Irish Rail puts French on right track

They may have some of the fastest trains in the world but the French have come to Ireland to learn how to make savings while also improving the reliability of their entire fleet, including their TGV trains that reach speeds of 320km/h.

SNCF is learning how Irish Rail has used lean management practices to improve the reliability of its trains, while also reducing staff in the maintenance area and cutting costs.

SNCF is 18 months into the lean management programme and Mr Bertrand Boceno, who is in charge of maintenance development for the SNCF network, said it was a system that brings with it a change in culture which could take “five or 10 years” to complete.