Rail Director February 2025

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February 2025

Innovating and transforming rail for all

Network Rail’s

Christmas parcel 2,178 possessions and £142.3 million

Lee Woolcott-Ellis

Mental health in transport

LORD HENDY

Driving forward rail reform

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2,178 possessions, delivering

million

elcome to the latest Rail Director. It was very interesting to sit down and talk with the Rail Minister Lord Hendy for the cover article of this latest edition, discussing everything from the 200th anniversary since the world’s first passenger train journey, through to rail reform and how he thinks it will provide the platform for a better railway for everyone.

This month’s magazine is themed around infrastructure, always a hot topic of conversation, particularly in the rail industry, and even more so with the spending review imminent. Despite the cancellation of HS2’s Northern leg and the Restoring Your Railway Fund, the Rail Minister draws attention to the multi-billion pounds worth of projects that are happening, including East West Rail, the first phase of HS2, and Transpennine Route Upgrade alongside the ongoing East Coast Digital Programme. You can read the full article from page 6.

Nigel Wordsworth has been examining the work undertaken by Network Rail over Christmas and New Year. During the festive period, the organisation, its partners, contractors and the supply chain worked on the network in 2,178 possessions, delivering work valued at approximately £142.3 million. It is an amazing undertaking and a huge thanks to those who worked in all weathers to ensure the railway remains safe. You can read more about this on page 16.

This month we also look at two fantastic events happening next month. Firstly, there is the Connected Places Summit, which returns for the second time after the inaugural event proved to be a huge success. Starting on page 10 you can read all about this year’s event from Alan Peters, Ecosystem Director for Rail and Stations from the organiser’s Connected Places Catapult. With HS2’s Mark Wild and Network Rail’s Sir Andrew Haines among the speakers it is one I’m looking forward to attending.

The following week there is the Railway Industry Association’s (RIA) Innovation Conference. The event will bring together experts from the sector and other industries to explore the theme Innovating and Transforming Rail for All. I have high hopes that the robot dogs, which appeared last year, will be making a return. On page 28 you can hear from just a few of the high-profile keynote speakers appearing at the event in Wales.

I’d like to finish with some exciting news hot off the press. RIA has announced the launch of a new rail training service facility to support the whole industry. There are three courses: Introduction to UK Rail; Accelerating Success – ESG-Driven Growth Strategies for Rail; and Work Winning in Rail Masterclass, all delivered by railway specialists. The programme starts next month, and I expect the places to fill up quickly.

Thank you as always to everyone who has contributed to this month’s edition and I hope everyone enjoys reading it. Next month’s theme will be the environment and sustainability with some fascinating interviews already lined up and space to appear in the magazine filling quickly. All the best,

Danny Longhorn Editor

Always a hot topic of conversation, particularly in the rail industry, and even more so with the

spending review imminent

Rail Director magazine and Railbusinessdaily.com are assets owned by the Railway Industry Association. Railbusinessdaily.com delivers more than 70 stories a week to +73,000 rail industry professionals in our daily 7am newsletter. If you have not already subscribed, it’s free and it’s easy to do so at www.railbusinessdaily.com, please also encourage your colleagues to do the same. This is the very best way to keep abreast of what is happening on the UK’s railways. There is a digital copy of Rail Director on our website.

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6

Driving forward rail reform

Rail Minister Lord Hendy discusses the challenges and opportunities ahead for the UK rail industry and how he believes rail reform will provide the platform for a better railway for everyone

10

Unpicking the

key

challenges

around achieving

a more integrated public transport system

Alan Peters, Ecosystem Director for Rail and Stations at Connected Places Catapult, explains about the return of the Connected Places Summit, building on the success of last year’s inaugural event

14

Clearing the path to get Britain building

The Prime Minister has said that major infrastructure needed for growth and clean energy will no longer be held up in the courts

16

Network Rail’s Christmas parcel

During Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025, Network Rail and its partners, contractors and supply chain worked on the network in 2,178 possessions, delivering work valued at around £142.3 million. Nigel Wordsworth examines the work that was completed

28 Innovating and transforming rail for all

Rail Director looks ahead to next month’s Railway Industry Association (RIA) Innovation Conference, speaking to some of this year’s keynote speakers

38

Engineering experts speak at Signalling the Future conference

Thought leaders from all around the world attended a conference giving insights into the European Train Control System and CommunicationsBased Train Control

40 RIA launches Future of Rail series

At the Future of Rail: Demand event, Steer published its latest reports into passenger demand, and industry leaders discussed how this can be maximised

54 Routes out of homelessness

Network Rail’s Kathleen O’Malley has received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her work in promoting support and outreach services to those living rough on the streets. She shares her story

56 “I’m passionate about helping people”

Lee Woolcott-Ellis will receive a BEM for services to Mental Health in Transport. He discusses establishing the Railway Mental Health Charter and his pride at being recognised

64 Stage three of Mid Cornwall Metro work gets under way

The biggest investment into public transport in Cornwall for 30 years has entered stage three

68 Unlocking Innovation in Birmingham

Network Rail’s North West and Central region played host to the latest Unlocking Innovation event, organised by RIA. Nigel Wordsworth reports

76 We all need a Mick

Reflecting on the recent final episode of Gavin and Stacey, Railway Chaplain Mike Roberts looks at when we need to be Smithy and when Mick

82 Buyers’ Guide

86

“We have the chance of a generation to create a more connected, affordable, and high-capacity UK transport network”

AtkinsRéalis has appointed Emma Porter as Practice Director for Transport Advisory & Consultancy in the UK & Ireland. She answers questions about her aims and aspirations

90 Costain engineer becomes youngest woman to receive Institution of Civil Engineers Fellowship

Georgia Thompson has said obtaining the ICE’s highest grade of membership has sparked a new energy in her

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Editor Danny Longhorn danny@railbusinessdaily.com

Designer and Production Manager

Debbie Nolan

Writers Rosie Crampton

Fiona Broomfield

Nigel Wordsworth

Advertising Team

Christian Wiles chrisw@railbusinessdaily.com

Amy Hudson amy@railbusinessdaily.com

Published by Rail Business Daily c/o 16 Smith Square, Kings Buildings London, SW1P 3HQ

Printed by The Manson Group © 2024 All rights reserved.

Image: UK Parliament

Rail Minister Lord Hendy discusses the challenges and opportunities ahead for the UK rail industry and how he believes rail reform will provide the platform for a better railway for everyone

Driving forward rail reform

The Rail Minister has called on the industry to mark the 200th anniversary since the world’s first passenger train journey by not just celebrating the past, but emphasising the present contribution of the railway to the economy and looking forward to what it can do in the future with rail reform, exciting technology and the careers that it offers.

Lord Hendy CBE sat down with Rail Director to discuss the journey ahead for the UK rail industry, six months after he received a surprise phone call from the Prime Minister asking if he’d like to be the Rail Minister, responsible for everything from reform through to infrastructure.

“I’m enjoying it and accepted the opportunity so readily because we’ve spent all the time since 2018 talking about reform, but not doing it, so this is a chance to drive it forward under a Government that has got a clear vision of what it wants from the railway and a clear plan about how it should change to deliver it,” he said, adding that within 24 hours of being asked to take on the role he was at the office working.

It’s the next stop in a remarkable career which started as a London Transport graduate trainee 50 years ago. Fast-forward to the present, and he will look to draw on his previous experience as Commissioner of Transport for London (TfL), and more recently as Chair of Network Rail to play his part in creating a better, more joined up UK rail industry.

“I’ve always been surprised about how far I’ve got to, but it just proves it can be done and my message to young people entering the railway and transport industry is that my achievements demonstrate that if you work hard and think you know what you’re doing you will get a long way,” he added.

“The task now is about making the railway run better, which is helped by the fact that despite its complexities to run, there are many, many people within it who are dedicated and totally obsessed with how it works and who they have to interact with to get things done. But we need to push the message that the point of the railway is not just to run it, but that connectivity drives growth, jobs and housing which are central to this Government’s mission in driving the national economy.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect as a politician, but there are connections between my experience from my previous roles and the political position of the

Image: UK Parliament

Government, which is the want for the railway to do better, perform better for less cost, and drive revenue, and that’s in order to grow the economy. That is not complex, but it proved intractable with the previous Government who said they were keen on reform but actually didn’t do it.”

Progress is being made in bringing track and train together with the creation of Great British Railways (GBR). In November the Public Ownership Bill received Royal Assent, setting the platform for the biggest overhaul for the UK railway in a generation.

Lord Hendy told Rail Director he is expecting the Rail Reform Bill in the House of Lords in this parliamentary session.

“The Public Ownership Bill was a relatively simple bill changing the destination of train companies as their franchises expire, reach a break clause, or suffered performance issues,” he explained. “Whereas the Rail Reform Bill is much more complex, and it has to recognise the important contribution that open access operators have and of the freight companies, which are not intended to be taken into public ownership.

“Despite taking a bit of time to get there it will happen because there’s plenty of work underway in the department to move that forward now, and then when it does get to a point in the bill’s process we will set up GBR properly and it will take over managing the railway on a day-to-day basis.”

And the Rail Minister is confident rail reform will lead to a better, more joined up railway for less cost that generates more revenue, benefitting not just the industry, but what it does for the economy and country.

“The industry doesn’t deserve to languish in a box of either ‘too difficult’ or ‘we know what needs to be done, but we haven’t time to do it’,” he added. “The structure will work better. To get anything done on the railway you need a large array of people because it’s a very complex interrelated system and the fact is that we’ve got many, many actors on this stage, all of whom have different contractual obligations with each other, leading to the blame game.

“When I ran TfL anything that went wrong with TfL was my fault, our fault, and we fixed it. The philosophy of the railway, which for 30 years has had all these competing contractual relationships, has produced an environment where it’s really difficult to get things done. It’s complex, it’s really expensive, it takes too long, and the simple thing about growing revenue, about better performance and reducing cost have not been central to people’s contractual incentives that vary according to what contract you’ve got.

“That is why it makes sense to put the railway back together and to find people in charge of bits of the railway who have the operation of the train service, rolling stock, the staff, the signalling and the infrastructure under their control and can wake up every morning thinking it is their railway and they’ve got to make it cost less, deliver more, and perform better.”

Questioned on the ongoing issues of Northern, one of four train operators currently under public control, the Rail Minister said: “Northern is not doing well, but when I’ve had them sitting around this table they’ve talked about the serious industrial relations problems

they’ve had for years. The Government is determined to fix it, and has resolved national disputes, but the fact it’s been going on since 2017, shows it is something we have inherited, and it’s not suddenly gone bad.

“We’ve got to fix it if we want management and the staff to work in harmony and we want a train service that we can be proud of and not one that doesn’t run on Sundays. It is not an indication that public ownership doesn’t work, it is an indication that under the previous Government they didn’t seem much bothered with whether they were going to fix everything or not.

“Will there ever not be a dispute on the railway? Well, it’s about the management and staff getting on in individual cases so it would be a brave person who said there will never be a dispute again. But actually, resolving issues like getting the railway to work properly on Sundays is very high up this Government’s agenda because it is unsatisfactory for staff as well as the passengers that it is a seven day a week railway and you’re expecting people to work on their rest days.”

Another area of concern is around infrastructure, particularly a long-term pipeline. On taking control of Government last year, Labour claimed the Conservatives had left a £22 billion black hole in the public finances. It led to a raft of cuts announced to Government programmes and policies to plug the projected gap, including the Restoring Your Railway Fund which was set up to restore lost rail connections to communities.

However, it was more positive news in the last

The industry doesn’t deserve to languish in a box of either ‘too difficult’ or ‘we know what needs to be done, but we haven’t time to do it’

It might not be all that you had hoped, but that’s a pretty solid base to start with, and actually the other point we’ve got to do is to run the railway better so it does make the economic contribution, and it can be proved that investing in it is worthwhile

autumn statement, where Chancellor Rachel Reeves committed to the East West Rail project, the delivery of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), and the funding required to begin tunnelling work to bring HS2 to London Euston station.

“It was a real shock to discover the level of commitments made by the previous Government that weren’t funded,” explained Lord Hendy. “That was true in the railway as well, and actually my predecessor here, nice guy that he was, spent quite a lot of time going around the country promising to do things which weren’t funded.

“They weren’t funded not because of the cancellation of HS2 Phase 2a, but because a lot of that money never existed, it was future provision and the aspirations and hopes were far in excess of any budget that the previous Government had ever set. So it can’t be a surprise that not everything can be currently funded, and indeed one of the reasons to keep talking about growth, jobs and housing, is that the economy’s got to grow before there’s enough money to do things.”

As to any hints about the upcoming spending review, and what to potentially expect from a railways perspective, the Rail Minister said: “No, that process has to go on properly with a new Government and it would be quite wrong of me to interpose my personal views, so we’ll have to wait to see what can be done. The other thing the railway does need is constant investment to keep it going and an operation of maintenance and renewal.

“What I would say is that it has to be a first priority to sort out HS2 so that we can be confident that we can get the cost and time scale under control. You’ve got the biggest construction project in Western Europe, where currently nobody can say how much it’s going to cost and how long it’s going to take. That is a really unsatisfactory situation.

“If you can’t answer that question for Phase 1, contemplating what else you do in light of the cancellation of Phase 2a is a secondary consideration. HS2’s new Chief Executive Officer Mark Wild is doing a complete reset of the company and has got to find out how long it is going to take to finish and how much it’s going to cost. That is absolutely crucial, because nobody is going to tolerate talking about building umpteen further miles of new railway until we’ve got that sorted out. That’s going to be a bigger job than we would like by quite a long way.”

Despite the uncertainty, Lord Hendy draws attention to the multi-billion pounds worth of projects that are happening, particularly East West Rail, HS2 and TRU, alongside the ongoing East Coast Digital Programme and Control Period 7.

“If you look at it on a historic basis, many of my predecessors and many other predecessors of people of Network Rail and British Railways before that, would have been quite pleased to see that level of investment with four major rail projects,” he said.

“I’d say to the supply chain that it might not be all that you had hoped, but that’s a pretty solid base to start with, and actually the other point we’ve got to do is to run the railway better so it does make the economic contribution, and it can be proved that investing in it is worthwhile. We’re so bothered about rail reform because the railway doesn’t currently work as well as it should, and until it does, we will always be struggling to justify why investment is so much needed.

“But it’s not a bad base to be working from in regards to infrastructure projects, and we’ll see what happens in the spending review. There are limitless aspirations across Britain for what the railway can do, the Government’s got to be realistic about how much it can fund at a time of quite difficult circumstances which we inherited.”

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Alan Peters, Ecosystem Director for Rail and Stations at Connected Places Catapult, explains about the return of the Connected Places Summit, building on the success of last year’s inaugural event

Unpicking the key challenges around achieving a more integrated public transport system

Connected Places Summit is returning for a second year, building on the huge success of the inaugural event in 2024 which saw more than 850 attendees in person - 1,000 more viewed online - witness talks from 220 high-profile speakers. To say it was a success was an understatement, with thought-provoking discussions, insightful presentations, and impactful collaborations taking place across two days.

“It is fair to say the first summit was a great success and even more popular than we expected,” explained Alan Peters, Ecosystem Director for Rail and Stations at Connected Places Catapult, organisers of the summit. “Highlights for me included Lord Hendy talking in the opening session on the economic importance of connectivity.

“Our panel session on accessibility in rail, including

members of National Centre of Accessible Transport, was really engaging and clearly articulated the many issues. Although the challenges still remain, I’d like to see conversations move more to the possible intervention space. This year I want to see the same level of buzz and even more collaboration conversations instigated over the two days.”

The Connected Places Summit takes place on 19 and 20 March at Sancroft Convene in London, a larger venue than last year in response to last year’s event selling out well in advance. Like last year, there will be two days of interactive content, live project showcases, inspiring thought leadership and opportunities to connect with peers from technology, transport, mobility, cities, academia, and Government.

Among the individuals lined up to speak are Sir

Andrew Haines, Chief Executive of Network Rail; Transport for London Commissioner Andy Lord; HS2’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Wild OBE; and South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard.

“As one would expect, some of the key themes will continue with panel discussions including future fuels, transport use of digital twins, and innovation in procurement,” added Alan. “For rail specifically, I’m looking forward to the day one session on kickstarting growth with a panel including Sir Andrew Haines, a session with HS2 looking at the innovation ‘ripple’ out from large infrastructure programmes, a virtual track led by the Infrastructure Industry Innovation Partnership (i3P) team, and cross-transport mode sessions on accessibility and decarbonisation in transport. This year, we are also pleased to be partnering with the Railway Industry Association who

Images: Connected Places Catapult

will be representing the innovation capability of their 400+ members.

“Connected Places Catapult is looking forward to using the summit as a way to unpick the key challenges around achieving a more integrated public transport system - with rail clearly playing a key role in such a system. Linked to this, transport safety for women and girls is an important area that requires more attention and establishing focused interventions. Even more so than 2024, the 2025 agenda has been structured to ensure maximum learnings between different sectors tackling common challenges.”

As Ecosystem Director for Rail and Stations at the Connected Places Catapult, Alan leads the vision and strategy for the organisation’s rail activities. Among his achievements has included the development of the Station Innovation Zone, a testbed programme, funded by Innovate UK and delivered in partnership with Network Rail, and based at Bristol Temple Meads.

“It has been a pleasure working with industry and Government partners across the sector,” he added. “To date on the Station Innovation Zone we have worked with 35 SMEs, have run eight trials live in Bristol Temple Meads station and are currently in the process of setting up a further three trials.

“We’ve also produced a playbook and strategic guide that supports stakeholders through the process of developing innovation at stations and provides guidance on how to set up and run a programme similar to Station Innovation Zone. We are now actively looking to scale the approach to other rail environments.

“The Clean Futures programme in West Midlands for the West Midlands Combined Authority, funded by Innovate UK, has shown the value of a more regionally specific programme. Working with our partners Coventry University and BCIMO, we’ve seen very high levels of commercial interest and investment in the outputs so far.”

Connected Places Catapult is also continuing involvement with long-running programmes including the HS2 Accelerator (now on cohort seven). Since its

launch in September 2020, the HS2 Accelerator has supported 31 small businesses which have collectively secured 29 pilot projects across HS2 – with more to be expected in the upcoming months from its sixth cohort. These businesses have raised over £240 million in investment & funding, and more than doubled their team headcount since participating –creating over 580 new jobs for the UK.

There is also an on-going strategic partnership with Network Rail for Control Period 7 - the framework supports Connected Places Catapult working with Network Rail on delivering innovation trials and demonstrators and supporting SMEs on strategically important projects. The immediate future sees increased involvement with the innovation aspects of the Railway 200 celebrations, and harnessing the power of the Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre (IPEC) to provide meaningful support for the upcoming Rail Supply Group Innovation Charter.

Alan concluded: “The new more devolved role of mayoral combined authorities and the opportunities that the shift creates is potentially helpful for rail innovation – particular around light rail and interactions with other transport modes. The shift promises to give local leaders more control to prioritise region-specific solutions. This enables investment in technologies like smart ticketing, or sustainable rail options. Local control should also allow quicker deployment of new technology trials that require many parties to come together.

“There is also the potential for ‘more efficient innovation’ with the planned transition to Great British Railways. This brings a chance to simplify decision making, a wider scope to look at the whole passenger experience across journeys, and a likely increased focus on better data sharing. These are all elements that should make rail innovation quicker and more effective.”

Register now for the Connected Places Summit.

The first 20 RD readers to register can get 20 per cent off with the code RBD20 https://shorturl.at/mXyi1

Some of the key themes will continue with panel discussions including future fuels, transport use of digital twins, and innovation in procurement

Government has announced a new Nature Restoration Fund which will accelerate infrastructure projects and enable developers to meet their environmental obligations faster

“A win-win for nature and the economy, accelerating economic growth”

The Government has announced measures that it has said will unblock much-needed infrastructure projects while supporting nature recovery at scale, will be included in proposals for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill this year.

“Nature and development have been unnecessarily pitted against each other for too long,” said Environment Secretary Steve Reed. “This has blocked economic growth but done nothing for nature’s recovery. Communities and the environment deserve better than this broken status-quo.

“As part of the Government’s Plan for Change, these reforms will unblock infrastructure projects while protecting the natural environment we all depend on. We can now look forward to 150 key infrastructure projects going ahead within the next few years while also providing more funding to protect and restore nature.”

They’ve been described by Government as “common-sense changes” that will help to deliver on its commitment to make 150 major infrastructure project decisions by the end of this Parliament, while also helping to halt and reverse the decline of species and natural habitats. The reforms will help to speed up projects, including new wind farms, railways and roads, gigafactories and data centres across the country.

Under current rules, infrastructure projects must secure mitigation or compensation for environmental harm to some protected sites and species before being granted planning permission, adding costs and delays to the planning process. Developers are required to identify and meet environmental obligations, typically on a project-by-project basis, and this misses opportunities to find strategic solutions with the greatest benefits for nature

The Government will set up a Nature Restoration Fund enabling infrastructure builders to meet their environmental obligations faster and at greater scale by pooling contributions from developers to fund larger strategic interventions for nature.

This approach will mean the burden of individual site-level assessments and delivering mitigation and compensation is reduced. In many cases, a single payment will enable development to proceed.

A delivery body such as Natural England will then

look at the actions needed to drive protected site and species recovery at a strategic, not site-by-site, scale. They will then take responsibility for securing positive environmental outcomes that infrastructure developers are not in a position to implement independently. These could be delivering a reduction in pollution affecting the water environment or securing nesting habitats to increase the population of a protected species, for example.

These changes will get rid of time intensive and costly processes involved in project-specific interventions with payments into the fund allowing building to proceed while wider action is taken to secure the environmental outcomes we need.

To support the Government’s growth mission, a new £70 million package for this year was confirmed at the Budget to support the delivery of new infrastructure while boosting nature recovery.

Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said: “It is evident that we need to take urgent action to address the worsening decline of nature, and we must also lean into the challenges posed by housing and infrastructure shortages.

“We will continue to work with the Government to help deliver their plans – but the two key issues of today, nature and economic recovery, should not be pitted against one another, as we step up efforts to avoid losing what protected remnants of nature remain while also restoring some of what has gone.

“Instead, we should consider the huge opportunities which can be unlocked through better strategic planning which considers environmental improvements, economic development and green spaces for public enjoyment on a landscape scale.”

The proposals are set out in a new working paper with stakeholders including clean power and housing developers, communities, nature service providers and local authorities feeding in views. The working paper will inform the next stage of policy development.

The Government intends to use the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to introduce any legislative changes to drive action at a strategic level which will provide certainty for both developers and the environment.

Image: Shutterstock

The Prime Minister has said that major infrastructure needed for growth and clean energy will no longer be held up in the courts, as the Government scraps excessive three attempts to challenge decisions in the courts

Clearing the path to get Britain building

“For too long, blockers have had the upper hand in legal challenges –using our court processes to frustrate growth.” That is the message from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer who has said trainlines will be built quicker thanks to changes to the rules to stop blockers getting in the way of the Government’s Plan for Change.

Current rules mean unarguable cases can be brought back to the courts three times – causing years of delay and hundreds of millions of cost to projects that have been approved by democratically elected ministers, while also clogging up the courts.

Data released by the Government shows that over half – 58 per cent – of all decisions on major infrastructure were taken to court. This will be overhauled, with just one attempt at legal challenge for cynical cases lodged purely to cause delay rather than three. It is said this approach will strike the right balance between ensuring ongoing access to justice and protections against genuine issues of propriety, while pushing back against a challenge culture where small pressure groups use the courts to obstruct decisions taken in the national interest.

The Prime Minister said: “For too long, blockers have had the upper hand in legal challenges – using our court processes to frustrate growth. We’re putting an end to this challenge culture by taking on the NIMBYs and a broken system that has slowed down our progress as a nation.

“This is the Government’s Plan for Change in action – taking the brakes off Britain by reforming the planning system so it is pro-growth and proinfrastructure.

“The current first attempt – known as the paper permission stage – will be scrapped. And primary legislation will be changed so that where a judge in an oral hearing at the High Court deems the case Totally Without Merit, it will not be possible to ask the Court of Appeal to reconsider. To ensure ongoing access to justice, a request to appeal second attempt will be allowed for other cases.”

On average, each legal challenge takes around a year and a half to be resolved – with many delayed for two years or more - and the courts have spent over 10,000 working days handling these cases.

The news follows a series of interventions from the Prime Minister – dating back to the State Opening of Parliament where he outlined plans to introduce the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to expedite the delivery of high-quality infrastructure.

Since then, the Government has said it is speeding up 150 major economic infrastructure projects, including railways and roads – doubling the record of the previous Government, unlocking growth, and taking the brakes off Britain.

It has also set out major reforms which aim to end the block and delay to building homes and infrastructure from current environmental obligations. A new Nature Restoration Fund would enable developers to meet their environmental obligations more quickly and with greater impact –accelerating the building of homes and improving the environment.

Leo Quinn, Balfour Beatty Group Chief Executive said: “The latest announcement is a vital step towards kickstarting major infrastructure projects more swiftly, while keeping essential safeguards in place.

“Reducing the uncertainty that delays progress and drives up costs should help unlock significant economic benefits and enable faster delivery of the critical infrastructure that the UK urgently needs.

“This is a strong start and I look forward to seeing the full plans in the upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill.”

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill is due to be introduced in spring.

We’re putting an end to this challenge culture by taking on the NIMBYs and a broken system that has slowed down our progress as a nation

Image: Alecsandra Dragoi / No 10 Downing Street

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obson James Rail (JJR) provides comprehensive insurance and support for the entire railway supply chain, from start-ups to established businesses. Our insurance coverage evolves to meet the changing needs and challenges of running a company.

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We grow with you, every step of the way from expanding your team and activities to making new connections and buildings relationships through our RIN events. Secured a new contract? We’ll review it. Let’s move forward together. We’re dedicated to providing limitless, people-first

specialist rail insurance.

Bringing insurance to life - This scenario involves a rail business with a turnover of £40,000,000 facing a critical situation where its cyber policy had lapsed. Seeking urgent assistance to secure coverage, it approached JJR after its current broker had quoted in excess of £25,000 for a cyber policy, which was considered non-competitive and unattainable.

Impact on its business - Without insurance coverage, its existing broker’s inability to find a satisfactory solution had left this reputable rail monitoring solutions company vulnerable to cyber risks. This situation posed a potential disaster if a cyberattack had occurred while they remained uninsured. Cyber threats pose an escalating concern in the wider rail industry, especially for technology firms, where the absence of appropriate coverage could result in substantial losses.

JJR Solution - Our intervention

involved our inhouse Cyber Lead discussing the business’ exposures and tailoring a policy that met its needs, swiftly accessing the insurance market, ultimately presenting not one, but two competitive options from reputable providers. This resulted in saving the client nearly £10,000 in premium costs while effectively safeguarding its

business against its most significant risk. With this renewed coverage in place, the client could resume operations securely, free from the looming fear of a cyberattack and the consequences such risk would have on its operation.

There is no substitute for knowledge and experience when providing specialist insurance programmes for rail customers. Our team are highly experienced in analysing existing policies from other brokers, identifying areas which leave the holder vulnerable. We then create a bespoke insurance programme which covers the company or individual for all their needs – assets, business continuity and revenue protection, and legal liabilities.

If you’re seeking further information about risks you face in contract or are reviewing your current cover, contact Richard on 07973 963350.

CDuring Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025, Network Rail and its partners, contractors and supply chain worked on the network in 2,178 possessions, delivering work valued at around £142.3 million.

Nigel Wordsworth examines

the work that was completed

Network Rail’s Christmas parcel

hristmas comes but once a year, and Network Rail and its supply chain take full advantage of it when it does.

The rail network is closed on Christmas day, and the ability to shut various lines for an extended period gives the infrastructure owner the possibility of undertaking work that would be difficult to complete during a normal overnight or weekend blockade.

Between Tuesday 24 December 2024 and Thursday 2 January 2025, Network Rail and the rail

supply chain successfully delivered a varied work bank, worth an estimated £142.3 million within 2,178 possessions nationwide.

Of these, 26 projects were identified as RED through the Delivering Work Within Possessions (DWWP) process – meaning they carried a greater risk of possession overrun and/or a more significant impact on train operations in the event of an overrun.

The final result was an impressive 2,166 possessions handed back on time, with only 12

overrunning. One of these was after maintenance work at Brimsdown in Anglia, which overran by just three minutes. The worst was at South Kirkby, where an overrun of five hours and 32 minutes was caused by delays to the testing and certification of a new signalling workstation.

The thousands of Network Rail and contractor employees involved in the work also went home safely after their shifts. There was just one lost-time incident, at the Agar Grove bridge demolition and

Osmondthorpe. All images: Network Rail except where shown.

Inverness Signalling

Wigan to Bolton Electrification (Lockstock Jn)

Llanharan Footbridge Installation

reconstruction, and two other, minor accidents at Foxton S&C (switches and crossings) renewal, where no time was lost.

So, while those directly involved in the overrunning projects and the accidents will have felt the pain, it was, overall, a successful programme of work that will stand the railway in good stead over the coming months and years.

Eastern Region

Work continued over Christmas and New Year to construct a new station at Beaulieu Park, along with supporting infrastructure upgrades between Chelmsford and Hatfield Peverel on the Great Eastern main line. The new three-platform station, which will support a new housing development, is being funded by the Government’s Housing Investment

Fund (Essex & Chelmsford Councils), the residential developer (Countryside Zest) and the South-East Local Enterprise Partnership.

Christmas work included alterations being made at Liverpool Street Integrated Electronic Control Centre (IECC) and Romford Rail Operating Centre (ROC). Eight new sets of points were commissioned, along with 40 track circuits and 18 new signals, along with their associated train warning and protection systems.

At Cambridge, the Resignalling, Relock & Recontrol Project (C3R) is a staged, condition-led renewal project to renew the signalling system in the area. Two new workstations were commissioned at Cambridge Power Signal Box (PSB), with workstation 03 (Cambridge North) and 04 (Ely) being upgraded to MCS-Infinity (Modular Control System Infinity) technology supplied by Alstom UK. Other systems

Calton

York

South

Hanslope

were also upgraded, and a new signal was commissioned.

Also at Cambridge, the Cambridge South Infrastructure Enhancement (CSIE) project is constructing a new four-platform station. Planned work includes the remodelling of Shepreth Branch Junction to increase line speed, changes to the throat of Cambridge station to allow parallel moves into the station and improve performance of services, increasing the number of signalling block sections in the area to maintain headways, closure of Websters and Dukes No.2 level crossings and the provision of a turnback facility.

A number of changes were made to the track layout, including connecting the Up Main and Up Loop lines in the station area and making corresponding alterations to the overhead

Network Rail

Agar Grove

electrification (OLE – overhead line equipment). Eight new signals were installed along with a new footbridge.

A programme of S&C renewal is underway at Foxton station, on the line between Cambridge Junction and Shepreth Branch Junction. Four sets of points were renewed and a level crossing rebuilt using Strail panels as a cost-saving measure. A new buffer stop was installed and plain line renewed to solve a problem with a wet bed.

A total of 201 polycarbonate panels were installed into the roof of Liverpool Street station using MEWPs (Mobile Elevating Work Platforms) as part of a project to renew the fabric in the roof and improve its drainage provision. Two scaffold travelling decks under the trainshed roof were launched from the north end of the station (Exchange Square) and 30 metres of scaffold platform installed on the island between Platforms 7 and 8.

A bridge at Agar Grove, in a busy part of North London, spans eight tracks of the Midland main line between St Pancras and Bedford. Over the years, the 19th-century bridge has suffered severe corrosion and section loss to main girders, necessitating constant monitoring of its structure. A major reconstruction took place during a nine-day blockade over the Christmas holiday period, during which the bridge was demolished and reinstated.

The OLE was lowered, the existing bridge jack arches and beams removed, and the bridge abutments reduced. New cills, beams, parapets and OLE furniture were installed, along with permanent formwork and reinforcement for the new concrete deck. Service ducts were installed through the bridge beams.

Although installing the temporary track protection took longer than envisaged, and the demolition took longer than anticipated due to difficulty in removing isolated beams, all works were completed in line with the programme. A small leak was discovered on the west abutment due to a historical crack in a collar of the 6” water main, and one set of points was damaged when the track protection moved during the demolition, but this was repaired during the blockade.

A RIDDOR-reportable accident involving a slinger is being investigated.

Although construction of the Radlett Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) is third-party funded, Network Rail is very much involved in the project to build an intermodal terminal and rail and road served distribution units on land originally used for the runways of the former Radlett Aerodrome.

Over the holiday period, a 6,000-tonne underbridge, which had already been constructed next to the Midland main line by VolkerFitzpatrick, was pushed under the railway using the Freyssinet system of hydraulic jacks. The work was completed ahead of time, despite a plant failure that used up some of the project contingency.

Further north

The signal interlocking at South Kirkby is a relaybased system which is in the control area of the Leeds Ardsley workstation at York ROC. It controls the twotrack Up/Down Doncaster line and the signalling equipment associated with the existing interlocking is deemed to be life-expired and is now both unreliable and difficult to maintain.

The South Kirkby Re-signalling project will result in a partial re-lock of Wakefield Westgate interlocking, the resignalling of the South Kirkby junction area, the re-lock of South Kirkby interlocking and various other work within the project area.

Over the Christmas period, the South Kirkby interlocking was upgraded to a computer-based interlocking system (Smartlock400) located at York ROC. This project marks the first implementation of the new SMARTIO system under 25kV traction power. All lineside equipment related to the South Kirkby interlocking was renewed, except the points. The boundary of the South Kirkby interlocking has been extended to encompass a portion of the current Wakefield Westgate interlocking.

The project experienced a delay during the fringe testing works, leading to a disruption in the timely hand back. A review as to the causes is underway.

The Osmondthorpe Lane underbridge was built in 1956 and lies alongside the Neville Hill depot in Leeds. As the track layout is due to be remodelled as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), the bridge

deck had to be replaced. Two SPMTs (Self-propelled Mobile Transporters) were used to remove the old bridge after the utility services had been transferred onto two temporary scaffolding bridges. A large crane was used to install four cill-beam units and then a new 200-tonne bridge deck was installed using the SPMTs. 184 metres of plain line track were also removed and replaced using road-rail vehicles.

Security at this location was known to be an issue prior to commencing works and robust arrangements had been put in place with security and British Transport Police (BTP) support. During the works, a trespasser threatened site staff, resulting in BTP involvement. The ever-changing weather conditions also caused difficulties, with some track tamping being deferred due to snow and ice conditions.

North West and Central

Work on the West Coast main line to remove and replace OLE contact wires at Preston Brook, Moss Lane and Eastford Road between Preston Brook tunnel and the River Mersey bridge will convert Mk3A wire runs to a variant of Mk3D. The equipment is to be set up for a temperature range of -14°C to +42°C, as opposed to the current set up of -18°C to +38°C.

Over the New Year period, 1,674 metres of conductor wire was replaced on 31 December using the OLE wiring train, along with 127 metres of catenary wire. A further 1,258 metres of both contact and catenary wire was replaced on 1 January. 195 metres of catenary wire was not installed on the first shift due to the worksite being granted later than planned and extreme adverse weather conditions. There was also a six-minute possession overrun but this caused no train delays.

The route from Wigan to Bolton is currently being electrified. The OLE had already been installed, but over Christmas 2024 the Permanently Earthed Section (PES) that had been installed at the Lostock Jn and Wigan North Western station sections of the project were removed so that section proving of the route could commence.

The energisation and section proving were

Liverpool Street. Image: Stuart Calvert

Radlett. Image: Tony Gee & Partners

successful. In advance of the work, a significant cable theft threatened energisation, but the cable was replaced in time for the blockade thanks to hard work by all the team. The track flooding and earthwork collapse in the area caused by extreme weather did not affect the project, but the maintenance team was given access to the possession to pump out the track.

Over the past two years, 65 new signals, 49km of cables, and 5km of new drainage have been installed on the Crewe Basford Hall Independent lines, along with new buildings to accommodate the signalling system, new track equipment and structures, and track upgrades.

During a nine-day possession over Christmas and the New Year, the Basford Hall Independent Lines project, consisting of the Central Rail Systems Alliance (CRSA) and Siemens Mobility, commissioned the new signalling equipment, retired three signal boxes, and transitioned all signalling control to Manchester ROC.

Further south, 400 metres of track were renewed through a single bore tunnel at Northchurch, part of the four-line section that runs freight and passengers into and out of central London. 60ft track panels were uplifted using a Kirow crane and the ballast was excavated. 300mm of new ballast was dropped on top of a geo-composite barrier and new rail installed. The track was fully welded and stressed, tamped and handed back to traffic on time with a 60mph Temporary Speed Restriction.

Over the New Year period, 220 metres of new six-foot drainage was installed during a 30-hour possession of the line between Northampton and Milton Keynes at Hanslope South. After excavation, four new concrete catchpits were installed along with new pipes, surrounded by pea shingle and topped off with new ballast. The completed works have improved the drainage in the area which will future-proof the track formation of the two fast lines either side of the six-foot drain.

280 metres of plain track was replaced at

Longsight so as to remove a long-term temporary speed restriction (TSR) on the Longsight Down Goods line. Repeated maintenance had failed to solve the problem long-term, so the only solution was to remove all of the track and ballast and replace it completely.

Track was also replaced on the Garrison Street Down Fast, where 800 metres of track was rerailed and re-sleepered, with a further 20 metres just being rerailed. Delivering this work over Christmas limited disruption at this busy junction. A second phase of work, to deliver a similar amount of work on the Bi-directional line, was deferred due to difficulties in moving points to allow train movements, Kirow breakdown and delays in pre-curved panel installation. This deferment allowed the first phase to be delivered in full.

Scotland

Modernisation of the signalling at Inverness will move control from an old NX panel to a computer-based Westcad version. At the same time, life-expired axle counters will be replaced and TPWS (Trrack Protection and Warning System) fitted to improve safety. The new workstation, as well as an improved CCTV transmission and related technology, will also result in reduced maintenance costs.

Work during the Christmas and New Year period introduced the new Westcad 4.0 upgraded control system, brought into service the Frauscher Axle

The only solution was to remove all of the track and ballast and replace it completely

Counters and TPWS, changed over the CCTV cameras and recovered the Culloden Sidings and associate ground frames, all without issue.

A 386-metre track renewal on Calton South tunnel, on the east side of Edinburgh Waverley, was handed back 19 minutes late after a problem with the relay-room wiring, although the actual track renewal, replacing life-expired assets, went to plan.

Southern

Horley Subway is a single-span underbridge which carries four third-rail-electrified tracks over a footpath. Constructed using iron trough profile and iron trough girders, the girders on the Up side support wheel timbers with direct track fixing in the Up Slow line only.

Due to corrosion, the iron trough girders were

Northchurch

Crewe

Wigan to Bolton

Inverness. Image: Siemens Mobility

The Digital equivalent of the electro-mechanical standard

A replacement for the existing Block Controller for single line track.

Our fully digital version of key token equipment communicates digitally through IP based systems, including provision for TPWS and section signal release.

The DiBloC features:

•IP connectivity with two redundant connections

•Physical key compatibility with existing key token machine equipment such as ground frame locks

•Ability to work in sets of 2-6 units

•Ability to operate TPWS and/or single throw/starting signals

•No on-board equipment –compatibility with all rolling stock

I

can’t

thank

colleagues in Network Rail, train operating companies and supply chain partners enough for their brilliant work every Christmas and New Year

replaced with precast concrete (PCC) units.

The track and ballast was removed, followed by the trough girder deck supporting the Up Slow line. PCC units, comprising two cill beams, a slab bridge deck and robust kerbs, were installed and the track reinstated. A two-hour delay due to the handing back of the fast line required the stressing to be delayed, as per the contingency plan.

Life-expired S&C in the Brookwood station area in Wessex was removed, including the abandonment of a crossover. Four crossovers were renewed along with some plain-line track and 3km of conductor rail. Some drainage work was carried out, a new RRAP (road-rail access point) installed signalling panel alterations were made at Woking ASC (Area Signalling Centre).

Wales and Western

The Paddington to Hayes region of the Great Western main line has many headspans that need replacement to increase the reliability, performance and resilience of the overhead line system.

Currently, when a wire is brought down, using a headspan means that all lines become nonoperational. The existing MK3 equipment is being superseded with a boom-style structure that supports the existing contact/catenary wires using Mechanical Independent Registration (MIR) on all lines, which solves the problem as each wire is supported independently.

High profile incidents in September 2022 (during

the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral) and December 2023 (when hundreds of passengers were left trapped on trains) highlight the scale of disruption caused by failed spanwire structures. Over the holiday, full headspan-to-portal conversions were completed at four structures as part of this continuing project.

Old Oak Common is the site of much work connected with the new HS2 line, a new maintenance depot and other infrastructure improvements. A large amount of work was to be conducted over Christmas and New Year, including:

Track Renewal: Two S&C units; 150 metres of plain-line track; points heating installation; OLE adjustments; relocate two signals and install associated signalling equipment; remove and relay 40 metres of skewed sleepers/track, recover redundant insulated block joints.

Drainage: Install four cross drains and associated catch-pits/chambers; install 450 metres of 10ft linear drainage.

OLE: Install four overlaps and Small Parts Steel (SPS) upgrades across all lines; 16 new Auto Tensioned Anchor units; remove three redundant headspans; recover 14 redundant OLE structures; SCADA screen updates; install two new Dreischer switches.

Poplars Electrification: Install four complex piled foundations into existing retaining wall; install two XXL Twin Track Cantilever (TTC) OLE structures and one Single Track Cantilever (STC); SPS works on five structures.

Thames Valley Signalling Centre (TVSC) Screen Updates: Access to five workstations to carry out updates to control screens following infrastructure updates.

Despite a number of issues, all but two sections of 10ft linear drainage, 250 metres in total, was completed to schedule.

On the South Wales main line at Llanharan, there are currently two high-risk crossings and one crossing previously closed illegally. A bridleway footbridge is being installed to facilitate the legal closure of all three crossings and the removal of a TSR caused by the high-risk nature of the crossings.

During a 52-hour possession, the main span of the new bridleway bridge was installed, along with both sets of stairs. The north-side ramp, consisting of 12 sections, was assembled and installed. Materials for

the south-side ramp were not available in time for this work to be carried out.

As part of the Cardiff Core Valley Lines Enhancement programme, the Core Valley Lines (CVL) recontrol Phase 1 commissioned a new signalling workstation at the Core Valley Lines Integrated Control Centre (CVLICC) in May 2023. This new Siemens WestCAD system controls the areas covered by the decommissioned Radyr and Abercynon signal boxes which were previously controlled and managed by Network Rail. These are known as the Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr lines (TAM).

In 2026/27, the CVL recontrol (CAR 1) will commission a new signalling workstation at the CVL Integrated Control Centre, which will re-control the Coryton, Cwmbargoed, Rhymney, and Cardiff Bay branches. This geographical area of the CVL network is currently still controlled by Network Rail at the Valleys workstation within the WROC. During CAR 1, all signalling responsibilities for the CVL network will be transferred to Transport for Wales at the CVLICC.

During Christmas 2024, all three remaining workstations within the WROC (Mainline, Vale of Glamorgan, Valleys) that remained on the Alstom MCS system were upgraded to Siemens’ WestCAD system.

End result

The work put in by thousands of rail workers, both during the Christmas and New Year period and in advance as plans were drawn up, resulted in the safe delivery of a substantial amount of work. Network Rail Chief Executive Officer Andrew Haines was very appreciative of the effort and the results.

“I’ve been out and about visiting colleagues across the country; including Brookwood, where the Southern team delivered its two-week programme of Christmas works between Basingstoke and Woking, and Agar Grove in Camden, where a huge bridge deck was replaced,” he said. “It was also great to meet the team and see the changes we have made to signalling and control at York Rail Operating Centre, which will improve train performance along the East Coast route.

“I can’t thank colleagues in Network Rail, train operating companies and supply chain partners enough for their brilliant work every Christmas and New Year. I’d also like to thank our passengers and freight customers for their patience while we close some parts of the railway to make improvements like these possible.”

Brookwood

Old Oak Common

London Northwestern & West Midlands Railways (LNR & WMR) is making significant strides in passenger safety through its “Future Stations Now” strategy - delivering a safer and more inclusive experience across its network.

Recognising that safety is vital in building passenger trust and encouraging travel, LNR & WMR has committed considerable investments to ensure stations are modern, secure and accessible to all.

A key part of this programme is the installation of 1,220 high-definition digital customer information screens across 146 stations These screens provide safety messaging both audibly and visually, featuring innovative sign language animations, text-to-speech announcements and hyperlocal content that enhances accessibility for all passengers.

LNR and WMR is also replacing outdated lighting with smart LED lights - transforming station environments into safer spaces, while deterring anti-social behaviour and reducing electricity use.

The addition of emergency lighting ensures visibility at all times, complementing the 24/7 monitoring capabilities of the 1,165 new highdefinition CCTV cameras installed at 116 stations, with another 2,250 in the pipeline for installation. These cameras provide clear and comprehensive coverage, with live monitoring enabling rapid responses to protection concerns.

Just under 200 passenger help points have also been upgraded across the network, offering reliable communication to ensure passengers have accessible support whenever they need it.

Further accessibility enhancements, including RNIB tactile maps, anti-slip flooring, step-free access and dual-height handrails enhance navigation and safety for all, demonstrating LNR and WMR’s promise to creating a safer and more inclusive rail experience.

We are proud to be making strides in improving passenger safety across our network, with our investment reflecting our unwavering commitment to our passengers’ safety and accessibility. By adopting cutting-edge technology and proactive measures, we’re ensuring our stations are places where everyone feels secure and supported.

Rob Goode, Head of Property

& Alliancing

Tom Krause, Director at Krause and Hall, reflects on the company’s involvement in the Bletchley depot for Taylor Woodrow, demonstrating its full turnkey capabilities

Krause and Hall delivers key upgrades on Bletchley depot redevelopment

There are some projects that, despite the complexities, fall into place, completed with no delays and accident free. That has been the case for overhead electrification and rail services specialist Krause and Hall on the delivery of the Bletchley project, completing a full turnkey overhead line equipment (OLE) build from foundation installation through to the commissioning.

“The project has been delivered on time and accident free, a true testament to the hard work and commitment of the team,” explained Tom Krause, Director of Krause and Hall. “Our role

within the project involved the wholesale delivery of the overhead electrification infrastructure within the depot, including the dewirement of the existing infrastructure to allow the main construction works to be undertaken.”

Despite being the company’s biggest project to date, having seen substantial growth in the last few years, the success should come as no shock. Krause and Hall has established itself as a trusted supplier for its client base, offering flexible and valued working relationships, providing experienced management and delivery systems to ensure requirements are met.

In the Bletchley project, Krause and Hall was

contracted by principal contractor Taylor Woodrow as a specialist supplier, in helping in the redevelopment of the depot for West Midlands Trains, which when complete will become the principal maintenance base for the operator’s new Class 730 electric fleet and servicing location for diesel units operating on the Marston Vale and East West Rail routes.

Oliver Gill, Project Manager at Taylor Woodrow, said: “Krause and Hall provided the resource and equipment to undertake the OLE works associated with the enhancement of Bletchley Depot. These works were completed on time and to a very high standard. Krause and Hall were collaborative to work

Image: Taylor Woodrow

with at all times and undertook their works with the project’s best interests in mind.”

Krause and Hall was involved in both phases of the project, a relationship which started in February 2023. The first part, which was completed ahead of schedule, included all possession and isolation planning, material supply, the installation of four bespoke anchor structures and their mass concrete foundations along with a number of new piled foundations and structures to facilitate the staged dewirement of sidings, which included the removal of 30 structures to allow the depot modification works to be undertaken.

The second phase, which started in November 2023 and finished last December, involved the installation 38 piled foundations, four bespoke concrete foundations, 56 new OLE structures ranging from STC masts through to large multi-track anchor portals, 4,500m of new conductors, nine isolating switches, 10 section insulators, all associated traction bonding, and the associated testing and commissioning of the electrification system.

“It is always a proud moment when we complete a project, but particularly one of such significance like Bletchley Depot, which has allowed us to really demonstrate our capabilities,” added Tom, who founded the company. “It all comes down to the great team and collaboration, making sure we work together to get the job done safely, efficiently, and on time.”

Bletchley is the latest in a series of high-profile jobs that Krause and Hall can add to its CV. In recent years, its experts have worked with BAM Nuttall on Scrubs Lanes and Mitre Bridge works, along with a number of bridge replacement works. It has also completed work for Story Rail on the Lindsell’s Level Crossing, and Apperley Bridge platform extensions, to name a few.

“I’m really proud of what we have, and continue to achieve,” added Tom. “Our imbedded, proactive attitude reflects our commitment to succeed within a demanding, everchanging industry. We aim to develop close, lasting, collaborative relationships with our clients which in turn allows us to realise the company’s own growth through successful and safe delivery.”

Krause and Hall is fully RISQS accredited, holding the required RISQS IMR, Sentinel, OHL and POS/ OTP modules as well as being Construction Line Gold Accredited.

Looking to the journey ahead, and the company will continue specialising in the provision of railway electrification services ranging from consultancy through to installation and maintenance services, driven by a passion to remain customer focused and keeping the workforce and colleagues safe.

It also provides plant hire, labour and ancillary civils as well, although the team is at its best being called upon for a full turnkey solution.

“We want to be seen as one of the best small contractors out there ensuring projects are completed efficiently and effectively,” added Tom.

“The Bletchley job has demonstrated what we can do, so the plan is to build off the back off this and continue forming working relationships with new clients.”

www.krauseandhall.com/

The project has been delivered on time and accident free, a true testament to the hard work and commitment of the team

Dominic Trueman, Head of Research Implementation, the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), writes about building on the organisation’s successes and ensuring that its research continues to deliver meaningful improvements

Research, standards, action

As I reflect on my journey since joining the RSSB Research team from the standards team in November last year, I consider the impact our work and outputs has on the rail industry. My experience in both the standards and research teams has underscored the importance of ensuring that RSSB outputs not only land but also deliver tangible benefits for the rail industry.

An RSSB report last year found that 58 per cent of our research projects were classed as significant for the rail industry. Over 74 per cent of these research projects are now in use across the network. In total, over 180 projects have delivered practical solutions since 2013.

I am passionate about making sure that our research findings drive improvements and encourage the adoption of innovative solutions. Over the past year, we have witnessed some good examples of research that has led, and will lead, to significant safety, operational, and efficiency improvements. These include:

T1107 - Double Variable Rate Sanders (DVRS) on the GB main line

RSSB’s sander trials (T1107) led to a step change in understanding sand’s role in braking in low-adhesion conditions. The three-month programme of track testing on Class 387 trains returned 225 individual tests. The dataset generated is available to industry bodies and academics, supporting research on low adhesion mitigations and informing work on next-generation brake systems and adhesion management.

T1211 Defining the requirements for remote connectivity for train dispatch

This research has paved the way for more efficient and reliable train dispatch processes by establishing the necessary requirements for remote connectivity. By using advanced communication technologies, we can ensure that train dispatchers have real-time access to critical information, enabling them to make informed decisions quickly. This improvement in connectivity is expected to reduce delays and enhance the overall reliability of train services.

T1302 Guidance on limits of freight train trailing length as governed by tractive effort

The research focuses on enhancing the tractive effort of modern freight locomotives to improve efficiency

and reduce carbon emissions. By challenging outdated rules and developing a new scientific approach, the research allows for increased trailing load limits (TLLs) for many locomotives. This has led to significant efficiency improvements, such as longer trains and heavier loads, without additional infrastructure investment. The new insights have been integrated into a user-friendly calculator tool and a modern online database system, benefiting the rail freight industry with potential savings of over £52 million per year.

T1279 Colour vision requirements for train drivers

This study has provided valuable insights into the colour vision requirements for train drivers, ensuring that safety standards are met while accommodating a diverse workforce. By understanding the specific visual needs of train drivers, we can implement measures that enhance their ability to perform their duties safely and effectively. This research underscores our commitment to inclusivity and safety in the rail industry.

Despite these successes, there is always more we can do to ensure that our research lands better and facilitates the uptake of innovation within the industry. To this end, we are focusing on several key areas:

Improving visibility of our research outputs

We aim to enhance the visibility of our research through various media channels and in-person events. By doing so, we hope to reach a wider audience and ensure that our findings are accessible to all stakeholders. This increased visibility aims to increase the understanding of the benefits of our research and encourage its implementation.

Ensuring clear, understandable, and engaging messaging

It is crucial that our research communicates a clear

and engaging message. We are committed to making our findings comprehensible and relevant to our audience. By presenting our research in a way that is easy to understand, we can ensure that its value is recognized and that it is more likely to be implemented effectively.

Targeting the right time for implementation

Timing is critical when it comes to implementing innovative solutions. We are looking to identify the optimal moments for introducing new ideas, particularly when there is a high need or when potential barriers to implementation are reduced. By carefully selecting the right time to roll out new initiatives, we can maximise their impact and ensure their success.

Engaging

with stakeholders and industry sponsors

By targeting the stakeholders and industry sponsors who can influence and promote the use of RSSB research, we can ensure that our findings are adopted and implemented effectively. Building strong relationships with key players in the industry is essential for driving the uptake of our research and achieving meaningful improvements.

Offering impartial guidance and support

The RSSB’s wealth of knowledge and expertise is a valuable resource. We are committed to providing impartial guidance and support where required, helping the industry to navigate the complexities of implementing new research. Our role as a trusted advisor ensures that our research is applied in a way that delivers the greatest benefit.

By continuing the great work of the RSSB Research team and improving our engagement and implementation strategies, we aim to address the challenges identified in the Rail Technical Strategy and the RSSB’s business plan. Despite the issues and

My experience in both the Standards and Research teams has underscored the importance of ensuring that RSSB outputs not only land but also deliver tangible benefits for the rail industry

changes facing the rail industry, I remain optimistic that the implementation of RSSB’s research can bring real benefits to the sector. As we look to the future, we are committed to building on our successes and ensuring that our research continues to deliver meaningful improvements.

www.rssb.co.uk

Rail Director looks ahead to next month’s Railway Industry Association (RIA) Innovation Conference, speaking to some of this year’s keynote speakers

Innovating and transforming rail for all

Next month sees the return of the RIA Innovation Conference, bringing together experts from the sector and other industries to explore the theme Innovating and Transforming Rail for All.

“This event facilitates an important space for supply chain and stakeholders from across the sector to engage and collaborate around an important and challenging topic – innovation,” said Toufic Machnouk, Managing Director at GBRX. “It particularly helps SMEs gain exposure and demonstrate what they are working on.”

Toufic will be speaking at the event about his mandate for GBRX, the sector’s new strategic innovation body that is working to bring greater strategic prioritisation, collaboration, and drive to the most important technological innovations that are needed in the industry.

“I will also outline the ‘big bets’ we are working on, outline the barriers that I see, and how GBRX is specifically mandated and designed to overcome them,” he said. “The sector is at a pivotal moment, facing challenges such as aging infrastructure, evolving passenger expectations, changing skills in the marketplace, climate change, and increased

competition from other transport modes, all of which require a strategic and purposeful approach to unlock innovation across the track train eco system.

“GBRX’s role is to enable the railway to see and do things it can’t see and do today by partnering with world leading innovators, leading universities, private sector technology ventures, technology development institutions and other sectors.”

This RIA Innovation Conference takes place at the ICC Wales in Newport, on March 25 and 26, featuring speeches, the event’s biggest ever exhibition, TechTalks, pitch sessions, a Hackathon, partner research, development, an innovation showcase, and evening networking and dinner. Tickets are on sale.

“All the things we need to thrive as an industry stem from innovation – whether it is improving the customer experience, ensuring accessibility, reducing journey times, increasing safety, minimising disruption, or delivering greener travel,” said Shamit Gaiger OBE, Managing Director of West Coast Partnership Development.

“However, it is crucial to understand that innovation is not just about technical advances, but also new ways of thinking and doing. We cannot

thrive without innovating and adapting to meet the needs and expectations of customers.”

Shamit is among the high-profile speakers addressing attendees on day one. During her talk she will outline the role of innovation as a core value in West Coast Partnership Development’s work as shadow operator for HS2 and customer champion, and about some of the priorities for where we need to innovate as an industry, and the challenges in doing so.

“Innovation is crucial both to our role and to our goal, and to unlocking the potential economic and social benefits,” she added. “Meaningful innovation is outcome-focused, but this can often be very narrowly defined. Particularly in rail, we need to always be mindful that we are a whole system which needs to be as seamless as possible for the customer.

“We need a shared vision and direction, and that includes encouraging and harnessing innovation from the supply chain. We cannot innovate effectively alone, so we need to place collaboration at the centre of our working culture.

“Events like the Innovation Conference are extremely valuable in bringing the industry together to focus on specific challenges and opportunities, and

Image: RIA

to share ideas, perspectives, and best practice. More than that, they help to foster the collaborative working needed to think about and shape the future of rail. We can only be successful by working together.”

The award-winning conference is a flagship event in the Unlocking Innovation programme, bringing together inspirational leaders, pioneering engineers, ambitious entrepreneurs and passionate railway professionals.

“Events like this are extremely important, as innovation plays a key role in developing and growing rail, supporting the industry in reaching its decarbonisation targets and delivering benefits to our customers,” explained Andy Mellors, Managing Director at train operator Avanti West Coast. “It provides improvements to their travelling experience, a more reliable railway service and ultimately provides customers and taxpayers with better value for money.”

Andy is giving a speech in the afternoon on day two, where he will speak about the importance of understanding the needs of customers and colleagues so they can implement new ideas and solutions effectively.

“As an industry, we need to refocus our mindset to be bold and empower our people to do the right thing,” he explained. “We need to be open to change, whether it is introducing new technology or transforming our ways of working.

“The conference provides a platform for rail leaders and innovators to come together and share new ideas, but also to discuss the challenges that we are facing at the moment. I am proud to have the opportunity to speak at the event, and look forward to sharing examples of some of the great things that we are doing at Avanti West Coast, whilst also hearing about new products which may help benefit our customers and business.”

David Horne, Managing Director at LNER, who is giving a speech on day one, added: “Conferences such as Unlocking Innovation are vital in helping us create a railway that is simple and effective for our customers. The rail industry works best when it works together to deliver results for its customers.

“Opportunities to get together, collaborate and discuss new, innovative ideas, and explore the future of rail are exciting and ones that should not be overlooked. I’m looking forward to hearing lots of great ideas, understanding what may be coming around the corner, and working out how LNER might be able to positively use innovation for its customers.”

LNER is reaping the benefits of investing in innovation, which includes working with partner train operators at the DfT Operator on the Future Labs programme, which aims to discover and showcase the innovations that can positively impact journeys for customers or the environment.

David explained that at a recent Future Labs demo day, he heard about technology that captures wind turbulence from passing trains and converts it into green energy, and AI tools that will help operators provide a more reliable service and assist customers on their journeys.

“We are also working incredibly hard to bring new machine learning to life,” he said. “Recently we have trialled a system at Newark Northgate and Peterborough which helps us take action to mitigate potential delays that can occur to trains at stations. The system highlights any pinch points and helps teams to prepare and plan for potential issues, enabling them to be more proactive, including planning additional resources at stations, where necessary, to try and alleviate delays. This has now been rolled out across the vast majority of LNER managed stations.”

He added: “Being receptive and providing opportunities to SMEs to work in the rail industry and implement their ideas can only be a good thing. The benefits of working together towards a common goal are huge and the rail industry should be at the forefront of it.”

Luisa Moisio, RSSB’s Director of Research, will be speaking on day one about the Rail Technical Strategy and how it underpins the organisation’s research programme, allowing it to be more focused and joined up in its efforts, and what it means for developers and manufacturers of new solutions.

This event facilitates an important space for supply chain and stakeholders from across the sector to engage and collaborate around an important and challenging topic – innovation Image: RIA

Andy Mellors

David Horne

“Innovation is critical and with other modes of transport evolving, we must increase integration and improve the affordability, reliability and flexibility of rail,” she said. “Great innovation comes in many shapes. For example: Changing the ways we do things to make the most of the assets we have; pursuing incremental improvement any time physical and digital assets are replaced; introducing new solutions safely and efficiently; and nurturing radical solutions that could make a step change. All these are important aspects of innovation the industry needs to pursue.

“Events like RIA’s Innovation Conference are critical to connect those that can use and buy new solutions with the developers, manufacturers and research community working on them. We all have our part to play to make the industry more efficient and reliable for customers, and getting together allows us to create synergies and more easily match challenges and solutions.”

Alongside some of the leading names in the rail industry, the event is already bringing together those from different sectors, such as Dr Jo North, Innovation Ecosystems Director at the Port of Tyne, to tackle shared challenges.

“These events get the conversation started, break down silos and help industries such as maritime and rail take steps towards goals such as decarbonisation, digital transformation and making supply chains more sustainable,” she said. “They also act as platforms for thought leadership, where industry experts can share insights, inspire change and set the direction for future innovation.”

Dr North joined the Port of Tyne in 2019. At the RIA Innovation Conference, she will be sharing what is being done at the 2050 Maritime Innovation Hub at the Port of Tyne, an initiative where industries are coming together to solve problems and find new ways of doing things. She will also talk about the role of sustainable innovation in driving clean growth and generational jobs in the North East and the UK maritime industry as a whole.

problems with practical solutions,” she said. “We encourage a hands-on, collaborative approach to addressing challenges across different industries. By working with sectors such as automotive, space, renewables and more, we’re creating opportunities to learn from each other and tackle shared issues in new ways.

“We also focus on developing skills and creating jobs through innovation. By working with universities, colleges and businesses, we’re helping to ensure that our sector and our region are ready to meet the demands of the future. Our partnerships with global and regional stakeholders enable us to turn ideas into actions that benefit the wider community.”

“Safety and sustainability are at the heart of everything we do. Whether it’s low-carbon trade routes, renewable energy testbeds or autonomous AI projects, we’re committed to solutions that make work safer for everyone and deliver lasting environmental and economic value. Our aim is to build a more resilient, forward-thinking sector for tomorrow, whilst also solving the problems we face today.”

The conference provides a platform for rail leaders and innovators to come together and share new ideas, but also to discuss the challenges that we are facing at the moment

“We actively collaborate with other sectors, such as advanced manufacturing, defence, the space industry, renewables and more, to share knowledge and drive innovation across boundaries,” she explained, adding that so far, they have worked with over 500 companies and 5,000 people. “It’s about building strong partnerships that lead to real progress.”

The Port of Tyne is reaping the benefits of innovation. Its Venture Connect accelerator programme links SMEs providing sustainable innovations with investors who are passionate about green growth, has helped clean tech start-ups and scale ups to grow, pushed forward new environmental solutions and helped to make supply chains more sustainable by connecting the right people and resources.

Other projects have included the Green Shipping Corridors, which is aiming to achieve low-carbon infrastructure along important routes; and its private, port-wide 5G network, which has made it easier to connect systems across the port and improve operations. The Port of Tyne also supports businesses by helping them to trial their new products and services in its 5G and clean energy test bed environments.

“Innovation is about tackling real industry

This year’s event aims to build on the success of last year’s event which saw the introduction of the Train Operating Companies Pitch Session, Exhibitor Spotlights, and innovators’ TechTalks. All of these have received positive feedback from attendees, allowing the event to be more interactive and engaging, with the 2025 offering set to combine opportunities to share your innovations, be inspired by technological and research advancements happening in the UK and around the world, engage with clients and suppliers to overcome barriers and, most importantly, have fun.

Richard Carr, Technical and Innovation Director, said: “The RIA Innovation Conference is one of the highlights of the year for me, bringing together inspirational leaders, pioneering engineers, ambitious entrepreneurs and passionate professionals. Together that is a force to be reckoned with.

“This year, in addition to a fantastic list of keynote speakers, we have also expanded the exhibition element of the event, with the biggest ever hall available for innovators to showcase their products. There will also be the return of the popular TechTalks, Pitch Sessions, and evening networking and dinner. I can’t wait.”

Tickets are still available.

Visit https://shorturl.at/GhDDl

Image: RIA

Image: RIA

For rail operators, the need for frequent and regular maintenance stops to handle wastewater management and refilling freshwater tanks has been a longstanding and ongoing challenge

Reducing waste, saving water:

How GBR-Rail’s Cleartrak is transforming train toilet systems

These stops not only remove trains from service but also create logistical bottlenecks, increase costs, and have a negative impact on the environment.

As rail networks expand and journeys grow longer, these inefficiencies threaten to become critical barriers to enhancing network capacity and sustainability.

A

smarter approach to train toilet waste processing

In response to these ongoing maintenance challenges, rail depot equipment specialists GBR-Rail have developed the Cleartrak system, an innovative, mobile waste treatment solution designed to revolutionise how trains handle wastewater.

Established in 2009, GBR-Rail’s experienced team is drawn from all areas of the rail sector, bringing with them a holistic understanding of the many issues inherent in both depot and rolling stock maintenance.

With the support of the Clean Futures Accelerator, which the firm was awarded a place

on in 2024, Cleartrak is driving forward with its development and testing, marking a significant milestone in sustainable rail innovation.

The Clean Futures Accelerator, based in the West Midlands, is designed to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in advancing their technologies while contributing to a regional Clean Futures Ecosystem.

For GBR-Rail, this has been significant as it has supported the firm’s ambition to become an industry disruptor in wastewater processing.

With £50,000 in funding and access to advanced facilities at the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO), GBR-Rail has been able to undertake critical development stages for Cleartrak.

This commercial and technical support has enabled the company to transform Cleartrak from a promising concept into a near-market-ready product, addressing a long-standing challenge in the rail industry: the inefficiency, cost, and environmental impact of traditional Controlled Emission Toilet (CET) systems.

Cleartrak is a mobile system that cleans and recycles wastewater directly on trains

Highly efficient wastewater cleaning and recycling

With Cleartrak, operators working on the rail network can redefine how they handle wastewater, as Tim Brown, Managing Director of GBR-Rail explained:

“Cleartrak is a mobile system that cleans and recycles wastewater directly on trains. With our solution, solid waste is converted into dry, pathogenfree biosolids, while water is treated for reuse. By doing so, Cleartrak eliminates the need for frequent trips to maintenance depots for emptying waste tanks and refilling water reservoirs.”

This approach offers train operators significant benefits:

Improved network capacity: Trains equipped with Cleartrak only need servicing four times per year, drastically reducing downtime.

Cost efficiency: Depots can forego expensive CET emptying equipment, reducing infrastructure costs.

Environmental benefits: Cleartrak eliminates methane and other greenhouse gas emissions, reduces the use of freshwater and harmful chemicals, and decreases reliance on traditional sewage systems.

Operational resilience: By creating a closedloop system, Cleartrak ensures train toilets remain operational throughout journeys, even on long routes.

The Clean Futures Accelerator:

A platform to showcase innovation

The Cleartrak concept initially began development in 2020, before the Coronavirus pandemic brought the industry to a standstill. Following a challenging period, early trials were delayed due to resource constraints, and a test carriage was unexpectedly recalled into service. The Clean Futures Accelerator has since provided an excellent opportunity for GBRRail, providing the resources and facilities the firm needs to move forward with its innovation, resulting in new partnerships and opportunities, as Tim outlined:

“Through partnerships with Chiltern Railways and Angel Trains, we’ve secured a new test carriage, allowing us to showcase Cleartrak’s capabilities in real-world conditions. Demonstrating Cleartrak at the BCIMO’s Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre is a unique opportunity for proving the system’s reliability and efficiency to potential adopters.”

Global potential

GBR-Rail’s applications are not limited to the UK. With the rise of electric, hydrogen, and batterypowered trains, the global rail sector is seeking solutions that enhance efficiency while reducing environmental impact. Cleartrak is uniquely positioned to meet these demands, particularly for long-distance routes across Europe, where reducing stops for maintenance is a high priority.

Unlike traditional bioreactor technologies, which rely on frequent water refilling and specialised maintenance equipment, Cleartrak offers a self-sustaining, energyneutral solution. GBR-Rail’s innovation aligns with international carbon net-zero targets and addresses a critical gap in rail infrastructure.

Trials have been taking place at BCIMO’s Rail Development and Test site and results so far have been promising, Tim explained:

“The figures we have recorded indicate the potential for some huge water savings. For example, on a single busy intercity route, Cleartrak could effectively prevent up to 2,500 litres of wastewater from entering the sewage network every single day.”

Demonstrating the solution

Tim says GBR-Rail is confident that the Clean Futures Accelerator will offer the tools and momentum to bring Cleartrak closer to market. The goal is clear: to demonstrate that Cleartrak is the ideal solution for modern rail waste management.

“By showcasing its benefits in real-world trials, GBR-Rail aims to eliminate the need for timeconsuming and costly pilot schemes, ensuring rapid adoption by train operators worldwide.” He said.

“As water scarcity, environmental regulations, and operational challenges continue to grow, we believe Cleartrak can be the disruptor the industry needs for train toilet waste processing.

“We’ll be showcasing our solution at a demonstration day at BCIMO in February 2025, and we’re excited to present our drive for sustainability and efficiency to the rail industry.” He added.

gbr-rail.com/cleartrak.html

As water scarcity, environmental regulations, and operational challenges continue to grow, we believe Cleartrak can be the disruptor the industry needs

The Rail Academy is revolutionising safety critical operator training in the railway industry. Managing Director Cath Bellamy explains more

Taking the strain on training and sourcing train drivers

Success to Cath Bellamy is that the clients she works with as Managing Director of The Rail Academy are really proud they made the decision to bring in her leading provider of rail operations assessments and training and that they would recommend them to others.

“If I sit down with the client at the end of a project and they’re not 100 per cent happy with us, then I’m not happy,” she said. “Our team of trainers and assessors know that their jobs are to delight our customers with a top class, professional service delivered warmly, flexibly and supportively. So far it seems to be working at a crucial time for the industry.

“Traditionally rail training and development, particularly for rail operators, has been carried out internally, and that is going to have to change, and it is changing. This isn’t necessarily because of poor quality, but there simply is an inadequate number of

personnel with the qualifications and experience to be able to deliver what is needed. This is something we can help with.”

The Rail Academy was established in 2020 as part of SLC Operations Ltd, a licensed train operator Cath, an experienced rail industry leader, set up and ran. Since July 2022 it has operated as a separate company under her leadership, specialising in supporting safety critical, operating roles including train drivers.

The team’s passion to solve problems is matched with its expertise, as one of only four companies approved by OFQUAL to carry out specialist Train Driver Apprentice End Point Assessments. Last year it was also successful in securing its application to become an Office of Rail and Road-registered Train Driver Training and Examination Centre. For 2025, exclusive industry partnerships with specialist

recruiters and psychometric testers, as well as advanced online systems, are being developed to offer new, more efficient recruitment of train drivers, again to support operators and save wasted time and money.

“We can help solve some serious headaches for the rail industry,” said Cath. “If train operators have got driver shortages and they’re unable to source really good candidates, of the required standard and at the times needed then they can contact us, and we can do it for them.

“If they don’t have enough resource or time inhouse to do their driver training then they can also contact us. We can have excellent, qualified people in their workplace delivering with them and for them, quickly and cost effectively; or, take learners off site and train them elsewhere. All of that means less overstretched teams, reduced risk, better reliability, better

punctuality and better customer service.”

“We don’t insist on using our own training materials, although we can provide them. Lots of operators are happy with their own training materials; what they need are good quality trainers or assessors to go into their workplace and provide short or medium term support to boost their numbers in their training teams. We can provide that anywhere in the UK and will travel to our client to deliver what they need from us.”

At the heart of The Rail Academy is a drive to revolutionise safety critical operator training provision in the railway industry. Among its services include:

Training and assessing new train drivers in all areas of general professional knowledge, rolling stock and routes.

Supporting new driver’s licence applications.

Training and assessing existing train drivers in areas of general professional knowledge, on board systems, local operating arrangements, rolling stock and routes.

Preparing and delivering train driver training materials, compliant with the required regulations.

“I’m really proud of what has been achieved so far, with accreditations in place and a number of major clients including Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and CrossCountry,” Cath explained. “We’ve got a great team of driver trainers and assessors –probably the biggest and most experienced team of top-quality train driver trainers and assessors of any independent provider in UK rail and certainly much bigger than most operators.

“One example of the work we’ve been doing with an operator since last autumn has been to help them catch up on their backlog of new driver training, also helping with a backlog of upskilling their current drivers, including degraded working practices and onboard passenger information system technology.

“For another operator we’ve delivered 12-week driver training courses with cohorts of new trainee drivers. These are just two examples of operators using us to support them rather than struggling with a demand for training they can’t meet internally.”

What is particularly exciting about The Rail Academy is its ambition to grow in the areas its expertise is needed most. It has recently applied to Ofqual for a Level 2 new rail operation apprenticeship which would allow the organisation to do end point assessments for station-based staff, onboard retail staff and conductors and guards.

“This is something that is particularly important to me,” explained Cath. “There are lots of staff working in customer facing, frontline areas such as these who are at the lower end of the industry wage bracket and whose skills are not formally recognised. A qualification like an apprenticeship standard is really meaningful for their own self-confidence and self-worth, but also to give them a transferable qualification and help them develop a career.

“There has been only one other company I know of in the UK offering these kind of end point assessments and they are not rooted in rail, so there is currently

a bottleneck to employers who want to offer that apprenticeship across UK rail. But more than that, through my career I have worked alongside junior operator roles in the industry. If The Rail Academy can help them get training and qualifications that don’t exist now, well that will be a good job done. Helping them will help the industry encourage and bring talent through, building experience over time and creating more competent, knowledgeable leaders in the future. As a trainee back in 1992, my first supervisory job was in platform despatch and concourse management. The experience I gained then and through all my subsequent frontline jobs has never been forgotten by me. It would be nice to help others make that same journey.”

Cath is also hoping to spearhead the creation of a national talent pool of train drivers, something that could be a game changer with the number of train drivers looking to retire in the coming years. This could be particularly interesting to Great British Railways and the Government as more train operators come under public ownership and the pressure to step up services and performance grows.

“Initially a quick solution needs to be found to the driver shortages, and I hope the Government will look to the private sector to help them catch up, and we’re in a position and ready to help,” she said.

“Another of the services we’re looking at is around the recruitment and selection process of train drivers, which has traditionally been done in house. Employers get thousands of applications from wannabe train drivers, for every vacancy. Currently selection and testing processes are hugely labour intensive, lengthy and overwhelming for the small teams in place. In my experience it also seems to be very reactive, and relatively unresponsive to changing operating needs. We are looking at a new approach and one which uses developed technology combined with specialist experience to help turn those applications around and to trim numbers down to a manageable size of high quality.”

The Rail Academy Group is in talks with a supplier of psychometric testing, which means it would be able to offer psychometric testing as part of the recruitment package that it’s looking to offer operators this year.

“Creating a national talent pool of train driver candidates, potentially partly trained, that can be sourced centrally for industry employers through The Rail Academy would eliminate the stop start, panicky, on the back foot process that is multiplied across operators,” commented Cath.

“We could help get employers on the front foot, using us as a support and helping to deliver what is needed to fulfil their own resourcing plans developed internally with trade unions. They could use us to help deliver that in a smoother, more manageable way with higher success rates than they’ve got at the moment. We aim to reduce the costs of managing unsuccessful applications and all the time associated with getting 2,000+ applications per vacancy perhaps down to a handful of excellent candidates per vacancy.

“I would be delighted to hear from anyone who thinks we could help them with any of our services.”

www.therailacademy.com

If train operators have got driver shortages; they’re unable to source really good candidates of the required standard at the times needed; they can contact us, and we can do it for them

Mark

Rushton, Chief

Executive Officer (CEO)

at

COMET, explains how the company is improving business performance with intelligent data-driven risk management and mitigation

Finding the real root cause to prevent future incidents in rail

When a close call, an incident, or a nonconformance impacts an organisation, there will, of course, be an eagerness to apply corrective measures going forward. However, to achieve successful preventative action a proper root cause analysis (RCA) of each casual factor is required.

“You can never fix the ‘what’, only the ‘why’, so trying to fix the whole incident before establishing why it happened is usually futile despite the very best intentions,” explained Mark Rushton, CEO at COMET. “The consequences of misaligning or shortcutting the right processes are simple –recurrence of failures for the same reasons further down the line which in turn kills the belief in the value of the investigation process next time round. It’s a vicious circle.”

Ensuring that isn’t the case is COMET’s worldleading methodology, training package and software solution for incident investigation, RCA and

prevention built from 400 plus years of investigative experience and heritage.

COMET, previously known as STC INSISO, began its journey into incident prevention tools after securing work with a business in Seattle, a specialist parts manufacturer for the aerospace industry, which struggled with the inability of the then proprietary market options to prevent the recurrence of its ‘frequent hitter’ incidents and non-conformances.

“Our team had a background with more than one of these and shared a frustration that it was still very difficult to understand performance or more importantly underperformance at any scale,” explained Mark. “That frustration was further fuelled by long and illustrious investigator careers in both criminal and industrial sectors and exposure to the worst possible outcomes that, when analysed, were not only preventable but, in some cases, predictable.

“We knew early on that root causes were pack animals and never occurred in isolation, so building a

structure that could track and correlate them at scale was key. We also knew that root cause outcomes weren’t affected by the consequence of their occurrence, so building a version of our methodology that was a lighter touch for use in low-level low consequence events would give us the opportunity to address root causes before any significant harm came of the organisation, all without overburdening HSEQ and operational teams. Applying proportion was a very important lesson learned.”

Mark emphasised that root causes don’t change based on failure type either and that they are agnostic in nature. It was important to teach early adopters back then that if you limit RCA to just health and safety related events, you miss out on a big chunk of return on investment, or as COMET likes to measure, return on prevention.

As an organisation, it continues to significantly invest in technology to support the core methodology, ensuring it is a credible part of the environment,

Images: COMET

health and safety enterprise technology landscape. Seamless integration with parent systems is now also relatively straightforward, and as COMET’s investment has scaled, useful, AI-assisted tools are now featured across the platform too.

“Incident investigation & root cause analysis is a field where the traditionally widest-used solutions (including five-whys) have generally been adopted to try to prevent repeat failures – all usually on a case-by-case basis and being frank, they all have limitations, and this has allowed COMET to flourish,” commented Mark, who has been at the company for nearly 22 years.

“COMET offers a new standard, with technology and learning from cumulative data at its heart. Whilst numbers and standalone outcomes have some value, illuminating the systemic detail that brings the real contributors to organisation-wide failure offers much more.

“All of this is presented by next generation dashboards designed by investigation domain experts – and populating actionable detail from day one. We call this moving ‘from counting to colour’. Data is only data until you can use it to inform better decisions – COMET makes that easy. Actionable Intelligence should be a given in today’s tech-smart environments.”

Tools offered with COMET’S Incident Investigation module include human factors analysis (which aids the all-important just & fair culture), AI-assisted on-demand help, and in-built guidance on building the right preventive actions. Common pitfalls are all addressed – and there is no double handling or duplication of data as reports are automated from the COMET platform.

Appreciating that making change can seem daunting, the organisation works hard to address and remove the barriers most common to a ‘firsttime’ successful transition. So putting together the passion and the expertise, it will come as no shock that COMET is having a significant impact on organisations big and small in all corners of the globe, in areas such as:

Ensuring a consistent and deep understanding of all their incidents and unplanned business outcomes.

The ability to isolate the root causes that give them most of their pain, the systemic ones.

Preventive actions that are smart & achievable.

More effective preventive spending – making sure every pound allocated is spent where it’s needed most.

Getting on the front foot and to understand their performance at scale.

“Whilst we are still employed much more regularly than we’d like to be investigating the very worst industrial incidents and non-conformances, HSEQ maturity in the past 22 years has come on in leaps and bounds,” said Mark. “Smart businesses are much more proactive and have invested in better

supply chain collaboration, operating procedures, cultures, barriers and control measures to better their performance day in and day out.

“Whilst ‘zero harm’ will always be unlikely, striving for it has led to a focus on the now incremental gains that combining people and technology in just the right blend can realise. A bright future is one where all businesses with aspirations to work in our major accident hazard industries follow a similar path to those who have helped us get to where we are today and continue to push for better still.

“With that in mind, we urge businesses across the rail industry to take a no-obligation-free look at COMET. We de-risk any interest completely using comparison and free trial options, and we offer simple, competitive enterprise pricing with no hidden costs. Our training costs less than the rest but sacrifices nothing when it comes to quality, and our support is second to none. We promise it won’t be time wasted.”

www.cometanalysis.com/

You can never fix the ‘what’, only the ‘why’, so trying to fix the whole incident before establishing why it happened is usually futile despite the very best intentions

Thought leaders from all around the world attended a conference giving insights into the European Train Control System (ETCS) and Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC)

Engineering experts speak at Signalling the Future conference

The rail industry has to work collectively to embrace new technology and deliver signalling solutions for the future that must ensure safety, delivery reliably, and be environmentally friendly, but of course economically viable.

That was the message from Transport for London’s (TfL) Commissioner, who was a keynote speaker at the ‘Signalling the Future’ seminar last month. The event was organised by the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers (IRSE), The Technical Society (TechSoc) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), bringing together engineering experts from all over the world to look at railway signal engineering.

Andy Lord praised those in attendance for the role they play and “the magic” that they deliver, and also called on the industry to work collectively to learn from sectors such as the automobile and aviation ones.

“Our pace of change is quite slow, and our cost of change is very high,” he said. “So what more can we do collectively to learn from those sectors to continue to upgrade our railways in an affordable, efficient and safe manner that is fit for the 21st century and enables us to deliver the service that rightly our customers expect us to deliver.”

The Transport Commissioner was among a diverse range of thought leaders from all around the world including the UK, India, Australia and Europe, covering the perspective of operators, maintainers and suppliers when it comes to ETCS and CBTC.

Andy added: “Safety is absolutely our first priority and there is no doubt with the roll out of systems like CBTC our railway is safer than it has ever been. We

have to ensure that testing of software is rigorous, we have to ensure that we understand the failure modes and the combined effect of such, but we must be pragmatic around the software, the cost, the defects and the rectification and the time to deliver it to avoid the prolongation and increasing costs that as an industry, we cannot afford.”

The Commissioner spoke of the importance of embracing future technology, which he said is at the heart of TfL’s considerations and is something that must be taken into its operating systems.

“We need to work together, looking at decision

support and AI and where these can help diagnose issues and help us as operators manage and run the railway that is so dear to us all,” he said. “The systems know why they are doing it, we just need to find a way for them to tell us more quickly.

“We need to look at what this intelligence is telling us and how we can be the best needed to help us provide a safe, reliable and affordable railway, to better plan on maintenance regime, and to improve our fault finding, spotting trends in advance of causing an operational issue.

“And of course, in doing so, we need to recognise where the risks are and in the digital era, what might happen if there are any interruptions for reasons beyond our control. We had real experiences at TfL  as a result of the cyber event that we suffered last year. We segregated it from our operation systems very, very quickly, but in a world where we become more reliant on technology and communications, we have to be alive to the security threats that are new to us.”

The event, sponsored by Hitachi, Stadler Rail, Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) and CPC Project Services, explored railway clients’ key needs and requirements, how CBTC and ETCS deliver these and how these two technologies converged and what unique advantages each holds, examining real world successes and lessons learned.

Jane Power, IRSE President, said: “It was a huge success with representations from infrastructure operators/owners, and suppliers coming from many different countries. It was an opportunity to exchange knowledge with experts and client organisations, with attendees grasping the opportunity of contributing to the discussion and networking with peers.”

(GBRf Peterborough Maintenance Hub built by Cairn Cross, 2024)

At the Future of Rail: Demand event, Steer published its latest reports into passenger demand, and industry leaders discussed how this can be maximised

The Railway Industry Association (RIA) launches Future of Rail series

New analysis has demonstrated demand for passenger rail continues to perform strongly. These were the findings from consultancy group Steer, which revealed its latest analysis at the first of RIA’s Future of Rail series.

The series, taking place to mark RIA’s 150th anniversary and the bicentenary of the world’s first passenger train journey, is exploring different areas of rail, asking what the future needs to look like and how we can all help to shape it.

The opening event centred around demand, with rail demand having recovered to 97 per cent of preCOVID levels and Steer’s RIA-commissioned report in 2024 estimating that demand will continue to grow anywhere between 37 per cent and 97 per cent by 2050.

Steer’s Mark Brownie and Mike Goggin starting the event with their reflections on where passenger rail demand currently stands. Picking up on Steer’s long-term rail growth scenarios developed 12 months ago, it was revealed there had been 16 per cent growth, which was towards the top end of the four growth scenarios.

“The results indicate another strong year of recovery for much of the network, and parts of the network are now experiencing pre-pandemic levels of demand,” said Mike. “It will be important to secure growth in the right places and at the right price to contribute to a more affordable industry.”

Mark added: “National Travel Survey results demonstrate that younger people are now travelling by rail more often than before the pandemic, but our own survey shows they’re also more likely to have decided to stop travelling by rail than their older counterparts.

“If the industry can attract, capture, and retain those younger passengers now, they will help build a more resilient demand base for the future. If we don’t attract them now, we risk a lost opportunity and more challenging demand from which to secure the essential industry revenues.”

The event took place at RIA’s headquarters in London and was hosted by Shamit Gaiger OBE, Managing Director of the West Coast Partnership Development, who explained how it is vital that the industry starts with the customer and looks to understand consumer behaviour in the next few decades.

Guy Bates, Head of Freight Development at Network Rail, outlined rail freight situation and growth targets (eight per cent this control period and at least 75 per cent by 2050). With tight purse strings, he explained what can be done without major

changes to the infrastructure.

“We need to be smarter with what we can do with each train such as longer and heavier, but also making them faster with more power on the front,” he said.

After examining the future of demand, attention then turned to exploring the opportunity and implications for transport strategy, with a speech from Geoff Hobbs, Director of Public Transport Service Planning at Transport for London, who spoke of the importance of a transport strategy.

He then joined Silviya Barrett from the Campaign for Better Transport; Stephen Glaister CBE, Emeritus Professor of Transport and Infrastructure at the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London; and Dr Scott Arthur, the Labour MP for Edinburgh South West, in a panel discussion.

The final part of the event centred around the practical implications and what we need to do as a sector. Martin Beable, Managing Director at Greater Anglia, explained how there had been a 10.2 per cent rise in revenue from pre-COVID levels, helped by fleet replacement providing accessible and modern trains, and brand recognition, saying they had got a £6.30 return on every £1 of advertising.

Martin Prior, Head of Revenue Analysis and Reporting at the Great British Railways Transition Team, said to attendees about the importance of considering the wider role of rail and how one-year business plans prompt shorter-term spending.

He said: “Rail needs to be the solution to national problems rather than the problem itself.”

There was also a panel session featuring Anthony Smith, Chair of event sponsors Independent Rail

Retailers; Jo Field, Founder of JFG Communications and President, Women in Transport; Robert Girgis, Director of Policy, Rail Partners; and Andrea Green, UK&I Business Development Director, Alstom.

Robert Cook, Policy Director at RIA, who co-ordinated the event, said: “What a fantastic start to our Future of Rail series which overall aims to answer some of the biggest questions surrounding rail, and shape decisions that will work for the whole industry and country.

“There were some fascinating speeches and some great conversations and debates around rail demand, and I’m excited to what the future sessions will bring.”

Future of Rail series of events

Demand - January 21, London

Reform - February 13, London

Decarbonisation and climate adaption –March 11, London

Integrated transport – April 24, Manchester

Investment – May 14, London

Stations – June 12, Bristol

Devolution – July 8, Birmingham

Exports and trade – September 9, TBC

Whole system planning – October 7, London

Visit https://shorturl.at/ecvml for more details

Bridge strikes cost the British rail industry about £20 million a year in delays, cancellations and repairs. Michael Clegg, Network Rail’s Route Engineer, explains more about what is being done to reduce delays

New technology trialled in battle against bridge strike disruption

Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) colliding with bridges caused more than 100 days (150,000 minutes) of delays for rail passengers across Britain in just 12 months. In its most recent figures, from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, there were 1,532 reported bridge strikes across the whole network.

“That is one every six hours, which cost Britain’s rail industry around £20 million in delays, cancellations, and repairs,” explained Michael Clegg, Network Rail’s Route Engineer. “We are working tirelessly to reduce the needless disruption caused by bridge strikes.”

Last month, Network Rail announced it was installing technology on the Harlaxton Road structure in Grantham, which was in the top five most-struck bridges nationally last year despite having highprofile signs, chevrons and protective beams.

The Victorian-era bridge has been struck by vehicles 11 times in the past nine months – including three in a week in November – costing the taxpayer more than £600,000 in damage and delays.

Inspections currently require Network Rail engineers to visit the site and check bridges are safe for trains to run over them. The new system of cameras and sensors will speed up this process massively by providing real-time alerts and access

to data and video footage, meaning engineers can check structures in seconds rather than hours.

Cameras will provide visual indications after a bridge strike, while the sensors measure the impact and check the structure and rail tracks.

Michael added: “While we know we cannot prevent all future incidents, this technology will cut the inspection time after a bridge strike from hours to seconds in many cases.

“This means we can have trains running again much sooner after a bridge strike, providing a boost to the reliability of the railway and saving potentially hundreds of thousands of pounds.

“We will also continue our efforts in other areas of our campaign against bridge strikes, including making proactive visits to haulage companies to encourage lorry drivers to plan routes carefully and check vehicle heights.”

Network Rail continues to urge haulage operators and their lorry drivers to ‘Wise Up, Size Up’, and take better care on the roads. It revealed last year that Stuntney Road, Ely, had the unflattering title of ‘Britain’s most bashed bridge’ as part of the organisation’s annual compilation of big hitters, with 18 recorded incidents over the past year.

Its ongoing ‘Wise Up, Size Up’ campaign reminds lorry drivers to check the height of their vehicles and

plan their route in advance to avoid low bridges.

Network Rail also has a team of bridge strike champions covering each route across Britain, who raise awareness by visiting local haulage companies. The last two consecutive years have seen a reduction in the total number of incidents recorded on the network, with a four per cent reduction in the last year alone.

Martin Frobisher, Network Rail’s Group Safety and Engineering Director, said: “Every time a vehicle hits a bridge it can cause serious safety issues for road and rail users. To compound matters, these incidents can delay tens of thousands of passengers while we inspect the bridge and repair any damage –creating cost from public funds which should be used upgrading and improving our network.

“We’ve done a lot of work with transport partners to tackle bridge strikes and it’s encouraging to see this is paying off with a general downward trend in the number of incidents. But with a strike every six hours there’s still much to do and we urge operators and drivers to properly plan their routes, know the height of their vehicles and be vigilant for road signs showing the height of bridges. We will report those who don’t to the Traffic Commissioners and Network Rail always looks to recover the entire repair and delay costs from the driver and the operator.”

Images: Network Rail

we’re with you every step of the way

RSSB. Optimising safe and satisfied passengers

Millions depend on the rail network every day. But challenges remain: shifting demands, evolving safety concerns, and the need to enhance the customer experience.

At RSSB, we’re committed to empowering the industry to make rail safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable for everyone.

We’ve achieved significant progress in this area, from new guidance for seat comfort, maximising capacity on the network, to enhancing driver awareness through improved adhesion information delivery, thereby reducing incidents.

We also focused on improving accessibility to critical information, such as trespass and suicide prevention resources, and enhancing the usability of health and safety data.

Discover how we’re supporting the industry in delivering an exceptional passenger experience. www.rssb.co.uk/safesatisfiedpassengers

Every year, bad weather causes hours of delays on the rail network. Now a revolutionary new tool developed by RSSB promises to cut that by giving Network Rail more insight into the risks that rain causes to infrastructure and the wider network. Chris Knowles, Director System Safety and Health, RSSB, explains more

Modelling data for a rainy day

Heavy rain can lead to flooding and earthwork failures on the railway, increasing the risk of derailments as well as damaging infrastructure and delaying journeys. In 2023 alone, weather-related disruptions caused around 15,000 hours of delays, with blanket speed restrictions often the only way to keep trains running safely.

But, with climate change gathering momentum, bursts of intense rain or extended periods of heavy rain are set to become more likely, putting more strain on infrastructure like cuttings and embankments, some of them built in the 19th century.

Now, data modelling techniques and analytics are behind a new tool that gives rail operators more

insight into the safety risks associated with rain, so they can respond in a proportionate way.

Weighing different kinds of risk

Speed restrictions curb the safety risk to passengers and crew travelling through areas affected by rain. But imposing them can itself cause different risks both to those same trains and elsewhere on the network.

As more trains run outside their normal patterns, the risk of them passing through signals at danger increases. Crowded station concourses and busy platforms filled with passengers waiting for delayed trains also mean higher safety risk. And managing speed restrictions puts extra pressure on signalling staff and route managers.

In short, a slower railway isn’t necessarily a safer railway.

Looking for a solution

In the wake of the 2020 Carmont derailment, caused by debris from a drain washed on to the track between Aberdeen and Stonehaven after heavy rain, blanket 40mph speed restrictions became much more common.

This was after Network Rail introduced the Convective Alert Tool, which triggered a blanket speed restriction (BSR) once rainfall passed a set threshold within a certain period of time. The same threshold initially applied all over the network, without accounting for local conditions.

Dalguise, October 2023. Image: Network Rail

Following recommendations from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), RSSB investigated how to optimise the effectiveness of using BSRs to reduce train accident safety risk, by characterising the relationships between climate events, climatevulnerable lineside assets, and train movements. Network Rail also asked that the research balance the immediate safety risk to trains in rain-affected areas and the knock-on risks elsewhere on the network.

Introducing PRIMA

This work eventually led to PRIMA, or ‘proportionate risk response when implementing mitigating speeds to assets’. To create it, RSSB has combined its expert rail safety knowledge and data science capability, with its risk modelling experts working alongside geotechnical specialists.

PRIMA is a decision support tool for rail operators drawing up speed plans for routes, section by section. It gives them a view of whole-system risk for each section. PRIMA weighs the immediate risk of an accident with the knock-on risks to the wider network to produce suggested running speeds for each section of track. It also produces a cost benefit analysis of speed restriction options.

Network Rail can then combine this information with its local knowledge to produce speed plans for operating route sections, as well as taking into account how ‘driveable’ speed restrictions are. For example, frequent changes of speed over relatively short sections might be difficult to communicate and achieve in practice. Speed plans need to be clear and practical while also addressing the risk. The result is speed restrictions that are proportionate to the risk that bad weather causes.

Modelling all the relevant data

The model that underpins PRIMA is based on data about rainfall, as well as the condition of earthworks in each operational route section, including embankments and cuttings. It uses this data to calculate the risk of a derailment, given the known state of earthworks and the amount and rate of rainfall that’s been forecast. It includes the likelihood of soil landing on the track if a cutting were to fail, and of track giving way if an embankment were to fail.

It then balances this immediate safety risk against other risks caused by imposing speed restrictions, expressed in fatalities and weighted injuries. For each section of track, based on the earthworks and the amount of rain forecast, PRIMA suggests a speed that forms part of a wider decision-making process aimed at reducing risk.

Trialling the new tool

The first trial of PRIMA began in 2023 on two routes in the North West and Central region. Another began in 2024 on four routes in Scotland. These routes represent different conditions, from higher-speed sections to slower lines. The cloud-based tool includes a fully designed dashboard to make information and suggestions for speed restrictions easy to access.

The North West and Central trial drew on local knowledge of route geotechnics engineers to build upon the outputs of the model, based on their insights about specific earthworks. The results look positive.

Planning next steps

In 2025, RSSB and Network Rail aim to roll out PRIMA in areas beyond the two trials. RSSB is also updating the tool to expand its functionality to model the risk of falling trees caused by high winds.

RSSB recently presented PRIMA on a UIC weather resilience webinar with good engagement and interest. Extreme rainfall and wind are not unique to UK rail infrastructure, and there is clear potential to apply PRIMA for railways internationally.

Data modelling techniques and analytics are behind a new tool that gives rail operators more insight into the safety risks associated with rain, so they can respond in a proportionate way

Flooding at Northampton station after River Nene burst banks. Image: Network Rail

Flooding in Mobberley, Cheshire, which had moved the ballast from under the tracks. Image: Network Rail

KGJ Price Railway Contractors Limited: your trusted partner in railway infrastructure, building the railway for Tomorrow!

Transforming Railways, Connecting Communities

At KGJ Price (Railway Contractors), we are dedicated to shaping the future of railway infrastructure with precision, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to safety. With over 40 years of experience in the railway contracting industry, we have established ourselves as a leader in delivering top quality services that enhance the performance and reliability of railway networks across the nation.

Our expertise

We specialise in a comprehensive range of railway construction and maintenance services, including:

Track Renewal and Enhancements: Our skilled teams are equipped to handle everything from new track installations to complete renewals, ensuring that rail systems operate smoothly and efficiently.

Civil Engineering Works: From Station developments to ancillary structures, our civil engineering expertise ensures robust and durable construction that can withstand the test of time.

Maintenance Services: Regular maintenance is key to railway safety and efficiency. Our in-house maintenance team offers scheduled inspections and repairs, as well as a 24/7 call out function ensuring that your railway infrastructure remains in both optimal condition and capacity.

Design and Manufacturing Solutions: At KGJ Price (Railway Contractors) we pride ourselves on our state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities. We produce and supply high-quality infrastructure components, including plain line, switches, crossings, and full turnout units, all designed and manufactured to meet industry standards at our South Wales facility. This advanced facility is able to utilise innovative technology and processes, ensuring precision and durability in every product our teams create.

Why choose KGJ Price (Railway Contractors)?

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Safety First: Health, Wellbeing and Safety is at the core of everything we do. We maintain a strong safety culture, ensuring that our teams operate in

With over 40 years of experience in the railway contracting industry, we have established ourselves as a leader in delivering top quality services that enhance the performance and reliability of railway networks across the nation

a secure environment and that all projects comply with relevant safety regulations.

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Your trusted partner in railway infrastructure

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KGJ Price Railway Contractors Limited

Pantglas Industrial Estate Bedwas CF83 8DR

Jason Hurst, Partner in Grant Thornton UK LLP’s Public Services Advisory team, considers the potential impact of the Spending Review on rail reform and the transition of the operators from private to public ownership

Delivering reform through a spending review

The Spending Review will be challenging for most Government departments, as they will be asked to deliver better services for the public while under increasing budgetary constraints. This could have a significant impact on the rail sector at a time when it faces the largest change since privatisation, as the private sector train operators are brought back into public ownership. There is also the impact of major reform and the creation of Great British Railways (GBR).

This will take focus, time and effort, whilst also ensuring that trains continue to run smoothly for passengers. Reform will take a number of years to deliver, potentially beyond the Spending Review timeframe, with the potential costs initially high and the benefits not seen immediately. This has the potential to create an even bigger short-term burden on railway finances.

Investment in the day-to-day railway and continued support for strategic infrastructure projects - such as HS2 and the Transpennine Route Upgradewill face continued scrutiny and rail must maintain the case for investment, recognising that there are much wider draws on Government spending. Performance and reliability will need to improve to give confidence that more funding should be provided.

Driving performance

Survey after survey highlights a high performing and reliable rail service as a key priority for passengers, and the industry continues to fall short of this expectation in many areas. The programme of bringing operators in-house commences with South West Trains in May. However, this will not change anything on its own. The performance of some of the existing public operators is challenging and bringing additional operators in-house may only exacerbate this further.

Collaboration between Department for Transport (DfT) Rail Services, DfT Operator (formerly DOHL) and Network Rail under Shadow GBR will be critical to improving service performance but, under the current industry structure, is not easy to do. Historically, alliances have been challenging because of the different risk profiles,

the public/private interface and the misalignment of incentives but bringing the operators in-house will help mitigate some of this. Ensuring the incentives are right for collaboration is important, alongside enabling the industry to invest to improve whole system performance regardless of whether this is for track or train.

Driving efficiencies

In Labour’s ‘Getting Britain Moving’ plan, the Government set out its ambition to save £700 million from the operator cost base by bringing them in-house. There will likely be pressure to deliver this at pace, and whilst an estimated £150 million may be achieved by no longer paying fees to private sector operators, this still leaves a significant gap.

DfT Operator will need to act to find efficiencies both within the existing services that it runs and also those brought in-house. All whilst ensuring that the train service to passengers is improved. As is often the case, there may be a need to ‘spend to save’,

and this will require vision from the Government to achieve the long term aims.

Returning to a focus on the net subsidy to operators will help with this, however, there is a risk that efficiencies will not be delivered during the transition to public ownership – only adding to the already underlying inefficiencies within the system arising from historic structures.

Reform of the railway is complex and there are a number of immediate challenges and many more medium and longer term considerations that need to be designed and delivered. The Government needs to ensure it is able to deliver reform as efficiently and quickly as possible, avoiding costly delays and an inefficient end state organisation inheriting an industry in flux.

Grant Thornton’s Consulting team has significant experience in driving efficiencies in both the public andprivatesectors,alongwithadetailedfocusonthe transport sector.

www.grantthornton.co.uk

Reform of the railway is complex and there are a number of immediate challenges and many more medium and longer term considerations that need to be designed and delivered

Grinsty Rail’s PCM 1000 air quality monitoring system equips rail operators with the

necessary tools to monitor, manage, and

mitigate air

quality issues, ultimately fostering a cleaner and more efficient rail network

Grinsty Rail: Enhancing rail journeys with smart air quality monitoring

As the transport sector continues to evolve, the rail industry faces increasing pressure to enhance passenger experiences while addressing growing environmental and health concerns. Grinsty Rail has committed itself to meeting these challenges through innovative solutions designed to create safer and more sustainable rail journeys.

This commitment has earned the company a place in the Clean Futures Accelerator, a programme dedicated to supporting innovators in developing and testing cutting-edge technologies while building a West Midlands Clean Futures Ecosystem. The accelerator is currently assisting 40 regional SMEs, including Grinsty Rail, to trial solutions that have the potential to revolutionise transportation.

Naim Kapadia, Grinsty Rail Chairman, explained: “The Clean Futures Accelerator presents an exciting opportunity for us to showcase the transformative potential of the PCM 1000 air quality monitoring system. Through this program, we aim to demonstrate how our technology can enhance the passenger experience and support the rail sector’s sustainability goals.”

The PCM 1000: Redefining passenger comfort and efficiency

The PCM 1000, also known as the Passenger Comfort Module, is an all-in-one wireless sensor designed to continuously monitor key environmental conditions inside train carriages. Equipped with six integrated sensors, the system measures:

Harmful pollutants (PM2.5): Microscopic particles commonly found in enclosed rail environments, such as tunnels and stations, pose significant health risks, particularly to passengers with respiratory vulnerabilities.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂): Critical for maintaining safe and comfortable air quality in enclosed spaces.

Temperature and humidity: Essential for ensuring a pleasant and healthy passenger environment.

Light levels: Supports energy efficiency by adjusting lighting based on natural conditions.

Vibration: Helps assess the condition of wheels, axles, and tracks, preventing costly mechanical failures.

The importance of air quality monitoring

Air pollution remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges in the UK, contributing to an estimated 29,000 to 43,000 premature deaths annually, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). In rail environments, pollutants like PM2.5 tend to accumulate in enclosed spaces,

creating health risks for both passengers and staff. Naim explained: “The PCM 1000 is designed to address these concerns by providing operators with realtime insights into air quality conditions. By monitoring and mitigating pollutants, we not only enhance passenger safety but also contribute to the broader sustainability initiatives within the rail industry.”

Accurate real-time data and predictive maintenance

The PCM 1000 transmits collected data in real-time to a cloud-based dashboard, allowing operators to analyse environmental conditions remotely. The system can send alerts when thresholds are exceeded, enabling immediate action to prevent potential issues.

For instance, spikes in CO₂ or temperature can trigger automated adjustments to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, while light levels can be adjusted in real time to reduce unnecessary energy consumption.

Beyond enhancing passenger comfort, the PCM 1000 also serves as a valuable tool for predictive maintenance. By detecting anomalies such as increased vibration or sudden environmental changes, operators can proactively address issues before they lead to costly downtime or safety risks.

Establishing partnerships for a cleaner future

Grinsty Rail’s participation in the Clean Futures Accelerator offers a unique platform to trial and refine the PCM 1000. The programme provides access to £50,000 in funding, 10 days of bespoke engineering support from the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO), and the opportunity to use BCIMO’s Rail Development and Test Site for live demonstrations.

In February 2025, the company will showcase the PCM 1000 at the BCIMO demonstration day, providing rail industry leaders with a firsthand look at its capabilities. The live demonstrations will highlight the system’s ability to detect particulate matter, monitor environmental factors, and send real-time alerts.

Naim expressed confidence in the PCM 1000’s impact: “With growing interest from industry stakeholders, we are optimistic that our technology will become a trusted solution for rail operators looking to enhance passenger comfort and operational efficiency.”

Innovation in action: Building a healthier future for rail

Grinsty Rail sees the PCM 1000 as more than just a monitoring system – it is an essential tool for rail operators striving to meet environmental, operational, and regulatory goals. The system provides a unique combination of benefits, from improving passenger comfort to reducing emissions and preventing mechanical failures.

Naim added: “As the rail industry prepares for the challenges of 2025 and beyond, we remain committed to delivering solutions that prioritise people, planet, and progress. We look forward to working with stakeholders, demonstrating the value of our technology, and contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future.”

grinstyrail.co.uk

We remain committed to delivering solutions that prioritise people, planet, and progress

Whitfi eld Consulting Services is a growing and passionate civil engineering consultancy, providing creative and effective solutions to the infrastructure sector. Managing Director Asa Whitfi eld explains more

Helping clients deliver complex engineering projects

When faced with complex engineering problems, Whitfield Consulting Services thrives on finding the solutions. Among its many successes has been providing expert civil engineering design services on the recent urgent restoration of the Downs Park Road Overbridge in East London, a 154-year-old road bridge spanning two electrified railway tracks.

A deteriorating deck was replaced, while managing multiple utility services, including water and power, by designing a fanned filler beam deck, utilising a detailed point cloud survey of the existing bridge, allowing the creation of an accurate surface model, identifying potential issues well before construction began.

“From the early project stages of concept design through to the later stages of providing technical assistance on-site during construction, we were there to support the client every step of the way,” explained Managing Director Asa Whitfield. “When it was time to install the new bridge, everything fit perfectly, exactly as we envisioned with our client Murphy. The bridge is now set to last another 120 years.”

It is that agility, experience, collaboration and creativity that has led to Whitfield Consulting Services having an enviable track record of projects, including having worked on the Great Western electrification scheme where it designed 27 substations. WCS is also currently working on the Midland Main Line

electrification programme for SPL Powerlines UK; on the Transport for London Piccadilly Line power upgrade for UK Power Networks Services for the incoming new fleet of trains; and is an important part of the Southern Renewals Enterprise.

“We do get a sense of pride being involved in these big projects, and as engineers we like solving problems,” commented Asa. “A key driver in setting up the business 17 years ago was a desire to contribute to the creation of a more sustainable and resilient built environment through civil engineering services.

“The company has grown organically with a focus on agility, experience, collaboration, and creativity, building a reputation as a trusted partner, having designed more than 200 major projects for more than 30 high-profile clients, including the likes of VolkerFitzpatrick, Hitachi Energy, Murphy and UK Power Networks Services.”

Whitfield Consulting Services is an expert in the power side of things, such as railway substations and electrification, driven by a passion to provide project services that support the net zero agenda in terms of sustainability. This includes both permanent and temporary works, CAD and Building Information Modelling (BIM) capabilities, plus partnerships with other SMEs such as Andromeda Engineering to provide a comprehensive suite of engineering services. It can also provide non rail services such as

grid connections and renewable energy projects.

The main headquarters are in Surbiton, with a smaller office in Armagh, Northern Ireland, with a 50 plus strong team, including 11 recent new team members.

“Clients need more than just technical support; they need a partner they can rely on to adapt quickly, bring valuable experience to the table, and work well with others; something we have proven time after time, from what we are delivering,” said Asa. “Another benefit of working with us is the fact we are an SME which brings with it streamlined decision-making, direct communication, and minimal overheads.

“Looking to the future and the aspiration is to continue advancing the UK and Ireland’s net zero goals through projects like the Midland Main Line electrification programme, strengthen our reputation as a trusted partner in rail and power and energy infrastructure including Control Period 7 initiatives, and overall lead the industry in sustainable civil engineering practices.

“At the same time, we will continue to develop our amazing workforce, including training and career growth opportunities, ensuring development and culture which lays the platform to continue doing the great work we’ve been doing and the reputation we are continuing to grow.”

www.wcs-consult.co.uk/

Robust protection for electrical networks and devices.

Helping to maintain service uptime across a variety of critical rail applications.

ABB’s Installation Products Division has a long legacy of providing quality products and innovative solutions. From safeguarding critical infrastructure on Earth to cable ties that help put machines in space, we continue to deliver solutions that provide a smarter, safer and more reliable flow of electricity from source to socket.

Network Rail’s Kathleen O’Malley has received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her work in promoting support and outreach services to those living rough on the streets. She shares her story

Routes out of homelessness

Network Rail’s London Charing Cross and London Victoria stations are working with charities to help people sleeping rough.

It is recognition of the success of a joined-up approach working alongside local charities, which has already seen hundreds of people experiencing homelessness referred to support.

It is an issue close to Kathleen O’Malley’s heart. It was more than four years ago that the Social Value Manager in Network Rail’s Southern Region helped create the Routes Out of Homelessness charter for the railway, setting out how the industry can help safeguard vulnerable people and communities, working closely with charities to create bespoke plans and training for station staff.

“It has been about working together to look at what we are facing as an industry, what society is facing and how we bring it all together to make a positive difference,” she said.

“The charter has given us a framework to address homelessness moving forward and to particularly focus on it from a safeguarding perspective rather than enforcement to do the right thing by the individuals that we are interacting with but also for our staff as well.”

Following the launch of the charter, attention turned to Network Rail managed stations, with pilot projects at Manchester Piccadilly and Birmingham New Street stations, where staff were trained to connect and refer people sleeping rough with the charities’ expert services in order to provide them with tailored help and support.

In 2022, similar pilots took place at London Charing Cross and London Victoria stations, with those sleeping rough offered support to access different services, such as registering with a GP, mental health services and setting up a bank account.

Many of the people helped have been living on the streets for a long time, and the interventions by the outreach staff in the stations have been a first step in the process of securing permanent accommodation and life-changing support. In the last five years more than 300 people have secured temporary or permanent accommodation.

“It has been growing and growing over the past few years and before, when it might have been seen as a nice to have, now there is a real understanding of the benefits, not just to society, but to us as an

industry with the difference we can make,” she added, explaining how there has been interest from train operators not just in the UK, but abroad about the work that has been taking place.

“The numbers of people helped is amazing, but it’s the fact that each one of those numbers is an individual person whose life has been turned around. It’s not as simple as ‘right we’ve referred them they’re in accommodation tomorrow’. It can be a really long process and some of these people might have been sleeping rough for 20 years and refused support or not been able to take support for various reasons.

“But because of the programme we’ve put

together, people are being given an opportunity to move away from the streets and start a better life, reconnecting with family and friends, and with access to medical care and employment opportunities, something a lot of us will take for granted.”

Kathleen’s efforts were recently recognised in the HM The King’s New Year Honours list with a BEM, with the organisation describing her as a “beacon of positive change, inspiring stakeholders across the country to unite behind a shared goal of ending homelessness”.

Network Rail added that she “understands the challenges both in delivering rail services and

Building strong foundations

supporting the street homeless community”. By listening to colleagues, partners, and people with lived experience of homelessness, she has turned frustration and fear into a powerful, collective force for change.

With a keen eye on the future, Kieran recognised there was a gap in SEP Geotech’s offering:

“What SEP Geotech does ties together perfectly with piling. The purpose of our investigation forms the basis of the pile design, and our sister company, SEP Rail Design, designs the piles; now we will install them.”

“I’m very proud to have been recognised, but would stress that the success is down to a lot of passionate people,” she said. “It is important that we continue to build on the platform set with ongoing work at London Charing Cross and Victoria stations.

Piling, in engineering terms, involves the installation of foundations driven or bored into the ground to transfer loads to deeper, more stable soil.

While the demand is always there for new staff, Kieran knows the value of hiring the right people:

one night last year. This year’s event takes place on February 27. Although Kathleen is unable to take part this year, she has done in the past.

“This industry isn’t for the faint-hearted. Late nights, early mornings. Long periods of time away from your family. My office is my mobile phone and my van; we’re always on the road, on-site, and getting our hands dirty.

“It’s an incredible event,” she said. “It only gives us a tiny, tiny inkling into what people actually experience, but to have that one night of discomfort but know the impact you are having raising funds and awareness is really important.

“Our team shares a deep commitment to the enduring success of our business and is constantly seeking ways to enhance their skills and improve our services.

This is a critical moment for the piling and foundations industry

These structural elements are essential when the natural bearing capacity of the soil is insufficient for supporting heavy construction loads.

Kieran’s extensive engineering experience, developed since his teenage years, has been centred around piling. He explained:

“We want to continue the outreach services that we’re currently offering at those stations, but then continue to work with our stakeholders to build on that with things like the employee engagement side to support them with training on top of the dedicated outreach services so our staff have even more tools in their kit.

“This is a critical moment for the piling and foundations industry. Exciting innovations within pile design and installations are allowing for improved project turnaround times and more technically demanding programmes.

“It is all about continuing to support everyone on the stations and sharing our findings and best practice with other stakeholders and hopefully others, such as train operators, will take that on board so we can help even more people.”

“By leveraging our team’s experience, alongside utilising the wider SEP Rail Group’s capabilities, SEP Geotech is in a perfect position to deliver projects from feasibility to design through to completion.”

Later this month the rail industry will be coming together for the annual Railway Children Sleepout event in railway stations across the country, raising money and awareness for the work being done to help thousands of vulnerable young children who pass through the railway every year.

Prioritising growth and expertise

More than £750,000 has been raised in the last five years from the #BigStationSleepout, with 450 people sleeping in railway stations across the UK for

Investing in the professional development of the current team is also not just a priority; it’s a key part of SEP Geotech’s vision for the future.

“It is getting people to understand what the issues are behind sleeping rough and how they can help. It goes really nicely now with the work we are doing around the outreach project, that we’re not just focusing on it for one night of the year and forgetting that it happens the other 364 days. That is the one event that can bring everybody together to really focus on it, but then we’ve got everything going on in the background the rest of the time.”

“We take pride in being one of the few geotechnical companies that offer specialised drilling NVQs to our team, ensuring that our workforce remains at the forefront of industry expertise and quality.”

Investment in staff is one thing. But the evolving rail industry landscape also demands industryleading equipment. To address this, Kieran provides a candid glimpse into a forthcoming investment at SEP Geotech:

Kathleen has been at Network Rail more than 16 years, the last three years as Social Value Manager in the Southern Region, creating a cleaner, greener and socially responsible railway which delivers true social value for communities living and working near the rail network.

“We’re investing in a new, state-of-the-art solution designed for safe work on embankments, slopes, and even over water. This innovation eliminates the need for traditional rope access, streamlining our processes even further.”

“It is very rewarding, and I get to come in and enjoy it every day and feel good about what I do,” she said, describing her current role. “If people do have complaints about the railway, I get to explain just some of the amazing things that we are doing.

It’s been incredibly rewarding to get to work on such a special project that helps so many vulnerable people but to receive this recognition is really lovely

“On top of that to be awarded a BEM is a real honour. It’s been incredibly rewarding to get to work on such a special project that helps so many

As SEP Geotech continues to evolve and expand its offerings, one thing is clear: Kieran Moran’s experience, dedication, and vision will remain at the forefront, driving the company to even greater heights in the geotechnical engineering industry.

vulnerable people but to receive this recognition is really lovely. There are a lot of people that have been behind it and the progress so far wouldn’t have happened without a lot of passionate people, something I hope will continue to progress into the future.”

RAILWAY LIFTING JACKS RAISING STANDARDS

Lee Woolcott-Ellis will receive a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to Mental Health in Transport. He discusses establishing the Railway Mental Health Charter (RMHC) and his pride at being recognised

“I’m passionate about helping people”

Those working in the rail industry face shift patterns, challenging demands to strict deadlines, and exposure to traumatic events. With that in mind it probably doesn’t come as a shock that sickness absence rates are more than double the national average, with a recent RSSB report finding that the average lost time rate in rail is 4.33 per cent.

The impact on the individuals is at the forefront of the industry coming together with the creation of the RMHC. More than 130 organisations of varying sizes, including Transport for London and the Office of Rail and Road, have signed up to the free framework to help promote, manage, and support workforce

mental wellbeing at work collectively as an industry.

“I didn’t expect it to be so successful and it is really heartening that so many organisations have signed up to that commitment to look after their colleagues and share ideas and initiatives,” explained Lee Woolcott-Ellis, who designed the charter nearly four years ago with RSSB. “When we developed it, we made it possible for any organisation small or large within the industry to sign up for free.

“It is delivered through key action steps, that have been formed to lead, advise, and underpin organisational efforts to create awareness, support positive mental health and provide access to support services whilst reducing stigma in the workplace. It’s

just a great way of people helping people, getting access to like-minded individuals across the industry who are meeting the same challenges.”

It continues to have a big impact on the rail industry. At Southeastern alone, where Lee works as a Mental Health Lead, the train operator developed a mental health advocacy programme which has been engaged with by more than 2,000 colleagues. Seventy colleagues have disclosed cases of historic abuse for the first time and are now receiving professional help. Last year Southeastern reported savings of over £700,000 due to colleagues engaging with the programme rather than being absent from work.

“I can put my hand on my heart and say we’ve helped reduce absence levels from the work that we’ve doing, and more importantly this work has been helping individuals who otherwise might have been struggling alone,” added Lee. “But the onus is on the individual to come forward and ask for help.”

Lee’s determination is fuelled by experiences he suffered and a passion in helping people. For more than 30 years, he kept quiet about the abuse he had suffered as a child in the boarding school system in the 1970s, until one day in 2013 when it all became too much, and he decided to speak out and get help for the first time. He also decided to track down the offenders, with his bravery bringing some to justice for their crimes.

“I’ve got a complex PTSD diagnosis which comes from 10 years of extensive child abuse, something I bottled up for over 30 years which didn’t make me a very nice, or well, person,” he said. “Then one day I took the decision to ask for help and all of a sudden everything became a bit clearer.

“As things started to improve for me, I could see my former self in some of the people I was talking to, and it got me thinking about how many people are really struggling and don’t know who to turn to or what to say. That’s when I came up with the concept behind a mental health advocate programme. I found when I shared my story, more colleagues would approach me and open up. It has normalised the conversation around mental health.

“For me it’s been a very cathartic process and

when I see everything that has been achieved it has really turned it all into something really quite remarkable and something I’m feeling quite proud about.”

His efforts and bravery in sharing his story and work in improving mental health among colleagues haven’t gone unnoticed, with Southeastern Managing Director Steve White describing him as a “very special person” making a “huge contribution to mental health on the railway”, and the train operator’s Head of Inclusion and Wellbeing Natalie Sparrow adding that he is a “pioneer in mental health” with his drive and inspiration “inspiring colleague engagement and increased resiliency”.

Their praise came as it was announced that Lee was recognised in the New Year Honours List, receiving a BEM for services to Mental Health in Transport. As well as establishing the RMHC, he has also introduced a peer support programme to assist colleagues who have experienced a traumatic event, such as a workplace assault or suicide. Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) has engaged with more than 240 colleagues, with 110 going to a full trauma risk assessment.

“I was at work when my other half called me to say I had received a letter from His Majesty’s service and was asking what I’d done,” he said. “I was totally surprised when I opened it, and it is a privilege to have been recognised by the industry that I care so much about and that’s been an important part of my life for many years.

I was totally surprised when I opened it, and it is a privilege to have been recognised by the industry that I care so much about and that’s been an important part of my life for many years

It was a railway chaplain who said to me when I started to look at mental health advocacy that it is a vehicle, what a vehicle it has been for me

2023.

Image: Southeastern

“I am genuinely honoured, and profoundly grateful to be acknowledged in this way and to see all the nice comments from people following the announcement. This recognition means a great deal to me, and it truly warms my heart to know that my efforts have been appreciated. It really validates who we are and what we have and will continue to do here. It was a railway chaplain who said to me when I started to look at mental health advocacy that it is a vehicle, what a vehicle it has been for me.”

Lee joined Southeastern in 1990 and has worked in a range of roles, including in operations, safety, and engineering, before becoming Mental Health Lead. As part of his role at the train operator he is a TRiM Coordinator, a welfare led process intended to assess the response of a colleague exposed to a traumatic or potentially traumatic incident. It originally began in the British Military and is designed to assist people

who have experienced a distressing event to deal with it productively.

“I have some fantastic colleagues who have joined me on the TRiM evolution journey, and we’ve evolved it to fit the railway within two years,” explained Lee. “For example, coming into force this year we have virtually eradicated all paper and we’re now completely digital which makes it easier to manage and a lot quicker to get colleagues into their assessments and get the process underway.

“A project I’m starting this year is looking at a rail TRiM partnership which will be a sub group of the RMHC where we will look at engagement with all charter members within the industry that are doing TRiM and learning and sharing best practices.”

The recognition has been an opportunity for Lee to really take a moment to reflect on the achievements Southeastern and the wider sector have achieved, something he is keen to stress isn’t just down to him, but a fantastic team and an industry passionate to look after its colleagues.

“It has been a chance to sit back and take a moment of reflection on how well we have all done and how far personally I have come as well,” he said. “We’ve been working hard to push the mental health agenda for several years at Southeastern and I can say with confidence that we’ve reduced the stigma in the workplace. Colleagues will come and ask for help, and they feel safe and confident to do that.

“I am immensely grateful for the unwavering support I have received over the past eight years and to those who have worked tirelessly to improve the mental wellbeing of colleagues in the rail industry. Together we have accomplished a great deal, yet there remains an important amount of work ahead of us to ensure that everyone is supported and in getting the message out that help is at hand if and when it is needed.”

Visit https://www.rssb.co.uk/about-rssb/keyindustry-topics/health-and-wellbeing/mentalwellbeing/railway-mental-health-charter-rmhc for more details about the RMHC

Right: Lee Woolcott-Ellis was among the Southeastern colleagues recognised at the National Rail Awards in

For over 50 years, Jones Nuttall Ltd, based in Warrington, Cheshire, has been at the forefront of precision engineering, specialising in rail overhaul, refurbishment, CNC machining, and fabrication. Our extensive experience and customer-focused approach have allowed us to forge long-standing partnerships with some of the UK’s largest rail operators, including Metrolink, part of the iconic yellow Bee Network.

As the Bee Network continues to grow, Metrolink has ambitious plans to expand its tram network over the next 10 years, providing even more seamless connectivity across Greater Manchester. Jones Nuttall is proud to play a pivotal role in this expansion, contributing our engineering expertise to ensure the reliability and safety of the system as it evolves.

Our partnership with Metrolink is built on trust, reliability, and innovation. By supplying precision-engineered rail components, we play a crucial role in maintaining and upgrading their tram network. One of the standout projects has been the refurbishment and moderniation of Metrolink’s electro-magnetic track brake systems—essential emergency braking systems that provide additional stopping power in critical situations. These systems are vital for the safe and efficient operation of trams, activating during emergencies to deliver fast, reliable braking independent of the vehicle’s primary brake system. Our engineering expertise allows us to breathe new life into aging parts, offering cost-effective solutions to replace discontinued components without compromising performance, ensuring these systems remain reliable and effective for years to come.

At Jones Nuttall, we maintain full control over production through our comprehensive in-house machining capabilities. Whether it’s producing aluminum rubbing plates or other critical components on our CNC milling machines, we ensure every part meets the highest precision and quality standards demanded by the rail industry.

Beyond component manufacturing, we specialise in refurbishment and modifications. Our work on electro-magnetic track brake systems is a prime example of how we help our clients maintain safety and operational efficiency. By refurbishing these emergency braking systems, we ensure trams are equipped to handle critical braking situations, significantly enhancing both safety and reliabilitity while minimising downtime and operational costs. As a company, we are dedicated to advancing the rail industry by investing in the latest technology, skilled engineering talent, and innovative processes. This commitment enables us to meet the evolving needs of the sector, delivering high-quality solutions on time and within budget.

With Metrolink’s future expansion plans on the horizon, Jones Nuttall is excited to continue our partnership, providing the precision engineering expertise necessary to support the modernization and growth of the Bee Network. Our focus on precision engineering, innovation, and customer satisfaction makes us the ideal partner for rail operators seeking to enhance performance, safety, and longevity in their fleets.

Referbished Electromagnetic Track Brake

Pleavin Power is surging ahead as the partner to rely on for your power needs, cemented by its new status as an approved contractor for Network Rail. Jack Pleavin, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), explains more

Keeping rail operations on track with innovative power solutions

Ensuring the UK’s rail network runs efficiently requires power systems that go beyond the ordinary. Rail professionals face complex challenges, from maintaining signal integrity to optimising depot operations under tight schedules. Pleavin Power delivers bespoke generator solutions designed to tackle these challenges head-on, ensuring that rail infrastructure operates without compromise.

With the UK experiencing more frequent storms and rising passenger traffic, robust power systems have become more critical than ever. Pleavin Power is proud to announce its new status as an approved contractor for Network Rail, enabling the company to provide essential power solutions across the UK’s rail infrastructure.

Through this partnership, Pleavin Power now delivers planned, emergency and critical power services, along with maintenance and service of power generation equipment tailored to Network Rail’s unique requirements. This collaboration

ensures that the UK rail network remains resilient and efficient, with a trusted partner to address its power challenges.

Responding to storms and ensuring continuity

Recently, Pleavin Power demonstrated its expertise and commitment by working alongside Network Rail to keep operations running smoothly during severe storms. The team ensured that critical systems were prepared, deploying PSP back-up and emergency power solutions to support railway infrastructure around the clock. This proactive approach effectively minimised disruptions and safeguarded critical operations.

Jack Pleavin, CEO of Pleavin Power, commented: “At Pleavin Power, we are committed to delivering the highest standards of reliability and innovation in power solutions. Our recent work with Network Rail during the storms underscores our dedication to ensuring that critical rail infrastructure remains

operational, no matter the challenges. We take pride in being a trusted partner to the UK’s rail network, helping it stay resilient and efficient for the passengers and communities it serves.”

By working closely with Network Rail, Pleavin Power has developed a deep understanding of the network’s operational needs. This partnership allows for the design and implementation of bespoke power solutions, ensuring uninterrupted services across stations, depots and control centres. Pleavin Power’s commitment to excellence aligns with Network Rail’s goal of delivering a safe, reliable and efficient rail network.

Meeting critical power demands in rail operations

Supporting signalling and communication systems: The uninterrupted operation of signalling systems is essential for rail safety and efficiency. Power interruptions can lead to disruptions that affect train schedules and passenger safety. Pleavin

Images: Pleavin Power

Power integrates high-reliability diesel generators that support signalling and communication systems, ensuring consistent performance even during outages. This ensures railways remain operational and secure under all circumstances.

Optimising station infrastructure: Stations play a vital role in connecting people and keeping operations on track, making reliable power essential for both passengers and services. Pleavin Power’s tailored solutions handle the demands of advanced lighting, automated ticketing systems and realtime passenger information displays. By delivering dependable power solutions, the company ensures station operations remain uninterrupted, and passenger satisfaction remains high.

Enhancing depot efficiency: Maintenance depots play a crucial role in keeping fleets operational. Power disruptions can delay servicing schedules and impact network reliability. Pleavin Power provides reliable power solutions that ensure consistent energy supply for heavy machinery, critical tools and depot lighting. Emergency preparedness and response:

Unforeseen power losses caused by grid failures or extreme weather conditions demand immediate action. Pleavin Power offers backup generator systems engineered for rapid deployment, prioritising essential infrastructure like signalling and passenger safety systems. This capability minimises downtime and maintains operational continuity during emergencies.

Tailored diesel generator solutions for the rail sector

Pleavin Power specialises in power solutions that are perfectly aligned with the unique needs of rail operations. Diesel generators are a proven choice for primary and backup power, offering unmatched reliability and durability. These systems are designed to handle the demanding conditions of rail environments, ensuring they deliver consistent performance under pressure.

Rapid emergency response: When unplanned outages occur, swift action is essential to restore power and minimise disruption. Pleavin Power’s dedicated emergency response team is equipped to deploy backup systems rapidly. By prioritising critical areas such as signalling and communication systems, the company helps rail operators maintain public confidence and operational reliability during unexpected events.

Scalable power solutions: Pleavin Power’s diesel generator systems are designed to integrate seamlessly into existing rail infrastructure. Whether retrofitting systems for legacy networks or planning for future expansions, the company ensures scalability and adaptability. Advanced Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems and IoT-enabled monitoring tools provide real-time visibility into system performance. These solutions enable proactive management, reducing unplanned downtime and enhancing operational resilience.

Data-driven insights: Incorporating advanced monitoring systems into generator solutions allows Pleavin Power to offer rail operators invaluable data-

driven insights. IoT-enabled systems provide real-time performance tracking, enabling immediate response to potential issues. Predictive maintenance alerts and detailed analytics empower operators to anticipate and address challenges proactively, reducing downtime and improving equipment longevity.

Comprehensive maintenance and support: To keep power systems operating at peak performance, Pleavin Power provides a range of maintenance and support services tailored to rail operations. These include:

Routine system inspections: Identifying potential issues before they escalate ensures reliability and minimises costly disruptions.

Remote diagnostics and monitoring: Real-time tracking allows for early detection of anomalies, enabling swift corrective actions.

Specialist repair services: Skilled technicians provide prompt repairs, ensuring minimal downtime and seamless operations.

Training programmes: Comprehensive training equips rail professionals with the knowledge to operate and maintain generator systems effectively, enhancing system longevity and reliability.

A trusted partner for rail power resilience

Through its collaboration with Network Rail and deep industry expertise, Pleavin Power delivers solutions tailored to the complex needs of the rail sector. From station power requirements to critical depot operations, the company’s reliable power solutions ensure seamless operations across the network.

Reliable power is more than a necessity - it is a critical component of the rail industry’s success. With Pleavin Power’s tailored solutions and expert support, rail operators can confidently meet current challenges and prepare for future demands, ensuring continuous service for users.

At Pleavin Power, we are committed to delivering the highest standards of reliability and innovation in power solutions

Goldcrest Events is an expert in the fi eld of global hotels and venue fi nding for everything from parties to corporate events.

Founder

and Managing Director Abigail

Luty explains how it helps clients get the very best event and at no cost

A platform for the best events

When something sounds too good to be true it isn’t always the case that it is. Goldcrest Events is a prime example, an award-winning organisation which helps clients get the very best event and at no cost to them.

The business doesn’t charge for its venue finding service due to the fact that approved and established UK agencies are paid a commission for business placed at most hotels and venues, as a marketing fee. This commission doesn’t inflate the rates paid by clients, with recent analysis by Goldcrest finding that it actually achieves a 38 per cent average saving for them on their events.

“We want to add value to each and every event,” said Founder and Managing Director Abigail Luty. “For me it doesn’t feel like a job as I enjoy the networking and the connecting and collaborating with venues and clients.

“A key to the success is going above and beyond. What drives me and the team is to see happy clients and in delivering a great event, with the client coming back to us knowing we’ve not added this and that on.”

Abigail founded the business in 2019, passionate to help clients put on the very best events at the very best costs. The success is helped by her 20 plus years of experience working in the hospitality and events industry, with the last eight years as Senior Director of Sales for hotel groups based in the UK.

“My hotel background is essential in venue finding and event planning as it gives an in-depth understanding of how hotels and venues operate,” she said, explaining how at one point she looked after

26 venues, 26 general managers and 26 budgets. “It means I have that knowledge of working on the other side particularly when it comes to general managers and how the sales and finances work.

“Not only having the knowledge of what goes on behind hotel doors, we also have the contacts, with a lot of my friends industry-based friends who are directors of hotels, not just in the UK but internationally. It means negotiations are done with those at the top and not involving extra costs as the hotels look after us because of the connections and the potential of repeat business.”

Despite the expertise and contacts, one thing Abigail could never have accounted for was the COVID pandemic, which decimated the hospitality industry. A year after starting the business she lost £1 million worth of business with events being cancelled due

Right from the start I want the client to be happy and that is what we will continue providing anywhere in the UK and the world

to lockdowns and restrictions.

Although many would have given up, Abigail was determined to persevere and after hibernating the business for two years, it is now thriving, having retained clients such as the Railway Industry Association (RIA), which is among more than a dozen trade associations it organises events for, with success in putting on award-winning events all over the UK and beyond. This includes RIA’s Unlocking Innovation Conference 2024. https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=8kosc6oFtmA&t=1s

As well as finding locations, Goldcrest Events offers assistance with event planning, design, production and entertainment and has established good relationships with suppliers across the UK and worldwide, which work as its extended team and provide clients with all of the services and expertise that are required to achieve a successful event.

“It has been a hard graft but thanks to the hard work of the team we are now in the best position we’ve ever been in and are continuing to grow,” she said.

“The big drive for me is the whole journey with the client and then right at the end, once we’ve actually delivered that event seeing them smiling and saying, ‘that was brilliant, can we start looking for next year’.

“I am a people person who wants to see my clients happy, hence why as a team we will not put a client into a venue that I know over years of experience won’t deliver on site. Right from the start I want the client to be happy and that is what we will continue providing anywhere in the UK and the world.”

http://goldcrestevents.co.uk/

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The biggest investment into public transport in Cornwall for 30 years has entered stage three

Stage three of Mid Cornwall Metro work gets under way

Work has commenced on the third major stage of work to create Mid Cornwall Metro (MCM) and transform coast-tocoast rail travel in the county.

MCM is funded by Government and Cornwall Council and being delivered by Network Rail in partnership with the council and Great Western Railway (GWR).

The first phase of the project will see hourly trains run between Newquay and Par, more than doubling the current service, later this year. Through trains from Newquay to Falmouth, via Par, St Austell and Truro, will follow in 2026.

Work is now under way to build a 400m passing loop at Goss Moor to allow long-distance and local trains to run at the same time between Newquay and Par.

Network Rail Industry Programme Director Bogdan Lupu said: “We’ve made great progress so far to bring Mid Cornwall Metro to life and this next phase will take us even closer.

“Our work will bring more trains to Newquay, improve the environment and boost the local economy.”

Construction is currently happening at night when trains aren’t running on Network Rail land that sits within Goss Moor National Nature Reserve – a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England granted permission for work to take place.

Round-the-clock work will follow during a core period of construction when the railway is temporarily closed from Monday 24 February to Sunday 23 March inclusive.

The passing loop will be completed and 400m of track will also be replaced near St Blazey to allow trains to pass there, too. Work will also take place on Ponts Mill (Prideaux) viaduct that carries the railway over the River Par to ensure it is safe for decades to come.

Network Rail has already completed two other major pieces of work for MCM – a second platform has been restored at Newquay station and 500m of new track and a new crossing installed to bring trains to it.

The extra trains between Newquay and Par were initially planned to run from this summer but are now expected to start later in 2025. Network Rail is continuing to install the digital signals required to run more services.

GWR Head of Strategic Service Development Matthew Barnes said: “We welcome the steady progress being made to deliver this scheme. These upgrades will make the track improvements necessary for us to provide more, and better, services.

“This paves the way for us to run our first Mid

Cornwall Metro trains which will provide coast-tocoast connectivity between Newquay and Falmouth via Par and St Austell.

“Once the infrastructure works and operational preparations are complete, the first step will see us double frequency on the line between Newquay and

We’ve made great progress so far to bring Mid Cornwall Metro to life and this next phase will take us even closer

Par, followed by the start of coast-to-coast services at a later date.”

The MCM project also includes improvements to walking and cycling routes and public spaces around train stations. Earlier this month Cornwall Council began construction on phase one of work at Newquay to widen the walking and cycling shared use path along Narrowcliff.

Following public consultation held late last year, amendments are being made to the design to extend the walking and cycle path between Edgecumbe Avenue and Oakleigh Terrace and provide more crossing points.

Councillor Connor Donnithorne, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for transport, said: “Mid Cornwall Metro is the biggest investment into public transport in Cornwall for 30 years. It underlines our commitment to provide a thriving and sustainable Cornwall, fit for the modern world, for the benefit our residents.”

Platform work, Newquay. Image: Network Rail

Great Western Railway trains at Par station. Image: Network Rail

BusinessLDN and WSP have released details of a proposal for a new land value generation approach which will capture value from residential development and deploy it to accelerate the delivery of new transport infrastructure, by evolving the current Tax Increment Finance (TIF) model

Unlocking £4.5 billion for new transport projects

Evolving the financing mechanism which supported delivery of a new branch of the Northern Line would unlock billions of pounds worth of investment in new transport projects and drive additional development that boosts UK-wide growth, according to a report published by business campaign group BusinessLDN and multi-disciplinary professional services consulting firm WSP.

The ‘Generating Land Value to Grow London: A New Residential Funding Approach’ report recommends building on the TIF model which allows borrowing against future increases in tax revenue resulting from infrastructure projects in order to finance those transport schemes.

John Dickie, Chief Executive at BusinessLDN, said: “Investment in transport is critical to boosting productivity and growth across London and the UK. Against a backdrop of stretched public finances, the Government needs to consider innovative approaches to get shovels in the ground.

“Letting local government borrow against the future tax revenues that investment will generate, to fund that investment in the first place, is a commonsense way of supporting growth. This model has the potential to be applied across the UK, including London where it could help to get key projects – such as extensions to the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and Bakerloo lines as well as the Overground network – off the drawing board and unlock new homes, create skilled jobs and spur growth.”

The opening of the Battersea branch of the Northern Line in 2021 was in part funded by a TIF agreement, through which the Greater London Authority (GLA) was able to borrow against future increases in business rates amongst firms benefitting from the extension to support its delivery.

The new report recommends evolving this framework to create a residential TIF model, calling on the Government to empower the GLA to borrow against, and retain, a proportion of future increases in stamp duty and council tax to finance transport projects which directly drive those specific, additional increases. This would reduce the call on public investment for transport infrastructure in London, in turn freeing up extra spending for other parts of the UK.

The study highlights how this model could work across the UK with it being particularly suitable in London due to generally higher land values.

The report maps how the residential TIF model could raise as much as £4.5bn over 25 years to support delivery of three priority projects in Transport for London’s (TfL) business plan: proposed extensions to the DLR to Thamesmead, the Bakerloo Line to Lewisham and the West London Orbital extension to the Overground.

This could unlock sites for more than 100,000 new homes and create over 10,000 new jobs. It would also support UK-wide growth, with TfL’s investment in its national supply chain estimated to have been £5.9bn in the 2022/23 financial year alone.

The report also recommends that the Mayor be granted powers to utilise the new residential TIF model, alongside the existing commercial TIF framework, with the freedom to bring the two mechanisms together according to the requirements of different locations.

With local authorities facing significant pressure on their budgets, the report said that the model would only involve drawing a proportion of the additional future council tax on new development resulting from transport infrastructure rather than using existing income. It also highlights other sources of funding that would be needed to share the risk for projects, including Section 106 agreements and the community infrastructure levy.

Chris Whitehouse, Technical Director at WSP, said:

“Unlocking the value of land and property created by better transport connectivity is key to delivering the homes and infrastructure the UK needs.

“By evolving proven funding models like tax increment financing, we can enable critical projects that drive economic growth, create jobs, and enhance communities, not just in London but across the country. This report highlights how such an approach can help bridge funding gaps and catalyse the development of transport systems that are modern, sustainable, and responsive to future needs.”

Investment in transport is critical to boosting productivity and growth across London and the UK

Image: Shutterstock

Network Rail’s North West and Central region played host to the latest Unlocking Innovation event, organised by the Railway Industry Association (RIA). Nigel Wordsworth reports

Unlocking Innovation in Birmingham

nnovation will be critical to the success of the UK railway industry over the next few years. Although Network Rail, the infrastructure owner and maintainer, has a huge budget for the period 2024-2029 – known as Control Period 7 (CP7) – it also has to deliver more than it ever has before. The only way to increase output, and deliver the efficiencies needed, is to innovate.

As a result, RIA decided to align its well-known Unlocking Innovation programme with the needs of Network Rail. The same question would be asked of each Network Rail region – what are your challenges for CP7 and what do you need to help you innovate and deliver the efficiencies that Government is demanding from you?

For the last event of the 2024/25 programme, Unlocking Innovation visited Network Rail North West and Central, holding its one-day exhibition and conference in Birmingham in mid-January. A total of 462 delegates registered to attend and the auditorium was packed as RIA Technical & Innovation Director Richard Carr welcomed everyone and introduced the first speaker.

Regional view

Network Rail’s Capital Delivery Director for the region, Christian Irwin, opened the conference. “It’s brilliant to see so many people here today,” he said. “It just shows how much passion there is in the world of innovation in the rail industry at the moment.

“CP7, for us, is incredibly exciting,” Christian added. “We’ve got an investment programme in excess of £5 billion, that’s £3.5 billion of renewals and in excess of £1.5 billion of committed enhancements in our region. And that investment programme is likely to grow. When we get the outcome of the spending review, which we hope will be in late spring

or early summer, we will get clarification of a major investment programme. So it’s a brilliant job to be in, it’s a brilliant region to work in.

“But to deliver £5 billion, predominantly with a 15 per cent efficiency saving on top of that, is a really tough order and innovation is going to be absolutely critical for us.”

While acknowledging that renewals are “the things that keep our railway running day to day”, Christian reminded delegates that the North West and Central region includes some major rail projects, including East West Rail and HS2. It also includes TriLink, running from Manchester to the Scottish border – “a complete transformation of the West Coast main line”.

Admitting that there has probably never been a more challenging time to deliver such a large capital programme, Christian said there had never been more of a need to innovate.

“Affordability is always going to be a concern. We are going to really think differently about how we can make our delivery of rail investment affordable.

“For me, innovation is not just about developing exciting new products, it’s about how we approach the whole system.”

Christian Irwin

Images: Nigel Wordsworth

Network Rail approach

Having set the scene for the day, and stressed the importance of innovation in all respects, Christian handed over to Pablo Forteza, the region’s Head of Engineering. Pablo explained the way in which Network Rail was approaching new technologies. He looked at the use of V-models – a graphical representation of lifecycle optioneering – and discussed the use of digital twins.

Kamini Edgeley, Director of Engineering, Asset Management, Safety and Sustainable Growth, discussed some recent successes and then moved on to future challenges, which include how to manage vegetation better while spending less money doing so, developing easier and affordable systems for staff protection, and handling signalling obsolescence. Improving resistance to weather events is also becoming increasingly important.

James Heslop, Network Rail’s Head of Strategy, discussed the three challenges being faced by the rail network – aging infrastructure, reduced funding and the changing environment. These need to be tackled using innovative thinking and innovative engineering.

This need is not new. Five years ago, Network Rail instituted a six-year programme of station innovation, it promoted the development of smart flooding sensors, and it undertook a review of standards to discover which could be updated to reduce cost and make implementation simpler.

Today, that journey needs to be both continued and broadened into new areas.

External view

Dave Looney, Head of Product Strategy at Telent Technology Services, listed the critical services on which everyone depends, from internet access to traffic lights. The railway is no different from the wider world, he explained, as he discussed Telent’s approach to innovation.

Any innovation, he explained, has to transform performance, improve safety, be financially

In the world of rail investment and capital delivery, we have some really tough challenges

efficient and environmentally sustainable.

Hari Patel, Technical Programme Manager - Rail and Stations at the Connected Places Catapult, introduced delegates to the Station Innovation Zone – a six-year-long programme that has been running for almost three years. Based around Bristol Temple Meads station, it allows SMEs to trial new products and systems in a live station environment so they can learn how their solutions will interact with other station systems, discover the challenges of the environment and understand how staff will interact with the new technology.

SPEED, formerly known as Project Speed, aims to identify, assess, and adopt innovative products and services that reduce cost, save time, and deliver a more sustainable and efficient railway for Network Rail and its partners.

Susan Millington, Chair of the Rail Investment Centre of Excellence, and Project Manager Tara Walsh explained that their mission is to accelerate the adoption of innovative ways of working that reduce time, cost, and carbon footprint while improving safety during the delivery of Network Rail’s capital projects.

They are looking for innovations that are a product or service that Network Rail doesn’t currently use, that can reduce costs, increase efficiency and benefit sustainability by saving the planet.

Academia and research

Professor Roger Dixon from the University of Birmingham took to the stage to explain the role of UKRRIN, the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network. Designed to create powerful collaboration between academia and industry, it aims to provide a step-change in innovation in the sector and accelerate new technologies and products from research into market applications globally.

He outlined how UKRRIN is organised into four Centres of Excellence - Digital System, led by the University of Birmingham, Rolling Stock, led by the University of Huddersfield, Infrastructure, led by the University of Southampton, and Existing Testing Facilities, led by Network Rail.

For the final session, Luisa Moisio, Director of Research at RSSB, spoke on the role of RSSB research. “Innovation is needed to make the most of today’s railway, enable system improvements and unlock fundamental change”, she said.

These goals are supported by an RSSB research programme that provides sound evidence to inform changes, develops and tests incremental improvements to existing solutions, and supports precommercial development of solutions novel to rail.

Luisa’s presentation completed the formal part of the Unlocking Innovation conference. Delegates were then invited to visit the exhibition area where 34 organisations had stands with experts on hand to explain their offerings and answer questions.

In addition, 29 exhibitors made Spotlight presentations to the gathered delegates, having just three minutes to get their messages across.

The presentations rounded off a busy and informative day. They also concluded the 2024 Unlocking Innovation programme. RIA’s next innovation event will be the Innovation Conference in Newport, Wales, on 26 and 27 March. After that, the 2025 Unlocking Innovation events will commence on 20 May in London in conjunction with Network Rail, Southern region.

Pablo Forteza

Kamini Edgeley

Tara Walsh (left) and Susan Millington

Dave Looney (right)

Jonathan Schofield of Network Rail makes a Spotlight presentation

Matrix Consulting Engineers explains more about its commitment to achieving the highest possible levels of client satisfaction by providing outstanding engineering design services

Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers and Surveyors, all under one roof

Matrix is a company of consulting civil engineers, structural engineers and surveyors, which has become prominent in the rail industry by achieving the highest levels of client satisfaction and providing outstanding, fully integrated engineering design services on projects.

This multi-disciplinary approach provides clients with a single point of contact, improved quality, streamlined communication, accelerated design and improved cost control, which are all essential in the rail environment, defined by rigorous safety standards, tight programmes, stringent budgets and complex stakeholder requirements. Alongside its collaborative structure, Matrix is also at the forefront of digital project delivery, employing Building Information Modelling (BIM) and drone-based surveys to enhance project delivery.

Excellence in engineering

Matrix is committed to the pursuit of excellence in engineering, adopting an innovative and collaborative approach to the services it provides. This is backed by more than 40 years of awardwinning experience, in both design and construction, meaning that clients get the best service every time.

From inception to completion, Matrix can also provide all the multi-disciplinary engineering design services necessary to deliver construction projects of any size, in any sector, both nationally and internationally. These teams include civil, structural, geotechnical, environmental, highways, transportation, infrastructure, wastewater, mechanical, electrical, power, overhead line equipment and permanent way engineers.

BIM has gained traction across engineering fields as a method of producing fully coordinated designs,

Leading the way with BIM in the rail industry

detailed 3D representations and comprehensive information for construction projects. Matrix has positioned itself at the cutting edge of this trend, with ISO 19650 certification, and a commitment to BIM Level 2 compliance, demonstrating its dedication to advancing digital engineering practices that aligns

well with broader industry trends toward data-driven decision-making.

Improved accuracy and visualisation

BIM goes beyond standard computer-aided design by embedding civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, and electrical data in a single, integrated model, which can also be used to simulate construction stages, plan programmes, quantify materials, detect clashes and provide photorealistic visualisations.

Enhanced collaboration

Because BIM platforms maintain a central repository

of information, each participant, ranging from project managers to subcontractors, can refer to identical, real-time data. This consistent reference point minimises errors and rework, saving time, costs and resources.

Lifecycle asset management

BIM’s utility extends beyond the construction phase. Detailed digital models aid long-term maintenance and future enhancements by offering precise records of components and layouts. This level of transparency supports the rail industry’s growing emphasis on improving asset management efficiency.

Sustainability decision making

The generation of BIM models can also be used to quantify the total embodied carbon on projects, identifying the implications for sustainability decisionmaking in design regarding carbon capture.

Photogrammetry and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) surveys

Matrix has also embraced drone and point cloud photogrammetry and LiDAR surveys, to overcome common challenges in rail projects. Traditional surveying techniques often involve track possessions, isolations, work in hazardous environments, and

substantial access equipment, all of which can disrupt train services and inflate budgets. Drone deployment and point cloud surveys mitigate these issues.

Integration with BIM

Drone-captured data can be transposed into 3D point clouds and imported into BIM software, to form an accurate basis for design work. By complementing BIM models with drone-generated imagery, Matrix increases efficiency, reduces the margin for error, shortens project programmes and can provide photorealistic imagery.

The way forward

Matrix Consulting Engineers exemplifies how forward-thinking methodologies can advance the UK rail industry’s drive for greater safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Its decision to unify civil engineering, structural engineering and surveying ensures that complex rail projects move from conception to completion with improved quality, fewer delays, more cost certainty and better risk management. By integrating advanced technologies, most notably BIM and drone surveys, Matrix offers accurate, datarich solutions that support the growing demand for sustainable, passenger-focused rail services. www.matrixce.co.uk/

Leveraging drone technology for enhanced surveys

Ben Ting, Chief Commercial Officer at Echion Technologies, explains more about XNO® and how it is helping cell manufacturers meet the demands facing lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries

Powering better batteries for the railways

Echion Technologies, a Cambridgebased company, born in the University of Cambridge Engineering Department’s labs, has created a product that could enable some of the world’s transportation companies to access sustainable batteries with outstanding safety, longevity, and fast-charging capability.

The company specialises in high-power anode materials for Li-ion batteries. In 2019, its groundbreaking multidisciplinary research led to the development of a world-leading niobium-based anode material, XNO®.

“What we’ve created will hopefully reshape organisations’ ideas of what battery-electric trains can achieve,” explained Ben. “By changing the chemistry, we have unlocked a whole new wave of potential use cases and routes where battery electrification becomes significantly more viable. It opens up a new world of opportunities.”

In today’s market, graphite and graphite-siliconbased anodes offer the lowest price per kWh for Li-ion batteries, but their limited cycle life makes them costly under fast-charging conditions. Lithium-titanate (LTO) active anodes address the fast-charge and cycle-life limitations of graphite and graphite-silicon,

but limited energy density makes them challenging to implement in industrial and commercial applications.

“Using niobium, we have developed our proprietary mixed niobium oxide (XNO®) active anode materials, which enable fast-charging, longlife, high-energy-density Li-ion batteries, allowing cell manufacturers to move beyond graphite, graphite-silicon, or LTO materials,” Ben explained.

“LTO is considered the benchmark Li-ion chemistry in terms of safety, longevity, and high power for both charging and discharging, but its energy density is low compared to other batteries that use a graphite anode.

“Translating that to a battery-electric multiple unit (BEMU), its range is typically 80-110 km depending on the route. This means only a limited percentage of lines can use that train. However, if you have an LTO-type battery with 1.5-2x the energy density, then the range increases within the same physical package without compromising the fast-charging capability, safety, or longevity of the battery. This battery lasts much longer and is more compatible with the lifetime of rolling stock than other battery chemistries.”

XNO® arrives at a crucial time for the rail industry as steps are taken worldwide to achieve net-zero targets. Ben, who previously worked as Head of Technology and Innovation at Thales Ground Transportation Systems, believes Echion’s innovation has the potential to improve efficiency, electrify more fleet vehicles, and accelerate the transition to a lowcarbon industry.

“From a rolling stock level, having a high energy density battery with a superior safety profile can potentially enable trains to operate on more routes,” he explained. “In addition, these trains can travel further, service more lines, require less overhead line equipment, and can be charged really quickly, definitely within 10 minutes, and possibly as quickly as six minutes.”

With the substantial costs associated with fully electrifying the UK rail network, the industry requires novel battery technology with the necessary energy density, charging capabilities, and safety systems to operate in trains on some routes.

“I’ve had the visibility around the challenges of electrification and decarbonisation and when it comes to the readiness and performance of battery solutions to help, there was always a performance gap with incumbent battery technology,” said Ben. “Our new chemistry addresses these limitations, making battery-electric or hybrid-electric trains a more viable option for a greater number of routes.

“Installing overhead line equipment everywhere is expensive, so if you can achieve the benefits of electrification without the fixed and ongoing cost of the full electrification infrastructure it will make a huge difference. It is something that we are all enthusiastic about – providing a piece of the puzzle to solve this massive challenge of the full decarbonising of the railways. It is not a silver bullet, but a new piece that will unlock opportunities.

“Although there may not be a direct link between

an anode developer and manufacturer and a train operator or rolling stock company, we understand the railway sector’s challenges. We are always open to discussions on how to procure and implement this new chemistry and explore its potential impact. Ultimately, we all share the same decarbonisation goals.”

Echion is backed by leading venture capital institutions and the world’s largest niobium miner, CBMM. It has grown into a global leader in the battery materials sector, successfully supplying innovative products in high-growth premium markets worldwide.

Last year, Echion and CBMM officially inaugurated the world’s first volume manufacturing facility dedicated to producing XNO® active anode materials. The new plant, located in Araxá, Brazil, is the largest niobium-based anode production facility globally, capable of producing 2,000 tonnes per year of XNO® - equivalent to 1 GWh of Li-ion cells.

Leclanché, a leading provider of energy storage solutions, including for the railway sector, announced last year the launch of XN50, the world’s first commercial Li-ion battery cell featuring XNO®. The company has said it will replace its current LTO offering with XNO®.

“The journey ahead involves increasing awareness of our technology and engaging with original equipment manufacturers and suppliers,” Ben said. “Things are progressing well, and we anticipate that the first trains in Europe featuring XNO® will enter service this year, which is incredibly exciting.

“As a British company, there is always this drive to see the hard work which started in Cambridge being displayed and proven and operating here in the UK. The primary goal is to establish demonstrator projects to allow stakeholders to see it in action and analyse the data. From there, I am confident adoption will snowball.”

XNO® has been specifically designed to enable electrified heavy-duty industrial, commercial, and mass-transport vehicles to operate with maximum productivity and the lowest total cost of ownership. Echion Technologies has achieved ISO 9001: 2015 certification for quality management, and the first vehicle featuring its fast-charging XNO® battery anode materials was launched in December 2024.

www.echiontech.com

What we’ve created will hopefully reshape organisations’ ideas of what battery-electric trains can achieve

Ben Ting, Chief Commercial Officer at Echion Technologies

Below left: A UK train pulling into station. Image: Unsplash.

Below: Echion Technologies testing pouch cells. Image: Echion Technologies.

Paul McGunnigle-White is Diversity and Inclusion Manager at local train operator c2c. Speaking to Rail Director during LGBTQ+ History Month 2025, he explains that activism can take many forms

The driving force behind diversity and inclusion at c2c

Paul McGunnigle-White has always been passionate about equality. When c2c launched its own diversity and inclusion (D&I) group in 2020, he jumped at the chance to get involved, writing articles and contributing ideas alongside his day job as Treasury Manager.

And, when the train operator set out to recruit a new D&I Manager, Paul soon realised he was the right person for the role.

“As a gay man, it’s important to me, and I really enjoyed the work,” he remembered. “I approached the relevant people, explaining that I had the passion and the dedication. The company made adjustments so I could carry out both roles. c2c recognised that it needed to focus on D&I, and had faith in me.”

Today, Paul serves as both Diversity and Inclusion Manager and Treasury Manager at award-winning operator c2c.

“While I might focus more on finance at the period end, I always ensure I have time for D&I,” he explained. “It’s about creating and delivering c2c’s EDI strategy – putting on events, interviewing staff, writing articles, and generally being the subject matter expert. I also represent the company at a range of industry events, chairing EDI panel discussions and working groups to further champion D&I in the rail industry.”

When he spoke to Rail Director, Paul was preparing for this year’s LGBTQ+ History Month, which focuses on ‘Activism and Social Change’.

He reflected: “EDI can sometimes feel like a losing battle, especially when influential figures discourage it. So 2025’s theme is timely, and it’s important to think about the people who have campaigned against inequality. Looking to the LGBTQ+ community, there were the stonewall riots – a historic turning point, when people felt they had no choice but to take action.”

But Paul stressed that he was keen to explore activism in all its forms – adding it could be peaceful, and even celebratory.

“When you say ‘activism and social change’, some people automatically think of violence and negativity,” he said. “I want to look at the peaceful ways you can be an activist. Art, literature, film, music and theatre – they’re all ways to portray LGBTQ+ life and relationships, which are often very different to peoples’ perceptions. It’s about changing attitudes and showing that there’s a lot to celebrate.

“When people are against something, it’s often born of fear and a lack of understanding. When we

For me, the best form of activism is living authentically

share who we are as a community, we can change that.”

Paul explained that he would be expanding on these ideas in a special article, to be released over the c2c intranet this month.

But it’s not just about engaging staff – he and his team work hard to ensure that the LGBTQ+ community feels welcome on c2c services. Its rainbowliveried ‘trainbow’ is still running on the network, while the operator recently helped Essex borough Thurrock to organise its first pride event.

And these are just some of c2c’s successful D&I initiatives. In the last year alone, the operator has played host to autistic youngsters from local charity The Sycamore Trust, and supported MIND’s work in Basildon.

Paul stressed that D&I should apply to everyone –which is why, in 2024, his focus was men’s health and wellbeing.

“They can be a forgotten demographic,” he said.

“We looked at everything from mental health to nutrition and fertility, as well as working with Rail Unites for Inclusion to hold an International Men’s Day Event.”

This year, the team will expand their focus, exploring women’s health and wellbeing.

“Women in their 40s and 50s are the fastestgrowing demographic in the workplace, and we need to support them,” Paul explained. “This means understanding their challenges and educating staff. We’re introducing menopause champions and a women’s health education series, and will also release articles on the intranet.”

It’s all part of Paul’s proactive, forward-looking approach to D&I - and his hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2023, he was named ‘HR Diversity & Inclusion Person of the Year’ at the Rail Staff Awards –a moment he remembers as the highlight of his career. Now, he’s looking ahead to a new challenge –gaining Investors in Diversity accreditation for c2c. But Paul’s day-to-day focus remains clear: it’s about recognising individuality, while ensuring people feel included.

And how does he engage in everyday activism?

“For me, the best form of activism is living authentically,” he concluded. “I live as a married gay man with a son, and I own that and take it into my work. I want people to know that one of the most significant things you can do is live authentically and be proud of who you are.”

www.c2c-online.co.uk

Image: c2c

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Reflecting on the recent final episode of Gavin and Stacey, Railway Chaplain Mike Roberts looks at when we need to be Smithy and when Mick

We all need a Mick

“M

ick?”Over 12 million of us heard the question on Christmas Day, as the final episode of Gavin and Stacey drew to a climax. In it, Smithy stands mid-wedding to the woman he’s realising he never loved.

His best friend, ‘Gav-lar’, interrupts, urging him to think if the marriage is the best thing for him. And as the room responds people stand up, showing Smithy that maybe Sonia isn’t the right person. Shocked, he looks to the man still seated, the man who earlier on had said he saw Smithy as a son. He looks at him in the eye, and seeks affirmation.

“Mick?” he asks.

There is a pause, moments without dialogue. A bit of classic British rock plays on as Mick, played immaculately by Larry Lamb, slowly draws himself to his feet. Smithy knows he trusts his opinion, his insight and wisdom. He turns to Gav, and says “Gav, we need to go…”

At points in our life, we all need a Mick. It’s easy to be led by the Pams of life - Alison Steadman’s character quick to make an opinion, act on it and commit to it being (quite possibly) the end of the world if no one listens. But Mick thinks things through, he takes his time, sometimes frustrating people with seeming indifference, but always weighing up decisions so that he knows he does the right thing.

We’ve all had Micks in our life. They aren’t always the life and soul of the party, they aren’t always recognised by everyone, and sometimes - actually, often - they are not always appreciated, but they are the ones who we turn to in a crisis or a critical moment.

I trained with Ian. We went to vicar-training school together in the early 2000s and we don’t talk nearly as much as we should. He lives in Surrey (or Sussex, I’m not totally sure of the difference) and I’m in Lancashire. We both have quite unpredictable

But we desperately need to learn to find the Micks, and listen to the voices that we know we can trust

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lives, but when we get together, we drink much tea, and talk a lot. We both deal with issues around suicide, bereavement, mental health and trauma in our professional life, but I know - and my experience has always said - when I need a Mick moment, I can ask Ian.

Whatever they are called, we all need a Mick.

The railway needs Micks right now. We’ve got lots of Pams ready to announce the insurmountable summit, the unavoidable crisis or the disastrous next step. But we desperately need to learn to find the Micks, and listen to the voices that we know we can trust. Wisdom is something that has linked the ancient texts of many religions across the world for millennia. My favourite quote about wisdom is more modern though. “Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is fruit not a vegetable, wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.” It’s simplistic, but it reminds us of the importance of the ‘how’ and the ‘why’, as well as the ‘what’.

How do we become a people led by wisdom and shaped by deep insight? Many would agree that over recent years, a politically led railway has resulted in decisions based on short term survivalism or governmental agenda, and that the entrenched voice of railway wisdom has perhaps been overwhelmed, with uncertainty and delayed decisions perhaps the most deafening sound we have heard.

art of wisdom is knowing when to shut up and listen and when to intervene, or when to laugh and when to cry – timing is everything.

Perhaps a good thing to do, for either our personal or professional lives, is to conduct a bit of a wisdom audit. It can be useful to check where the wise voices are in our decision making. It’s not easy to be challenged sometimes but life can veer off-course unless we have those voices that will correct us, and - on occasion - tell us that we are being ridiculous, unwise or nonsensical. As a personal exercise I will take time to ask for the trusted wisdom of certain people to check if I’m being daft, with them knowing they have permission to answer yes if needed. My good friend Nina Lockwood, leading a talent and recruitment business, will often speak of the way she punctuates her year. She schedules time to assess the aims, values and vision of her work - corporately and individually - drawing on the wisdom of professional colleagues and personal friends to help her see things in a different way. Wisdom is opening your mind and eyes to see things in a way that we may not always see.

When is the time that we need to be Smithy and ask the question about the next step from the wise people around us, and when (like Mick) do we need to stand up and make a decision for the future ahead

Direction requires wisdom, and wisdom leads us to the right path and not merely the easiest one. We can all think of the naturally wise people in our life, and are probably aware of the unwise ones too. The wise ones will shape the people we are in ways that we realise and ways that we don’t. One dictionary defines wisdom, quite narrowly, as “the ability to use knowledge, experience and understanding to make good judgements.” Wisdom exists at the crossover of the Venn diagram of that knowledge, experience and understanding. It is not only possessing the critical intellectual detail that teaches information, but also learned experience based on what we have seen, witnessed and learned before and, finally, the understanding of our context, situation and setting. When we drift away from the centre of the Venn, and any of these three factors drift out of the crossover, we lose the essence of wisdom and either preach raw, unnarrated data or - as so often seen on social media - an unbalanced reliance on personal experience or worldview, sometimes without a root in reality. This is a situation where our Pam, from Gavin and Stacey, often comes unstuck with an occasionally unbalanced response.

Sometimes we may choose to listen to the loudest voice, or the easiest voice, or the voice that agrees with us the most. Chaplaincy sometimes - perhaps often - involves words that aren’t easy or agreeable, but they are hopefully wise…

Loud voices can dominate, and loud personalities can too. We can often go to certain people for affirmation of our perspective because we know they’ll give us a big thumbs up. Wise counsel is different though. It can encourage and rebuke, it can call us to act or to refrain. There is a Bible reading often chosen at weddings I take that reminds us that there is “a time and a season for every activity…” and wisdom is learning to tell the time well. In my role, the

We’re living in a time where our industry is constantly talking about innovation, creative thinking, reimagination and reforming our railway; wisdom is the Rosetta Stone that interprets or translates the steps we take towards reimagination, renewal and reform to birth a railway fit for another 200 years, two centuries after 1825. Wisdom discerns the steps we should take and separates them from the ones that should be left untaken. Wisdom is the tool that helps us from setting and taking the wrong routes in life. Wisdom is bringing together the threads to be intertwined into the strong cord that we all genuinely know the railway can bring in terms of connectivity, social value, empowering people and technological and human development, against a background of a hostile media, a weary public and tight fiscal context. Wisdom must become the soundtrack of a generation for the railway. Wisdom will restore broken relationships, reset fractured systems and create fit for the future options.

So, to conclude where we began, with that picture of Mick from Gavin and Stacey, and the words from that wedding reading I mentioned. When is the time that we need to be Smithy and ask the question about the next step from the wise people around us, and when (like Mick) do we need to stand up and make a decision for the future ahead. There is, indeed, a time and a season for every activity:

A time to shout out and a time to shut up,

A time to rest and a time for action,

A time to build and a time to pause,

A time for laughter and a time for tears,

A time to invest and a time to consolidate,

A time for cautiousness and a time for courage.

I know, across the industry, we’re all facing tough choices, and wisdom does not mean easy decisions or solutions; but it must be the permanent way that our industry is built on, if we want a railway for another 20 years, and then 200 years more.

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Siemens Mobility awarded largest locomotive order in company history

Siemens Mobility has received an order for 1,200 locomotives of 9,000 horsepower (HP) from Indian Railways, marking the single largest locomotive order in the history of Siemens Mobility and the single largest order in the history of Siemens India.

The contract, which has a total value of approximately €3 billion, excluding taxes and price variation, will see Siemens Mobility design, manufacture, commission and test the locomotives.

Deliveries are planned over an 11-year period, and the contract includes 35 years of full service maintenance. The locomotives will be assembled in the Indian Railways factory in Dahod, in the state of Gujarat, India. Maintenance will be performed in four Indian Railways depots located in Vishakhapatnam, Raipur, Kharagpur and Pune. Locomotive assembly and maintenance will be implemented together with the staff of Indian Railways.

Siemens Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Roland Busch said: “Siemens is supporting the sustainable transformation of India’s transportation sector as the country seeks to almost double freight capacity on its railways.

“I’m proud that this major order will help India achieve its ambitious goal of creating the world’s largest green rail network, as our locomotives will save more than 800 million tonnes of CO2 emissions over their lifecycle.”

The state-of-the-art locomotives will be used for

Hitachi Rail to transform San Francisco’s Muni railway with cutting-edge signalling

Hitachi Rail has signed a contract with San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) to transform the service of Municipal Railway (Muni) public transit with its advanced train control technology. Approximately 160 million passenger journeys per year will benefit from the modernisation of a signalling system, enhancing capacity and performance.

Hitachi Rail will deploy its state-of-the-art SelTrac™ Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) technology across the entire 71 mile and 33 station network. The contract will also include a 10-year long-term service support agreement for ongoing support and maintenance with an option for 10 additional years.

Ziad Rizk, Director of Urban Rail Signalling, Hitachi Rail, said: “Modernising the Muni network of light rail Metro trains and historic streetcars with an industry leading signalling technology is an important step for the city of San Francisco.

“Hitachi Rail looks forward to expanding our longstanding partnership with the SFMTA, by delivering our SelTrac™ CBTC technology to enhance the passenger experience.”

freight transport throughout the Indian Railways network and are specified to haul loads of 4,500 tonnes at a maximum speed of 120km per hour.

Producing 9,000 HP, they will be one of the most powerful freight locomotives in the world. They will be equipped with advanced propulsion systems that are also produced locally in Siemens Mobility factories in India. Siemens Mobility will use the power of its Railigent platform to deliver highest availability and performance.

Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility, said: “We are delighted to partner with Indian Railways and

deliver one of the most powerful electric locomotives available.

“These new locomotives will help increase freight transport on one of the world’s largest rail networks, as they can replace between 500,000 to 800,000 trucks over their lifecycle.

“This historic order cements a firm commitment from Indian Railways to achieve 100 per cent electrification of rail traffic in India. Our partnership will further strengthen Siemens Mobility’s position in India and support the country’s expanding railway market.”

Alstom to modernise signalling and deliver Madrid’s

Alstom has signed a contract with Metro de Madrid to upgrade the signalling of line 6, making it Madrid’s first driverless metro line.

This 23.5 km circular line with 28 stations serves nearly 400,000 commuters daily and connects the entire metro network.

The contract includes the design, engineering, installation, and commissioning of the new signalling system and electronic interlocks necessary to upgrade the current communicationsbased train control (CBTC), from Grade of Automation 2 (GoA2) semi-automatic operation to Grade of Automation 4 (GoA4), enabling fully autonomous and driverless operation. The project will also implement a new Automatic Train Supervision

first driverless metro line

(ATS) system to enhance train monitoring and control.

Leopoldo Maestu, Alstom Managing Director for Spain and Portugal, said: “We are grateful to Metro de Madrid for their trust in our team and in our Railway Signalling Excellence Centre in Madrid to execute this iconic project that will transform and

modernise Madrid’s metro system.

“This contract reinforces our commitment to enhance mobility for Madrid residents and visitors, by implementing state-of-the-art technology and continuous innovation. Together, we are paving the way for more sustainable and smart mobility solutions.”

Image: Siemens Mobility

Image: Alstom

Altro Limited transforms ordinary spaces with its high-quality, durable flooring. enquiries@altro.com www.altro.com/global 01462 480280

Media RBDCommunity RailBusinessDaily RailDirector

Associated Utility Supplies Ltd (AUS) manufactures and distributes high-quality overhead line assemblies and components. sales@aus.co.uk www.aus.co.uk 01484 860575

A subsidiary of Barhale Holdings plc, civil engineering and infrastructure specialist Barhale Ltd provides maintenance, design, and construction services to the transport industry. opportunities@barhale.co.uk www.barhale.co.uk 01923 474500

The largest academic-based group of its kind in Europe, Birmingham Centre for Railway Research & Education (BCRRE) supports the rail industry with pioneering research, innovation, and education. railway@contacts.bham.ac.uk www.birmingham.ac.uk/railway 01214 142626

As critical networks become larger and more complex, Camlin Rail Ltd is working to optimise them. mail@camlingroup.com www.camlingroup.com/rail 02892 626 989

Aquarius Railroad Technologies Ltd is an industryleading provider of safe, efficient transport solutions for track maintenance. enquiries@aquariusrail.com www.aquariusrail.com 07771 117988

AtkinsRéalis is a world-leading design, engineering and project management organisation. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. info@atkinsglobal.com www.atkinsglobal.com 01133 066000

Bechtel Limited is a leading global construction, engineering, and project management company whose diverse, driven and highly-skilled team sets it apart from competitors. www.bechtel.com/about-us/offices/ united-kingdom

Leading infrastructure project agency BTTC Infrastructure Ltd believes that work can be delivered “better through total collaboration.” duncan.golding@bttc-infrastructure.co.uk www.bttc-infrastructure.co.uk 07725 944543

Cembre is today the leading Italian manufacturer and one of the largest European manufacturers of electrical compression connectors and related installation tooling. sales@cembre.co.uk www.cembre.co.uk 01675 470440

With more than 70 offices in over 40 countries and 4,800+ lawyers worldwide, CMS offers deep local market understanding with a global perspective. communications@cms-cmno.com www.cms.law 02073 673000

Elite Precast Concrete combines the highest levels of customer service with always being the best value option. sales@eliteprecast.co.uk www.eliteprecast.co.uk 01952 588885

We can now offer you an expanded, comprehensive portfolio of services within security and access for rooms and buildings. info.gb@dormakaba.com www.dormakaba.com 01462 477600

Echion Technologies works to address major challenges around electrification and climate change, developing and supplying niobium-based anode materials for the transportation industry. info@echiontech.com www.echiontech.com

We offer highly specialised engineering for railway and infrastructure operators, transport companies, the railway industry, public authorities and other public transport engineering companies. www.enotrac.com/en 02087 703501

Flexicon is a world-leading supplier of innovative Cable Protection Solutions for Infrastructure and Rolling Stock applications. flexiconsales@atkore.com www.flexicon.uk.com 01675 466900

Colas Rail Ltd specialises in rail infrastructure, rail services, urban rail, and light rail. Its knowledgeable team can support clients from design to construction. enquiries@colasrail.co.uk www.colasrail.co.uk 02075 935353

We support our clients throughout the project life cycle across GRIP and PACE stages to deliver resilient, reliable, and sustainable engineering solutions. enquiries@craysideconsulting.co.uk www.craysideconsulting.co.uk 01256 329550

DW Windsor is a service-led manufacturer of highquality lighting equipment and smart IoT technology solutions, designed for the global specification market. info@dwwindsor.com www.dwwindsor.com 01992 474600

EnerSys® offers tried and tested products and a global support and service network, offering a complete power package that keeps rolling stock moving while protecting the bottom line. chris.walsh@uk.enersys.com www.enersys-emea.com 01617 944611

Eurofins York is a market leading provider of Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) assurance services. Offering regulatory guidance, research, compliance management, testing and training. enquiryyork@eurofins.com www.yorkemc.com 03304 303456

Fujikura Europe Ltd develops state-of-the-art solutions for a range of markets – including power and telecommunications, automotive, electronics, industrial, and superconductivity. service@fujikura.co.uk www.fujikura.co.uk 02082 402000

Gardiner & Theobald (G&T) is an independent construction and property consultancy working across all sectors of the built environment. a.paul@gardiner.com www.gardiner.com 02072 093000

GDS UK offers turnkey solutions including customisation of global products and software, bespoke solutions, installation, service and maintenance as well as project consultancy. uk@gds.com www.uk.gds.com 01793 498020

Operating across 32 global offices, and with a large affiliate network, it develops creative communications that drive change, spark conversation, and protect client reputations. katie.thrift@grayling.com www.grayling.com/uk 02038 613750

Hey Me is a leading communications agency highly specialised within the rail, logistics and transportation sectors. communicate@heyme.co.uk www.heyme.co.uk

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InoRail offers a range of consulting, surveying, and engineering design services, focusing on cost efficiency, sustainability, and innovation. info@inorail.co.uk www.inorail.co.uk 03332 000073

A global specialist in rail and transport, IPEX Consulting Ltd provides hands-on consultancy services. The firm now supports financiers, manufacturers, authorities, and operators, working across both the public and private sectors.

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Harsco Rail (which is part of the global Enviri Corporation) delivers track maintenance and construction management services to the rail industry. pwatson@harsco.com www.harscorail.com 01773 539480

A UK-based provider of software products for railway signalling and operations, including simulators and automatic route setting systems. contact_us@hitachi-infocon.com www.hitachi-infocon.com 01225 860140

Delivers collaborative, large-scale projects, working closely with Tier 1 suppliers and SMEs. info@ilecsysrail.co.uk www.ilecsysrail.co.uk 01844 397300

At Instrumentel we specialise in condition-based monitoring of industrial processes and railway rolling stock. enquiries@instrumentel.com www.instrumentel.com 01138 314725

Jobson James Rail is a national specialist railway insurance broker, the market leader in the UK by a huge margin with over 800+ rail clients across the UK, Middle East and Australasia. kevin.parker@jjrail.co.uk www.jobson-james-rail.co.uk 07816 283949

We are at the forefront of blending technology with transportation. Specializing in blockchain and AI, we are transforming the public transport landscape. success@jurnyon.com www.jurnyon.com 07553 131904

LC Switchgear (LCS) provide whole life cost effective solutions for the railways. sales@lcswitchgear.com www.lcswitchgear.co.uk 01273 770540

Machine With Vision develops pioneering solutions for the rail sector. Our award-winning solutions have been deployed on the railways of Network Rail, Deutsche Bahn and SBB. www.machineswithvision.com

North Star Consultancy Ltd’s specialist consultants work within the transport industry, drawing on decades of customer-centric and operations experience. enquiries@northstarconsultancy.com www.northstarconsultancy.com 02076 920936

International creative teams specialising in master planning, architecture, design management, wayfinding, interior design, BIM, and visualisation, working across a range of building typographies. info@pascalls.co.uk www.pascalls.co.uk 02038 372500

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We draw on decades of experience and the latest thinking in investments, development, construction, design and placemaking, to deliver iconic and successful places. Kevin.Roberts@lendlease.com www.lendlease.com 02034 309382

Client-focused building and civil engineering company McCODA Limited works on UK rail infrastructure, providing a comprehensive range of project delivery services. info@mccoda.co.uk www.mccoda.co.uk

We focus on solving real-world industry problems by fusing new technology in the field of Video, IoT, Cloud, and AI. info@onebigcircle.co.uk www.aivr.video 08458 387178

STAUFF are proud to manufacture and develop fluid power components, manipulated tube products, and finished kits. Tested, sealed and ready to install on production lines. uk.sales@stauff.com www.stauff.co.uk 0114 251 85 18

To be featured in the Rail Supplier Directory contact Fiona Broomfield on 07949 409 829 or email fiona@railbusinessdaily.com

AtkinsRéalis has appointed Emma Porter as Practice Director for Transport Advisory & Consultancy in the UK & Ireland. Emma will lead a team of experienced transportation consultants providing specialised advice to a range of clients including Network Rail, rolling stock companies, National Highways, and local authorities

“We have the chance of a generation to create a more connected, affordable, and high-capacity

UK transport network”

What attracted you to the position of Practice Director for Transport Advisory & Consultancy at AtkinsRéalis?

It’s an exciting move to establish a new practice at a time when the transport sector has never been more complex, with numerous challenges such as resilience, the need for integration and ensuring it delivers social value. I wanted to build on my experience in rail while branching into other transportation modes. The role caught my attention because AtkinsRéalis has a strong portfolio of major projects in the UK and globally, plus I’d heard good things about the culture. I feel I can bring a fresh perspective but also

learn from people who have a deep level of technical expertise, both within my team and from leaders like Colette Carroll (AtkinsRéalis Managing Director –Transportation). She’s forward thinking and doesn’t shy away from a challenge.

Explain a bit about your role and what you hope to achieve and how your previous experience will help you in the role?

I’m responsible for the leadership and growth of the new Transport Advisory and Consultancy practice, which provides strategic advisory and technical consulting to support clients across all modes of

transport. We also have expertise in rail infrastructure planning, rolling stock design, transport master planning and asset management. Our global capabilities allow us to identify where learnings from project delivery in Canada or experiences from master planning in the Middle East can be applied to local projects.

I’ve worked in consulting before and enjoy building relationships, helping to unlock the potential in teams and working towards common goals. I was on the expert panel of the recent Rail and Urban Transport Review and its report resonated with what I believe transport can deliver to the UK: “infrastructure

that will better connect people to new skills, career opportunities and essential services like healthcare, education and leisure.” Delivering inclusive outcomes for communities has been a particular career focus through my work with Local Enterprise Partnerships.

What are the big challenges facing clients and what is going to be the key in overcoming these (particularly when it comes to the railways)?

Clients are facing a raft of pressing and evolving challenges, from climate resilience and digital transformation to navigating devolution and meeting passenger expectations. All in the context of tight fiscal constraints while demonstrating how they’re contributing to the Government’s growth agenda.

There is no one silver bullet, but AtkinsRéalis has been talking about the importance of streamlining planning, creating investable business cases for private funding and enhancing efficiency through digitisation and common goals. I’m on board with this mission because all these solutions need to be integrated from the outset, fitting into a wider concept of place. Rail has a real opportunity here to rethink its approach.

New Chief Executive Officer for Buckland Rail

Noel Travers has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer at Buckland Rail, the parent company of Yellow Rail Limited, WH Davis and Davis Wagon Services.

The integrated rail services company was revealed last year, leveraging the collective strengths of its subsidiaries by fostering closer collaboration to increase its capabilities and service offering to passenger and freight customers.

The aim is to build on the three rail businesses’ established relationships and highly complementary portfolios, particularly in the areas of freight wagon maintenance, bogie overhaul, and material supply services. The consolidated company forms a core part of the Buckland Group, an entrepreneurial family office which invests its own capital in private businesses for the long-term.

Noel said: “I’m really excited at the opportunity to work with the business Managing Directors, Paul Cunningham, Andy Houghton and John Hall to support the growth plans.”

We have the chance of a generation to create a more connected, affordable, and high-capacity UK transport network

Among your many achievements was founding the Rebuild Site in 2021 – can you explain how it is going?

I’m so proud of Rebuild. In brief, we are a community interest company that collects surplus materials from construction sites, gives them for free to community projects, sells at a reduced price to the public and undertakes research on the carbon saved and scalability of our operations. We have shops in Carlisle and Wolverhampton, and run a tool library

First Chief Executive appointed to future proof the Swanage Railway

Swanage Railway volunteers have appointed their first Chief Executive with the aim of developing and future proofing the Isle of Purbeck heritage line for generations to come.

Abbie King will be joining the Swanage Railway Company – which runs the heritage steam and diesel train service and undertakes other commercial activities for the Swanage Railway Trust charity – in the paid full-time role from Monday, 17 March.

Growing up in Dorset, Abbie comes to the Isle of Purbeck from the Shrewsbury Ark in Shropshire which is a charity helping homeless and vulnerable people. There, she developed the charity’s business, board and mission as well as creating financial systems and supporting staff with their development.

She said: “I am looking forward to coming back to Dorset and joining the established team at the Swanage Railway to help make sure the wonderful heritage line is future proofed for generations to come.”

and skills workshops. We’ve diverted over 5000 tonnes of materials from skips so far and helped over 150 community projects. You can find out more on our website or follow us on social media.

Are you excited about what the future holds – particularly your new role at AtkinsRéalis and particularly with rail reform?

Although it’s a tough market, as we’ve seen with the start of CP7, Rail 200 is an opportunity to reflect on what sort of legacy we want for the next century. We have the chance of a generation to create a more connected, affordable, and high-capacity UK transport network.

We need to make a significant shift at pace towards a greener, more inclusive transport system that offers better, well-integrated services, giving people real alternatives. As Juergen Maier wrote in the Rail and Urban Transport Review last year, “I know that we are all very excited about the opportunities ahead, if we are brave enough to seize them.” I couldn’t agree more – the Government needs to be bold, and the industry needs to continue to embrace change.

First new Deputy Managing Director appointed in Network Rail’s Eastern region

Jamie Burles has been appointed Network Rail’s Deputy Managing Director for the Eastern region, a newly created role to support leadership across four major routes.

He joined Network Rail last month from Greater Anglia – where he spent a decade leading the transformation of East Anglia’s rail services.

In his new role, Jamie will work alongside Jake Kelly, the current Regional Managing Director of the Eastern region, to provide executive influence and strategic leadership across the East Coast, North and East, East Midlands, and Anglia routes. He will then support Ellie Burrows, who takes over from Jake when he returns to North West & Central as its new Regional Managing Director.

He said: “I am looking forward to working closely with our passengers, partners and colleagues to improve rail services and it is great to already see the excellent work being done across the region.”

Image: Beth Gregory

Image: Network Rail

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Georgia Thompson has said obtaining the ICE’s highest grade of membership has sparked a new energy in her

Costain engineer becomes youngest woman to receive Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Fellowship

At the age of just 30, Georgia Thompson has become the youngest woman to earn the title of ICE Fellow, awarded in recognition of the significant contribution engineers have made to the profession and an endorsement of leadership, knowledge, skills and experience.

“There isn’t a huge community of us, especially being a black woman too, I just feel so honoured,” said the Civil Engineer at Costain. “It has sparked a new energy in me.”

A Design Manager at Costain, she applied for ICE’s highest grade of membership after attending an ICE Connects: Women in Fellowship networking event in 2023. This network aims to encourage women and other underrepresented groups into Fellowship, providing opportunities for aspiring Fellows to hear inspiring stories and discuss their potential.

“Experience and development are powerful, but they don’t come overnight,” added Georgia, who was also on the Women Engineering Society’s Top 50 Women in Engineering list in 2022. “At the same time, there’s power in pushing your own potential. You’re the only person who knows your capacity and capability, so push it as far as it goes and see what you can achieve.”

A chartered civil engineer and Design Manager currently working as part of Costain’s role as major project partner on the Heathrow Airport terminal asset renewal programme, Georgia has had previous engineering roles on HS2, Network Rail and Transport for London.

But her impact goes far beyond the day job. She co-chairs the Religion Ethnicity and Culture Heritage (REACH) people network at Costain, co-founded a diversity and inclusion organisation called Dversty, and over the years has run book clubs and webinars, and visited schools, universities and conferences to discuss the need for diversity.

She’s also covered the importance of employee resource groups, how racism can show up at work and how to improve workplace culture.

“My career has given me a lot of opportunities to look at things differently,” she said. “The majority of our work serves society, and it has always been important to me that we are doing that with everyone in mind along the way.

“Not just the end-user, but also the people who are actually doing the work, to ensure they are being listened to and heard.”

She was one of five professionals from Costain

awarded Fellowship recently (Simon Chaffer, Richard Helme, John Holding and Clive Glasspool), taking the total the organisation has supported and coached through the application process since 2023 to 13.

Andrew Threlfall, Group Chief Engineer at Costain, said: “Congratulations to Georgia, Simon, Richard, John and Clive for achieving Fellowship status. At Costain, we place great importance on personal and professional growth and developing all our people to be the best they can be.

“Our engineering-led approach is vital to ensure we continue to deliver predictable, best-inclass sustainable infrastructure solutions for our customers.”

For more details, visit www.ice.org.uk

You’re the only person who knows your capacity and capability, so push it as far as it goes and see what you can achieve

Image: Costain

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