02.07.13
Railway Challenge winners announced
Huddersfield University has won the 2013 Railway Challenge, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) has announced.
The challenge sees four teams of undergraduate engineers compete to make the best and most efficient small-scale railway loco. They must prepare a business case, finance, design and build a loco from scratch that is powerful enough to transport a 600kg load.
Philippa Oldham, head of transport at the IMechE and one of the judges, said: “This year’s competition was closely fought – with fantastic performances from all four teams. Huddersfield’s won thanks to some excellent performances in the traction and ride comfort practical challenges, and the clear way they presented their design to the judges.
“Manchester Metropolitan University came a close second with a storming performance in the energy challenge - where the locomotive has to store energy during braking and use it to drive the locomotive forward as far as possible.
“This was an extremely challenging competition where teams had to prepare a business case, finance, design, and build a compliant locomotive that would meet the set technical requirements.”
Siddiq Albusmait, Huddersfield University’s Project Manager said: “We are thrilled by this win – particularly given how well the other teams performed. Taking part in this competition has been a fantastic – giving us first-hand experience of the entire process of developing a locomotive.”
The teams and their places were: Huddersfield University (first place); Manchester Metropolitan University (second place); the Interfleet Graduate Team (third) and Birmingham University with their hydrogen/electric hybrid locomotive (fourth).
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