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Railway Certified Networking
Impulse have the industry insight and technology know-how to help UK rail industry integrators innovate with connectivity, communication and monitoring solutions.
Industry Insight. Technology Know-how.
Built for Railway Environments & Compliance
Modern rail systems depend on robust, high-speed networking to connect everything from onboard control units to trackside infrastructure. Whether installed in rolling stock or along the wayside, industrial networking devices form the backbone of Train Communication Networks (TCNs), ensuring reliable data transmission for control, monitoring, passenger services, and safety-critical applications. Designed to withstand extreme temperatures, shock, vibration, and electromagnetic interference, our railway-certified networking solutions meet the demands of today’s connected rail environments.
Designed to operate reliably in extreme temperatures such as -40°C to 70°C.
Supports fluctuating railway power inputs, ensuring stable performance.
Resists shock and vibration through rugged construction, solid-state components, and compliance with EN 50155.
EDS-G4008 Series
Moxa's 8 Port IEC 62443 Managed Industrial Ethernet Switch with Turbo Ring/Chain redundancy.
Rail-Approved Networking for Your Application: Where Our Solutions Work
Wi-Fi and Passenger Connectivity
Wireless gateways, routers, and cellular modems provide internet access for passengers and crew. These devices manage LTE/5G uplinks, support multi-SIM failover, and provide secure separation between passenger and operational networks. Onboard wireless access points are connected via Ethernet to centralised switches, ensuring full coverage and bandwidth control throughout the train.
Train Communication Network
Networking switches and routers form the core of the Train Communication Network, a distributed architecture that connects various subsystems throughout the train. These include the Train Control and Management System (TCMS), propulsion and braking systems, doors, lighting, and HVAC. By enabling real-time data exchange between these components, TCNs help ensure synchronised operation, safety, and performance monitoring.
CCTV and Video Surveillance
Ethernet switches with PoE functionality are used to power and connect IP cameras throughout the train. These switches ensure stable video transmission to onboard NVRs or remote monitoring centers, even during high network load. Quality of Service (QoS) features help prioritise video streams, while ruggedised designs ensure operation under the mechanical and thermal stress typical of rail environments.
Diagnostics and Maintenance
Networking routers and switches enable secure transmission of onboard system data, such as temperature, vibration, or voltage readings, to offsite maintenance platforms. These connections are often configured with VPN support for remote access and diagnostics, helping operators implement predictive maintenance strategies and reduce unplanned service disruptions.
Signalling and Interlocking Systems
In signalling applications, low-latency and high-reliability networking is essential. Redundant Ethernet switches and routers link interlocking controllers, track circuits, and signal heads to centralised traffic control systems. These devices must comply with EN50121-4 standards for EMC immunity and operate in mission-critical roles with real-time performance requirements.
Trackside Monitoring and Sensor Networks
Trackside sensors for axle counting, switch position, intrusion detection, and environmental monitoring are often deployed in remote areas. Industrial switches and media converters connect these devices to local cabinets or fiber backbones, transmitting critical data to central control. These networking devices must withstand temperature extremes, humidity, and electromagnetic interference.
Wayside PIS and Ticketing Systems
At stations and platforms, networking switches and media converters connect ticketing kiosks, display panels, PA systems, and fare gates. These devices handle real-time data flow between passenger services and control centres. Enclosures must be weather-resistant, and devices should offer high MTBF and wide operating temperature ranges for outdoor deployments.
EN50155 Compliance for Railway Networking Devices
EN50155 is the core European standard for electronic equipment used on rolling stock, and it applies directly to networking hardware installed onboard trains. Devices compliant with EN50155 are resistant to temperature extremes, humidity, shock, vibration, and voltage fluctuations. For networking equipment like Ethernet switches and wireless access points, this compliance ensures safe and reliable operation in the harsh conditions of railway vehicles.
EN50121-4 Compliance for Wayside Networking Devices
EN50121-4 is the EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) standard for signalling and telecommunications equipment located in railway environments. Networking devices used trackside or in signalling cabinets must comply with EN50121-4 to ensure they neither emit nor are affected by electrical interference in high-voltage environments. Compliance with EN50121-4 guarantees that your networking infrastructure remains reliable and safe without interfering with other essential railway systems.
Explore Our EN50155 and EN50121-4 Compliant Products
EN 50155-ready switches built for reliable onboard and trackside networking. Designed to handle shock, vibration, and temperature extremes with stable, managed connectivity.
Rugged rail-certified wireless for consistent onboard connectivity and seamless handovers. Ideal for Wi-Fi coverage in carriages, depots, and trackside installations.
Bring legacy serial equipment onto modern rail IP networks with secure, dependable connectivity. Ideal for integrating existing sensors, controllers, and subsystems without redesign.
Explore our recent product highlights, case studies and technical articles.
Our work on rail projects usually follows a defined process. We start by understanding the environment and application in detail, then agree a suitable hardware platform, build and validate systems in the UK, and finally manage changes and lifecycle.
Projects typically start with a requirements capture phase. This covers environmental conditions such as temperature range, dust levels, vibration and cleaning regime; electrical considerations such as supply, earthing and panel layout; performance requirements; I/O and expansion needs; relevant standards or approvals; and expectations around lifecycle, volume and support.
Based on this information, suitable hardware platforms are shortlisted and reviewed. CPU class, memory, storage, I/O, expansion options and mounting arrangements are agreed, along with any specific BIOS or firmware requirements. For repeat deployments, a small number of standard builds are usually defined to simplify stocking, rollout and support.
Systems are then assembled and validated in the UK. This includes physical assembly, OS installation and configuration, loading of customer images where required, and burn-in and functional tests defined for the project. The goal is that systems arrive on site ready to be integrated with minimal additional work.
Once deployed, attention shifts to lifecycle support. Agreed configurations are documented and controlled as a bill of materials. Changes announced by manufacturers are monitored, and when they occur, suitable replacement options are identified and discussed. Where appropriate, last-time-buy planning and controlled transitions are used to minimise disruption to machines and production lines.
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Achilles RISQS accreditation empowers Impulse in the rail market
RISQS is the supplier pre-qualification service used by buyers of products and services throughout the UK rail industry. This includes Network Rail, Transport for London, passenger and freight operating companies, rolling stock organisations, main infrastructure contractors and many other buying organisations in the management of supply chain risk.