Light Rail Engineers share innovation and regulatory learning in latest LREG Meeting

Engineering professionals from across the light rail sector shared technical knowledge, project experience and examples of innovation at the latest meeting of UKTram’s Light Rail Engineering Group (LREG). 

Held at the West Midlands Combined Authority offices in Birmingham ahead of the UKTram and LRSSB Summit, the third LREG meeting of the year gave members an opportunity to discuss current engineering activity and share learning to support other organisations across the sector. 

UKTram Lead Engineer Phill Terry opened the meeting with an update on work being progressed through LREG, including the latest light rail Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) training course delivered with Skillstep Group.

Five participants from Siemens and Sheffield Future Tram attended the second course in September, and feedback from the first course helped refine the training and place greater emphasis on the practical session. 

Members also heard updates on technical work the group is supporting, including requests for information, research into rail defects, and opportunities for engineering site visits and knowledge exchange. 

Innovation was also part of the discussion, with examples of engineering products and approaches with potential light rail applications shared with the group. These included Rail Restore’s High Abrasive Rail Treatment, which uses controlled high-pressure water to remove bonded contamination from the rail, and a flash-butt welding technique presented by STRABAG Polska, prompting discussion around their potential applications and members' experience. 

The meeting also included an update from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), sharing learning from recent inspection activity across light rail. Members heard findings on contractor control, where inspections identified varying levels of maturity across the sector. While good processes were generally in place for selecting contractors, examples were identified where on-site practices did not always reflect documented procedures, highlighting the importance of effective monitoring and assurance.

ORR also shared findings relating to non-motorised user crossings, recognising progress while identifying areas where risk assessments, links between assessments and actions, and the management of inspection findings could be strengthened.

The presentation gave LREG members an opportunity to discuss the findings and consider how learning from regulatory activity could support engineering practice across their own organisations. 

Member updates also provided examples of lessons being shared from current projects.

Discussion included experience around independent assessment on major schemes and the importance of establishing clear expectations around the role of assessors from the outset. Members also explored approaches to entry into service and the need to consider requirements across infrastructure, operations and regulation as projects progress.

Phill Terry, UKTram Lead Engineer, said: 

“There is a huge amount of engineering knowledge and experience across LREG, whether insight from a live project or a new approach; sharing that experience means colleagues can take useful knowledge back to their own organisations and helps us identify areas where UKTram and LREG can support further work across the sector.” 

The next meeting of the Light Rail Engineering Group will take place in Blackpool in November.