WOMEN ON THE RAILWAY TO BE BROUGHT TO BOOK

DriverKaren Harrison broke the mould in the 1970s by becoming the first won in Britain to qualify as a mainline driver – despite much initial resistance from pockets of the industry. This first step paved the way for many other women to follow in Karen's footsteps – not only in driving, but in many other operational roles on the railway. Prior to this, most women who applied for jobs on the railway were destined to drive nothing more than a desk or work as carriage cleaners.

Jonathan Webb of Chime Whistle Publishing is hoping to crowd fund a book that celebrates women on the railway in the 21st century. Jonathan explained “Like many socially important books, they would never work in a commercial sense – yet it's important that they get published and act as a record of achievement.”

Printing and paper costs have skyrocketed in the last two years, so the only way the book will become reality is by the railway family across the world getting together and sponsoring it. Jonathan explains: “Ideally, I need corporate sponsorship if this groundbreaking book is to be published. Any rail organisation offering sponsorship will get a chapter dedicated to the women in its company – allowing it to showcase its workforce. There is tremendous support at grassroots level from women rail staff on the ground and a number of rail companies have shown an interest in the project.”

As a wagon technician, Patrizia is out and about in all weathers, walking between 10,000 and 12,000 steps per shift. "In between, there is always time to warm up if the weather is not so good. And besides, we have protective equipment that is topnotch. I wouldn't want to swap an office job for that," laughs the wagon technician. www.freight-tracks.com

Details of the book and how sponsors can help can be found on the Chime Whistle website at www.chimewhistle.co.uk