Railways
Lighting solutions from ticket offices to depots
Lighting for railway premises must meet stringent standards and provide a safe and comfortable environment, increasing security and passenger confidence. Thorlux has worked with Network Rail and train operators for many years, designing indoor and outdoor luminaires that provide peace of mind to the public and staff. With a dedicated, in-house rail lighting design team, Thorlux provides solutions to help meet the rail industry’s four key 4C challenges - increased capacity, reduced carbon, lower costs, and customer satisfaction.
Railways Application Guide
Sustainability in rail lighting
demonstrating a commitment to the future
Thorlux Lighting, as a part of FW Thorpe Plc Group, has set its target to reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040, ten years before the UK government’s 2050 net-zero target. The Group has had its net-zero target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) under the Net-Zero Standard.
Carbon-neutral manufacturer
Sustainability and concern for the environment are at the core of Thorlux Lighting’s business philosophy. The company has been certified as carbon neutral since 2012, with systems for reduction, measurement, and certified offsetting. An independent third party has confirmed this status using the international ISO 14064-1 standard.
High-efficiency LED technology
Modern LED lighting technology is a superior proposition for the rail sector, offering a longer operating life, greater efficiency, increased durability, and vibration resistance. Thorlux manufactures its LED luminaires in the UK, which reduces embodied carbon compared to imported products and ensures quality.
Wireless lighting management systems
SmartScan is a revolutionary wireless lighting management system that maximises energy savings and automates emergency lighting testing and record keeping. Using daylight dimming and presence detection reduces luminaire usage and energy consumption, ensuring sustainable lighting in the rail environment.
Use of sustainable materials
Thorlux uses a range of materials and production methods to maximise the sustainability of its products. Whether making the Firefly emergency luminaire housing from 100% recycled plastic or using European oak for the Acorn floodlight, Thorlux engineers strive to provide environmentally friendly solutions.
Easy to maintain and recycle
Thorlux designs its luminaires for easy, quick maintenance and upkeep. This is particularly important in busy rail environments where maintenance disruption must be kept to a minimum and is often carried out at night, when services are less frequent. Thorlux also designs its luminaires to be easily disassembled and recycled at the end of their working lives.
Low-emission deliveries
Thorlux has reduced its environmental impact by investing in a new fleet of electric and biofuel-powered delivery vehicles, as part of an ongoing strategy to increase sustainable transportation to UK customers. The electric vans utilise 100% green energy generated from 3,000 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels located at the company’s headquarters.
Sustainable packaging
Thorlux is working to make all its product packaging sustainable. Cardboard boxes are made with 100% recycled, biodegradable, FSC-certified cardboard to ensure the highest level of sustainability. Paper-based packing tape is used instead of vinyl or plastic.
Thorlux services for railways
"Rail is driven by compliance and safety, deriving from a unique set of standards that include both rail industry and British standards. Navigating these is challenging, which is where Thorlux comes in.
"Besides supply, we can provide a full turnkey solution, including concept design, business case production, supply, and installation. Having the lighting manufacturer take the reins on the whole delivery adds value and removes risk. We also provide an innovative control system with supporting after-sales service to meet our customers’ needs, which are unique to the rail sector.
“Thorlux Lighting is a RISQS-accredited supplier in the UK rail industry’s supplier assurance scheme, confirming that our organisation has the management systems, safety controls, and operational processes required to supply products or services to buyers including train operating companies, Network Rail, Transport for London, and London Underground.”
Andre Dobraszczyk
Business Development Manager for Railways and Infrastructure
Railway industry compliance expertise
Thorlux has an in-house specialist railway team with extensive experience of standards for different types of railway premises, including:
- Rail Industry Standard for Lighting at Stations RIS-7702-INS Iss2 September 2026
- BS EN 12464-1:2021 Light and Lighting Of Internal Workplaces
- BS EN 12464-2:2014 Light and Lighting Of External Workplaces
- The Railway Group Standard for the Interface between Station Platforms, Track, Trains and Buffer Stops RIS-7016-INS Issue 1.1 June 2019
- Code of Practice Guidance NR/GN/CV/200/08 (2024) Lighting Design in Stations
- Lighting Enhancements for Driver controlled Operation of Trains (DCO) trains as prescribed RIS-7016-INS Issue 1.1 June 2019
- RIS-2703-RST Issue 2 December 2018 Driver Controller Operation (DCO) On-Train Camera/Monitors (OTCM)
- DFT Design Standards for Accessible Railway Stations Version 4 March 2015
- GIGN7520 and GIGN7621
- Other regional standards
Bespoke and heritage products
Thorlux recognises that no two railway premises are precisely alike and are often home to unique and individual features. In these cases, standard luminaires may not provide the desired solution. There may be challenges associated with space constraints/restrictions, unusual fixing methods where special bracketry may be required, or unique luminaires that require retrofit or replacement.
Our rigorous in-house product testing, plus a multi-million pound investment in metal forming machines, ensures that we can design and manufacture custom luminaires that meet both the application’s needs and the customer’s expectations. Whether modifying a standard product in our range or creating a completely new design, Thorlux can create the perfect luminaire for the project.
Building management integrations
The award-winning Thorlux SmartScan control system integrates seamlessly with other platforms, equipment, and management systems, including solar power, air quality sensors, people counters, and more. SmartScan can help visualise data from all these sources in one convenient dashboard.
SmartScan is one of the market's most trusted lighting management systems. It is a subscription-free platform that controls internal, external, and emergency lighting in one place.
Furthermore, Thorlux Lighting’s in-house web development and site support teams enable constant product innovation and collaboration with SmartScan users.
Retrofit solutions
In the rail environment, retrofit lighting offers real advantages. Upgrading fittings to modern LEDs can substantially cut electricity consumption, operational costs, and greenhouse gas emissions. Modernising existing lighting rather than replacing wholesale reduces waste, demonstrating sound environmental responsibility. Modern LEDs also enhance visibility and light quality, creating a more comfortable, pleasant environment. Intelligent controls like the Thorlux SmartScan system enable presence detection, saving energy by ensuring luminaires are active only when needed. SmartScan's wireless connectivity eliminates the need for new cabling, speeding up installations and minimising any requirement for structural work.
Tailored lighting control solutions
Lighting control systems offer ultimate flexibility while enhancing sustainability performance. The Thorlux SmartScan system can be tailored to the user's needs to maximise effectiveness.
Controls can be used to alter lighting, enhancing product displays or merchandise messaging, ensuring it remains prominent regardless of the ambient light level during different times of the day or year.
SmartScan can monitor natural daylight levels and reduce output automatically in response. This reduces cost whilst maintaining the required light levels. Furthermore, the system can proactively test emergency lighting to ensure compliance and maintain safety standards.
Reliable emergency lighting protected by a Thorlux warranty of up to 10 years
Emergency lighting is critical for safety, ensuring the well-being of customers and staff during unexpected events like power outages. It provides illumination to guide individuals to exits, reducing the risk of panic or accidents in potentially chaotic situations, particularly in busy railway premises.
Properly installed and maintained emergency lighting ensures compliance with regulations and publicly demonstrates a commitment to safety.
Thorlux has developed in-depth industry knowledge and experience from working with rail operators, Network Rail, and the Department for Transport, and can provide professional guidance to the requirements for your application.
Thorlux Railways projects.
Boston Lodge, Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways
University Station
Lille Flandres Train Station
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
Redditch Station
Network Rail Maintenance Depot
Thorlux turnkey process
Project discovery
First, we get to know you and establish your objectives. We conduct an in-depth site survey to assess your current lighting system and pinpoint the issues, determining current levels of compliance.
Design and planning
We propose options for rail-specific lighting system designs that significantly increase efficiency and offer impressive returns on investment. We can produce applications for landlord's consent, including conducting structural evaluations of lighting columns. Additionally, we have experience in listed building consultation and consent. With the plan agreed, we build the new factory to order at our UK factory.
Installation and commissioning
Our team of qualified, experienced engineers install and then commission the new lighting system. We plan this with you to minimise disruption and optimise effectiveness. We conduct a post-light level verification to confirm compliance of the new system.
Handover and through-life support
The last step of the process is to train all relevant personnel to use the new lighting system. We can produce handover documentation in line with Network Rail/landlord requirements. All our products are subject to a 5-year warranty; support is only a phone call away.
Why choose Thorlux?
Reliability you can depend on.
Thorlux Lighting is the largest company in the FW Thorpe Group, a multinational organisation with net assets exceeding £175 million. Over 90% of Thorlux products are manufactured in the UK. The company holds BS EN ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management Systems) certification, and every luminaire manufactured undergoes rigorous testing before dispatch.
Lighting a greener tomorrow
For the last two decades, Thorlux Lighting, as part of the FW Thorpe Plc Group, has worked hard to reduce its environmental impact, and we are proud of the progress made.
A genuine warranty with genuine value.
The Thorlux product warranty offered to customers covers five years, with no get-out clauses for the number of burning hours or maintenance requirements, and no convoluted registration process. Furthermore, several of the latest LiFePO4 battery-equipped Thorlux emergency luminaires have a ten-year warranty as standard.
Leading the way in intelligent lighting innovations.
Since developing its first eco controls in the mid-1990s, Thorlux has led the field in lighting control innovations. Intelligent IoT lighting controls provide numerous advantages, including reduced energy consumption, extended luminaire lifespan, automated emergency testing, targeted maintenance and more.
Learn more about SmartScanQuality testing, guaranteed performance.
Rigorous product testing is essential in maintaining a reputation for reliability and quality.
Expert technical support and professional on-site commissioning.
The Thorlux Technical Services department is ready to answer all queries regarding Thorlux products and their use in specific environments.
The company also offers a professional on-site commissioning service to configure products to provide the desired performance and return on investment. For this service, Thorlux employs its own fully trained personnel.
