DB ESG, which provides solutions for rolling stock engineering for the UK rail industry, has opened a Rail Technology Hub in Derby to develop technological advancements for Britain’s railways.
Located near DB ESG’s existing offices in Derby, the hub covers over 18,000 sq. ft., and is designed to be a centre of excellence for innovation, engineering and collaboration.
As well as an advanced Digital Engineering Laboratory and dedicated engineering spaces, it will have a large workshop with mainline access and two roads with inspection pits.
The rapid expansion of DB ESG’s specialist teams and customer demand prompted the company to develop the hub.
In 2018, the company started investigating how 3D scanning and printing could be used to combat obsolescence in railway rolling stock, which led to an increase in the Digital Engineering team.
Since then, 3D printing has been utilised to produce thousands of components for many different rail stakeholders, and the hub will host an expanded Digital Engineering Laboratory to accommodate more 3D printers and a larger workspace.
The hub will also provide a larger workshop for the Project Services Team, with its growing portfolio of increased demand for spares holding, modification equipment, turnkey installations, and repairs.
Focussing on sustainability and innovation, the Future Technologies Team will have space to work on technologies, developing solutions such as hydrogen linked with carbon capture devices for internal combustion engines and advanced data systems for predictive maintenance and operational efficiency, as well as testing and challenging their viability.
Working in partnership with Turntide Technologies, DB ESG is developing the use of battery technology. The hub will provide a facility to build, test, and refine battery boxes to be used on UK rolling stock.
Another feature of the hub is that it will provide space to collaborate with key industry partners in developing rolling stock projects, such as its work with Transport for Wales in developing selective door operation.
The Rail Technology Hub represents our commitment to staying at the forefront of rail innovation. It’s a strategic expansion that enables us to better serve our customers, collaborate with industry partners, and develop technologies that will shape the future of rail.
Nick Goodhand, Managing Director, DB ESG.