What DGauge does

DGauge Ltd is a Derby-based railway clearance and gauging specialist founded in 2008 and operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of TÜV Rheinland Group since January 2023. The firm sells cloud-based SaaS software (D/Gauge Rift for structure, route and platform clearance; D/Gauge Flow for platform stepping distance) alongside a high-margin gauging consultancy practice, serving rail infrastructure managers (Network Rail, ARTC, TfL, London Underground, Amtrak), rolling stock manufacturers and operators (Hitachi, Bombardier, Stadler, Clayton Equipment, MTR Elizabeth line, CrossCountry, Southeastern, G&W), and engineering consultancies (WSP, Arcadis, Mott MacDonald, Jacobs, Tony Gee). Its core technology is an in-house developed SaaS platform with full integration to Network Rail's National Gauging Database (NGD), supported by a proprietary probabilistic pantograph gauging methodology (Monte Carlo simulation) and dynamic vehicle modelling via VAMPIRE Pro.

DGauge generates revenue through multi-year SaaS subscriptions priced on a two-component model (number of users plus number of Gauging Engines), fixed-term enterprise consultancy engagements, and dynamic vehicle modelling services; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales, free software trials and demonstrations, an in-house CPD-certified training course, and an industry-event sponsorship strategy (headline sponsor of IMechE Railway Gauging and Clearance 2025). The flagship Cordel Group partnership delivers an integrated LiDAR/AI-scanning-to-clearance offering that has anchored the £3.2M Network Rail RDGS contract, the 6.5-year Amtrak contract and the G&W US freight contract. The firm holds ISO 9001 (UKAS), Cyber Security Essentials and GDPR certifications, and D/Gauge Rift is Network Rail approved and accepted.

Name

DGauge

Legal name

DGauge Ltd

Website

https://dgauge.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DGauge provides SaaS clearance-assessment software (D/Gauge Rift, D/Gauge Flow) and specialist gauging consultancy to rail infrastructure managers, rolling stock manufacturers, operators, and engineering consultancies, with deep integration to Network Rail's National Gauging Database.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Railway Engineering Software

NAICS

Support Activities for Rail Transportation (48821)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Rail Asset Inspection, Monitoring & Diagnostics (Track Geometry, Wayside Sensors) (TLAJADAG)

Keywords

• Railway clearance software
• Gauging consultancy
• Rail infrastructure software
• Dynamic vehicle modelling
• Pantograph gauging services

Headquarters

HQ city

Derby

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. SaaS Software Licences - D/Gauge Rift: Subscription-based SaaS pricing model for D/Gauge Rift clearance software. Pricing has two components: number of users and number of Gauging Engines (G-Engines) required. All new features and enhancements are included in the price. Each user has a unique login for audit and accessibility purposes.
2. SaaS Software Licences - D/Gauge Flow: Subscription-based SaaS for D/Gauge Flow platform stepping distance software.
3. Railway Clearance Consultancy Services: Agile consultancy services covering conventional gauging assessments, bespoke gauging projects, electrification support, freight clearance, dynamic vehicle modelling, and vehicle introduction certification. Services span all project sizes from routine to novel/complex.
4. Dynamic Vehicle Modelling Services: Service using VAMPIRE Pro software to create and simulate dynamic vehicle models for clearance and safety assessment. Includes project management, data sourcing, and output ownership.
5. Training and Education: D/Gauge offers a CPD-certified 'Gauging 101 Course' and a 3-hour training course for D/Gauge Rift software.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

DGauge provides cloud-based SaaS clearance assessment software and specialist gauging consultancy for the railway industry. Its core products are D/Gauge Rift, an intelligent clearance assessment platform performing structure, platform, and passing clearance calculations with full National Gauging Database integration, and D/Gauge Flow, a stepping distance software for passenger platform safety. These are complemented by agile gauging consultancy services including probabilistic pantograph gauging, dynamic vehicle modelling using VAMPIRE Pro, and bespoke engineering solutions.

Product overview

DGauge offers a portfolio of railway clearance assessment solutions comprising two core SaaS software products and consultancy services. D/Gauge Rift is an intelligent clearance assessment platform for track design and infrastructure, while D/Gauge Flow focuses on platform stepping distance management. These software products are complemented by expert consultancy services including conventional gauging assessments, probabilistic pantograph gauging, dynamic vehicle modelling (using VAMPIRE Pro), and bespoke engineering solutions. The company also provides CPD-certified training courses. The software offerings are delivered as cloud-based SaaS with simplified pricing based on users and Gauging Engines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• D/Gauge Rift Intelligent clearance assessment SaaS platform for track and infrastructure engineers performing structure clearance assessments, platform clearance assessments, passing clearances between vehicles, and stepping distance calculations. Features import/save/reuse of source survey data files, full National Gauging Database integration, PDF/Excel report generation, interactive track design functionality, and a full interactive vehicle library including Network Rail permissions. Network Rail approved and accepted.
• D/Gauge Flow Stepping distance SaaS software that protects people at platforms, providing live, accurate passenger stepping risk mapping for Train Operating Companies. Used daily by Station Managers and PTI Risk Managers (e.g., Southeastern, West Midlands Railway) to manage stepping risk across every train, timetable, and platform in the UK.
• Clearance Assessment Services Core consultancy service providing measurement and analysis of train-to-network compatibility, including structure clearances, pantograph clearances, passing clearances, and route planning for infrastructure upgrades and oversized cargo transport.
• Dynamic Vehicle Modelling Advanced vehicle dynamics service using VAMPIRE Pro software to create realistic digital simulations of railway vehicle movement, capturing mechanical behaviours, suspension characteristics, and wheel-rail interaction for accurate clearance assessments.
• Probabilistic Pantograph Gauging Innovative gauging methodology using Monte Carlo simulation to generate probability distributions of clearance results over representative lifetimes, enabling tighter clearances while maintaining safety margins.
• Agile Consultancy Services Expert gauging consultancy for projects of all sizes, covering vehicle design, infrastructure design, electrification, and train movements. Includes freight clearance, pantograph clearance, vehicle dynamic modelling (VAMPIRE), and Network Rail Compatibility support.
• Gauging 101 Course CPD certified training course covering gauging fundamentals and components, designed to bring professionals up to speed on clearance assessment principles and practices.
• D/Gauge Rift Training Course 3-hour optional training course for D/Gauge Rift software users, providing hands-on support for individuals and larger teams requiring assistance with the clearance assessment platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• £366 million saved for Network Rail Scotland through probabilistic pantograph gauging across 1,800 Single Track Kilometres and 560 structures
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers35 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• TÜV Rheinland GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 January 2023In January 2023, D/Gauge became a subsidiary of TÜV Rheinland Group, an international organisation focused on quality, safety, and assurance operating in over 60 countries with over 27,000 employees. The acquisition strengthens TÜV Rheinland's rail business in the UK and beyond. D/Gauge's clearance software and consultancy services complement TÜV Rheinland's existing portfolio, confirmed by joint customer projects with Network Rail, Hitachi, and others. The acquisition enables international growth and provides D/Gauge with access to TÜV Rheinland's established global sales channels.
• Measurex ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 October 2021D/Gauge partners with Measurex Consulting for engineering measurement and railway surveying services. Jon Bylo, owner and founder of Measurex, provides survey data including track geometry, platforms, and signalling equipment measurements for use in D/Gauge's gauging analysis. The partnership was featured in a joint project for the Glasgow Subway with Hitachi Rail, where D/Gauge provides clearance analysis and Measurex provides surveying.
• Cordel Group PLCflagshipTechnology or Integration · 8 September 2021Partnership between D/Gauge and Cordel delivers automated intelligent gauging for UK and international railways. Cordel's LiDAR/AI scanning and data processing is combined with D/Gauge's clearance algorithms. The partnership has secured major contracts: Network Rail RDGS/NGD (£3.2M, 6.5 years), Amtrak Automated Clearance Solution (6.5 years), and Genesee & Wyoming US freight contract. Cordel's AI interprets railway point cloud data for gauging purposes while D/Gauge provides the clearance engine and reporting.
• Bonner RailminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2020Bonner Rail was the initial development partner for D/Gauge Rift clearance software, working alongside D/Gauge's track engineers and software team to shape the product based on real industry pinch points in clearance assessment processes.
• VAMPIRE Pro (SNC-Lavalin)coreTechnology or IntegrationD/Gauge uses VAMPIRE Pro simulation software from SNC-Lavalin for dynamic vehicle modelling. VAMPIRE Pro is the industry-standard approved technology for understanding vehicle motions in real-life scenarios and is used for D/Gauge's dynamic vehicle modelling service.
• University of DerbyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerD/Gauge has an active relationship with the University of Derby Innovation Centre. Marketing Manager Mandeep Singh participated in innovation events hosted at the university. The company also has connections with the University of Huddersfield (logo-listed) for rail research collaboration.
• UKRRIN (UK Rail Research and Innovation Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. David Johnson, D/Gauge Technical Director, was appointed Visiting Professor at the University of Southampton as part of UKRRIN's Centre of Excellence for Railway Infrastructure. This connects D/Gauge to a network of five universities (Southampton, Sheffield, Nottingham, Heriot-Watt, Loughborough) for rail research collaboration.
• Innovate UKminorOthersInnovate UK is listed among D/Gauge's clients and partners, suggesting collaboration on UK government-funded rail research and innovation projects.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cordel Group PLC: Cordel is D/Gauge's flagship technology partner providing LiDAR scanning and AI interpretation of railway point cloud data that feeds D/Gauge's clearance engine. The two jointly deliver end-to-end automated gauging solutions, making Cordel both a partner and the closest functional peer in the rail clearance data pipeline.
• Ricardo: Ricardo is a rail engineering consultancy and software provider offering vehicle dynamics, rail systems integration, and clearance services. With deep UK and European rail footprint, Ricardo competes directly with D/Gauge's consultancy business for rail gauging and vehicle introduction projects.

Broad incumbents

• AtkinsRéalis (SNC-Lavalin): AtkinsRéalis owns VAMPIRE Pro, the industry-standard rail vehicle dynamics simulation software that D/Gauge licenses for its dynamic vehicle modelling service. AtkinsRéalis is a major rail engineering consultancy and software provider with overlapping capability in gauging, dynamic vehicle simulation, and rail infrastructure design.
• Bentley Systems: Bentley provides infrastructure engineering software (OpenRail, AssetWise) widely used in rail design, asset management, and clearance workflows. As a large incumbent in rail digital twin and BIM, Bentley represents a potential consolidator or competitor for D/Gauge's clearance software category.
• Trimble: Trimble provides rail surveying, measurement, and asset management solutions used by rail infrastructure managers globally. With established rail measurement software and hardware (rail-mounted scanners, GEDO systems), Trimble competes in adjacent parts of the rail clearance data workflow.
• Siemens Mobility: Siemens Mobility is a global rail technology incumbent offering rolling stock, signaling, and rail digital services. Its broad portfolio overlaps with D/Gauge's electrification and rolling stock clearance work, and it has the resources to internalize or replicate clearance software capabilities for its rail customers.
• Hitachi Rail: Hitachi Rail is both a D/Gauge customer (joint with TÜV Rheinland) and a rolling stock OEM with internal gauging and clearance capabilities. It represents a major rail technology incumbent whose vehicle introduction workflows overlap with D/Gauge's core gauging consultancy offering.
• AECOM: AECOM is a global engineering consultancy with a substantial rail infrastructure practice offering gauging, clearance assessment, and rail systems design services. Its scale and international footprint make it a relevant peer for the broader rail clearance services market D/Gauge addresses.
• Jacobs: Jacobs is a global engineering consultancy with deep rail infrastructure capabilities and is a listed D/Gauge Rift user. Its Critical Mission Solutions and rail engineering practices position it as both a customer and a competitor for large international rail clearance and electrification projects.

Others

• WSP: WSP is a major engineering consultancy that is both a D/Gauge Rift customer (design partner since October 2020) and a competitor in rail gauging and clearance projects. The dual customer/competitor relationship highlights the boundary between D/Gauge's software platform and the engineering services WSP delivers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dgauge

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DGauge