Sheffield hosts two-day light rail engineering event

Senior light rail engineers and sector professionals came together last week for two half days of valuable discussion and knowledge-sharing at the latest UKTram Light Rail Engineering Group (LREG) meeting and Best Practice session. 

Hosted by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, the two-part event welcomed more than 30 in-person attendees, with additional members joining online.  A few new members were also in attendance. Held at the Combined Authority’s offices in Sheffield, the session opened with two technical presentations ahead of the formal LREG meeting. 

The first, delivered by UKTram Member, KRUCH, explored developments in battery traction power pack used in Rotterdam and their Energy Flow Simulation. This was followed by a presentation from the Permanent Way Institution (PWI), highlighting light rail’s evolving role within the wider UK rail community and sharing reflections on infrastructure design and maintenance.  

The meeting also featured a packed agenda of system updates from across the UK, an overview of the engineering forum, and contributions from key sector partners, including the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB) and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB). Highlights included updates on innovation in the sector, developments in obsolescence strategy and an overview of international standards process.

Friday’s Best Practice Day focused on electrical safety and competency for maintenance and isolations in a light rail environment. Led by Chris Denton, Electrical Operations Director, 3ECO, the session 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. 

UKTram Lead Engineer Phill Terry commented:  

“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”.  

Future session will explore the findings from a sector-wide hot topics and requests as UKTram continues work to support shared standards and best practice in tramway engineering.