<p>In a UK first, Porterbrook has launched its pioneering 
Innovation Hub, a static train testbed to fast-track the development of 
new ideas and accelerate improvements to passenger services.</p>
<p>The Innovation Hub is intended to be used by a large number of small 
and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which play an integral role in the 
UK rail industry’s supply chain, but face barriers to entry to 
demonstrate new ideas and innovations in a ‘real’ train environment.</p>
<p>In response, Porterbrook created the Innovation Hub by re-purposing a
 four-car Class 319 train to serve as a working environment for a wide 
range of new technologies and passenger-facing improvements to be tested
 and showcased.</p>
<p>The Hub will focus on the following areas:</p>
<ul>
<li>Environmentally friendly manufacturing processes</li>
<li>Improved passenger facilities</li>
<li>New uses of data and connectivity</li>
<li>System monitoring</li>
</ul>
<p>At the Innovation Hub’s first public exhibition at Rail Live 2019 in 
Long Marston, over 25 companies have been selected to demonstrate more 
than 30 new products and innovations on the Innovation Hub.</p>
<p>This will be the first time that many UK-based companies, 
particularly SMEs, will have the opportunity to showcase innovative and 
exciting passenger-focused solutions in a real train environment for 
free. </p>
<p>Porterbrook developed a unique livery for the Innovation Hub and 
consulted with relevant government departments and industry bodies to 
ensure that the train is an attractive venue for potential customers 
from the UK and overseas.</p>
<p>Porterbrook aims to make the Innovation Hub a sustainable annual 
showcase for the latest innovations, growing in scale year on year. The 
Innovation Hub will be used by suppliers all-year-round, as a facility 
for customer visits and demonstrations. </p>
<p>Mary Grant, CEO of Porterbrook, said: “We’re proud to launch the 
Innovation Hub; a project we hope will pave the way for brilliant new 
ideas and technologies to be implemented on the railways. Innovation is 
the life-blood of the rail industry, but while there is no shortage of 
new ideas, we are very aware of the challenges our suppliers face in 
demonstrating and testing new products. As an industry steeped in 
heritage, it’s essential that we keep our fingers on the pulse of new 
technology and customer needs, and this is something that we at 
Porterbrook put at the core of what we do.”</p>