Keep up with the latest news from the Rail Cluster, our members and the wider industry. Our newsletter is uploaded here each month. If you have news you’d like to share with the community, please email us.
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.
Latest rail funding and engagement opportunities
Ben Cullen, Knowledge Transfer Manager – Rail at Innovate UK Business Connect has shared an updated list of funding opportunities within the rail sector.
New battery-electric trains announced for Fife and Borders railway
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.
August 2025 Newsletter
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.
Interflon’s Clean OTR
“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?
Tender Opportunities
There are a number of current and upcoming tenders which may be of interest to Rail Cluster members.
July 2025 Newsletter
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.
June 2025 Newsletter
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.
Rediscovering a Railway Gem in Dumfries and Galloway
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.
May 2025 Newsletter
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.
Scotland’s Railway: Climate Adaptation in Action
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.
Exploring the Future of Rail: Bellrock Technology’s Rail Cluster Networking Event
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.