Statement from the V/T SIC Chair
V/T SIC has continued an extensive programme of research, development, and sharing learning on this vital railway interface. Our annual seminar in March 2025 attracted 102 railway colleagues, bringing together operators, researchers, and suppliers at a time of great change in the structure of the GB rail industry. The seminar received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with 96% of surveyed delegates rating the seminar as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’. Plans are underway for a further seminar in 2026.
With many experienced engineers retiring, our focus has been on knowledge sharing among fleet engineers, track inspectors, and those charged with managing the economics of rail operation. Our core engineering science understanding around low adhesion and railhead defects continues to advance, and we are learning from early applications of machine learning to image analysis and maintenance planning. The impact of low adhesion on freight train braking and wheel rotation was brought into sharp focus by the findings of some incident investigations. We have worked closely with the task and finish group formed to consider this issue in more depth (the Freight Braking and Adhesion Research Group).
Lastly, we are feeding into the process for determining track access charges for the next control period, advocating for the continued role of the Vehicle Track Interaction Strategic Model (VTISM). The model allows a whole-system view, incentivising cost reductions.
Nick Swift, Senior Engineer, Eversholt Rail Group and Chair of V/T SIC
