As developments in new technology continue to drive performance and efficiency across the railways, the headlines are regularly grabbed by the big names – the companies who manufacture the trains themselves or play a key part in their maintenance and operation.

The demand for rail travel continues to grow but with a mixture of confusion over franchising policy, and a recession–led slowing of new train orders, much of the additional capacity that is desperately needed on the railways is being met by the continued use of rolling stock well beyond its expected withdrawal dates. Indeed it is becoming increasingly likely that we will see trains reaching their 50th birthday whilst still giving daily service to their operators.

The long term future of third rail electrification in the UK has been regularly discussed in recent years after a series of severe winters have proved its inherent weakness when covered with snow and ice.