22 March 2022 | Institute of Railway Research, University of Huddersfield
Prior to the official opening of the new UKRRIN Centre of Excellence in Rolling Stock at the Institute of Railway Research, Andrew Stephenson MP was given a tour of the new facilities and experienced a live onboard demonstration of THOMoS, the Institute’s new Train Hi-fidelity On-board Motion Simulator
The Minister of State for Transport, Andrew Stephenson MP, visited the Institute of Railway Research (IRR) at the University of Huddersfield.
During his visit he officially launched the IRR’s new test facilities within the Centre of Excellence in Rolling Stock, which forms part of the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN) and was provided with the opportunity to experience a live onboard demonstration of THOMoS, the IRR’s new ‘Train Hi-fidelity On-board Motion Simulator’.
The Transport Minister was welcomed to the campus by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bob Cryan.
“We are very excited to be a part of the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network,” said Professor Cryan. “It was an absolute pleasure to welcome the Minister of State for Transport, Andrew Stephenson MP to the University of Huddersfield and show him some of the excellent facilities we have here at the Institute,” he added.
During his speech Andrew Stephenson MP commented on how the work carried out by the IRR was helping to improve the passenger experience, reduce rail emissions, and support a modernised workforce. He also regarded the Institute of Railway Research to be ‘at the heart of rail innovation’.
Professor Simon Iwnicki, Director of the IRR, outlined how the new UKRRIN facilities would support the research being conducted at the Institute. He pointed out how the new test rigs would allow further innovations to be developed and implemented which would improve the performance of railway vehicles and result in reduced cost and carbon emissions.