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The NRE Modernisation (NREM) project, delivered in partnership with Train Information Services Limited (TISL), involved the redesign, build, and deployment of the AWS infrastructure supporting the latest version of the National Rail Enquiries (NRE) applications. NRE, operated by RDG, provides essential information on train times, routes, and fares for passengers across the UK rail network.
NRE's data services are powered by three core sources: Knowledgebase (KB), Darwin, and the Online Journey Planner (OJP). Colibri maintains a strong partnership with TISL, supporting the AWS-hosted, business-critical applications and services that power its digital platforms, including NRE.
The AWS-hosted NRE solution had evolved over many years and was due for a technical refresh to deliver modern services and a new progressive web application, replacing the legacy internal and public websites.
TISL engaged Colibri as a trusted advisor to define the infrastructure requirements for the enhanced NRE platform, designed with two distinct tiers: front-end and back-end.
"As a trusted partner to RDG, we engaged Colibri early on in the design phase of the website upgrade. Colibri was able to supply highly skilled resources to help us build the solution and offer advice and technical support throughout the development phase. Colibri was able to adapt and respond to our changing needs as the rail industry moves around us! We continue to work with Colibri through the next phases of the NRE Modernisation programme, and they will remain a key partner in our success."
In partnership with TISL and third-party application vendors, Colibri led the design of a new AWS infrastructure tailored to support both the back-end services and web-based applications, most notably the Online Journey Planner (OJP).
For the front-end, Colibri managed the AWS account, ensuring optimal performance and security of deployed resources. This included monitoring key metrics and logs, such as container and synthetic data, along with configuring dashboards to proactively detect and resolve issues.
On the back-end, Colibri collaborated with TISL and external vendors responsible for publishing application container images to Amazon Elastic Container Registry(ECR). The infrastructure was continuously adapted to align with supplier requirements, with Colibri configuring and managing Amazon ECS Fargate to optimise performance.
Working closely with all stakeholders, the team deployed, tested, and refined the solution through an iterative release plan. With successful implementation completed in May 2023, the platform was handed over to Colibri’s Managed Service team for ongoing support and maintenance.
Through close collaboration with TISL and its partners, this initiative has established a modern, efficient infrastructure, setting a new benchmark for online services within the rail industry.
A key improvement is the implementation of a resilient architecture spanning two AWS Availability Zones, ensuring high availability and reduced downtime, even in the event of disruptions.
The use of serverless technology enables automatic scaling based on container metrics, optimising performance and resource usage in real time to meet user demand.
Terraform scripts support rapid and consistent infrastructure deployment, allowing updates and new features to be rolled out with speed and ease.
The platform is integrated with the parent security hub, ensuring a strong security posture and robust protection of sensitive data.
In addition, a next-generation monitoring solution was implemented using Amazon CloudWatch, combining statistical analysis and machine learning to deliver real-time visibility, early issue detection, and actionable insights.
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