September 2025 Newsletter
Welcome to the September 2025 issue of our e-newsletter where you can read about industry events and publications as well as activities that the Rail Cluster project is leading or supporting.
25 September 2025
Welcome to the September 2025 issue of our e-newsletter where you can read about industry events and publications as well as activities that the Rail Cluster project is leading or supporting.
Ben Cullen, Knowledge Transfer Manager – Rail at Innovate UK Business Connect has shared an updated list of funding opportunities within the rail sector.
New, more reliable trains and the electrification of Fife and Borders railways have been announced by Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop.
The announcement will see £342 million invested by the Scottish Government, electrifying the lines and procuring 69 new trains, as part of the next stage in modernising Scotland’s Railway.
Welcome to the August 2025 issue of our e-newsletter where you can read about industry events and publications as well as activities that the Rail Cluster project is leading or supporting.
“The train is on time as there are NO leaves on the track”
“Surely not..?”
“Yes, really!”
We’ve all felt the frustration of a train delay, often in autumn when millions of leaves fall from trees onto the tracks, but why is this such a big issue, and what can be done about it?
There are a number of current and upcoming tenders which may be of interest to Rail Cluster members.
Welcome to the July 2025 issue of our e-newsletter where you can read about industry events and publications as well as activities that the Rail Cluster project is leading or supporting.
Welcome to the June 2025 issue of our e-newsletter where you can read about industry events and publications as well as activities that the Rail Cluster project is leading or supporting.
Nestled along a quiet, leafy single-track road in Eastriggs, southern Scotland, lies a historic site once known as “the largest factory in the Empire.” Built during World War I to meet the urgent demand for munitions, HM Factory Gretna played a critical role in producing cordite—nicknamed “Devil’s Porridge”—an explosive propellant for artillery. At its peak, the factory employed 30,000 workers, including 12,000 women.
Welcome to the May 2025 issue of our e-newsletter where you can read about industry events and publications as well as activities that the Rail Cluster project is leading or supporting.
On Tuesday 29 April, the Rail Cluster project hosted a timely and insightful online session featuring two of Network Rail’s leading voices on climate resilience: David Harkin, Weather Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Manager, and Don Roberts, Head of Operational Weather Strategy.
On April 30th, a diverse group of Rail Cluster members came together at Scottish Engineering’s Glasgow office for a thought-provoking Networking Event, hosted in collaboration with Bellrock Technology. The session offered a valuable opportunity to explore how artificial intelligence and data are driving innovation across the rail sector.
Brodies LLP have launched Amelior CLM, a new digital contract lifecycle management service. Amelior is designed to help companies meet the increasing challenges of managing their contractual activity efficiently and effectively and in a way that improves oversight, control, and reduce risk. Brodies have agreed to offer members of the Rail Cluster a 20% discount.
Welcome to the April 2025 issue of our e-newsletter where you can read about industry events and publications as well as activities that the Rail Cluster project is leading or supporting.
The Department for Transport (DfT), Innovate UK and Innovate UK Business Connect have announced the latest First of a Kind (FOAK) rail competition.
Welcome to the March 2025 issue of our e-newsletter where you can read about industry events and publications as well as activities that the Rail Cluster project is leading or supporting.
The Albacom Rail Cluster Networking event took place on the 26th February and was a really engaging event with a great turnout of Rail Cluster members. The event provided an excellent platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and exploring collaboration opportunities.
Funding to support the use of space-based assets to improve the European Rail system, such as satellite navigation, satellite communication and Earth observation.
Are you interested in presenting your innovative solutions to an international audience of operators, OEMs, suppliers, engineering companies, start-ups, associations and the research community?
Why not take advantage of the ERCI webinar series?
The Transforming Public Procurement programme is changing the way supplies, services and works are procured for the public sector, for the better.
Welcome to the February 2025 issue of our e-newsletter where you can read about industry events and publications as well as activities that the Rail Cluster project is leading or supporting.
Welcome to the January 2025 issue of our e-newsletter where you can read about industry events and publications as well as activities that the Rail Cluster project is leading or supporting.
Welcome to the December 2024 issue of our e-newsletter where you can read about industry events and publications as well as activities that the Rail Cluster project is leading or supporting.
AtkinsRéalis Group has been appointed by Network Rail to upgrade and digitise the country’s signalling over the next 10 years. Register to become a supplier.
Organisations can apply for a share of £500,000 to deliver feasibility studies addressing international rail challenges.
Welcome to the September 2024 issue of our e-newsletter where you can read about industry events and publications as well as activities that the Rail Cluster project is leading or supporting.
Rail North Partnership’s Specification Manager Daisy Chapman-Chamberlain has shared her latest list of funding and engagement opportunities within the rail sector.
Welcome to the August 2024 issue of our e-newsletter where you can read about industry events and publications as well as activities that the Rail Cluster project is leading or supporting.
Network Rail has updated and refreshed key resources for SMEs keen to work with it and its delivery partners.
Scotland’s Railway will significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions across the network over the next five years.
Read our new industry report – The Skills Challenge in the Rail Sector
Rail North Partnership’s Specification Manager Daisy Chapman-Chamberlain has shared her latest list of funding and engagement opportunities within the rail sector.
Welcome to the July 2024 issue of our e-newsletter where you can read about industry events and publications as well as activities that the Rail Cluster project is leading or supporting.
Welcome to the May 2024 issue of our e-newsletter where you can read about industry events and publications as well as activities that the Rail Cluster project is leading or supporting.
Leaders from industry, education and government came together for a panel to discuss the findings of a report from Primary Engineer and explore strategies for cultivating a vibrant skills landscape within the Scottish rail sector.
Welcome to the April 2024 issue of our e-newsletter where you can read about industry events and publications as well as activities that the Rail Cluster project is leading or supporting.
East West Rail’s Innovation Manager Daisy Chapman-Chamberlain has shared her latest list of funding and engagement opportunities within the rail sector.
Network Rail has announced the start of its five-year investment plan to deliver a safe, green, reliable railway for Scotland’s passengers, freight customers and taxpayers.
HS2 Ltd has launched its sixth Innovation Accelerator programme, as the company behind Britain’s largest infrastructure construction programme seeks new ways to deliver major projects.
Welcome to the February 2024 issue of our e-newsletter where you can read about industry events and publications as well as activities that the Rail Cluster project is leading or supporting.
Member blog written by Gary Montgomery, CEO of Agenor.
Discover how aligning technology with business strategy can unlock success for companies in the manufacturing sector.
Member blog written by STC INSISO.
A resilient and engaged workplace is the cornerstone of safety and efficiency in the rail industry. However, addressing the challenges associated with incident investigations within the industry can often be a nebulous phenomenon.
Welcome to the December 2023 issue of our e-newsletter where you can read about industry events and publications as well as activities that the Rail Cluster project is leading or supporting.