, using technology to improve the passenger experience while managing access and revenue. New roofs, improved public address, platform extensions, repurposing or improving facilities, better lighting and streamlined passenger flows – it’s all covered.

Topics include:

Accessibility  |  Architecture |  BIM |  Barriers |  Buildings |  CCTV |  Car Parks |  Catering |  Cleaning |  Escalators |  Gates and Gatelines |  Heritage Issues |  Lifts |  Lighting |  Maintenance |  Passenger Movement and Flows |  Passenger Information Systems |  Platform-Train Interface |  Platform Screen Doors |  Platforms Refurbishment |  Reporting / Software |  Signage and Wayfinding |  Smart Ticketing

With trains and their systems becoming ever more complicated, Rail Engineer’s specialist writers cover everything that improves performance, increases efficiency, and keeps passengers happy. New trains, refurbished older ones, improved technology, alternative fuels, emission controls and decarbonisation are all considered.

Topics include:

Comfort  |  Components |  Condition Monitoring |  Depots |  Driverless Technology |  Equipment |  Fuel Inspection |  Interiors |  Lifting |  Light-Rail Vehicles |  Lighting |  Maintenance |  New designs |  Onboard Entertainment |  Operation |  Passenger Information |  Platform-Train Interface |  Refurbishment |  Safety Initiatives |  Train Washing |  Tram-Train |  Underground Trains |  Wheel-Rail Interface

Surveying a site before work begins and after it has finished are important aspects of any job. Using this data to create and share information through BIM (building information modelling) not only helps asset managers have quicker access to vital information but also brings long-term benefits after handover.

Topics include:

2D Plans and Elevations  |  3D Laser Scanning |  3D Modelling & Visualisation |  Aerial Surveys and Inspection |  BIM |  Levels & Overlays |  BIM Surveys |  CCTV |  Drainage surveys |  Deformation Monitoring |  Gauging Clearances |  GIS (Geographic Information Systems) |  Geomatics |  Interactive Visualisations |  Mobile Mapping |  Railway Survey |  Subsurface Mapping |  Topographical Survey |  Tracing Underground Services |  Track Surveys

Mack Brooks Exhibitions has announced that Railtex and Infrarail, which have both served the rail market for over 20 years, will return in 2021 and come together to form what is being billed as the ‘ultimate show for the UK rail industry’.

This issue looks at infrastructure projects. Rail Engineer’s expert writers look at what’s involved in maintaining and renewing the railway’s infrastructure and at advances in technology aimed at making it faster, easier and more cost effective.

Topics include:

Asset Management  |  Bridges |  Cable Hangers |  Concrete |  Construction |  Culverts |  Drainage |  Environmental Control |  Examinations & Inspections |  Heritage Issues |  Lifting |  Modular Systems |  New Materials |  Painting |  Plant & Equipment |  Precast Sections |  Refurbishment |  Replacement |  Rope Access |  Scaffolding |  Scour |  Spray Concrete |  Surveying Equipment |  Surveying Techniques |  Tunnelling |  Ventilation |  Waterproofing

Three of Rail Engineer’s writers specialise in this complex field that keeps the railway running and will provide the key to increased capacity, improved punctuality, quicker journey times and safer running in the future. Reports on the ‘digital railway’ are balanced with others on more traditional forms of control and communications.

Topics include:

Barriers  |  Broadband |  CCTV |  Displays |  Driverless Systems |  Equipment |  ETCS / ERTMS |  GSM-R |  Gantries |  Hazard Warnings |  IP Networks |  Information Systems |  Level Crossings |  Loudspeakers |  Operating Systems |  Protection Systems |  Radio |  Resignalling Schemes |  Signalling Power |  Software |  Testing |  Training |  Warning Systems |  Wi-Fi

The main interface between the railway and the public, level crossings need careful management. Technology can help reduce the risks, whether through obstacle detection, non-slip surfaces, reliable barrier machines, closed-circuit television, improved signage or red-light cameras that catch dangerous drivers.

Topics include:

Barriers  |  CCTV |  Closure |  Control Systems |  Crossing Surfaces |  Footbridges |  Hazard Warnings |  Lighting |  Maintenance |  Obstacle Detection |  Protection Systems |  Red-light Cameras |  Safety Levels |  Signage |  Telephones |  User Behaviour

In this Focus feature, Rail Engineer looks at the elements that make up the permanent way – rails, sleepers, clips, pads, ballast – as well as the embankment on which the track sits, its stability, drainage and condition.

Topics include:

Ballast & Tamping  |  Excavation  |  Fastenings  |  Geotechnical |  Grinding & Welding |  Installation |  Lifting |  Lighting |  Maintenance |  Milling  |  On-track Machines  |  Piling |  Plant Hire |  Plant Maintenance |  PPE |  Rail  |  Rail Handling |  Repairs |  Road-Rail Plant |  S&C |  Site Access  |  Sleepers |  Soil Nailing |  Structures

As the UK rail network is one of the biggest consumers of electricity in the UK, it is always investigating ways to innovate, reduce costs, introduce new power alternatives and cut carbon emissions. Safety is also a major topic, as are ways to take possessions more quickly and to install new electrification more efficiently.

Topics include:

Cabinets  |  Cables |  Catenary |  Components |  Connectors |  Control Equipment and Systems |  Distribution Networks |  Earthing |  Fasteners  |  Generators  |  Housings  |  Insulation  |  Lamps  |  Lightning Protection  |  Monitoring  |  OLE  |  Pantographs  |  Power Supplies |  Security  |  Substations  |  Transformers

The material of choice for many construction jobs, concrete, whether as wet ready-mix or as prestressed and preformed sections, is used both to build stations and line tunnels. It also stabilises earthworks and forms drainage channels, hence the synergy in this Focus feature which highlights some of the forgotten aspects of railway engineering.

Topics include:

Cleaning  |  Design  |  Excavation  |  Fastenings  |  Foundations  |  Geotechnical  |  Geotextiles  |  Gratings  |  Ground Stabilisation  |  Ground Surveys  |  Installation  |  Maintenance  |  Modular Systems  |  Piling  |  Pipework  |  Precast Sections  |  Rope Access  |  Soil Nailing  |  Specialist Equipment  |  Structures

The Rail Partnership Awards are bringing together the supply chain to celebrate the very best of 2019 and 2020’s achievements in the rail industry. Network Rail is working in partnership with Rail Media to recognise organisations which are helping to deliver a better railway.

With trains and their systems becoming ever more complicated, Rail Engineer’s specialist writers cover everything that improves performance, increases efficiency, and keeps passengers happy. New trains, refurbished older ones, improved technology, alternative fuels, emission controls and decarbonisation are all considered.

Topics include:

Comfort  |  Components  |  Condition Monitoring  |  Depots  |  Driverless Technology  |  Equipment  |  Fuel  |  Inspection  |  Interiors  |  Lifting  |  Light-Rail Vehicles  |  Lighting  |  Maintenance  |  New designs  |  Onboard Entertainment  |  Operation  |  Passenger Information  |  Platform-Train Interface  |  Refurbishment  |  Safety Initiatives  |  Train Washing  |  Tram-Train  |  Underground Trains  |  Wheel-Rail Interface

With trains and their systems becoming ever more complicated, Rail Engineer’s specialist writers cover everything that improves performance, increases efficiency, and keeps passengers happy. New trains, refurbished older ones, improved technology, alternative fuels, emission controls and decarbonisation are all considered.

Topics include:

Comfort  |  Components  |  Condition Monitoring  |  Depots  |  Driverless Technology  |  Equipment  |  Fuel  |  Inspection  |  Interiors  |  Lifting  |  Light-Rail Vehicles  |  Lighting  |  Maintenance  |  New designs  |  Onboard Entertainment  |  Operation  |  Passenger Information  |  Platform-Train Interface  |  Refurbishment  |  Safety Initiatives  |  Train Washing  |  Tram-Train  |  Underground Trains  |  Wheel-Rail Interface