Rail & Road
The Railway Industry Association has welcomed the Backing Your Business Our Plan for Small & Medium Sized Businesses policy paper published by the Department for Business & Trade.
UK: The Railway Industry Association has welcomed the Backing Your Business Our Plan for Small & Medium Sized Businesses policy paper published by the Department for Business & Trade.
This sets out the long-term direction for the government’s support for smaller firms, aiming to focus on growth and productivity and improving the operating environment to start and run a business.
‘We welcome the decision to improve SME’s understanding of export opportunities available and growing access to export finance, particularly as skills and expertise within the UK rail supply chain are currently under pressure’, said Cath Leech, Chair of RIA’s SME Group, on July 31.
’Additionally, the decision to make it easier for smaller firms to win government contracts will not only benefit SMEs, but will also allow the supply chain to have greater access to the high-value specialisms they provide.
‘A reduction in late payments will be vital to supporting SMEs by giving them secure cashflows, but this must be implemented correctly to ensure that small businesses are protected if they raise concerns over late payments.’
Small and medium-sized enterprises make up more than 60% of RIA’s 450 members across the rail supply chain.
Rail is already one of the most sustainable forms of mass transport – and SKF is working to make it even better.
As rail operators face pressure to improve reliability, reduce costs and lower emissions, SKF’s life-cycle approach to bearings and rotating equipment is helping the industry stay on track.
“We support the entire life-cycle – design, testing, manufacture and aftermarket – so customers know their assets are covered from day one to retirement,” said Thanh Huynh, Business Development Manager at SKF Australia.
That offering includes not just bearings, seals and lubrication systems, but a deep bench of local engineering knowledge, condition monitoring tools and value-added services like remanufacturing. And it’s the combination of technologies, support and experience that makes the difference.
Data-driven reliability
One area where SKF has seen significant traction is in condition-based maintenance. Rather than replacing components at fixed intervals, rail operators are increasingly relying on real-time health data to guide servicing decisions.
“Real-time condition monitoring lets operators see a bearing’s health as it runs, so they can fix problems before failure,” said Huynh. “Planned maintenance cuts both emissions and cost compared with running to breakdown.”
That shift from schedule-based maintenance to data-driven servicing is delivering results across the industry.
“Moving from fixed-interval servicing to live health data means longer gaps between overhauls, lower spend, and a smaller environmental footprint,” said Patrick Hofstadler, Head of Operations at SKF Australia.
The environmental benefit may seem incremental, but in the context of rail’s already low emissions profile, it’s meaningful. According to the International Energy Agency, rail emits about one-fifth the CO2 per passenger-kilometre of aviation – so each efficiency gain contributes to a greener network.
According to Gavin Acker, Segment Business Manager – Marine / Rail at SKF Australia, efficiency and sustainability also tend to go hand-in-hand.
“It’s more life and less waste,” he said. “Condition monitoring keeps passengers off the platform and bearings out of the scrap bin.
“Additionally, passenger trains in particular are subject to strict performance benchmarks from local governments, so unplanned downtime resulting in late arrivals could be especially costly.”
Hybrid technology with hard savings
One standout in SKF’s product portfolio is its hybrid deep groove ball bearing (DGBB) – a component gaining popularity with rail fleets that use onboard power electronics.
In traditional bearings, stray electrical currents can pass through the rolling elements, causing arc damage that leads to premature failure. SKF’s hybrid DGBB solves this by replacing steel rollers with ceramic ones, which are non-conductive.
“The ceramic rolling elements act as a built-in insulator, preventing electrical arcing,” said Hofstadler. “And lower friction across an entire fleet translates into measurable energy savings – all part of decarbonisation.”
The bearing also performs better in marginal lubrication conditions, further extending service life and reducing the need for interventions. For operators, that means lower maintenance costs, higher uptime, and another tool in the push for more sustainable transport.
Built for Australian conditions
SKF’s rail team in Australia supports customers across the passenger and freight sectors – from axle-box bearing sets and bearing units to lubrication, monitoring and remanufacturing services. Backed by global R&D and local supply chains, the team works closely with OEMs, operators and service providers to match the right solutions to the application.
“We understand the operating environments in Australia are some of the toughest in the world – extreme heat, high dust loads, long distances,” said Huynh. “Our designs account for that from the start.”
Whether it’s extending bearing life through smarter maintenance or preventing premature failure with hybrid technology, SKF is focused on helping Australia’s rail sector run cleaner and more efficiently.
“In the end, supplying components is just one part of the equation,” said Hofstadler. “It’s our aim to be a performance partner – supporting reliability, safety, and sustainability every step of the way.”
For more on SKF’s rail solutions, visit: www.skf.com/au/industries/railways
Rail Forum has announced it has relocated its headquarters to Derby’s ‘Station Quarter’ in advance of ambitious regeneration plans.
The national trade association, which represents almost 400 rail-related businesses, has moved to Paul Duval House, next door to Derby Midland Station and in the heart of Derby City Council’s ambitious plans to regenerate the area.
Rail Forum said the new location offers easy access to industry colleagues and stakeholders visiting Derby by rail, while also being within walking distance of members based on Pride Park or within the city.
The new Rail Forum base is also well placed to support industry teams and local stakeholders in line with work happening in advance of Great British Railways (GBR) to better integrate the rail industry.
In October last year, industry and regional leaders came together with the Secretary of State for Transport to launch Rail Campus Derby, which will accelerate cross-industry collaboration in Derby, in advance of the legislation that will establish GBR and deliver the new HQ.
Elaine Clark OBE, chief executive of Rail Forum, said: “I’m enormously grateful to the former team at GBRTT, Network Rail East Midlands Route colleagues and Shadow GBR for recognising the role that the supply chain can play in delivering an integrated railway.
“Our objectives may occasionally not align, but our passion for the railway and the difference it can make to the communities we serve is shared.
“We look forward to playing our part in unlocking new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and revenue growth, so that together we can deliver a truly Great British Railways.”
Laura Shoaf CBE, chair of Shadow GBR, said: “I’m thrilled to see this positive step towards a more integrated rail industry as we move closer to the formal stand up of GBR.
“The work Rail Forum does in bringing together stakeholders is vital to our ambition of delivering a simpler and better railway for our passengers and freight users.”
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Rail & Road
Rail News – PennDOT seeks applicants for freight-rail program grants. For Railroad Career Professionals
8/5/2025
Rail News: Rail Industry Trends
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has opened the application period for grants allocated under the state’s Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) and Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP). Applications are due Aug. 29.
The RTAP is a capital budget grant program funded with bonds and the RFAP is a grant program funded through a multimodal fund created in 2013. Both programs provide financial assistance for investments in freight-rail infrastructure designed to preserve essential rail service or stimulate economic growth through new or expanded rail service.
Last year, PennDOT awarded $55 million in grants through the programs for 30 freight-rail projects that created or sustained 344 jobs in Pennsylvania, state officials said in a press release.
“Pennsylvania’s rail freight network keeps goods moving and supports the economy, making it a critical piece of our transportation infrastructure,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll.
There are 65 freight railroads operating in Pennsylvania — the most in any state, according to PennDOT. They operate about 5,600 miles of track in total.
More information about freight railroads in the state and PennDOT’s two grant programs is available here.
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