Centre of Excellence in Testing

Driving innovation through extensive, at-scale trials at our world-leading test facilities.

The Centre of Excellence in Testing (CET) is led by Network Rail and incorporates access to existing at-scale test facilities, including Network Rail’s Rail Innovation & Development Centres (RIDCs) in Melton in Leicestershire and Tuxford in Nottinghamshire, Transport for London’s Acton and Stratford, and Porterbrook’s Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre building on the expertise of the recognised teams at these locations. The CET partners look forward to working with the rail industry to turn the exciting opportunities UKRRIN offers into reality.

Rail Innovation & Development Centres (RIDC)

Where they are?

RIDC Melton

Unit F, Melton Commercial Park Asfordby Melton Mowbray Leicestershire LE14 3JL

RIDC Tuxford

Lodge Lane Industrial Estate
Lodge Lane
Tuxford
Nottinghamshire
NG22 0NL

Transport for London – Hearne House (Acton, London)

118-120
Gunnersbury Lane,
London,
W3 9BQ

Transport for London (Stratford, London)

5 Endeavour Square,
International Quarter,
Stratford,
E15 2DU

Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre

Station Road
Long Marston
Stratford-On-Avon
Warwickshire
CV37 8PL

About RIDC Melton

RIDC Melton is a purpose-built test track for the testing of rolling stock, plant, on-track machines, infrastructure and equipment. The facility has been designed to support high and low speed testing of vehicles and infrastructure using 25kV (11 miles) overhead line equipment and 3rd/4th rail DC equipment. RIDC Melton has two separate test tracks, high speed test facility between Melton Junction and Edwalton, incorporating 13 miles of track up to 125mph and a slow speed test track from Old Dalby to Stanton tunnel, having 4 miles of track capable of up to 60mph.

Melton Facilities

  • 3 workshop roads
  • 1 fully pitted road
  • Lifting and jacking facility
  • 415v shore supply
  • Stabling Dedicated office space
  • Ability to change infrastructure characteristics
  • Available Testing
  • TSI high speed noise compliant testing
  • Maximum over cant deficiency testing
  • Overspeed testing
  • Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing
  • Brake performance testing
  • Wheel Slide Protection (WSP)
  • Single/dual pantograph testing
  • Coupling compatibility testing
  • Rescue and recovery
  • Surge pressure testing in tunnels
  • Low adhesion testing
About RIDC Tuxford
Tuxford spurs off the Robin Hood line, between Thoresby Junction and High Marnham, it is 10 miles of single line test track with a 3 mile double section, with testing speed capabilities of up to 75mph. It comprises a short section of non-live 25kV type catenary and a short section of non-live 3rd/4th rail. It offers a perfectly suited facility to develop rail vehicles, technology, equipment, filming and to deliver operator training and competence assessments.
Tuxford Facilities and Capabilities:
  • Dedicated office & welfare facilities
  • Sidings
  • Shed
  • Stabling
  • Ability to change infrastructure characteristics
  • Dummy Overhead Line Equipment
  • Dummy 3rd and 4th rail
  • RIS-1530 test facility
  • Adhesion testing
  • Brake performance testing
  • Wheel slip protection testing
  • Drainage test facility
  • Platform
About Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre
Porterbrook took over the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre in June 2021 and they have invested over £3 million to modernise and enhance the facilities on the 135-acre rail connected site. As well as the test track loop and high-quality office and conference spaces, the centre will soon be able to offer new warm storage facilities plus fully upgraded track sections for more reliable and robust rolling stock storage and testing.
Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre Facilities & Capabilities
  • Fleet Stabling and Warm Storage
  • 4-Road Workshop
  • Pits and vehicle lifting
  • Fleet modifiactions
  • 3.2 km Test Loop (Low Speed)
  • Mileage accumulation / shakedown
  • Systems testing
  • Rail connected 135 acre site
  • 400m section of OLE
  • Training and Exhibition space
  • Customer dedicated Office and Workshop space
  • Innovation Partnership with University of Birmingham
  • Central Location (Warwickshire)
  • Location for annual RailLive exhibition
About Transport for London – London Underground

London Underground is the oldest Metro system in the world. With so many years of experience behind it, ‘the Tube’ has become a world standard for city metro systems and continues to remain at the forefront of innovation. Its parent organisation, TfL, is vertically integrated, which means that we have the full-stack experience of operating, maintaining and renewing all our asset types. Modern technologies are constantly being researched and adapted to the needs of the network to increase reliability and efficiency, whilst keeping costs at a minimum. This Test Centre provides an excellent opportunity to accelerate the development of the rail industry within one of the world’s most challenging yet iconic rail environments.

TFL Facilities & Capabilities

  • Systems Performance Simulation Configurable Digital Modelling
  • Virtual Reality Modelling Instrumentation
  • Testing facilities Monitoring and Surveying
  • Mechanical Fabrication Rapid prototyping
  • Railway Engineering Simulator (RES) system is an in-house developed platform which performs multitrain simulation of rail systems.

The Acton Town facilities offer fabrication processes such as:

  • CNC milling
  • CNC turning
  • Waterjet cutting
  • Sheet metal works (including bending, cutting, rolling and welding)
  • 3D printing
  • Model signalling and train movement
  • Gradient and adhesion profiles
  • Train traction and braking
  • Effect of using multiple signalling systems simultaneously
  • ATO and Manual control
  • Automatic Route Setting and interlocking
  • Multipurpose accelerometer and strain gauge testing
  • Shock and vibration test tables
  • Climate test chamber
  • Electromagnetic compatibility chamber
  • Noise and vibration surveying
  • Digital point cloud and Geothermal surveying
  • bespoke rigs are manufactured for designs requiring unique test parameters. We can tell you exactly how your product will react to real railway environments.

Our Expertise

Network Rail owns and operates RIDC Melton and RIDC Tuxford, two strategically vital facilities that offer a safe environment for testing, trialling, and validating new and modified rolling stock, plant, on-track machines, infrastructure, equipment, and technology.

Transport for London (TfL) provides a vertically integrated, full-stack approach to operating, maintaining, and renewing all asset types. By continually researching and adapting modern technologies to improve reliability and efficiency while minimizing costs, TfL creates excellent opportunities to accelerate rail industry development in one of the world’s most challenging and iconic rail environments.

Porterbrook acquired the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre in June 2021 and has invested over £3 million to modernize and enhance the 135-acre, rail-connected site. In addition to the test track loop and high-quality office and conference spaces, the centre will soon offer new warm storage facilities and fully upgraded track sections for more reliable and robust rolling stock storage and testing.

How to access them?

Get in touch with RIDC to find out how to access these facilities:

www.networkrail.co.uk/RIDC

For more information about Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre

www.porterbrook.co.uk

Or to find out more about accessing the facilities at TFL contact their team

Innovation.Office@tfl.gov.uk
www.tfl.gov.uk/innovation

< Centre of Excellence in Infrastructure