The International Workshop on Railway Noise (IWRN) 2025 aims to focus on connecting some of the best researchers and engineers of the globe on the subject of train noise and vibration. This workshop has been held regularly since 1976, and since 1995 has been held every three years as part of an extended effort to better understand the noise and vibration concerns of railways. The 15th edition (IWRN15) of the workshop is scheduled to take place between the 15th and 19th of September 2025 on the Isla de la Toja, located in the North West of Spain in the region of Galicia, known for the scenic “Rías Baixas” and charming coastal views.
Like the previous times, IWRN15 is the first time the workshop is held in Spain, which recently has had an interest in the development of railways due to the traditional railway culture of the country and the positive attitude of the government in recent decades. This greatly adds more enthusiasm and meaning to the event organizers and the participants of the event. The venue, Isla de la Toja, is beautiful and peaceful, which enables the participants to do extensive scholarly activities in the daytime and relish the capture of culture and the fine local cuisine at the other times. The workshop itself and the other activities for the participants of the workshop promotes the systematic exploration of railway noise and vibrations.
Of REOR 2025 an improvement to the previous years of the workshop is the addition of an online option to participate at the event from any part of the globe. People who do not wish to travel to Spain can still participate as they can attend to live and record sessions and other materials for the conference from outside the country. This hybrid format broadens the reach and impact of the workshop in advancing research and practical solutions to railway noise challenges.
The IWRN workshop is about airborne, groundborne, and structure-borne noise and vibration in railway systems. It collects ivory tower academic and industrial specialists, government experts, and practitioners from all over the world to discuss the latest findings and innovations and best practices to reduce the environmental and operational effects of railway noise.
To sum up, IWRN15 in 2025 is an important international conference that promotes cooperation and sharing of ideas in the area of railway noise and vibration among specialists. It is enhanced by choosing the Isla de la Toja, Spain, shoreline as the conference place, which adds an extra dimension of balance between technology and culture. The mix of physical hosting and active virtual participation confirms the growing engagement and inclusion of the international railway noise research community in IWRN’s long-standing tradition in this area since 1976. It is also something that the event leaves as a memorable touch to the participants from all parts of the world.