The consultancy has been awarded £75,000 by the judging panel to develop its ‘novel and innovative concept’ for a flexible carriage concept to the next stage. The judges will then review all ten of the shortlisted schemes in early 2015 with the aim of selecting up to five overall finalists who will each receive £750,000 of further funding to develop full-sized prototypes.
“The train design competition was launched earlier this year as part of the UK rail industry’s 30 year vision for the network and to attract new ideas from architects, engineers and designers worldwide. 42 Technology’s design concept [shown in the image] is based on a more flexible way of using train carriages to help meet four key objectives: reducing costs and carbon emissions, while increasing capacity and customer satisfaction. Everyone at 42 Technology is delighted that our initial design has been so strongly endorsed and that we are now in the running for nomination as a finalist,” said Jon Spratley, director at 42 Technology who led the design team for the winning submission.
The train design competition is being run by the UK Department for Transport, the Royal Institute of British Architects and FutureRailway, a cross-industry research group set up by the rail industry to support innovation. A total of 48 entries were received across two award categories: 1) the 4CS challenge targets long term horizon’ designs; and 2) the Next Gen Train Interiors addresses ‘medium term horizons’ for passenger rolling stock interiors. 42T is one of five shortlisted designs in the 4CS category.
About FutureRailway
FutureRailway is the delivery team working on behalf of the cross-industry Technical Strategy Leadership Group (TSLG) to implement the Rail Technical Strategy. FutureRailway is a collaboration between Network Rail and RSSB and incorporates the activities of the former Enabling Innovation Team, which was set up by the rail industry to accelerate the uptake of innovation. Our mission is to offer support to practical cross-industry demonstrator projects, but also seeking out innovative ideas and proposals from across the industry. Our approach is to: understand the challenges that industry faces; connect potential innovators with these challenges; and, where necessary with potential funding. The team is hosted by RSSB, and reports into TSLG, and is supported by the Rail Delivery Group, RSSB’s Board as well as the Department for Transport.
For further information see www.futurerailway.org
_____________________________________________