“The railway
industry desperately needs to promote rail transport to the outside
World”, wrote David Briginshaw, editor of the International Railway
Journal in 2007. Symbolised by the High Speed Train and rail’s environmental
benefits, this 19th century mode of travel and means of freight
movement has undergone a renaissance, but transport’s fierce competition
remains. Peterborough’s
STC offers the industry an accessible low cost promotional opportunity,
enhanced by its operational railway setting.
The Showcase
by industry
standards will not be large, but there will be room enough to highlight
sufficient technology, demonstrating why rail is vital in the global
delivery of sustainable transport. Some companies may find it complements
the trade shows, which are arguably both costly and too frequent.
Passenger Travel
In this century
urban people outnumber rural dwellers. All manner of metropolitan train
systems, from tubes to trams are the backbone of urban mobility. The UN’s
predicted average population in 2010 of the World’s 10 largest cities is
20.5 million; 6 of the mega-cities already have rail at the heart of
integrated transport systems. High Speed and Intercity Trains form the
growing networks, winning travellers from short haul aviation and the
World’s 0.8 billion cars. Light rail systems are fast returning to America,
and in towns around the World.
Container freight trains
To and
from Felixistowe, Britain’s largest container port, daily
pass by Peterborough’s
STC. Across Europe freight by rail is
slow to grow; problems exist with border crossing impediments,
bureaucracy, interoperability technical difficulties, and sometimes
hostility to new private operators. However, in many other parts of the
World, for example, in Brazil,
Russia, India and China, rail freight is buoyant
and increasing. People are fascinated by the World’s Heavy Haul railways,
largely mineral freight lines, probably the most efficient and
eco-friendly overland carriers on Earth. Their technical achievements show
the prowess of steel wheel on steel rail for guided transport.
Railway Construction
Is returning
after the “Beeching years”. From Eurotunnel to Darwin
and Lhasa,
civil engineering prevails. Work with planners and theodolites, drainage calculations,
shifting earth, cutting rock, tunnelling, and building infrastructure come
first. Second is laying the permanent way with laser precision and
probably spinning today’s electrical webs for motive power and
communications. In recent decades track laying and maintenance have been
transformed by complex, computerised multi-purpose yellow machines!
Information Technology (IT)
Is one
of the new railway realms, almost as vital as train wheels. Being largely
in the sphere of electronic engineering, one system may serve several
different transport modes. Railway signalling is less and less about sight
lines, more and more about the reliability of messages between fixed and
moving objects. Driverless trains, as on London’s Dockland Railway, are still a rarity
but may be less so in the future. The field of ticketing is also
undergoing radical change, led by IT and driven by the seamless journey
vision.
Railworld
The owners of Peterborough’s STC,
wish to make the best use of their modest collection of heritage rail
exhibits and “Maglev” items. Some may serve to show by comparison, the
benefits of 21st century developments. Being able to compare
yesterday’s solution with technology now could help in the battle to find
lower carbon answers for tomorrow. Railworld, with 15 years experience of
running a visitor centre, intends to continue doing this. Successful rail
showcases look for business, but they are also in the “hearts and minds”
business. Sustainable transport, across the modes, needs to fire young
peoples’ imagination, in order to help attract its future operators and
innovators.
