Wheels On My Heels: Rail Solutions Asia 2024

A Brief Overview

On the 17th of May 2024, I had the honour of attending Rail Solutions Asia 2024 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. This is an annual exhibition organised by TDHRAIL, the leading Asian railway magazine, showcasing the latest in railway developments in not just Asia, but other parts of the world as well. There were over 50 companies in attendance this year from all corners of the globe, each with different areas of specialisation. Thus, there are plenty of networking and learning oppurtunities for anyone and everyone in the railway industry.

KLCC is an excellent choice of venue for the event, as it is easily reachable by public transport via the nearby station on the Kelana Jaya LRT line. he nearby Suria Mall offers a wide range of eatery choices as well. Plenty of accommodation choices for international guests and visitors is available nearby as well. 

Upon entry to the venue, I was greeted by the largest exhibit at the event, China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC for short) had various intricately detailed models of various locomotives, multiple units and rolling stock that they had produced for railways all over the world. From the zippy KTMB Class 93 'Electric Train Sets' that hurtle down from the border of Thailand to Gemas, the versatile Light Rail Transit (LRT) trains used on the Ampang Line and the mighty HXN6 diesel-hybrid freight locomotive used on China's vast railway network, to name a few. Additionally, the company was also producing the new 'Autonomous Rapid Rail' trains for the upcoming Sarawak Metro, who's booth was just next door.

Another exhibitor of note at the event is Indonesian Rolling Stock manufacturer, INKA (Industri Kereta Api). Initially established in 1981 to serve as the main supplier of locomotives and rolling stock to Kereta Api Indonesia, the national railway operator of Indonesia, they are now diversifying their portfolio to produce rolling stock for other countries in the ASEAN region. On display was one such project, a model of the coaches to be used on Great Leisure Heritage Rail's steam hauled luxury trains from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth station. (Refer to my article on Great Leisure Heritage Rail for more information:  https://kaydensrambles.blogspot.com/2024/03/kaydens-wheel-reports-great-leisure.html)

Naturally, as I had brought one of my Plarail steam locomotives along, C57 1, a fellow 4-6-2 'Pacific' locomotive from the Japanese National Railway, I had to get a photo of it in front of the model on display, a small reminder of what we'll be witnessing not too long from now. 

A common complaint that trains have consistently received since their introduction in the 1800s is the noise that they make. Native folks in barren, untouched lands such as China labelled these new fangled iron giants as 'devil's machines', snorting their smoke and hammering the ground as they chugged along, doing their work. Of course, trains have gotten more efficient as time went on, but the wheels still make the odd rattle and squeak when they're slowing down or going round a curve.

However, Schrey & Veit have found a solution to the problem by installing special dampers to the inside of the wheels to reduce the vibrations of the wheels. They even had a demonstration on hand, allowing me to tap a regular train wheel with and without the dampers installed. Indeed, the difference between the two was quite drastic. The dampers can be specially tuned to suit the working life of any locomotive, multiple unit of rolling stock and is maintenance free too, leading to longer lifetimes and of course, quieter neighbourhoods!

But without a doubt, the highlight of my adventure there is the chance to try my hand at Sogeclair's immersive driver simulator, accurately recreating the driving experience of various trains and locations around the world. The company uses comprehensive graphics of the real stuff to create an accurate experience of daily operations for the drivers, thus preparing them adequately for any situations that might come their way. After all, with origins making flight simulators for aviators, immersive train driver simulators are certainly right up their alley.

There are plenty of other exhibitors of great note at the event, but I'll most likely do a separate piece commemorating each and everyone of them in greater detail. 

Personal Thoughts 

I found this event to be very insightful into the modern railway industry and the range of exhibitors invited certainly added to that. The representatives of the various companies were very passionate and knowledgeable of their craft, gladly answering my questions and ramblings that I often have at such events. One that really stands out, was Phil Hammett from Schrey & Vey, a very knowledgeable Englishman who laughed with me a little bit on my statements on 'Irish Navies', a common piece of folklore in British railway history. 

Anyways, I highly enjoyed my time at Rail Solutions Asia and recommend going if you have the chance. It's a trade event usually reserved for people in the rail industry but I was able to get in quite easily as an independent journalist. I will definitely be publishing further material on the insights I gained there.

Make sure to visit their 2025 Exhibition in Hanoi if you get the chance!