The European Rail Congress aims to reward and encourage European railway excellence and innovation. The winners of each of the 19 award categories were selected by a panel of members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K.

Bombardier received the award for Excellence in Technology for the Flexx Tronic WAKO system — an innovative mechatronic solution designed to compensate the natural roll movement of a train carbody. The system allows increased speed in curves resulting in shorter journey times with lower investment in infrastructure.

The system also provides economic benefits to operators through lower energy consumption and reduced wheel and rail wear, which in turn extends wheel life. The Flexx Tronic system will feature on the new Bombardier Twindexx Express trains being provided for SBB in Switzerland.

The European Rail Congress aims to bring the European railway industry together to celebrate its achievements in providing efficient, high quality and safe connectivity across Europe. The summit provided a dynamic platform for key European rail industry figures to discuss key issues, share best practice and identify key challenges and opportunities for the European rail market.

Speakers at the Congress included Vladimir Yakunin, president, Russian Railways; Alain Flausch, UITP, Mike Brown, managing director, London Underground and London Rail; and Anders Ygeman, chair of the Committee on Transport and Communications, Rikstag (Swedish Parliament).