---
title: R&D tax relief claims in the Rail Industry
description: We claim R&D tax relief for clients in the rail industry supply chain, involved in infrastructure development, train maintenance, equipment and trains.
image: https://blog.shorts.uk.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Train%20Railway%20signal%20light.jpeg
---

[![Shorts_logo_White](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/hubfs/New%20Site%202018/Shorts_logo_White.svg "Shorts_logo_White")](https://www.shorts.uk.com/)

[Blogs & News](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/) > [RADIUS - R&D Tax Relief & Patent Box](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/radius-rd-tax-relief-patent-box)

# R&D tax relief claims in the Rail Industry

Scott Burkinshaw - 29 June 2019

###### Select topic

- Please Select -

[ Audit ](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/audit) [ Business Taxes ](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/business-taxes) [ Radius – R&D Tax Relief & Patent Box ](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/radius-rd-tax-relief-patent-box) [ Corporate Finance ](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/corporate-finance) [ GENUS Management Accounts ](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/genus-management-accounts) [ VAT ](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/vat) [ Private Client ](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/private-client) [ Payroll ](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/payroll) [ EOT ](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/eot) [ International Taxes ](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/international-taxes)

![featured image](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Train%20Railway%20signal%20light.jpeg)

###### Many of our clients based locally operate in the rail industry supply chain and are involved in the development of infrastructure, train maintenance equipment and the trains themselves.  Arguably the rail industry in the UK has suffered from under investment in recent years.  This has led to R&D being undertaken by our clients to help the network to be maintained more efficiently, to improve the efficiency and quality of trains and also to modernise the actual tracks.  The rail industry is a heavily regulated area, which itself often leads to R&D being required to ensure ongoing compliance with a variety of requirements.

However, we often come across activities that lead to successful [R&D tax relief claims](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/rd-tax-credits-explained) in the rail industry supply chain.

**Carriage heating and air conditioning units for over and underground trains**

There are many regulatory restrictions on the type of heating and cooling units which can be used in train carriages.  In addition, there are often limitations in terms of the space the units can take up and the maximum surface temperature they can reach.  Also, in many cases train companies prefer to recondition existing train units rather than build new ones from scratch.  All these restrictions necessitate R&D regarding heating systems to ensure the appropriate carriage temperature can be met and maintained.

**Innovation to reduce the number of points failures**

One of the leading causes of delayed trains is points failure.  Innovation in this area to remove human error in the positioning of the switches has led to the development of new technology which contributes to a more efficient railway.

**New generation of switches and crossings**

In the last few years Network Rail has introduced a new generation of switches and crossings to the railway.  This had led to innovation to ensure these new switches and crossings integrate fully with the rest of the track.

**Swift replacement of fixtures**

When work is undertaken on the railway which necessitate the closure of lines, strict timetables will be put in place and fines charged if the deadlines for completing the work are not met.  Problems removing specific components which need to be replaced were a common cause of such delays and R&D was undertaken improve maintenance equipment to reduce the time this takes, thus minimising overruns.

**Maintenance apparatus**

Significant R&D was undertaken to enable the development of apparatus with the ability to transfer heavier trains.  In addition, work was carried out to improve turntables.  Both of these developments increase the efficiency of freight management.

**Software**

New software was developed to improve the training given to train drivers by using virtual environments.

The above are just a few examples of specific claims we encounter in one industry, the rail industry. There are many other examples for different industries, for example, precision engineering, medical components and the automotive industry, which we will cover in future articles.

We have produced a range of guides, covering R&D Tax Relief, which are available for download within our [resource library](https://www.shorts.uk.com/resource-library/).  If you wish to discuss claiming R&D tax relief with a member of our team, then please get in touch and arrange [your free, no obligation consultation](https://info.shorts.uk.com/research-and-development-tax-relief).

[![Claim your free consultation](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2442072/2be555ab-96dd-4835-920d-554fd09cb413.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2442072/2be555ab-96dd-4835-920d-554fd09cb413)

Other recent articles:

- [Overseas R&D - Does it affect tax relief claims?](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/overseas-rd-does-it-affect-rd-tax-relief-claims)
- [Guide to making a successful R&D Claim](https://info.shorts.uk.com/r-d-tax-credits-guide-to-making-claim)
- [R&D Tax Credit Eligibility Checklist](https://info.shorts.uk.com/rd_tax_credit_eligibility_checklist)

 

![author](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/hubfs/Scott%20Burkinshaw%20600x600-1.jpg)

#### Scott Burkinshaw

I am Head of Business Taxes at Shorts, where I lead our specialist Radius team focusing on R&D tax relief. As a Chartered Tax Adviser with over a decade of experience at national and international firms, I work with businesses and their owners to provide strategic corporate and personal tax advice. My expertise includes R&D tax relief, business disposals and acquisitions, and long-term tax planning, helping clients achieve their goals in the most efficient way.

[View my articles](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/author/scott-burkinshaw)

 Tags: [RADIUS - R&D Tax Relief & Patent Box](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/radius-rd-tax-relief-patent-box), [Business Taxes](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/business-taxes)

Share this on

- <https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.shorts.uk.com/rd-tax-relief-claims-in-the-rail-industry>
- <https://twitter.com/home?status=https://blog.shorts.uk.com/rd-tax-relief-claims-in-the-rail-industry&url=https://blog.shorts.uk.com/rd-tax-relief-claims-in-the-rail-industry&source=tweetbutton&text=>
- <https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.shorts.uk.com/rd-tax-relief-claims-in-the-rail-industry>

[Questions? Get in touch with us](https://www.shorts.uk.com/contact/)

###### Tax Saving Guide 2026-27

 Written especially for entrepreneurs and owner-managed businesses, this guide is full of planning ideas and tax risks to avoid. 

[ Download now ](https://info.shorts.uk.com/en-gb/tax-saving-guide)

![Tax saving guide 2026-27](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tax%20saving%20guide%202024.jpg?width=375&height=465&name=Tax%20saving%20guide%202024.jpg)

###### Related articles

##### [Free expert review of your R&D Tax Relief claims](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/free-expert-review-of-your-rd-tax-relief-claims)

##### [What to expect from an HMRC Enquiry into your R&D Tax Relief claim](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/radius/what-to-expect-from-an-hmrc-enquiry-into-your-rd-tax-relief-claim)

##### [Overseas R&D – Does it Affect R&D Tax Relief Claims?](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/overseas-rd-does-it-affect-rd-tax-relief-claims)

##### [R&D tax relief case studies – how we help clients save tax](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/rd-tax-relief-case-studies-how-we-save-tax)

###### Latest articles

[A case of aggressive tax avoidance: Glasgow Rangers Football Club](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/aggressive-tax-avoidance-affect-you)

[What is VAT? - Complete Guide (Updated for 2025/26)](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/what-is-vat)

[Ashgate Hospice Sparkle Night Walk 2026](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/ashgate-hospice-sparkle-night-walk-2026)

[Stocktaking guide for UK businesses](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/stocktaking-guide-for-uk-businesses)

[Supporting the Chatsworth Cascade for future generations](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/supporting-the-chatsworth-cascade-for-future-generations)

[Deal of the Year win at Insider Dealmakers Awards 2026](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/deal-of-the-year-win-at-insider-dealmakers-awards-2026)

[Football shirt Wednesday: Backing England in style](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/football-shirt-wednesday-backing-england-in-style)

[Understanding lifetime trusts: the basics](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/understanding-lifetime-trusts-the-basics)

[Close company directors face new HMRC detail requirements in 2026](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/close-company-directors-face-new-hmrc-detail-requirements-in-2026)

[Shorts advise Harris Irwin Architects on successful growth funding.](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/shorts-advise-harris-irwin-architects-on-successful-growth-funding)

#### About Us

Use this little footer to reinforce your message about who you are and why people love working with you. And since this is a global module, you only have to edit it once to make the changes across every page it appears on.

[Learn More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/rd-tax-relief-claims-in-the-rail-industry#)

#### More Links

#### Contact Us

[fa icon="phone"]  

[fa icon="envelope"]  [yourname@company.com](mailto:yourname@company.com)

[fa icon="home"]  Cedar House, 63 Napier Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S11 8HN, | 2 Ashgate Road, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 4AA | (0114) 2671617 / (01246) 559955

[[fa icon="facebook-square"]Facebook](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/rd-tax-relief-claims-in-the-rail-industry#) [[fa icon="linkedin-square"]Linkedin](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/rd-tax-relief-claims-in-the-rail-industry#) [[fa icon="twitter-square"]Twitter](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/rd-tax-relief-claims-in-the-rail-industry#) [[fa icon="pinterest-square"]Pinterest](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/rd-tax-relief-claims-in-the-rail-industry#)

 Copyright 2026 | Designed with [fa icon="heart"] by [HubSpot](https://www.hubspot.com)

[[fa icon="chevron-up"]Back to top](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/rd-tax-relief-claims-in-the-rail-industry#)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Scott Burkinshaw",
    "url" : "https://blog.shorts.uk.com/author/scott-burkinshaw"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2022-08-22T10:53:42.587Z",
  "datePublished" : "2019-06-29T08:00:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "R&D tax relief claims in the Rail Industry",
  "image" : [ "https://blog.shorts.uk.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Train%20Railway%20signal%20light.jpeg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.shorts.uk.com/rd-tax-relief-claims-in-the-rail-industry",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blog.shorts.uk.com/hubfs/2018%20Shorts%20logo%20with%20transparent%20background%20.png"
    },
    "name" : "Shorts"
  }
}
```