The UK’s Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with revolutionary train wash company The Orange Train Wash.
The agreement, which was facilitated by Rail Business Daily, will enable the two organisations to collaborate and proactively promote the environmental and commercial benefits of the train washing system developed by The Orange Train Wash. It will be based at GCRE in South Wales.
The system from The Orange Train Wash maintains water temperature at 20 degrees before heating it back to 85 degrees for the next approaching train. This means that winter conditions don’t disrupt train washing programmes, unlike conventional train washes. Featuring easy to use reporting software, the system also provides accurate reports of carbon and water savings.
Kelly Warburton, Chief Commercial Officer for GCRE said: “Train washing has hardly changed in the last 30 years so the solution from The Orange Train Wash really is a game-changer for the rail industry.
“This MOU is another important step forward for us so we’re pleased to have been able to make the announcement at InnoTrans, particularly given the level of interest in GCRE. Indeed, InnoTrans has proved to be a great event with the global mobility and transport industry keen to find out more about our plans to become the ‘one stop shop’ for railway innovation.”
Martin Whitbread of The Orange Train Wash said: “InnoTrans has been the perfect opportunity to showcase our train washing solution. The reality is that traditional train washing solutions are expensive, time consuming and environmentally damaging. Our solution costs significantly less to buy, install and run with almost all water being recycled and reused. Furthermore, it can handle 60 trains a day with a carriage taking just 22 seconds.
“The partnership with GCRE is a great fit for both organisations and we’re delighted to say that we will be helping to accelerate innovation as part of this exciting new rail technology hub in Wales.”
The Orange Train Wash will be working with Dura Composites, who will be involved making the components.
Richard Palmer, rail sector sales manager at Dura Composites, said: “We are excited to be a part of this project with GCRE Wales. We have many product solutions that are perfect for this type of project.
“It’s been great to work with GCRE Wales who are a driving force for bringing innovations to market.”
GCRE also took the opportunity at InnoTrans to announce a new partnership with the University of Birmingham’s Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE). The two organisations signed a collaboration agreement to partner on R&D and innovation activities.
BCRRE is the largest specialist railway research, education and innovation centre in Europe and was selected by the Welsh Government to lead the development of a Centre of Excellence for Railway Testing and Validation. This Centre will sit alongside the new 6.9km test track that is being built.
Working alongside several Welsh universities, including Cardiff and Swansea, BCRRE will establish a R&D centre that will undertake industry-focused research and innovation activities. By locating at the facility, BCRRE will be able to provide strategic and technical support to industry R&D activities taking place at the test centre.
GCRE was first established by the Welsh Government as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in 2021 with an initial commitment of £50 million. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is expected to confirm £8 million for research and development along with capital funding of £20 million. An investment prospectus to attract private funding for the project is also in development ready for launch in the autumn of 2022.
You can find out more at https://tfw.wales/projects/gcre
Photo credit: GCRE
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