Episode Nine: From Track to The Cloud – the Layers of Railway Systems

How to Build a Railway

How to Build a Railway is a twelve-part podcast series exploring the story behind the construction of the UK’s new high speed rail line.
In this episode, we explore how it all fits together – how we integrate our rail systems.
Rail travel has come a long way over the years. Now, with advances in technology, demands of a growing population and faster, greener trains, we’re already underway with the complicated procedure of systems integration to ensure every aspect of the railway works together - from day one of operation.
From the inner workings of the Washwood Heath Control Centre to the complex world of integration, this episode explores the many layers of rail systems needed to ensure our trains operate safely, efficiently and on time.
Featuring:
- Chris Rayner, Stations and Systems Delivery Director, describing the layers of various systems in place to make HS2 possible and how it differs to modern rail - from tunnel evacuation procedures to giving passengers broadband levels of Wi-Fi.
- Kathryn Montgomery, Senior Manager - Train Service Delivery, takes us through the Washwood Heath Control Centre and how learning from outside the industry has influenced its construction.
- Nassar Majothi, Director of Systems Integration, explains how the different systems communicate with each other along with challenges like cyber security; and
- Professor Clive Roberts, Director for UK Railway Research and Innovation Network, gives a history of rail systems internationally, along with the research being undertaken to assure the future of high-speed rail systems for years to come.