With over 1,400 professionally qualified staff in its rail business, Atkins provides a broad range of consultancy services to the rail sector. From pure signalling design to the programme management of multidisciplinary projects, our experienced teams provide innovative solutions that span every discipline in both the mass transit and heavy rail markets.

Our services are best illustrated through unique but inter-related work streams, including the following.

Rail structure, vehicle and system asset management

The rail business offers a range of asset management services which cover the main components of an operational railway (people, processes, assets and information) and six asset types — rail vehicles, track and structures, control and signalling, electrification, telecoms and customer information systems.

Rail-infrastructure civil engineers

Our civil engineers offer expertise in the design, development and management of rail infrastructure systems. With extensive knowledge and understanding of the many elements of operational rail networks and their interfaces, they support clients throughout the full project-lifecycle, which includes feasibility studies, planning, system specification, detailed design, tender preparation and evaluation, construction management, condition surveys, assessments, rehabilitation programmes and maintenance, and whole-life support.

Atkins is providing concept and detailed design for the Thameslink elements of Farringdon station — a key interchange connecting Thameslink, Crossrail and London Underground.

Atkins is principal contractor on the Newport Area Signalling Renewal project, responsible for designing, installing, testing and commissioning of 400 signalling units along 35 miles of track between Bristol and Cardiff.

Atkins completed a single-option feasibility study for the Glasgow-Edinburgh electrification project, conducting a series of surveys and developing layout plans for the whole route.

Atkins is providing consultancy for the transportation system package of the new 15.5km, 17-station Copenhagen Metro's City Circle Line.

Atkins has been awarded a seven-year infrastructure manager technical advisor contract to provide the ongoing professional technical support required to operate the London Overground business.

Design, development and construction for overhead lines and conductor rails

We provide cost-effective design, development and construction-management services in rail electrification for both overhead line and conductor rail systems. From conceptual and detailed design to the installation of new systems and to the renewal or enhancement of existing systems, our experience and skills enable us to offer a comprehensive service embracing all the E&P disciplines.

Signalling and telecoms

Our signalling design teams have the capacity to undertake signalling work from outline feasibility studies to scheme design and detailed design. Atkins’ signalling and telecoms specialists provide installation, testing and commissioning on full-scale remodelling programmes, as well as services on smaller technical investigation works. We are in a position to offer clients a true multi-disciplinary service through our collaboration with other disciplines such as civil infrastructure, track, building services and electrification, thus delivering a fully integrated transport solution.

Rail, strategic rail and rail-related consultancy

Our rail consultancy services are delivered to all key rail markets. From bespoke permanent-way consultancy to project planning and development, we are involved in projects of varying sizes for a diverse range of clients.

More recently we have been involved in a series of strategic rail consultancy commissions. These differ from the ‘normal’ studies, in that the client has often required an assessment of an entire rail operation from a strategic perspective. In addition to offering traditional railway consultancy services, we also assist non-rail clients who have bespoke rail-related requirements.

Rail vehicle design, engineering and certification

Our rail vehicle specialists generate innovative and effective solutions in response to the business needs of vehicle manufacturers, maintainers, owners and operators. From the provision of individual specialist support through to the delivery of full projects, we tailor our expertise to deliver services covering specialist engineering support, strategic services, technical services, certification services, design consultancy and total system support for both rail vehicles and on-track plant vehicles.

Rail property / infrastructure modelling

Rail property includes stations, depots, lineside buildings and associated developments that involve the railway system. Our strong property/rail infrastructure and passenger modelling expertise is complemented by commercial, architectural, structural and building services from the wider Atkins group. This combination allows us to offer clients a complete solution, be it for a full transport interchange or a metro station.

Multi-disciplinary rail project delivery

A number of services we provide cross all work streams. These include design management, programme and planning, possessions planning, project information systems, construction management, and project and programme management services.