On Tuesday, September 24th at the international transport exhibition InnoTrans in Berlin, Germany, rail industry supplier Škoda Group introduced an innovative Universal Digital Rail Platform that has the potential to greatly improve the sustainability and efficiency of rail operations.

Produced by the Škoda Group subsidiary The Signalling Company, the Universal Digital Rail Platform (RailOS-iEVC) is designed to reduce the size, complexity, and carbon footprint of freight, passenger, yard, and maintenance vehicles.

It also promises to optimise availability and mobility.

Nexrail, a European locomotive leasing company aims to drive innovative sustainable traction for non-electrified lines, a vision shared by locomotive manufacturer IPE // RV.

These companies have now entered an innovation partnership with The Signalling Company to deliver a greener and safer European rail environment.

The partnership will span key technologies ranging from alternative energy propulsion to software-defined safety, control, and management systems.

Škoda Group and Tesmec of Italy are also collaborating on plans to seek ways to develop revolutionary railway solutions.

GB Railfreight also made a major announcement at InnoTrans when the company unveiled the first of its new Class 99 locomotives.

“While our companies look to the future, our collective focus has been on innovating for the here and now, delivering meaningful and positive change for locomotive propulsion and automation. The result, as you will be able to experience at our InnoTrans display is game changing”.

Mark Remie, Head of Business Development at Nexrail