Centre for Railway Engineering (CRE)

Central Queensland University

Formerly known as Centre for Railway Engineering, CQU

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Freight train and wagons

CRE is an industry focused research centre with expertise in train dynamics, vehicle and bogie dynamics, track stability dynamics, simulation, digital twins, artificial intelligence, machine learning, instrumentation, field testing and development of smart devices.

CRE works in partnership with industry providing high quality applied and commercial research, research training, innovation, product development and consultancy services. CRE is a major supplier of rail expertise nationally to railway joint venture research groups, technical societies, standards groups, advocacy organisations, railway owners, rail operators, rail manufacturers, and also completing grant funded research for the Australian Research Council and other government granting agencies. The Centre is hosted by the School of Engineering and Technology at CQUniversity.

Website
https://www.cqu.edu.au/research/organisations/centre-for-railway-engineering
Organisation type
  • University Research Centre
Number of research staff
Up to 20 research staff
Address
554 -700 Yaamba Rd, Norman Gardens QLD 4701

Strengths and capabilities

  • Train and Rail Vehicle Dynamics Studies: In-house modelling and software development has been used for research and commercial consulting for over 30 years. In-house software capabilities include CRELTS(Rail), CRELTS(Road) GENSYS, OPTIRUN, variety of codes, and finite element tools. Combined with high performance, cloud and real-time computing whole trip/trips of hundreds of kilometres to be simulated with fully detailed vehicle dynamics – with application to operation, energy and maintenance and de-risking decisions.
  • Specific Consulting: Train Dynamics in Operation, Vehicle Stability, Wheel-Rail Contact Mechanics Analysis, Derailment Analysis, Roadworthiness, Safety, Train and Heavy Vehicle Energy Analysis
  • Full Scale Laboratory Testing (Rollingstock and large components)
  • Instrument Innovation (Intelligent/Smart Systems)
  • AI-enhanced Analysis
  • Prototyping and Product Development

Facilities and major equipment

Heavy Testing Laboratory (HTL) with Strong floor, Test Frames and Hydraulic Systems enabling build to order testing rigs and new research programs.

Specifications:

  • Strong Floor: Area 8m x 24m, 200 tonne capable
  • Hydraulic Equipment: High Pressure (350bar) Hydraulic Power Pack 350 kW, Servo Controlled Cylinders: 450, 200, 50 tonne
  • Frames: 500, 200 tonne Tension/Compression Testing Frames, Specialised Test Rigs: Rail Joints, Draft Gears, Wagon Suspension
  • Twin disc machine for wear, friction and lubrication studies

Instrument and Device Development Laboratory

For ‘First-of-a-kind' control and condition monitoring devices, zero emission technologies and smart instruments .

Access to CQU High Performance Computing Facilities

Large scale evaluation studies using simulations of digital twins for railway and road vehicles: energy, aerodynamics and FEA.

Lead researchers

  • Prof. Colin Cole, Director of the Centre for Railway Engineering, (CRE), CQUniversity—Contributions to Train Dynamics, Simulation, Energy Analysis, Control and Advisory Systems; Sensors and Condition Monitoring Systems
  • Professor Maksym Spiryagin, Deputy Director of the Centre for Railway Engineering (CRE), CQUniversity—Contributions to Rail Digital Twins; Locomotive Traction; Rail Mechatronics, Friction, Lubrication; Quantum Applications; Traction Battery Systems
  • Dr Qing Wu, Principal Research Fellow, CQUniversity—
  • Contributions to Heavy Haul Train Dynamics; Railway Track Stability; Rail and Road Vehicle Control Systems; and Large-Scale Computational Modelling and Simulation.
  • Dr Esteban Bernal, Senior Research Fellow, CQUniversity—Contributions to Vehicle Dynamics and Simulation; Wheel–Rail Interaction; Condition Monitoring; Digital Twins; Machine Learning and AI.

Achievements of the centre

  • Longitudinal train dynamic analysis – significant contribution to Heavy Haul train operation efficiency and safety in Australia (research and advice to industry for 30 years).
  • Control system software for long trains – Three current patents.
  • Train control/energy studies for decarbonisation. – significant contribution to the energy evaluations for the Mining and Heavy Haul train industry in Australia (research and advice to industry for the last 5 years).
  • “First-of-a-Kind” systems and devices : Instrumented wagons for daily safety monitoring, In-cabin train advice systems, Optimal train driving strategies and Electronic braking devices.
  • Simulation Innovations: Digital Twins of entire railway networks (real-time,cloud-based versions), Predictive maintenance studies using Digital Twins and AI tools, Quantum-enhanced rail traction battery platforms for remaining useful life prediction.

Key science sectors

More information about the sectors this centre is involved in:

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