Description
The 2011 Summer Technical Visit took place from 1 to 3 May visiting the capitals of Sweden and Denmark. 12 of the 24 delegates were young members demonstrating a commitment to the future of the industry.
The visit comprehensively fulfilled the objectives of broadening and developing the expertise and experience of UK railway engineers. There were also excellent opportunities for all delegates to network with both fellow delegates and visit providers giving the chance to discuss topical industry issues, future challenges and potential developments. Bill Reeve of Transport Scotland chaired the visit. Bill became chairman of the Railway Division on 10 June 2011
The visit started with an introduction to the Swedish rail industry from the Association of Swedish Train Operating Companies (ASTOC) and Transportstyrelsen, the Swedish Transport Agency and National Safety Authority. Not dissimilar to our own, the industry has been subject to liberalisation since the late 1980s although, despite competition having been introduced, much of the railway remains government owned. Nevertheless, Sweden has topped the rail liberalisation index for the EU over recent years, narrowly beating Great Britain.
A stimulating visit to Bombardier’s Rail Control Solutions division followed which principally focussed on a development of ERTMS called ERTMS Regional – a low-cost version of the European train protection system designed to suit light traffic routes reducing costs compared to conventional signalling whilst improving reliability and ultimately safety.
Interfleet Technology rounded off the first day of visits with an overview of testing, primarily as part of vehicle approvals, in Europe. A visit to their workshop gave an excellent demonstration of their latest generation of world leading Instrumented Wheelset Technology (IWT4) product and has a wide range of applications for acceptance, validation, testing, system optimisation and investigative work. The visit concluded with a drinks and buffet reception.
Day two commenced with a visit to the Citybanan (City line) project to build a six kilometre tunnel improving train capacity north-south through Stockholm. A presentation by Traficverket, the Swedish Transport Administration and infrastructure owner who commissioned the project, was given before a tour of some of the underground construction sites around Stockholm central station.
Later in the day there was a visit to a control centre for one
of the Stockholm Metro lines and a depot visit. The Metro was first opened in 1960 and has expanded dramatically over the subsequent decades.
第三天参观庞巴迪faci度过的lities in Västerås which is the global centre for propulsion and control systems. Electrostar propulsion systems are manufactured there. There was also a visit to an overhaul workshop Bombardier run there. Delegates travelled to Västerås, around 100km from Stockholm by train aboard an Alstom Coradia X40.
In the evening, a formal dinner sponsored by Faiveley Transport at the Grand Hotel was attended along with many of the visit providers from around Stockholm. Delegates enjoyed a traditional smörgåsbord buffet with many drinks.
The group left Stockholm on the fourth day and travelled south to Lund on an X2000 tiliting train. Alighting in Lund, delegates visited Knorr Bremse’s overhaul facility for the Nordic countries. This was followed by a coach tour of the Øresund Bridge which included an exclusive trip around the artificial island midway over the crossing to Denmark.
最后一天,代表们被双边带(Da主持nish State Railways) where an introduction to the company was given before moving more specifically onto the S-Tog operation of commuter trains in the Copenhagen region. A tour of the depot followed before a generous, quality canteen lunch was provided. The group then travelled across the city to the Øresundtog (Oresundtrain) depot for an introduction to this operation across the bridge into southern Sweden.
The visit concluded with another sponsored dinner, this time by Angel Trains, and hosted by IDA, the Danish Society of Engineers.
Altogether this was a thoroughly enjoyable and informative visit providing much food for thought – as well as culinary delights. 10 of the 12 young members on the visit were able to apply for the James Bates Grant to give them up to £500 towards the cost of the visit.