DB ESG, part of Deutsche Bahn (DB) Systemtechnik, has taken a significant step forward in strengthening its presence in the UK rail sector. The company has opened its new Rail Technology Centre in Derby, a 1,670-square-metre (18,000-square-foot) site that serves as a key hub for research, testing and application of rail engineering innovations.
Digital Engineering and Full Scale Test Facilities
Located right next to DB ESG’s existing offices, the new centre brings together state-of-the-art engineering and testing facilities:
- Infrastructure: A large workshop with digital engineering laboratories, technical rooms and inspection pits with main line access.
- Capability: This installation allows full-scale assembly and testing of rolling stock systems under realistic conditions.
Since 2018, DB ESG has been playing a leading role in digital engineering, using 3D scanning and printing to extend the life of railway components and reduce replacement costs. This increase in demand led to the establishment of the centre as a dedicated innovation platform.
Sustainable Technologies and Predictive Maintenance Focal Points
The Centre’s main areas of development focus on shaping the future of the railway industry:
- Decarbonisation: Development of CO₂ capture systems for diesel trains.
- Predictive Maintenance: Designing maintenance tools based on data-driven analyses to detect potential failures early and minimise rolling stock downtime.
- Sustainability: Development of sustainable railway technologies, including battery solutions.
The new centre will play a critical role in prototyping and testing environmentally friendly systems that support Deutsche Bahn’s strategy for the decarbonisation and digital transformation of rail transport. The opening of the Derby centre reinforces DB ESG’s position as a technology leader in the UK.
