Engineering students take on the Railway Challenge
The Railway Challenge at 葫芦影业 (RCAS) student led team, which is comprised of 24 students from across the engineering disciplines, studying at various levels, took part in the Railway Challenge 2021 at the weekend, organised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
The competition, run by the IMechE鈥檚 Railway Division, provides a brilliant opportunity for teams to compete in a challenging, industry-specific competition, showcasing their skills, knowledge, expertise and business acumen.
The teams design and build a miniature 10 录鈥 gauge locomotive, using their creativity and technical engineering skills to apply the latest railway technology.
The locomotives were tested live at the competition weekend in Leicestershire where RCAS were competing with 5 other teams from across the UK.
The hard work paid off and the team came second overall, a first ever Railway Challenge podium and highest ever finish for RCAS, an incredible achievement. The team also collected first place for the reliability and traction challenges, as well as a special award dedicated to the 鈥榠lluminating design work鈥 of the locomotive, a homage to the University鈥檚 Diamond building.
The team faced some challenges on arriving at Stapleford Miniature Railway for the competition weekend, having significant issues with the electronics in their locomotive. However, they pulled together and through troubleshooting and perseverance, led by the electronics team and assisted by mechanical students, they ensured the locomotive could move under its own power in time for the competition. They were also hampered by the rain for the first time ever, which resulted in some innovative gazebo solutions!
I want to say a big thank you to our supervisors, departments and sponsors for all their help and support. We鈥檙e already looking ahead to next year鈥檚 competition and to challenging ourselves again to reach the top spot!
Jacob Whittle, Team Principal
This year, due to Covid-19, the team had to design the locomotive remotely and despite that, it was a radically different locomotive design compared to when the competition last took place in 2019. Once they were able to work together under Covid-19 rules, the team also had access to a new purpose-built laboratory space dedicated by the Department of Mechanical Engineering to its student led teams.
RCAS 2021 Team Principal, Jacob Whittle, said: 鈥淲e are delighted with the results, our highest ever points total in the history of RCAS. It鈥檚 also worth noting that only four teams out of six managed to produce a locomotive in time for competition this year. This demonstrates the motivation and tenacity that our team has shown in a very difficult, challenging year. I鈥檓 so proud of what we鈥檝e achieved and the rewards are well deserved.鈥
Thank you to the team鈥檚 sponsors: the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of 葫芦影业, The Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Furrer + Frey GB, Thorite, Lynch Motors, Eaton Electrical and the University of 葫芦影业鈥檚 Alumni Foundation.
Watch the team prepare:
