Rail
Building services and sustainable design consultancy for Rail
Engineering resilient, sustainable rail facilities
SDS is a trusted Building services and sustainable design consultancy to the UK rail industry, helping operators, contractors and infrastructure providers deliver safe, efficient and sustainable rail facilities. From stations and depots to control centres and passenger systems, our engineers design practical solutions that enhance resilience, cut carbon, and meet the highest industry standards.
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Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) Design
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Sustainability & Net Zero Solutions
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Digital Engineering & BIM
Lewis Oatway
Head of Rail
Lewis leads our rail sector, with extensive experience delivering MEP solutions for depots, stations, and operational facilities. He works closely with clients to navigate the technical demands of rail projects, ensuring designs are safe, compliant, and sustainable while minimising disruption to operations.
Our Rail Expertise
- MEP Design for Rail Environments – Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health (MEPH) systems designed for stations, depots, control centres and maintenance facilities.
- Network Rail Compliance – PACE stage design support, Form submissions, and Contractors Responsible Engineer (CRE) appointments to ensure compliance with Network Rail and DfT standards.
- Digital Engineering – BIM Level 2 delivery in Revit, ISO 19650-aligned processes, 3D modelling, digital twins, and clash detection for risk-free coordination.
- Sustainability & Net Zero – Low and zero-carbon systems, energy-efficient depot upgrades, EV charging infrastructure, and TM54 performance assessments.
- Specialist Systems – Lighting, security, PA/VA, passenger information, HVAC, shore supplies, LEV, and acoustic/fire engineering
Why rail clients choose SDS
- Proven experience – delivering projects such as Bletchley Rail Depot (£68m), Norwich Crown Point Depot (£40m), Taunton HOOB and Sudbury Station upgrades.
- Expert in live rail environments – designing and sequencing works to minimise disruption to passengers and operations.
- Digital delivery leaders – producing fully coordinated 3D BIM models that support smooth construction and long-term asset management.
- Sustainability built-in – a Net Carbon Negative consultancy since 2021, helping rail clients achieve their net-zero targets.
- Trusted by national partners – working with Network Rail, Greater Anglia, West Midlands Trains, GWR, March Engineering Progress Ltd, and Sisk Rail.
Shaping the future of rail infrastructure
We are proud to support the modernisation and decarbonisation of the UK’s rail network. By combining technical expertise with a collaborative approach, SDS helps deliver safe, resilient, and sustainable rail infrastructure that benefits passengers, operators, and communities alike.
“We have worked with SDS on several Rail Projects to date. The team have consistently delivered accurate, detailed designs following the PACE Network Rail design procedures and delivered designs to the programme. SDS have worked collaboratively with us and the design team and responded promptly to our requests”
John Statham, March Engineering Progress Ltd
Get in touch
Whether you’re looking to maximise energy performance or navigate the complexities of service coordination on constrained sites, SDS offers the insight, flexibility, and technical expertise to act as your trusted MEP partner. We will work with you at every stage to deliver efficient, buildable solutions that work.
