UKTram – the body that represents tram and light rail systems across the British Isles – have a number of groups made up of representatives from various systems who regularly meet to share best practice and other updates. One of those is the Light Rail Engineering Group (LREG) who recently met in Sheffield for two half days of valuable discussion and knowledge sharing.
This event was hosted by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and saw more than 30 attendees head to Sheffield, with further members joining online. It started with two technical presentations before the formal LREG meeting got underway.
KRUCH (a UKTram member) gave a presentation on a battery traction power pack used in Rotterdam and their Energy Flow Simulation. The Permanent Way Institution then presented on light rail’s evolving role within the wider UK rail community and shared reflections on infrastructure design and maintenance.
The main LREG meeting saw systems updates from across the UK, an overview of the engineering forum, and contributions from key sector partners, including the LRSSB and RAIB. Highlights included updates on innovation in the sector, developments in obsolescence strategy and an overview of international standards process.
This was then followed by a Best Practice Day which focused on electrical safety and competency for maintenance and isolations in a light rail environment. This was led by Chris Denton, Electrical Operations Director at 3ECO, and it included a comprehensive overview of current legislation, training and auditing requirements, safe systems of work, along with the importance of upskilling both field operatives and management.
Phill Terry, UKTram Lead Engineer, said: “Quite a lot has happened across the sector since we all last met and it was good to hear and discuss problems encountered, along with detailing innovation as seen on Coventry VLR. The Best Practice Day provided the engineers with an insight into what is good practice and training in electrical maintenance and competence, and it is believed as a sector we are in a good and consistent place”.