Annual Report 2015

The IRSE’s Annual Report for 2015 is published this month.  Members who receive a hard copy of IRSE NEWS in the post will also receive a copy of the Annual Report.  For those who use e‑membership, you can download and read the Report from the IRSE website – click here. 

It is well worth reading, to understand better the role, strategy and activities of the Institution – whether you are a long-standing member or relatively new.  It contains an introduction by Andrew Simmons, our current President, looking back at the achievements of the past year.

IRSE in Thailand – a new Section formed

We are very pleased to announce that at the most recent IRSE Council meeting (in March), the formation of the latest Section of the IRSE was approved.  We now have a new Section in THAILAND, bringing to 18 the number of regional Sections that we have around the world.  For more information about the objectives of the Thailand Section, the governing Committee, and how to contact the Section Secretary (Arnut Srisakuldee) click here.  They hope to hold an inaugural event in June or July – more details to follow as soon as we have them.

IRSE NEWS – April edition

The latest edition of IRSE NEWS has been published and can be accessed on line – click here to view or download it (you will need to log in).  As well as industry news, IRSE event information, local Section news, letters, etc, this edition includes the following articles and papers:

§      “Towards the Digital Railway” – the last in the current series of Presidential Programme papers, by Patrick Bossert (presented in London in March 2016);

§      New Developments in the Chinese Train Control System (CTCS), by Anthony Weiqing Xue, Sara Cui, Fei Yan and Haiwang Yi;

§      Revised arrangements for IRSE examination (if you are considering taking the Exam in 2016, you need to read this article);

§      Producing a plan for Continuing Professional Development, and identifying what counts as CPD.

Australasian Section AGM and Technical Meeting : Adelaide

8 – 10 April

The 2016 IRSE Australasian Section’s Annual General Meeting and Technical Conference will be held in Glenelg, a seaside suburb of Adelaide, South Australia, on 8-10 April. The Conference takes as its theme “Railways, Smart Technologies – The Way Forward”. Click here for more details.

Beijing Convention 2016 – funding for younger members

Don’t forget to book your place on the 2016 Convention in Beijing (10^th – 14^th October). The programme and booking forms can be downloaded from the IRSE website – click here to do so.  There is also a dedicated Convention webpage on the website to keep you up to date with plans for the event.

We are offering a number of bursaries (funding) for younger members to attend the Convention, and information about them is available with the booking details on the website.  Do think about whether this might be appropriate for you.  We also encourage Sections around the world to consider which of their younger members might benefit from this opportunity.  Bursary applications must be received by 30 April 2016, and applicants will be advised by 31 May 2016 whether they have been successful in obtaining funding or not.

Stephenson Conference 2017 : Call for Papers

The Stephenson Conference is an international event for sharing knowledge and developments in rail research.  It brings together academics, researchers and industry experts from across the world.

The 2^nd Stephenson Conference takes place from 25^th to 27^th April 2017 in London, UK.  It is organised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and is supported by the IRSE (the IRSE chairs the steering group).

The Call for Papers has now been issued, and 250 word abstracts must be submitted before 13 May.  For more information, click here.  On Twitter, the hashtag is #stephensonconference.

e-Membership

If you wish to opt into or out of the reduced service level provided with e-membership for the new subscription year, you need to register the change by 30 April. Otherwise your existing service level will continue.

To register a change please go to www.irse.org, log-in and under the ‘Home’ tab select ‘Your record’, then navigate to ‘Manage your record’ and scroll to the bottom of the page. Tick or untick the box labelled e-membership as appropriate.

Australasian Section Membership Matters

The Australasian Section of the IRSE is an organisation incorporated in the State of Victoria. In practice the Section operates in a similar manner to other international Sections of the IRSE, although it is also necessary to comply with the relevant Victorian Incorporated Associations’ legislation.  To do this we need to maintain an accurate membership register of members of the IRSE Australasian Section. In addition, in accordance with our current Rules, there must be a membership application submitted that is approved by committee before members are added to the register.

What this means in practice is that IRSE members who move to Australia and New Zealand are not automatically members of the Australasian Section, although of course membership of the Section is welcomed and encouraged. You must first complete an application form that is signed by two existing members of the Australasian Section and send that to the Secretary. The form simply records your identification details.  There are currently no additional fees for joining the Australasian Section.  The form is available on the Section website www.irse.org.au.  It is also important that you update your membership details through the main IRSE website so that IRSE NEWS, notices etc (including your annual subscription notice) are sent directly to you at your new address. 

Les Brearley, Australasian Secretary

secretary@irse.org.au

The following news items will be of interest principally to members in Europe (including the UK):

Younger Members’ International Technical Visit : Lisbon

14 – 17 April

The Younger Members’ annual International Technical Visit is taking place from 14^th – 17^th April in Lisbon, Portugal.  The event includes a number of visits to signalling installations and to depots on the networks serving the city, as well as social events.  There is no charge to attend, although delegates will of course need to pay for their flights and accommodation.  For further details, click here.

Places at this event are limited, so please register your interest without delay by e-mail to younger.members@irse.org.

Annual General Meeting and Dinner : London

22 April

The Annual General Meeting of the Institution will take place at 18.00 on Friday 22^nd April at the IET in London, after which our incoming President for 2016-17, Charles Page of Siemens, will be giving his Presidential Address.  You are warmly invited to come and hear Charles speak about his theme for the year.   For more information about the AGM, click here.

The AGM will be followed by the Annual Dinner, taking place in the Savoy Hotel, London.  We still have space available, but time is running out, so if you or your company wishes to book places, please do so without delay. The notice and booking form for both individuals and for companies who wish to host tables is available on the IRSE website – click here.  Or you can contact Hilary Cohen in the IRSE office (hilary.cohen@irse.org).

Minor Railways Section : AGM and visit

4 June

With the kind permission of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, the Minor Railways Section 2016 AGM and Summer Technical Visit will be held in Oxenhope (UK) on Saturday 4^th June. The AGM and presentations will be held in the K&WVR exhibition shed at Oxenhope station commencing at 10:30.

The AGM will be followed by talks on the history of the signalling on the line and of the present and future signalling and telecommunications installations on the line. After the talks a buffet lunch will be provided then we will board a ‘special’ DMU to visit signalling installations on the line. The AGM is free to attend but there is a registration fee of £35.00 for lunch and the afternoon visit.

Click here for more details and the application form.

Members’ lunch : London

15 June

The ever-popular annual Members’ Lunch in London takes place on Wednesday 15^th June at the Union Jack Club near Waterloo Station.  All members are welcome, and the cost is £46 (which includes wine).  Why not join us this year? You can now book online or by downloading the form at:

Click here for more details and the application form.