Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre is complete
The Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre in Dudley, in the West Midlands, is complete and has been handed over to its specially created operator, the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO).
Railways Illustrated was invited to view the purpose-built facility in late October, just a few days after the impressive building was handed over to BCIMO.
The organisation – which was created to build, launch, and operate the new research and development facility – aims to create sustainable, low-cost public transport throughout all rail sectors, with its initial focus centred on the development of a new Very Light Rail (VLR) industry to benefit UK towns and cities.
Unlike a traditional railway, or the second-generation tramways (light rail), VLR is designed to sit on a much lighter track slab to accommodate lightweight rail vehicles that will be cheaper to manufacture than modern trams currently in use in the UK.
The track slab being developed for use on VLR systems does not require utility diversions to be carried out where the VLR would operate – one key aspect that has proved to be extremely costly in the development of the existing modern light rail systems.
It is believed that by avoiding utility diversions, a VLR system could be delivered much more cheaply than a modern tramway.
When asked by Railways Illustrated what would happen to a VLR system should utility companies need to work on their assets beneath an operational route, BCIMO’S Nick Mallinson said that the track slab is designed so that it can be easily lifted and moved aside. VLR systems, he said, can operate to the extremities of the work site, with a short gap in an end-to-end service while works are carried out. Once works have been completed, the track slab can be reinstated easily and quickly to minimise disruptions and downtime.
BCIMO said there has been interest from a number of towns and cities in the VLR concept, with some now having fairly advanced plans for the implementation of such a system, and the new innovation centre will allow these organisations to work on developing the concept through to implementation. The new centre features a large workshop which is available for rent by commercial rail companies, along with a wide range of offices and laboratories that can be used to develop technologies to advance the VLR sector, although Mr Mallinson was keen to stress that the facilities are also able to be used by the rail and light rail companies. There are also meeting rooms and spaces for conferences and corporate entertaining.
In addition, the centre also includes a 2.2km test track which has been laid on the former South Staffordshire line at Dudley, and this is available for use by the rail industry for testing of rail vehicles, on track plant and light rail, although it is not equipped with overhead electrification.
Funding for the facility has come from a variety of organisations, and it is hoped that it can help to play a pivotal role in the development of VLR, as well as supporting the wider rail and light rail industries in new research and development to enhance existing and new installations.