06.06.14
Teams all set for Gen Y Rail final
Sixteen teams have made it through to the national final of the Gen Y Rail competition – and what a final it should be!
During the heats – held in the North East, North West, West Midlands and East Midlands (at iRail) – students came up with a number of innovative ideas for designing a ‘futuristic train’.
Some of the ideas were a little ‘out there’ but a lot were very well-considered, with the teams looking at driverless trains, the use of eco-friendly energy sources and using innovative materials, such as carbon fibreglass, to reduce the weight of carriages, save money, and reduce the train’s impact on the current rail infrastructure.
What was also great to see was a genuine enthusiasm by all the students at each of the events. During each heat, there was a show of hands at the beginning of the day, asking: “Who has considered a career in rail?” The majority of the time only a few hands went up. However, at the end of each day, the same question was asked and it was interesting to see that a lot more students were genuinely considering a rail or engineering career.
Even if only a few of our Gen Y Rail competitors and graduates go on to start a career in rail, the competition’s job will have been done. UKRITT’s aim is to stimulate interest in the industry and provides a great opportunity for young adults to learn about the benefits of pursuing a job in the rail profession.
On 25 June, the national final will take place at Network Rail’s management training facility in Coventry and we’d like to wish all the 16 teams the best of luck.
The winners:
North East
On the train of thought – Framwell Gate
Bright Sparks – Oxclose Community Academy
Wild Cats – Queen Elizabeth College
Trainiacs – Stockton Sixth Form College
North West
EBA Bright Lights – Eaton Bank Academy
Chorlton Carriages – Chorlton High School
Total Train Integration – Stockport College
Stock-portables – Stockport College
West Midlands
Team Bruce Wayne – Adcote School For Girls
3 Amigos – William Brookes School
Team 13 – William Brookes School
The Future – Sandwell College
4 Lions – City College Coventry
East Midlands
West Park School
Bemrose School
Derby College
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