The Rail CRC (Cooperative Research Centre) based at CQU Rockhampton this week announced a range of initiatives.

Rail CRC research has established the suitability of an innovative technique to transform softwood into timber suitable for railway sleepers.

This Rail CRC project was led by Queensland University of Technology senior lecturer Dr Martin Murray, and has been developed in conjunction with the CRC for Wood Innovations, based at Swinburne University of Technology.

Meanwhile, an innovative aeronautical engineering technique has been adapted to strengthen rail bridges, potentially saving the rail industry millions of dollars.

This Rail CRC project, led by Monash University's Professor Rhys Jones and managed by Australian Rail and Track Corporation's (ARTC) Wayne Potter, developed a methodology to strengthen rail bridges using carbon composite reinforcing plates attached with a super high-strength glue, rather than the traditional welding of steel doubler-plates. Mr Potter said gluing the carbon composite doublers resulted in no down-time for trains.

In addition, RAIL CRC research has developed improved wheel-steel that could significantly reduce maintenance costs for rollingstock owners and operators, potentially saving the Australian Rail Industry tens of millions of dollars annually.

Queensland Rail Mechanical Engineer Structural and Rail CRC Project Manager Tim Constable said that the improved material potentially offered several major benefits for the Australian Rail Industry.

"The new alloy steels offer significantly enhanced strength and toughness which have positive implications for performance," Mr Constable said.

These projects are among approximately 40 Rail CRC research projects established and supported under the Australian Government's Cooperative Research Centres Program.

Rail CRC (The Cooperative Research Centre for Railway Engineering and Technology) consists of rail industry partners - Queensland Rail, Rail Corp, TMG Rail Technology, ARTC, Pacific National - and six university partners - Monash University, Queensland University of Technology, the University of Wollongong, University of South Australia, Central Queensland University, and The University of Queensland.

For more information on this and other Rail CRC projects visit www.railcrc.com.au.