About the AWG

The Adhesion Working Group (AWG) is a non-profit making, cross-industry focus group with the sole objective of researching and developing initiatives to combat the effects of low wheel / rail adhesion. The Group was formed by British Rail in 1995 and has continued into the privatised rail industry as a self-funded group.

A Managing Group, chaired by Adrian Shooter, Chairman of Chiltern Railways, meets two-monthly at which workload, new initiatives, progress and funding are discussed.

As well as developing new concepts the Group stimulates the sharing of information by regular conferences, events, informational videos and a twice-yearly newsletter, GRIPPING STUFF. Rail industry companies can become members of AWG through annual subscription which entitles them to access all previous material funded by the AWG. The subscription membership also includes free attendance at AWG sponsored events, and to receive copies of literature and reports generated throughout the year.

The work of the group can be seen in the products and processes that have spawned from AWG’s work, including trainborne sanders for traction and braking, improved WSP systems, low adhesion predictive models and automatic low adhesion warning systems.

This Web Site has been set up to assist in AWG’s aim to raise awareness of low wheel/rail adhesion issues and to attract a wider input from outside traditional main line UK railways.

The adhesion research work commissioned by AWG, including recommendations arising within reports, is distributed to the industry on the basis of sharing and promoting good practice. Companies using this information are reminded of their obligations as Railway Safety Case Duty Holders that they must ensure that such information is appropriate to their activities and responsibilities. AWG does not accept liability for the use of material provided.