The Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) is to join forces with rail engineering and consulting firm Xrail, and Getzner - a European specialist in vibration isolation technology.
Upon signing with Xrail, GCRE expects it to provide strategic advice and knowledge about operating in overseas markets to enhance GCRE’s export potential. Meanwhile, Getzner has its sights on use of the proposed 700-hectare site to support innovation in elastic components for the railway.
GCRE aims to be a research, development and testing facility, showcasing rolling stock, infrastructure and cutting-edge technologies.
Its proposed £400m project in South Wales has secured £70m in seed funding, of which £50m from the Welsh Government, and £20m from the UK Government, though RAIL is led to believe by a GCRE spokesperson that private investment in the project has been slow, with elevated interest rates and economic uncertainty to blame.
The spokesperson from GCRE continued that its role will be “to support customers who want to use the site for the testing and innovation of products important to their business or project”, adding, “we don’t have a list of products or technologies we want to test or think it’s important to test – it’s our customers that will decide that.”
“Plans to develop the Global Centre of Rail Excellence have received significant support since they were first announced. With seed-funding investment from the Welsh and UK Government, strong backing from local government as well as substantial support from the rail industry and the local community, GCRE has been recognised as a development with multiple positive impacts.
“Over the last year GCRE Limited has been in discussion with potential private investors to secure the capital it needs for construction of the development. Despite the challenges of the current investment climate including high inflation and interest rates, discussions with investors are still ongoing and we remain confident.
“At the appropriate time we will provide a public update on our investment plans and next steps for the project.”
The technologies Getzner produces help reduce noise and vibration on the railway, prolonging the lifespan of components, improving stability, while reducing noise when travelling on, or living near the railway.
Meanwhile, Xrail offers engineering solutions and services around the world, from consulting to turnkey project delivery. Its recent projects include corrective and preventative maintenance of signalling and technical buildings on Spain’s Madrid–Levante high-speed network, and involvement with the East Coast Main line and Northern City Line ETCS upgrade tender.
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