"Wallaby" makes big tracks in the UK

Monash Railway Express (MREx) has achieved outstanding results at the 2026 Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) Railway Challenge, finishing fourth overall against leading university and industry teams from around the world.

Held at the Stapleford Miniature Railway in the United Kingdom, the prestigious competition challenges students, apprentices and graduates to demonstrate their engineering expertise, innovation and teamwork through the design, construction and operation of a miniature locomotive in a live testing environment.

Competing in its first full Railway Challenge, the Monash team impressed judges across multiple categories. MREx claimed first place in the Technical and Aesthetic Poster Challenge; Design Challenge; and Reliability Challenge. They also received an honorary (and amusing) "Furthest Travelled Competitor" award from event hosts, the Friends of Stapleford Miniature Railway (FSMR).

Professor Ravi Ravitharan, Director of the Monash Institute of Railway Technology (IRT), said the team's achievement reflected months of dedication and preparation, as well as strong support from the broader rail community. He said "Well done MREx team. You have made us all proud of your tireless effort and achieving this mammoth task. Congratulations!"

Learn more about the Challenge here.