Rail

Putting you on track.

Technology is expanding what is possible for rail transportation, rail systems, and track infrastructure.

But in many places, challenges remain. Integration of new assets with existing systems, scarcity of experienced engineering capability, and the need to satisfy a wide range of authorities mean it’s a difficult balancing act to meet performance requirements and maintain stakeholder confidence.

What can we do for you?

With more than 100 years’ experience in rail, we bring all the disciplines required for a modern railway, and more. We work across the entire lifecycle of rail projects, and across all types of railways, including high speed, metro, heavy haul and light rail transit systems. We work with you to find solutions that result in reliable, safe and efficient rail services for customers.

We can offer you:

Smarter design solutions for rail infrastructure and rail systems

We understand your existing assets and technologies, their challenges and possibilities for modernisation. Our industry-leading engineers and management teams can help you to get more from your projects. From decarbonisation and climate resilience strategies to industrialised design and construction – we’re geared up to deliver quality, safety and efficiency, saving you time and money.

Excellence in rail systems integration

We have extensive experience in systems engineering and integration, and wherever possible we seek to work with you and the supply chain to set projects up with the end in mind.

Setting rail projects up for success

We can work with you to set up the right structure, management systems and commercial arrangements that focus delivery teams on shared objectives. We’re not afraid to break down silos and challenge norms. Our aim is always to find the right solution for you.

Lasting value

Our goal is to add value throughout the life of an asset or entire railway, from early design to commissioning and operation. Our technical skills are complemented by expertise in social, environmental and economic studies, modelling and analysis. We have a portfolio of solutions that can help our clients and critical stakeholders to explore, calculate and understand the full value that rail projects can add – and maximise it at every stage.

East Side Access, New York, USA. We provided programme management, tunnelling design and construction management services for this mega-project to expand commuter rail on the east side of Manhattan.

Services we provide

Transforming rail infrastructure with cutting-edge engineering

We work across the entire lifecycle of rail projects, and across all types of railways, including high speed, heavy haul, light rail and trams. We work with you to find solutions that result in reliable, safe and efficient rail services for customers.

We can:

Help you formulate a long-term vision for your assets and systems, and form a coherent set of programmes and projects to achieve this vision.
Conduct strategic analysis and economic evaluation and frame business cases to fully consider the benefits and costs of a project, as an aid to decision making.
Advise on the use of digital technologies and organisational change to achieve transformational improvements.
Carry out detailed studies of terrain, land ownership, the environment and socioeconomic factors to help route your railway optimally.
Provide land referencing, consents, planning and regulatory support to help you get the go-ahead from statutory authorities for your projects

We can:

Carry out feasibility studies, site and geotechnical investigations to reveal site potential and risks.
Carry out full detailed design of stations, corridors, tunnels and bridges, earthworks, depots, signalling systems and overhead lines, prioritising safety, efficiency and sustainability.
Enable high speed rail through our expertise in track form design, control of noise and vibration, train and tunnel aerodynamics.
Design and integrate mechanical and electrical systems, rolling stock, signalling, safety assurance systems, communication and information systems, to work in harmony with each other and promote smooth operation.
Conduct engineering safety management and assurance to satisfy all client and industry requirements at each stage of project development.
Apply advanced simulation techniques to develop solutions relating to passenger movement, fire and smoke management, underground ventilation, train aerodynamics and traction power optimisation.
Use standardisation and automated digital tools, including smart object libraries, to optimise designs.

We can:

Manage your project or programme from start to finish, with regular reviews, to drive delivery against time and budget.
Estimate and manage costs and risks and implement robust project controls to keep your project on track.
Use a common data environment to share documents and data with project partners and stakeholders, building trust and collaboration.
Manage procurement, administer contracts, and supervise construction with appropriate risk allocation and incentives.

We can:

Prepare new railways to enter service through testing and commissioning systems, managing risks and working with the supply chain to support operational readiness.
Undertake operational planning and readiness reviews in advance of bringing a railway into use and the start of revenue service.
Hand over a functioning digital model of your assets that will help you manage ongoing operation and maintenance.
Develop asset management strategies and plans that enable you to better manage risk and prioritise investment.
Apply our technical expertise to maintenance, repair and enhancement work that extends the life and improves the performance of your assets.

Our people

Meet the team

Our experience

Our heritage in the rail sector dates back to the early 1900s, when we were involved with the construction of the City and South London Railway. Our recent highlights have included:

East Side Access, New York, USA

We provided programme management, tunnelling design and construction management services for this mega-project to expand commuter rail on the east side of Manhattan.
Elizabeth Line, London, UK

We worked on this major new high frequency, high capacity metro railway – which crosses London from west to east – from its early stages under various roles, advising on the route and its structures, producing solutions for its trains, and developing the rail systems that convert tunnels and stations into a functioning railway.
High Speed 2, UK

We supported our client through initial planning and approval for this flagship project to increase rail capacity between London and the Midlands and have carried out preliminary and detailed design, surveying, land referencing and specialist engineering roles across the project.
Hydrogen train, San Bernardino, USA

Expansion of the public transit network in San Bernardino, California, includes the introduction of the first hydrogen fuel-cell battery hybrid passenger train in North America. Our experts evaluated zero emissions technologies and identified a hydrogen fuel-cell and battery hybrid vehicle as the right solution. We continued to support the transit authority by overseeing the manufacture of the vehicle and developed conceptual designs for the supporting infrastructure, as well as working with federal, state and local agencies to obtain compliance with regulations and requirements.
Sydney Metro, Australia

We’re a trusted delivery partner in Australia’s biggest public transport project, which will expand Sydney’s rail network to 46 stations and 113km of track by 2030, and have been collaborating with the client in an integrated engineering and design solutions team.
Transport 2050, Vancouver, Canada

We are working with TransLink to develop an enterprise digital strategy and roadmap to support Transport 2050, the Canadian rail company’s 30-year transportation strategy, and related business strategies.