Editor's Pick
Teams of student and apprentice engineers from around the country are preparing to compete in the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Railway Challenge.
The competition will see five teams compete against each other to design and manufacture the best, and most efficient, small-scale locomotive.
Philippa Oldham, head of transport and manufacturing at the IMechE, said: “The Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Railway Challenge is a fantastic event which really challenges students and apprentices taking part. Teams have to prepare a business case, finance, design, and build a locomotive from scratch. The Challenge is run along the lines of a real-life tendering process, giving teams a taste of a real business experience.
“These locomotives, while small-scale, have to be powerful enough to transport a 600kg load – including one of the Railway Challenge judges. I look forward to seeing if the Interfleet apprentices can defend their title after winning last year’s competition.”
A key part of the competition is the Energy Challenge where teams need to ensure that the locomotive is able to store energy during braking and use it to drive the locomotive up a gradient.
In addition to the Energy Challenge, there are two other practical challenges focusing on traction and ride comfort.
The teams competing in Railway Challenge 2013 are:
- Huddersfield University
- Mott MacDonald’s Youth Team
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- Birmingham University
- Interfleet Graduate Team
This year the competition will see a number of different transmission types including Birmingham University’s entry of a hydrogen/electric hybrid locomotive.
The trophy will be presented by the technical director for Network Rail, Steve Yianni.
The Railway Challenge will take place at Stapleford Miniature Railway, near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, on 29 and 30 June.