NG1S125 - Introduction to Railway Technologies 01 Sep 2023 - 30 Jul 2026 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: NG1S125
Module Title: Introduction to Railway Technologies
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: FCES Faculty
Faculty Sub Group: FCES Faculty
Module Leader:
Module Team: Jerome Daly, Stuart Bunston, Sarah Moses
First Intended Intake: Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100159 - telecommunications engineering 100190 - mechanical engineering 100551 - geotechnical engineering
HECOS Code Weighting: 33 34 33

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2023
Valid To 30 Jul 2026

Module Aims

To introduce the students to the railway infrastructure environment and in particular engineering as practised in the railway industry.

Content Summary

Overview of railway industry structure and history.

Basic principles of railway operation

Types of track, ballast, sleepers, fastenings.

Geotechnics, Drainage, Structures.

Introduction to material types (metals, concrete, masonry, plastics, composites)

Overview/introduction about Forging, Casting, Extrusion, Forming, Joining e.g. Welding, Riveting

Mechanics – simple analysis

Introduction to hydraulics and pneumatics

Principles, symbols, nomenclature, actuators, power sources.

Signalling principles and technologies. (S & T)

Electrical/Telecommunication

Electrical machines, Train power supply and contact systems.

Telecommunication, overview of modulation and transmission.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 48
Tutorial 18
Demonstration 6
Practical classes and workshops 23
Independent Study 60
Directed Study 42
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 3
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Explain the basic principles of the railway industry structure, its operation, and its history.
LO2 Describe the purpose and operation of the various equipment and engineering functions within the industry and the ranges of their responsibilities.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Portfolio 1 Portfolio 0 N/A 100 No 100

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Portfolio 1

Reading List

Emmitt S, and Gorse C., 2010. Barry's Introduction to Construction of Buildings, Blackwell

Illingworth J. R., 2000. Construction Methods and Planning, 2nd Edition

Griffith A., and Howarth T., 2001. Construction Health and Safety Management, Pearson Longman

Joyce R., 2015. CDM Regulations 2015 Explained. ICE Publishing

McAleenan C and Oloke D., 2015. ICE manual of health and safety in construction, Second edition. ISBN: 978-0-7277-6010-4. Thomas Telford limited Uk.

ICE Code of Professional Conduct - ice-code-of-professional-conduct.pdf

Advice on Ethical conducts - advice-on-ethical-conduct.pdf

United Nations Sustainability Development Goals - United Nations Sustainable Development – 17 Goals to Transform Our World

https://www.carbonbrief.org/

https://www.breeam.com/

https://www.futuregenerations.wales/about-us/future-generations-act/

https://www.ice.org.uk/knowledge-and-resources/sustainability-route-map

Otung, Ifiok, Digital Communications: Principles and Systems: Principles and Systems. Vol. 58. Stevanage, Herfordshire, The Istitution of Engineering and Technology, 2014.

Elbert, Bruce. Radio Frequency Interference in Communications Systems. Norwood: Artech House, 2016.

Penttinen, Jyrki T. J. 5G Explained: Security and Deployment of Advanced Mobile Communications. 1st Edition. Hoboken, New Jersey, USA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2019.

Salous, Sana. Radio Propagation Measurement and Channel Modelling. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons Inc, 2008.