The 5 most-read rail stories of 2021

In many respects, the rail sector has a considerable head start on the track to ‘net zero’. Electrification – when combined with low-carbon power sources – means large parts of the network are already decarbonised. Rail engineers are not resting on their laurels, however, as demonstrated by the many sustainability-focused projects highlighted this year.

Here are the five most-read Professional Engineering rail stories of 2021. Click on the links throughout to read the whole articles.   

Hyperloop and maglev no real challenge to the 'permanent way' 

There’s no shortage of articles proclaiming the benefits of Hyperloop and maglev transport, wrote David Shirres in this year’s most-read story, but such features rarely have any serious engineering analysis. Rather than considering modes of transport with unaddressed safety, engineering, operational and economic questions, he writes that decision-makers are better off focusing on the many benefits of the ‘permanent way’.  

Scrapping of HS2 leg ‘a blow to low-carbon recovery’ 

The government’s cancellation of a planned HS2 line between the East Midlands and Leeds is a blow to a low-carbon post-pandemic ‘recovery’, Shirres said last month. Extra capacity from the high-speed leg would have eased pressure on existing lines and enabled a shift from road to rail, he said.  

The decision came “after it became clear that the full HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) schemes as originally proposed would have cost up to £185bn and not entered service until the early to mid-2040s,” a government announcement said. 

Five firms aim to cut emissions during HS2 construction 

In one of three HS2-focused stories in this year’s top five, HS2 Ltd announced it had signed up five new small and medium-sized firms to its ‘Innovation Accelerator’ to help reduce carbon emissions. The rail project has committed to reducing the carbon impact of construction by 50%.  

Lessons from tragic rail accident could reduce risks of earthwork failures 

A derailment in Carmont, Aberdeenshire, was the first fatal UK train accident since 2007. The incident in August 2020 was the result of an earthwork failure, caused by a crest drain becoming overwhelmed by three weeks-worth of rainfall in just three hours. Lessons from the tragic accident could prevent further incidents, Shirres wrote.  

Hitachi and Alstom to design and build HS2 trains in the UK 

A long wait for news ended this month, as the government announced that a joint venture between Hitachi and Alstom will design and build rolling stock for HS2. The high-speed trains will be entirely built in the North East and Midlands, at factories in Derby, Crewe and County Durham.    

The £2bn contracts for the design, build and maintenance of 54 trains will support 2,500 jobs across the UK, the government said.   

Want the best engineering stories delivered straight to your inbox? The Professional Engineering newsletter gives you vital updates on the most cutting-edge engineering and exciting new job opportunities. To sign up, click here.

Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.