Developing Engineers

Now I’ve got your attention, you’re probably wondering how on earth I’m going to deliver anything vaguely resembling an “X-factor” in the same post as IMechE training, and how bogies fit in at all.  All will become clear and, what’s more, it makes for some excellent Continued Professional Development (CPD).

I recently made the switch from aerospace to the rail industry, and the IMechE Traction and Rolling Stock series was recommended by my manager.  Today’s course was “Vehicle Dynamics & Vehicle Track Interaction”, and I was interested in seeing what exactly I would get out of a course held at IMechE HQ in London.

The course was delivered by a rail industry consultancy and so, unlike some of my lectures at university, was right up to date with the latest developments in the field.  The course itself was by far the most technical I have been on since I was a student, but in a room of 12 people it was easy to have all my questions answered, and therefore feel confident in my understanding of the subject.  Attendees included engineers of all levels from train operating companies, rolling stock companies, consultancies and regulatory bodies and, as a newcomer to the industry, it was a learning experience just finding out about how these companies work together. 

So what about the X-factor?  It’s nearly the end of the post, and the doubters are wondering how I’m going to deliver on my promise.
As a few of us know, the bogies are the part of the train that houses the wheelsets and associated braking, suspension and propulsion equipment.  Because the interaction of wheels on rails is so complex and so critical to safety, there is a massive body of knowledge, enforced by UK and EU regulations, on how to design and test a train for safe dynamic performance.  And the standard measure of the torque needed to rotate the bogie relative to the body of the train is called… the X-factor.

I wonder if the Fleet Maintenance course will provide for such fun headlines.  If it does, I’ll be sure to write about it here at DE.

This post was birthed out a a trip from Bristol (Parkway) to Reading that had me trying out my new Alpha A290 DSLR Camera, on a First Great Western Railway train. This line was known as GWR in its early years and is the brainchild of our oft discussed Engineer – I.K Brunel.

Two museums, housing the legacy of I.K.B and GWR (a.k.a Great Way Round) are STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway & Didcot Railway Centre.

Steam

This grade 2 listed building can be seen just before the train pulls into Swindon Station, and promises to give visitors the railway worker experience – including the foundry heat and grime.

Tickets cost – £6.40 (Adult), £4.25 (Senior citizens & Students), £3.10 – £9.90 (School Trips).

There is a 20% discount available with a Train Ticket purchased on the day.

Didcot Railway Center

Houses a unique collection of GWR’s for budding trainspotters and offers a chance to fulfill any early childhood steam train driving ambitions for £260. Normal ticket prices range from £5 -£10 pp.

Also of interest is Work experience offered to Schools and colleges.