The North Western Centre of the Railway Division of the IMechE is the learned society for joined up railway engineering and bases its activities in Manchester and the surrounding area. We work together with local industry, train operators, academic institutions and sister professional organisations, including the ICE, IET, IRSE and PWI. We are committed to providing support for members of the Railway Division in the region mainly through a programme of interesting and informative lectures. Through the lecture programme and other activities we aim to provide members with the skills, knowledge, support and development advice they need at every stage of their career as well as the opportunity to network and share experience with fellow railway engineering professionals.

Our main regular activity is the evening lecture programme, lectures on a variety of railway topics are normally given on the 2nd Tuesday in the month (but please check the Events Diary below for details) at 18:30. We also have the annual “Future of Rail” competition aimed at developing Engineers presenting papers on current projects and the Railway Division Chairman’s Address which usually takes place at the October event. The December lecture traditionally features an item on the engineering heritage aspect of the railway. We also arrange technical visits to interesting railway or engineering facilities in the North West area.

We have now returned to our normal base in Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) on Oxford Road (close to Oxford Road railway station) in the centre of Manchester. Members and guests are always welcome at our lectures and events. The majority of lectures are held at MMU, but we try to organise other events around the region when possible.

Please follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RDNWC/) or Twitter (@IMechE_NWRD) to find out more about our activities and news about railway engineering in the North West.

If you have any feedback or suggestion or you are interested in joining the committee, please get in touch.

Lyndon Platt

Chairman Railway Division North Western Centre