RailStaff January 2014

RailStaff

Nationwide Track Renewals & Plant Hire in CP5

THE MOST POPULAR PUBLICATION IN THE UK RAIL INDUSTRY www.railstaff.co.uk

Issue 194 | January 2014

FESTIVE PUSH FOR RAIL INDUSTRY Despite storms and severe weather, engineers, railway staff and contractors worked through Christmas and New Year to deliver one of the most comprehensive upgrade programmes ever devised.

As most of Britain relaxed during the two week shutdown, railway staff put in new tracks and signalling, more platforms, lifts and footbridges and pushed ahead with signalling and electrification work.

PAGE 4

IN THIS ISSUE DAVID WABOSO CBE

RAILWAYPEOPLE AWARDS

JAMIE MELNIKS

Awarded in the New Year’s Honours list Page 5

Reporting from the Awards Page 21

Joins SETEC as General Manager Page 9

stobartrail.com

Nationwide Track Renewals and Plant Hire in CP5 Stobart Rail Engineering know how crucial it is to make the most of any track access afforded

by TOC’s and FOC’s outside the Rules of the Route.

Our highly experienced award winning permanent way teams have a proven track record and are able to deliver Plain Line Track Renewals or S & C works including gauging, reballasting and associated civils handing back the track on time.

If you have requirements for Track Lowering, Bridge Gauging, Slab track (Rheda 2000, Pandrol Viper), structural strengthening,

renewal, refurbishment, replacement, Grit Blast and painting, Waterproofing, Cabling, Leaky Feeder, piling, ballast retention, drainage, refuge installation, brickwork repairs, scour protection, embankment strengthening, long timber replacement or conversion we deliver it all including track off, track on.

Andrew Sumner Rail Contracts Manager t. 01228 882 300 e. andrew.sumner@stobartrail.com

Our comprehensive range of specialist plant is available for hire with or without operators as we have our own Plant Operators Licence.

Dave Richardson Plant Manager t. 01228 882 300 e. david.richardson@stobartrail.com

For our most recent plant register or if you would like to discuss full or packaged works in these fields please contact us for further details.

Gary Newton Estimating Manager t. 01228 882 300 e. gary.newton@stobartrail.com

stobartrail.com

COMMENT

January 2014 | RailStaff | 3

RailStaff Contact us: Publisher:

Paul O’Connor

Editor:

Andy Milne

Production and design:

Adam O’Connor

Senior Reporter:

Jonathan Webb

Writer:

Marc Johnson

Track Safety:

Colin Wheeler

Advertising:

Asif Ahmed

Chris Davies

Craig Smith

Paul Curtis

Contact Email Addresses News: news@rail-media.com Pictures: pictures@rail-media.com Adverts: adverts@rail-media.com Subsciptions: manda@rail-media.com

Contact Details RailStaff Publications, Rail Media House, Samson Road, Coalville, Leicestershire, LE67 3FP.

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RailStaff is published by RailStaff Publications Limited A Rail Media Publication

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Happy New Year © KESSELL WAR OFFICE OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER

This year, 2014, marks the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. A sombre time to make a new year’s resolution and consider if the world is becoming a better place.

That the peace of Europe could collapse so completely in the summer of 1914 into one of the most horrific conflagrations ever known still confounds belief. We will take a look at the Great War, as it was known, and the role of railways in the first industrial war, in later issues of RailStaff this year.

The lessons drawn from both world wars need constant reiteration as we see our own leaders blindingly walking across no man’s land into the fire and fury of our enemies once again.

Most New Year resolutions sound fine in theory but if aimed at self-benefit are fraught with doubt and failure. Despite the menace of terrorism and economic dislocation 2014 has much to offer. Sustained investment in infrastructure underscores the continued success of our industry.

More widely optimists can point to increased life expectancy, a higher standard of living for many and the bold achievement of a lasting, durable peace in Europe.

For anyone who has peered over the barbed wire and watchtowers of

We will take a look at the Great War, as it was known, and the role of railways in the first industrial war, in later issues of RailStaff this year.

Soviet-occupied Europe this seems remarkable. Many more will remember the stories of servicemen from the wars and the names of dozens of European towns, sadly synonymous with the iniquity of war.

If you do nothing else this summer visit the vast serried rows of the military cemeteries that carpet the gentle hills of Flanders and northern France. The magnitude of it all defies understanding.

One suggestion is to concentrate on the name of one solider lying there. Remember him and his family.

On a still afternoon in Belgium it becomes easier to make a resolution to be a better friend, a better colleague, a better parent.

The message of those who lie in military cemeteries across Europe is a reproach for our failure to reach out, to communicate and to forgive. The safeguarding and improvement of our communities, our industry and the world itself remains the responsibility of us all.

andy@rail-media.com © JONATHAN WEBB

Training Matters - March RailStaff

06 11 Tour de Yorkshire 1,000th carriage

Training and education are the sure paths to success, not only for individuals entering the rail industry, but for railways as a whole. The skills gap could prove a real constraint as more major projects come on line and Crossrail, HS2 and Electrification need ever more trained staff. Call Chris or Paul on 01530 816 440.

The Railway Children has come up with a chance for supporters to ride the first leg of the Tour de France which this year starts in Yorkshire.

Staff at Bombardier’s Derby plant celebrated the production of the 1,000th Sub-Surface line carriage for London Underground.

NEWS

4 | RailStaff | January 2014

Sharp End Staff Praised Railway staff have been praised for the huge effort put in to get the network moving again after the severe disruption caused by wet and stormy weather.

Says Tim Shoveller, Managing Director of the South West TrainsNetwork Rail Alliance, ‘Staff have been working round the clock - including Christmas Day and Boxing Day - to make sure we can run a full service on the vast majority of the network when many people return to work in the New Year.

‘They have been at the sharp end of dealing with the impact of the worst weather we have experienced for many years and I would like to thank them for their professionalism and commitment.

‘As well as dealing with the damage of recent days, our engineering teams have battled the elements to complete the first stage of vital infrastructure improvements at Waterloo Station

which are crucial to the delivery of high quality services for our customers.’

Maintenance teams and train crews cleared more than 140 trees blown down by gale-force winds when the first storm hit just before Christmas.

Repairs were carried out at numerous sites affected by landslips and track damage caused by around four miles of flooding. Floods up to five feet in depth were reported as the south-west of England bore the brunt of the worst weather to hit the UK for decades.

Depot staff carried out repairs to more than half of nearly two dozen SWT trains damaged during the storms by fallen trees. Damage has included smashed windscreens and bodywork.

Despite the storms, engineers completed the first stage of the largest

infrastructure improvement project in three decades at London’s Waterloo Station. Scheduled over Christmas, work included the replacement of critical switches and crossings used to control train movements at the busiest part of Europe’s most heavily used station.

Referring to a major incident between Petersfield and Haslemere, Tim Shoveller added, ‘Local landowners,

including farmers and the nearby equestrian hospital, have given us great support in providing quick access through to the site to complete these repairs.

‘Finally, we’d like to pay tribute to our principal contractors Osborne, our industry partners and colleagues who gave up time with their families at Christmas to come to our aid and help us to complete this work.’

Railway Staff Beat Storms in Festive Upgrade Work at Manchester Victoria.

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•

Despite the additional work of clearing up after yet another winter flood-and-storm scenario, railway staff delivered an ambitious and record-breaking programme of upgrades across the network over the Christmas and New Year holidays.

the equivalent of more than 600,000 hours at over 100 locations across Britain, often in extremely difficult weather conditions.

Engineers laid new track and ballast, platforms, lifts and footbridges as well as upgrading signalling and electrification equipment.

Highlights include:

At more than £100m, the festive investment programme was the biggest ever carried out by Network Rail. Hundreds of engineers from Network Rail and its suppliers worked

• New platform, track and signalling equipment at Gatwick Airport station. Around 1300 metres of track was laid. The footbridge was

•

•

renewed and a new 250 metre long platform installed.

Peterborough’s new signalling equipment was commissioned, part of a wider project to relieve a major bottleneck on the East Coast Main Line. Engineers made progress on the new track layout and installed longer platforms, station bridges, and new lifts completion is expected in March.

Electrification work at Manchester Victoria saw 400m of track lowered and 1300 tonnes of spoil removed to create additional headroom for overhead power lines so electric trains can run from Manchester to Liverpool starting in December.

At Ipswich a new railway bridge was put in as part of a 1.1km stretch of new railway connecting the East Suffolk Line and Great Eastern Main Line to increase rail capacity to the port of Felixstowe completion is expected in March.

Gravesend station underwent a major upgrade and platform extension to cater for 12 car trains.

NEWS

January 2014 | RailStaff | 5

Happy New Year for David Waboso CBE David Waboso, Capital Programmes Director for London Underground, has been awarded a CBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.

‘I am extremely honoured to receive this recognition and accept it on behalf of my whole team,’ says David.

‘Modernising the Underground is a huge but rewarding task and it has been a privilege to work alongside very talented colleagues to deliver significant improvements with more trains, increased capacity, better signalling and improved reliability which has helped LU deliver one of the most frequent metro services in the world for our customers.’

The one time mathematics teacher originally trained as a civil engineer and after a spell teaching went on to work on a water supply programme in Nigeria. Later he became the project manager responsible for delivering the DLR’s signalling system and in 1995 he won the prestigious award of UK ‘Project Manager of the Year’.

David then joined the Jubilee Line Extension team where he was instrumental in getting the extension open in time for the Millennium.

He was appointed LU’s Director of Engineering in 2005 following a spell at the former Strategic Rail Authority, where he was an executive director.

Since then, he has led the largest upgrade in London Underground’s history.

David recently accompanied both the Mayor of London and the Prime Minister on the visit to India. He is credited with helping develop an agreement between TfL and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRA) to build a mutually beneficial partnership.

He holds a BSc and MSc in Civil Engineering, is a Charted Engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Civil

Engineers, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers, the Association for Project Management and the City & Guilds of London Institute.

David Waboso CBE speaking at the lunch celebrating the 100th issue of sister publication, the rail engineer.

NEWS

6 | RailStaff | January 2014

Hendy Backs Apprentice Power London’s Transport Commissioner, Sir Peter Hendy CBE, has praised the efforts of apprentices working on the capital’s transport system. Since 2009 TfL and forward thinking suppliers have created over 4,000 apprenticeships.

Says Sir Peter, ‘Apprenticeships are a fantastic way for us to up-skill the future generation of transport workers to keep London moving.

I recently met apprentices from TfL and from our supply chain and it is great to see how enthusiastic they are about London’s transport. They are the future, and I’m extremely proud of all the work they do.’

Suppliers play an essential role in boosting London’s new skills base. TfL’s award winning Supplier Skills Team works with suppliers to generate apprenticeships and jobs. These opportunities are aligned to the skills requirements of TfL and its supply chain. The effect is to draw new people and fresh talent into the transport industry.

To date over 60 suppliers have engaged with the SST in delivering apprenticeships and in 2012, the Supplier Skills Team was awarded the Race for Opportunity Award for ‘Youth Partnership and Apprenticeship’ for

the success of their work.

Says Mike Brown MVO, Managing Director of London Underground, ‘Our own apprentices and those in our supply chain are supporting the delivery of the biggest ever modernisation programme on the London Underground network.

‘As we continue to put in new signalling on the network, provide more trains and increase capacity, the apprentices will continue to play a key role as we equip the next generation of transport workers with the skills they will need to provide London with a world class transport network.’

Since 2007, TfL has been recognised by the National Apprenticeship Service as one of the top 100 Apprenticeship Employers and also offers a variety of training to all staff at three main training sites in West Kensington, Acton and Stratford to strengthen their skills.

Yorkshire Cycle Race for Charity The Railway Children has come up with a chance for supporters to ride the first leg of the Tour de France which this year starts in Yorkshire.

On Sunday 13 July, a week after the race itself starts, cycling enthusiasts can zip round the Tour de Yorkshire 118-mile route - Stage One of the tour.

The run starts in Leeds and continues round the Yorkshire Dales. Riders will finish with a sprint into the spa town of Harrogate.

The Railway Children will provide full support on the route from start to finish, including signage, refreshment

stops, medical and mechanical support, photography, medals and goody bags at the finish.

Says Katie Mason, Events Manager, the Railway Children, ‘This will be a unique experience offering a wide range of riders, from dedicated racers to leisure cyclists, the chance to challenge themselves on the spectacular first stage of the Tour de France.

‘Thanks to the invaluable support from event sponsor Keolis, 100 per cent of funds raised for Railway Children will go directly to children in need in India, East Africa and the UK. From providing shelter, food, and clothing to medical supplies, education and counselling, we will be able to reach and transform the lives of many more children.’

For more info and details on how to enter check out: www.railwaychildren.org.uk

Union Leader backs HS2

Aslef’s general secretary, Mick Whelan, has slammed the Labour Party for using HS2 as a political football.

Mick Whelan told the Independent newspaper, ‘I’m worried about it (HS2) because I don’t want to see it become a political football. We either need the infrastructure or we don’t..’

Whelan also said the railway should be taken back into public ownership.

At the same time he called upon the Labour leadership to publicly back HS2. ‘We need HS2. We need it for the right reasons, the economic and business reasons and the socioeconomic reasons that are going to drive growth for the next 20 or 30 years,’ Mick said.

PEOPLE

8 | RailStaff | January 2014

John Owen Takes Rail Role at JPCS JPCS, a growing civil engineering and infrastructure contractor, has further strengthened its position in the rail industry with the appointment of John Owen as head of rail.

John joins JPCS from Eric Wright Civil Engineering where he was business delivery manager. Mr Owen has more than 16 years of experience in the rail sector - covering a comprehensive array of roles from track bed to board room.

In his new role, John will be developing the JPCS rail sector offering.

JPCS recently resurfaced its 100th railway platform and has been providing its alternative foundation system, Groundscrew®, for trackside work throughout the rail network.

John started his rail career as a PTS operative and quickly progressed through the ranks holding positions such as site manager, project manager, contract manager and then director.

Work included major track renewal projects and the west coast main line

upgrade. John specialises in developing and establishing new work streams in the rail sector, including bridges, platforms, drainage and embankments.

Says Peter Shone, managing director of JPCS, ‘John’s experience in the rail industry is impressive; from physically working on the tracks to managing major track renewal works throughout the UK. He has extensive expertise in every aspect of the process. He has a real eye for new business opportunities and is well respected in the industry – a fantastic addition to our rail team.’

John holds a wide range of rail qualifications including Engineering Supervisor (ES), Controller of Site Safety (COSS) and Person in Charge of Possession (PICOP). Says John, ‘JPCS successfully delivers cost effective and

John Owen with JPCS Director Rosie Shanks. innovative solutions to the rail industry and I’m looking forward to further developing that offering.

‘JPCS places importance not just on providing an excellent product or service to customers, but it is committed to adding value in every job. I am looking forward to building on this service.’ JPCS maintains highways and railways across the UK and is also the leading installer of ground mounted solar PV. With a turnover of £10 million the company

works with clients which include Network Rail, London Overground, Serco, Barhale, Bethell and Merseyrail.

Away from work John Owen is a committed fund raiser. Every year John supports Network Rail’s ‘Railhouse Rock’ charity event which raises money for children’s charities. Originally from Carlisle John keeps fit by fell walking and coaches a youth football team. He also carries out fundraising for the Great North Air Ambulance (Pride of Cumbria).

Hill Walker Joins Infotec

Navy Man Joins Mechan

Phil Walker has joined Infotec as Director of Sales & Business Development. Ashby-based Infotec supplies sophisticated electronic passenger information display systems. Phil, 50, joins Infotec from Beckhoff Automation where he was Business Development Manager.

Dean Fisher has joined Mechan as project manager. Dean Fisher will liaise with clients and suppliers and ensure orders are delivered on time. Dean will oversee planning and production of rail depot equipment, as well as the logistics of installation.

He has also worked with GE and Danaher in business development and team leadership roles. Married with a 14-year-old daughter, Phil lives in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Outside of work he is a keen hill walker and photographer.

Says Infotec’s Managing Director, Tim Court, ‘We are delighted to have Phil join the team. Over the past 21 years,

He also served 22 years in the Royal Navy, latterly as a petty officer running a marine engineering team.

Says Richard Carr, Mechan’s managing director, ‘Each order we fulfil is unique and comes with its own set of complex logistical issues, be it transportation across the world or site

Phil Walker and Tim Court.

Infotec has become a market leader in the UK rail sector.

‘We believe that Phil’s knowledge and experience will help us to provide further products and services into UK and global rail markets, whilst also expanding our reputation for providing on-vehicle displays and supplying other sectors where public facing information requires presentation.’

Richard Carr and Dean Fisher.

restrictions on arrival. It is essential we have a competent project manager planning, organising and delivering on every aspect of our contracts.

‘Dean is doing a great job, utilising his high levels of technical knowledge and in depth understanding of the industry to keep our operations running smoothly.’

PEOPLE

Aecom Job for Peter Chong Peter Chong has been appointed Head of Stations, Rail Sector, UK and Ireland, Transportation, at Aecom.

He was senior technical director at WSP. Peter has extensive stations experience. Says Dan Rodgers, Aecom’s Head of Rail, ‘Peter will be particularly focused on further strengthening Aecom’s rail offering.’

Aecom is a global organisation active in the UK on the Crossrail project where it is working as part of a joint venture called Transcend with CH2M Hill and the Nichols Group. The team is providing strategic management services to help Crossrail to deliver the facility on time and within budget.

January 2014 | RailStaff | 9

Griffiths Chairs RDG Martin Griffiths is the new chairman of the Rail Delivery Group. Mr Griffiths, Stagecoach Group chief executive, succeeds RDG pioneer, Tim O’Toole.

The RDG assumes a growing role this year bringing together railway companies and infrastructure organisations and providing public leadership for the rail industry.

Former finance director at Stagecoach Martin Griffiths is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. Mr. Griffiths read Law at the University of Glasgow.

He is a former Chairman of the Group of Scottish Finance Directors and a former Director of Troy Income & Growth Trust plc, Trainline Holdings Limited, RoadKing Infrastructure (HK) Limited and Citybus (HK) Limited.

Says Martin Griffiths, ‘This is an important time for the future of the country’s rail network. There are big challenges around costs and capacity, but also big opportunities for the whole country from a successful railway in helping drive economic growth.

The rail industry, government and other key stakeholders have a shared

responsibility to deliver a better railway for Britain and I would like to thank Tim for the leadership he has shown over the past two-and-a-half years.

The RDG, with its expanded and strengthened executive team, will be working even harder to champion improved services for both passengers and freight customers. At the same time, we will be at the heart of the push for better value throughout the industry for both rail users and taxpayers.’

Diplomat Heads FCP Former ATOC chairman, Tom Smith is the new managing director of First Class Partnerships, the rail advisory firm.

Smith spent three years at ATOC and before that was Managing Director - Rail Development at the Go-Ahead Group between 2001 and 2010.

Tom Smith graduated from Oxford University in 1979 and spent his early career with the Diplomatic Service. He worked in London, Hong Kong and Beijing - where he helped negotiate the treaty with China on the future of Hong Kong.

Tom joined Trafalgar House in 1990 and is a non-executive director of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and of the Highways Agency.

Says Mark Causebrook, FCP Chairman, ‘We are delighted that Tom is joining us. His rail industry knowledge and expertise, plus his wide experience elsewhere, will add greatly to the offering we bring to clients.’

Setec Appoints Jamie Melniks Jamie Melniks is the new General Manager at Setec Ltd. The specialist rail sector training and engineering consultancy is strengthening its top team ahead of further growth in 2014.

Jamie has worked in the rail industry for over seven years - previously at TQ Catalis - and brings a wealth of business development skills to his new role.

He has been highly successful in delivering multi-million pound sales targets and is experienced in dealing recruitment-lg_Layout 09/01/2014 with all types of customers1from small

private organisations to large PLCs. Says Craig King, MD, Setec Ltd, ‘Jamie’s qualities are exactly what Setec’s values stand for: Professional, Ambitious and of course, Customer Focused.

‘He will be key to ensuring a bright future for this Training and Consultancy organisation and I am looking forward 12:49 Page to shaping the1business with him.’

Ganymede has a long heritage of providing contingent labour to safety critical aspects of the rail industry. As a Link-Up approved supplier, we provide semi-skilled and

To find out how we can help to fulfil your labour supply needs, contact us for further information:

skilled labour, on call off and temporary

Call us: 0845 880 8104 or Email us: info@ganymedesolutions.co.uk

term contracts.

www.ganymedesolutions.co.uk

RAIL ALLIANCE

10 | RailStaff | January 2014

Join the Rail Alliance now Rail Alliance membership starts from just £500 per year

log on to www.railalliance.co.uk email info@railalliance.co.uk or call 01789 720026.

Happy New Year from the Rail Alliance

New Members

A Happy New Year to Rail Alliance Members and nonMembers alike as we look forward to some extremely interesting developments during 2014. Remember this is an Innotrans year. So, do brush up on your German even if it is only that most important of phrases, “My friend will pay.” More importantly, make sure you dust off the most comfortable pair of shoes you own in readiness for the Rail / Transportation Technology Show that, in terms of size, scope and footfall, aces them all … Innotrans 2014 in Berlin, 23-26 September 2014.

Jansen Betonwaren BV (Provider of Legioblock flexible concrete walls and storage bays. The optimal solution for rapid and flexible concrete constructions. Legioblocks are easily stacked and placed thanks to the interlocking principle without the need for cement.) www.legioblock.com

© SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

and show off your goods, products and services in the real world – and certainly the most economical in terms of impact on your marketing budget.

Handing out a brochure in a brightly-lit exhibition hall is one thing, but actually showing potential customers exactly what your goods, products and services are capable of, in a real rail environment, is the future!

From mid-January the Rail Live 2014 show website will be live and you will be able to submit your expressions of interest (as a potential exhibitor) or to apply for a visitor’s pass – keep an eye on the Rail Media websites for more information – it’s going to be extremely popular; so, as Fred Pontin used to say, ‘book early’!

Innovation Leader Contest

One area of common concern that has been voiced by many of our members is how to gain product approval from Network Rail. We have been working with their Product Acceptance and Supplier Assurance team for some time now and there are some encouraging prospects ahead for suppliers and Network Rail alike for example a much more user-friendly Link Up registration process.

Again, we have been working with the Achilles Link Up team to help simplify this process and Link Up Engage is the evidence that the system, in terms of its user interface and question sets, has been decluttered by almost 90% for some users.

‘Rail Live 2014’ Building on the success of last year’s Network Rail Track and Plant Show, this year’s show will be staged on 18th and 19th June 2014 again hosted by the Rail Alliance, at Long Marston. This year’s event promises to be bigger and, therefore, better than last year’s.

The planning for ‘Rail Live 2014’ has already started with the scope of the show being broadened to encompass more of Network Rail’s capability – not least as Electrification, Signalling and Telecommunications have been added to the show’s footprint and itinerary.

This premier ‘outdoor’ event – and, let’s be honest, there’s nothing else like it – has got to be the best way to demonstrate

The Rail Alliance is a founder member of, and the only UK representative within, the European Rail Cluster Initiative (see www.eurailclusters.com) – a group of like-minded B2B rail clusters all seeking world class standards for their members currently including rail B2B clusters from: Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Poland.

This year sees the inaugural Innovation Leader Contest across the ERCI countries and – naturally enough – we are keen to ensure that a Rail Alliance member wins this prestigious title!

More details will be forthcoming; however, in the short term we are asking you to think about possible nominations for such an award – we intend to hold a national (UK) competition and then put forward our winner to compete for the European finals (details all tbc).

Translate Rail (Rail documentation translation specialist) www.translaterail.eu GGR Rail (Leading provider of safe lifting solutions & mini cranes for all areas of railway infrastructure across Europe) www.ggrrail.com Hayley Rail (Specialists in the supply of safety critical engineering components and MRO products to the UK Rail Industry. Experts in Vendor Managed Inventory and work with customers, in partnership, to reduce inventory & overheads associated with stock control. A division of Hayley Group Plc, the largest independent distributor of MRO products in the UK giving us access to a network of over 30 branches nationwide and over £20M worth of stock held centrally at our HQ in the Midlands) www.hayley-group.co.uk Railcare Sweden Ltd (Railcare offers new solutions to old railway maintenance problems by combining long-time railway experience with technology from other industries. Our major UK activities are based on RailVac air/vacuum excavation technology for effective removal of gravel, deteriorated ballast, clay etc with the track in place. The method is also very lenient towards cables and other buried installations) www.railcareexport.se iSeeU Global Ltd (Mobile data capture using digital forms in real time and intelligent workflows which share that information with people, groups or companies also in real time. iSeeU Global Ltd Forms - Workflow Service Desk & Reporting suite) www.iseeuglobal.com

NEWS

January 2014 | RailStaff | 11

1,000th carriage for Underground © JONATHAN WEBB

Staff at Bombardier’s Derby plant celebrated the production of the 1,000th Sub-Surface line carriage for London Underground.

Construction of SSL air-conditioned trains started in 2010 with the last of the 1,395 carriages scheduled to depart Derby in 2015. Current production levels see a new train leave Derby every week for testing at Old Dalby.

The trains have revolutionised travel across the capital following their introduction on the Metropolitan line and their increasing use on the Hammersmith and City, Circle and District lines. All older stock on these lines is expected to be withdrawn by 2016, with the Hammersmith and City line stock being the next to go.

The SSL trains are supplied in two versions. S8 operates on the Metropolitan line in an eight-car formation. S7 trains run on the Circle, Hammersmith and City, District lines as

seven-car trains. Each train has seating capacity for 306 and 256 passengers respectively with total standing capacity figures of 697 and 609.

Every axle of the train is motored, maximising acceleration rates and

improving braking capability. Staff at the Derby factory are hoping that 2014, which also marks the 175th anniversary of Derby producing trains for Britain, will see them winning the Crossrail trains contract.

Recent and current orders include trains for the Victoria Line, new trains for London Overground and Southern Railway, as well as the fleet currently being produced for the Sub-Surface lines of London Underground.

Rail Interiors: The inside story Thursday, 6th March 2014 CHAIR: Colin Flack, Chief Executive Officer The Rail Alliance

The Rail Alliance, in collaboration with Coventry University, is proud to offer you a unique chance to explore the latest thinking on rail interiors and showcase your innovation.

WHEN: March 6th 2013 - 08:00 - 16.30 WHERE: Coventry University Engineering and Computing Faculty REGISTRATION and a detailed programme will be available from January 2014. In the meantime, please contact The Rail Alliance at info@railalliance.co.uk for more information.

www.railalliance.co.uk

NEWS

12 | RailStaff | January 2014

D-Day Commemoration Train Planned

Electric Preparations at Manchester Victoria

A special steam train commemorating the crucial role played by the British home and military railways supporting Operation Overlord and the subsequent liberation of Europe will run from Birmingham Moor Street to Gloucester and back this June.

The Steaming To Victory event is organised by the same team that recreated the Berliner British Military Train tribute in 2012. Says organiser Neil Howard, ‘The logistic contribution of the railways was absolutely critical to the war effort, to D-Day and the 11 month long liberation fight to defeat Nazi Germany, and simply cannot be over-stated.

‘D-Day remains to this day one

of the biggest and most intense logistics operations ever conducted by mankind. A huge number died, and we will remember them, but this is a train of celebration and we hope, like the Berliner, it will be marked by a lot of mini-reunions and a lot of laughter too.’

For more information see: www.vintagetrains.co.uk or call Neil Howard on 07982 786529.

Engineers from Network Rail put in over 10,000 hours over the festive season at Manchester Victoria installing 74 foundations and some of the steel work for the overhead line equipment.

The aim is to have electric trains operating from Manchester Victoria to Liverpool next December as part of the £400m North West Electrification Programme.

Martin Frobisher, area director for Network Rail, paid tribute to the hard work completed in difficult conditions. ‘Our engineers have successfully completed much of the work to allow electric trains to run from Manchester to Liverpool starting from December, providing passengers with quicker, cleaner and more frequent services.

They did this despite some very difficult weather over the Christmas and New Year holiday.’

In the station, engineers installed 42 fixtures to hold the overhead wires to the roof. To the east of the station, under Cheetham Hill road bridge, 400m of track was removed to allow the track to be lowered to create the headroom required for overhead lines.

This required 1300 tonnes of spoil to be removed before the track was re-laid with almost 1000 tonnes of new ballast. Meanwhile, work continued on the £44m project to renovate the station and install the new roof which will be completed later this year. © JONATHAN WEBB

High Speed Run Seventeen months after the first Meridian reached 125 mph on the Midland Main Line, as part of a testing programme to determine the effects higher speeds would have on the track infrastructure, East Midlands Trains has launched regular 125 mph services.

Long regarded as a Cinderella line because of its relatively slow journey times the new line speeds mean passengers reach London from Derby in 88 minutes and from Nottingham in 91 minutes – a tad short of the ‘Nottingham in 90’ aspiration.

The £70 million project was carried out by Network Rail in partnership with East Midlands Trains and involved upgrading 159 miles of track. Large parts of the route have had their line speed increased from 110 mph to 120 mph. Trains are now able to reach 125 mph around Radlett and Leagrave, between Harlington and Sharnbrook, around Wymington and north of Loughborough on the northbound line and south of Syston on the southbound.

The initial test train was used to study the aerodynamic effects and pressure waves created when the train ran through Ampthill tunnel and to examine the effects on the driver’s view of the line and signals when travelling at 125 mph.

Network Rail route managing director Phil Verster, transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin and EMT MD David Horne at Derby station on 9th December, the first day of 125 mph running on the Midland Main Line.

NEWS

January 2014 | RailStaff | 13

Heart Staff Win Award Staff at Wolverhampton station have received a special award from the West Midlands Ambulance Service. Station Manager Dave Whitehouse, Revenue Protection Inspector, Kim Weaver Davis and Platform Customer Service Assistants, Steve Wade, Stuart Vickers and Raj Parkesh have all been involved in life saving incidents this year at Wolverhampton.

The team successfully resuscitated two passengers.

One of the passengers, Norman Brotherton, suffered a heart attack whilst on a rail replacement bus.

Norman and wife Jean were on their way to Yorkshire for a week’s holiday on Saturday 30 March 2013 when they were told that the train they were due to catch had been cancelled and a rail replacement bus service arranged. Moments after the couple boarded, Norman stopped breathing. Fortunately for him, staff at the station knew exactly how to act. Dave, Stuart, Steve and Kim jumped onto the bus and gave him life-saving CPR and defibrillation until the ambulance arrived.

Norman has since recovered from his ordeal and said, ‘I don’t know anything at all about that day or for two days after. All I know is that I was sitting on a bus and I died. The staff at the train station are wonderful people and I owe them my life.’

The heroic acts were recognised by the West Midlands Ambulance Service at the Excellence in the Community Awards. The Railway Station itself also received an award in recognition of the efforts the business puts into training staff in first aid.

Ian Painter from the British Heart Foundation, who was at the awards, praised Wolverhampton

for this success story and described Virgin Trains as an industry leader when it comes to defibrillators and training staff.

Says Dave Whitehouse, ‘It’s an immensely proud moment for me, not only to be commended, but to be the manager of a station with such courageous and skilled staff. They are all a credit to this business and their respective station.’

Over the summer of 2013, Virgin Trains made sure all Train Managers were trained to use Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) which are now fitted to all our Pendolino Trains.

Hellifield Glass

Teenage Heroes

Historic Hellifield station in the Yorkshire Dales has a new look for the new year thanks to a comprehensive restoration project.

Two schoolboys who saved the life of a suicidal woman at a railway station have been given special awards by the British Transport Police.

Built of iron and glass, the station canopy is over 130 years old. Network Rail has now completed a £550,000 project repairing the station’s canopies, structural steelwork and replacing the glass.

Says Network Rail area director Martin Frobisher, ‘This is a beautiful old building and the investment we have made to sympathetically refurbish it will safeguard its future and allow passengers to continue to enjoy the station for decades to come.’

Local people are delighted. Says Ruth Evans from the Friends of Hellifield Station, ‘It is great to see the work carried out to such a high standard on this magnificent station. It is well worth a visit by using the famous LeedsSettle-Carlisle line. The Tea Rooms on

14 year olds Mackenzie Melling and Maciej Andrzejewski both got down on the tracks at Romsey station and spoke to the woman and led her to a place of safety. Making the awards BTP chief constable, Andrew Trotter, said, ‘I felt proud to honour these individuals for making a difference by going above and beyond their call of duty, reflecting the best of human nature.’ The woman, in a state of distress, told the teenagers she wanted to end it all.

Mackenzie, who lives in Romsey, had gone to the station to see off Maciej who was catching a train home to Southampton.

Says Chantelle Melling, Mackenzie’s mum, ‘Realising that she was serious about what she was going to do they knew they had to help as no one else on

the station are open most days where you can enjoy a Fireman’s Breakfast.

We would like to thank Network Rail for their investment in this station.’

the platform wanted to…Maciej stayed on the tracks with the woman while my son came back onto the platform to try and calm down other people who were watching.

‘He told them what the woman wanted to do, as people were shouting to leave her alone.’ The boys managed to usher the woman back onto the platform but she headed for the tracks again. Maciej then held her back while Mackenzie phoned police. Both young men tried to comfort the woman until officers arrived.

‘We knew we had to do something to help this lady, even though it was scary. I guess it felt like my duty as a citizen,’ said Mackenzie. Maciej added, ‘When you see someone in so much distress, you have to act. I just did what was necessary.’

NEWS

14 | RailStaff | January 2014

Haymarket Opens for Passengers Scottish Government Transport Minister Keith Brown opened Edinburgh Haymarket station’s new main building and concourse on 19th December.

The £25m redevelopment of the station is nearing completion and has been delivered on time and on budget by top performing staff and contractors at Network Rail. The new look station has ten times more space for passengers than it did before.

Better shops and cafés will make the station more attractive to passengers and public alike. The new main entrance also provides direct access to the tram line along Haymarket Terrace.

Says Transport Minister Keith Brown, ‘The exciting £25 million redevelopment of Haymarket Station marks a hugely important milestone in the Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) and I am delighted to be able to unveil the station’s

stunning new look to the public.

‘Network Rail and ScotRail have worked extremely well together to deliver this transformation of one of our most iconic stations on time and on budget and I look forward to seeing this kind of successful collaborative approach continue throughout EGIP.’ An expanded and successful railway is regarded as essential to Scotland’s economic future. See the David Shirres article ‘Scotland’s New Railway’ in this edition of RailStaff starting on page 46.

Says Alex Sharkey, Network Rail area director for Scotland East, ‘Haymarket station is already one of the busiest in Scotland and passenger numbers are set to continue to grow in the years ahead. This new building will

ensure the railway is able to provide first-class facilities for those passengers and the new, modern station will also complement the wider redevelopment of the city’s west end.’

With the new building and footbridge

Thomas Fans Hit Back Shadow transport secretary Mary Creagh has drawn criticism by seemingly blaming Thomas the Tank Engine for perpetuating male stereotypes in the rail industry.

The books, written in the 1940s, feature all-male steam engines and only two female coaches and one girl, a diesel.

The rail industry, however, has made considerable progress in recruiting more women in recent years. In fact 50% of Virgin Trains station managers are women.

Heathrow Express enjoyed a brief spell as the employer of more women train drivers than men. Silverlink Trains,

the one time London-Birmingham and Northampton Loop operator won the distinction of becoming the first train operating company to have more women than men on its board of directors.

A new group, ‘Women in Rail’ was launched recently to encourage women in the industry. Women represent approximately 17.8% of today’s rail industry and the group is working to

expand that number. Founder member, Adeline Ginn, works for Angel Trains.

Network Rail launched an even bolder initiative last year. Susan Cooklin, Network Rail’s chief information officer, is running a new competition for girls which will see the company pay the winner’s first year of university fees.

Called ‘Could IT Be You?’ the competition aims to attract women interested in IT to work on the railways.

Meanwhile makers of the Thomas the Tank engine cartoon series, Hit Entertainment, plan to introduce more female characters in future series. © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

open to the public, the project to fully refurbish the station will be completed by spring 2014 with the renovation of the original building and the removal of the now redundant footbridge attached to it.

Peterborough Progress Hard working railway engineers completed three days of intensive work at Peterborough over Christmas.

The £43m upgrade includes a new signalling system which monitors and controls the movement of trains through the busy station and will mean a more reliable service. Work on the new track layout, longer platforms, station bridges, extensions and new lifts was also completed between 24 and 27 December.

This marks completion of the final key stage of the project which will ultimately create a bigger, brighter, better station to cater for the growing number of people using rail. Over the next few weeks engineers will complete the new waiting rooms on platform 3.

NEWS

16 | RailStaff | January 2014

Gong for Metal Guru A pioneering transport police chief who drove the problem of metal theft up the national crime fighting agenda has been rewarded with an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

BTP’s Deputy Chief Constable Paul Crowther received the award for services to policing. Says Chief Constable Andy Trotter, ‘Paul has helped drive performance in BTP so that we are now one of the top performing police forces in the country.

‘He has also, by sheer determination, raised the issue of metal theft up the police agenda through his Chairmanship of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Working Group.’ His hard work helped Parliament to introduce new legislation. Metal theft is down 55% last year.

Paul Crowther has been with BTP for 33 years serving in uniformed and CID ranks and becoming Chief

Superintendent in charge of BTP’s London Underground Area in 2004. In 2002, he was the Senior Investigating Officer for the Potters Bar train crash, earning much praise from all sides for his handling of a complex investigation.

In 2005, Paul led BTP’s initial response to the terrorist attacks on the London Underground. Later he pioneered BTP’s use of behavioural assessment techniques as a way of identifying possible suspects within a mass transit environment; a system now used in many countries.

Says DCC Crowther, ‘I am very honoured to be recognised in this way. It is traditional to say that this is not only a personal award, but

reflects the good work of a great many people – and it is absolutely true. It is my frontline colleagues in BTP who deserve praise for the 31% reduction in crime, the 73% reduction in robbery and almost doubling our detection rate over eight years.

‘It is also due to the good work of

local police and the many agencies involved in the ACPO Metal Theft Working Group, that we are now starting to have a significant impact on that crime.’

Paul Crowther has recently taken up a new role within ACPO as national lead for suicide prevention.

Northern Thanks Samaritans Staff at Northern Rail stunned Samaritans local manager Bob Howe, by presenting him with a cheque for £1,000.00.

Gary Stewart, Safety and Assurance Director and Mark Shepherd, Safety Business Partner made the presentations at Leeds station. Says Gary Stewart, ‘This is just a small token to thank Samaritans in Yorkshire for everything they have done for us this year.

‘They are a magnificent addition to safety on the railway and we’re thrilled to work alongside them.’ Bob Howe praised the work being done by railway

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Mark Shepherd, Bob Howe and Gary Stewart at Leeds station.

NEWS

January 2014 | RailStaff | 17

Knife Attack Hero Honoured

Return to Bridego Bridge

A man who braved and disarmed a knife wielding attacker has been commended by the British Transport Police.

Plans to scatter the ashes of Great Train robber, Ronnie Biggs, at Bridego Bridge near Cheddington have been dismissed as inappropriate by local MP, David Liddington.

Niall Paterson, 37, from Ripon, restrained the man - who was carrying a large knife - after he threatened a train guard and passengers at Dundee station. Mr Paterson was presented with the Divisional Commander’s Commendation by BTP’s Chief Constable, Andrew Trotter, at a special ceremony at Glasgow City Chambers.

Says Niall, ‘What happened on the train that night was shocking and scary. To see passengers and the train guard in particular being abused and threatened was something that I could not just sit and let happen.

‘Luckily, other passengers felt the same and we were able to control the situation safely. Being recognised

by British Transport Police is a huge surprise. To attend the ceremony alongside British Transport Police officers was an honour and a privilege that I will never forget.’

‘What happened on the train that night was shocking and scary’ Chief Superintendant Ellie Bird, Scotland’s divisional commander, praised Niall and said, ‘Niall is truly deserving of this award and without his commendable and brave actions the outcome could have been so much worse.

‘The Scotland division is really grateful for the assistance of Niall and others and this ceremony is our chance to say a big thank you and recognise their contributions.’ The man was arrested at the time and appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court where he was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment.

Biggs, one of 17 criminals who staged the robbery, died in a care home late last year. ‘I hesitate to say much because there is a real family that is grieving. Having said that, it strikes me as inappropriate. Not only was it a very serious crime but there was a train driver who was beaten up and did not live for many years

YOUR STAY ON THE RIGHT TRACK

afterwards,’ Mr Liddington, MP for Aylesbury said.

Jack Mills the driver of the ill fated Night Mail from Glasgow died of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in 1970. He was 64. Biggs escaped from prison and went on to enjoy a life of some notoriety in Brazil. He was 84 when he died.

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NEWS

18 | RailStaff | January 2014

© LIONSGATE

Firth Takes a Bow at Berwick Actors Colin Firth and Jeremy Irvine drew gasps of astonishment as they took the stage at a cinema in Berwickupon-Tweed just before the first screening of The Railway Man. The pair said they would take part in a question and answer session after the film. The Railway Man is based on the experiences of Eric Lomax who as a Japanese Prisoner of War worked on the Thai - Burmese railway during the Second World War. Originally from Edinburgh, Eric Lomax joined the Royal Corps of Signals in 1939 aged 19. Attached to the Royal Artillery as a lieutenant he was taken prisoner following the fall of Singapore in February 1942. Like all prisoners Lomax suffered badly at the hands of his captors.

However after the war, struggling to come to terms with what had happened he tracked down one of his torturers, interpreter, Takashi Nagase, and the two were reconciled. The film

documents this remarkable story.

Colin Firth was able to meet Lomax and his wife Patti, and travelled secretly to Berwick several times. Said Firth, ‘It has been an immense experience compared with anything I have ever done and has not ended with the shoot as it is still going on here and now.

‘When we went to visit Eric and Patti, we entered the story and became part of it in a way. It is not just what happened to him in 1942 and beyond - it is about the telling of these things and it is a testament to storytelling itself. The fact that he came back and published that book is incredibly important and that’s why we are all here.

‘It is a very big experience and not just like making another film. This became very, very personal for all of us - it went very deep for everyone concerned.’

Eric Lomax died in October 2012.

The film, The Railway Man, opens this month in cinemas across the UK.

Financiers in the Pink Financial staff who work at Aberdeen-based First Shared Services, FirstGroup’s finance team, have been recognised as one of the healthiest workforces in Scotland.

Just one year after being awarded the Healthy Working Lives Silver Status, FSS has been awarded Gold. The Healthy Working Lives Awards encourage employers to promote a healthier workforce.

Staff at FSS have taken on marathons, 10ks and duathlons whilst others have taken up a new sport. More than half of the FSS 50 employees have taken advantage of the discounted gym membership available for FirstGroup

employees at Aberdeen Sports Village.

The emphasis in achieving Gold status has not solely concentrated on physical exercise. FSS has arranged presentations from cancer charities, mental health campaigns and healthy eating. Vending machines offer healthy options and FSS receives a large weekly delivery of fruit which is made freely available to all staff.

Sporting Chance for Virgin Trains Virgin Trains is to take a lead role in helping contestants and supporters to get to major running events and open water swims.

VT has teamed up with Nova International, the mass participation sports events organiser, to become the Official Train Operator of eleven Great Events over the next two years. These include the Bupa Great Winter Run in Edinburgh, the Bupa Great Manchester Run in May and Britain’s biggest open water swimming event with 10,000 swimmers in the Lake District in June.

Says Danny Gonzalez, Head of Marketing at Virgin Trains, ‘This is going to be a fantastic partnership – at Virgin Trains we’ll match the speed and effort competitors put in to their events with the speed and comfort of our tilting 125 mph trains.’

28th April 2014 Royal College of Physicians Regent’s Park, London

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20 | RailStaff | January 2014

News in brief Nottinghamshire Station for Crossrail Railway Pioneers Mourned A husband and wife who died within 24 hours of each other have been honoured by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

Tom and Erica Salmon were founder members of the heritage railway.

Both served as volunteers together with daughters Nina and Wendy.

Last year during the NYMR’s 40th Anniversary Gala, although not well at the time, Tom and Erica and their family attended the NYMR founding members reunion at Ruswarp Station.

Erica Salmon passed away on Christmas Eve and was followed by her husband Tom Salmon who died on Christmas morning. Tom Salmon is credited with calling the first meeting of the preservation society at his house back in 1967.

Stations for Crossrail are being constructed 130 miles north of London near Worksop in Nottinghamshire.

Staff at Laing O’Rourke’s factory in Steetley in the East Midlands hit the new year in style putting together the new Custom House station. Large sections of the station are being built in Steetley and then transported to East London and assembled on site.

Three out of five businesses currently winning work on the project are based outside London and over half (58%) are

Small to Medium Enterprises. Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, is delighted, ‘Those who said that only the capital would reap the benefits of Crossrail are being proven wrong.

‘Crossrail is presenting thousands of business opportunities for companies across the country, and with those come thousands of jobs. It is excellent to see how the Midlands is benefiting

Prince Takes the Train Prince William has swapped helicopters for farming and is using the train to get to work at Cambridge University.

He used the 9.44 service from King’s Cross to Cambridge to make sure he arrived on time at St John’s College for the start of a ten week agricultural management course.

Fresh Start for Gravesend A £19m upgrade of Gravesend station which included a new platform and lengthening other platforms will allow 12-car trains to call at Gravesend.

It’s the final stage of improvement work which will allow 12 car trains to call at stations in the south east London metro area for the first time.

Says Fiona Taylor, Network Rail’s route managing director for Kent, ‘Passengers will see and benefit from a much-improved Gravesend station now this work is complete.

‘The new platforms are an important part of boosting capacity in Kent and will be able to accommodate longer trains which will provide more space and seats for passengers. Completing work of this nature is never easy but it was carefully planned at a traditionally quieter time of the year to keep disruption to a minimum.’

Bold Move at Caerphilly Welsh Minister for Transport, Edwina Hart has opened the new station at Energlyn and Churchill Park in Caerphilly.

Work began on the development of the station on the Rhymney Valley line last summer. Says Mrs Hart, ‘This new station will help meet the growing demand for rail services in this area.

We want to see more people use the train to access jobs and services. Our investment here and in other stations across Wales is evidence of our commitment to improving rail services

and reducing reliance on the car.’

Funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, Energlyn and Churchill Park station was built by Network Rail and contractors Morgan Sindall and Colas Rail. The work at the station is part of a wider £220m scheme to improve the railway in Cardiff and the Valleys by 2015.

from the project and I would urge other regions to follow suit.’

The Laing O’Rourke Explore Industrial Park sits on the site of a former colliery and employs 275 people, 80% of whom live within a 20 mile radius of the plant. Crossrail bosses are not scared to travel in search of excellence and innovation.

Says Andrew Wolstenholme, Crossrail Chief Executive, ‘It may seem unusual for a station to be constructed 130 miles away, but the method saves time and money and minimises disruption.

‘The job on site at Custom House becomes one of assembly rather than traditional construction, significantly simplifying the process of building a station. Crossrail is committed to capturing the kind of innovation on display at Steetley to ensure that it can be applied to future projects and continue to drive up standards in the industry.’

Steel Deal for Sheffield Tram Tracks The DfT has awarded South Yorkshire PTE £5 million, as a one off payment as part of the DfT’s Local Pinch Point Fund, to replace tram tracks around Sheffield city centre.

The project, which is the first stage of a £32 million scheme to replace rails across the network, will be delivered by SYPTE in conjunction with tram operator Stagecoach and Sheffield city council.

Work will start in June and focus on the section of track between Spring Lane and Park Grange Croft tram stops and should take 12 weeks to complete. Engineers estimate that around 22km of route will need its rails replacing with harder wearing steel over the next decade.

New rails will have a projected life expectancy of around 30 years. The work will be aligned with the planned tram train pilot project which is expected to commence in 2016 and will link Sheffield with Rotherham.

RAILWAYPEOPLE AWARDS

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Celebrating rail’s people people An award for the driver whose quick reactions saved the life of their passengers or the engineer who worked through the teeming rain to restore services for rush-hour travellers are presented annually throughout our industry. Exceptional effort is fairly easy to spot but the consistent performers, who keep teams staffed and employees paid, often miss out.

On December 6, Birmingham’s International Convention Centre (ICC) honoured the achievement of the great and good of railway recruitment for the very first time at the RailwayPeople HR, Recruitment & Skills Awards. The aim of the evening was to celebrate exceptional professional achievements and recognise the excellent work of human resources, recruitment and training personnel in the industry.

The event was made possible

thanks to the support of associate sponsors Network Rail and London Underground.

More than 400 guests began the evening by stepping through the wardrobe, pushing their way past the fur coats to reveal a Narnia-inspired winter ball in the centre of the West Midlands. There were 12 awards to be won in this year’s inaugural event, with categories recognising the best recruiters, the best trainers and those who had made a marked impact on the industry.

“HR is just about part of every journey we have in the industry and actually a bit of a cliché as it is, we are the glue that sticks the industry together,” said Patricia Holgate, head of strategic resourcing for awards sponsor TfL, during the opening speeches. It’s a fair point. The cost to a business could be

huge if positions aren’t filled quickly, first time, with the right people. HR manage the workforce, keeping them happy and ensuring they continue to develop and adapt to new technology and ways of working.

Ventriloquist Paul Zerdin provided entertainment ahead of the main event, which, thanks to an expertly placed decoy, saw RailwayPeople’s own Asif Ahmed dodge becoming puppet himself and the unpredictable, embarrassing wisecracks of the face mask.

Gauging the reactions of the night’s winners, there was a clear indication of what it meant to the normally uncelebrated world of HR and recruitment. Some were so surprised they were unable to find the words to thank family and colleagues, others wondered what exactly it was that

made them so special. The common consensus, however, was that their specialism had been given too few opportunities to really look at itself and celebrate targets well hit and campaigns successfully run.

Tom O’Connor, managing director of RailwayPeople.com, said: “With looming skills shortages in the rail industry, HR and recruitment is essential for any rail company that wants to operate efficiently and plan effectively for the future.

“Recruitment and HR are not just administrative and support functions, they are at the centre of any business strategy. So it is important that we recognise the hard-working organisations and individuals who provide an extraordinary service to help us deliver railway projects on time and on budget.”

RAILWAYPEOPLE AWARDS

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Star Track wins Best New Entrant Programme / Campaign The ‘Star Track’ initiative has won the Best New Entrant Programme/ Campaign award at the first RailwayPeople HR, Recruitment & Skills Awards.

Working with 12 industry partners, Network Rail developed the Star Track programme in a bid to address a predicted future shortage in skilled track design engineers.

Mark Downes said he was “overwhelmed” after collecting the award on behalf of the Track Design Alliance.

Nominating the alliance, Network Rail’s Hilary Johnston said: “The volume of work within track renewals and enhancements requiring track design expertise is expanding year on year. This combined with a high percentage of experienced designers approaching retirement is likely to lead to a significant capability and capacity gap in the industry. The solution to this imminent issue cannot be addressed in isolation and must be addressed by the

engineering community as a whole.

“The challenge was to work across the industry to develop workable solutions to this pending issue, the opportunity was to do something different for the greater good of all involved.

“A steering board was formed from Network Rail, Transport for London and key track design suppliers, and quickly identified that existing programmes within the industry would not meet the challenge and that to be effective it was critical to develop a scheme that would encompass the majority of the clients and suppliers within the permanent way design industry. This in turn would enable the collective to create the next generation of track design engineers.”

The award was presented by sponsor Transport for London (TfL).

TfL manages transport services across London, including Underground and Overground services and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR).

RAILWAYPEOPLE AWARDS

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The Finalists New Entrant Induction / On boarding campaign First Capital Connect Gavin Clare-Cambell Heathrow Express Apprentices Campaign Network Rail Star Track Track Design Alliance TfL Director Development Transport for London Royal Greenwich UTC Pupils and Teachers Campaign Transport for London

London Underground

London Underground proud to sponsor the RailwayPeople Awards At London Underground we recognise that our people are

work for us that will help us achieve the success of

critical to achieving our vision of a world class Tube for a

delivering an upgraded network while carrying record

world class city. So this is why we are delighted to be an

numbers of passengers.

associate sponsor of the RailwayPeople Awards. These

2013 is a big year as we step up the modernisation of the

awards recognise and reward the brilliant work, dedication

Tube to ensure it remains the engine room of the UK

and commitment of individuals and teams from across

economy, helping to create thousands of jobs across the

the rail industry.

country. So it is fitting that our sponsorship of the

At London Underground we’re firm believers in continuous

RailwayPeople Awards will help to focus on excellence

improvement and development... and it’s the people who

across the rail industry.

MAYOR OF LONDON

Transport for London

RAILWAYPEOPLE AWARDS

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Ganymede wins Best Labour Supply Agency Derby-based recruitment company Ganymede has been named Best Labour Supply Agency.

The award was presented to Scott Bulloch, managing director of ATA Recruitment which is owned by the same group as Ganymede, by award sponsor Network Rail.

“I’m very pleased for Ganymede.

They have focussed on building a very strong business that delivers quality,” said Scott.

Nominating Ganymede, Paul Critchley said: “Ganymede has been our preferred labour supplier for the last three years. They always provide the labour as requested with the relevant skills for the work we require.

“An example of good team work was when at four hours notice on a Saturday during a cable fault, 12 staff were called and sent to site to pull out over 1,000 yards of cable. This resulted

in the cable being replaced overnight and full train service resumed on the Sunday.”

Opening the event, Network Rail’s HR director for organisational design and network operations, Tim Craddock said: “I’ve been in the industry twoand-a-half years and one of the things that I find most powerful in terms of both motivation and engagement of being in the rail industry is the fact that what we do makes Britain work.”

Network Rail will spend more than £30 billion in CP5 operating, maintaining and improving Britain’s rail network, something that simply won’t happen without a detailed recruitment strategy to get boots on the ground.

The huge investment will enable Britain’s railways to cope with the extra 225 million more passengers and 344,000 additional trains expected to be using the network in 2019.

RAILWAYPEOPLE AWARDS

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The Finalists Ganymede Solutions McGinley Support Services Morson International Prima Services Group Solutions Recruitment

Network Rail isNetwork proud Rail to sponsor is proud the RailwayPeople Awards to sponsor the 2013

RailSta 2011 FromAwards pioneering investment and development projects, to innovations that make everyday

It’s your hard work – thefaster, individuals and teams services smarter and within safer our – we industry – that’s helpingin us recognising build a better railway for Britain. the believe and celebrating From pioneeringindividuals investment and projects, anddevelopment teams that are enabling to innovations that make everyday services faster, smarter the transformation of our network. and safer, we believe in recognising the excellence that’s enabling the transformation of our network.

That’s why we’re very proud to

That’s why we’responsor very proud to RailwayPeople once again sponsorAwards. this year’s the RailSta Awards.

Helping Britain run better A better railway for networkrail.co.uk

a better Britain networkrail.co.uk

RAILWAYPEOPLE AWARDS

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ES Consultants takes home Best Executive Search Company in Rail award

The Finalists ATA Recruitment

PSD Group

Bailey Montague

RGS Executive

ES Consultants

Technology Resourcing

Ford and Stanley

White Crow

Morson Group

ES Consultants won Best Executive Search Company in Rail.

The award, which was sponsored by Northern Rail, recognises companies which have provided an outstanding service to clients and candidates in the executive sector.

Paul Roberson, who accepted the award for ES Consultants, said he was “chuffed”, adding: “It’s a reward for all of the good work we’ve been putting in over the years. It’s a reflection of the dedication of the team.”

Nominating ES Consultants, Mark Southwell said: “They always provide

a professional and comprehensive service. ES Consultants understand[s] the industry and has an extensive network. This is imperative to identify quality personnel to allow businesses to develop and grow.”

“ES Consultants have worked tirelessly to help individuals and companies match up their respective needs,” said Michael Whitwell.

“They are extremely proactive in this sector and operates in a professional manner with a “light touch”. The most effective head-hunters in the sector that I have come across.”

RAILWAYPEOPLE AWARDS

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Quadrant:MK move wins Best Recruitment Campaign Network Rail’s move to Milton Keynes has been recognised at the first RailwayPeople HR, Recruitment & Skills Awards.

Having announced plans to move to Milton Keynes in 2009, Network Rail’s recruitment team led a major campaign that saw 695 hires made the largest recruitment campaign in the organisation’s history.

Collecting the Best Recruitment Campaign award from sponsor McGinley Support Services, Network Rail’s Matthew Lutz said he was “really happy” to see the team get recognised and was proud of the campaign’s success at getting “everyone through

the door”.

Setting out the campaign, Network Rail said: “By the end of our recruitment campaign in September 2012 we made 695 hires against our forecast of 683 and 51% of external candidates hired were from the immediate local post code areas of Milton Keynes and Northampton.

“In April 2010, 12.7% of our workforce was female and 4.4% described themselves as black, Asian or minority ethnic. We were determined to address this balance through the design of our campaign – by September 2012, 16% of external offers were BME and 42% of external hires female.”

The Finalists TPE new trains programme from First Transpennine Express ESG Campaign from Ford & Stanley Gavin Clare-Campbell from Heathrow Express Quadrant:MK Campaign from Network Rail Attracting more women into operational roles from Northern Rail

PROUD TO SPONSOR

Best People Strategy (Resourcing, Skills, HR)

Morson Group PLC operates through two main subsidiaries, Morson International, providing specialist engineering and technical personnel and Morson Projects Limited, which provides outsourced engineering and project management design services.

RAILWAYPEOPLE AWARDS

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London Underground scoops Best People Strategy A London Underground-led initiative won Best People Strategy.

Developed over the past two years, London Underground’s Lean Transformation Programme (LTP) has helped empower staff to seek out waste in the system and find solutions, helping to deliver repeatable savings of £10 million.

Accepting the award from sponsor Morson Group, Graeme Shaw, head of the Northern line extension, said he was “absolutely amazed”.

Graeme added: “We’ve put so much time and effort into achieving this.

“It’s just allowed people to experiment and change the things they are doing and make it better.”

Jim Abbatt said: “The simplest measure of the Programme’s success is increased noise levels. People are

having a joint experience, living a common aim and feel empowered to make a change, rather than being hit with a stick and told to improve. They are talking about their projects and are increasingly masters of their own future.

“There is no clearer manifestation of this than in the relationship with other divisions. Long built silos have begun to crumble. Enlightened parts of the supply chain have joined the throng, sharing LBEs and offering new perspectives on project delivery.

Tension has been released, and better working relationships have resulted from a deeper understanding of each others problems; a willingness to trust is growing.”

The Finalists Earthstream Global Internal Communications Campaign from Heathrow Express Lean Transformation Programme from London Underground

TfL Behaviours and Competencies from Transport for London High Performing Teams Model Diagnostic from Transport for London TfL Director Development from Transport for London

Network Rail Suretrack Rail Frontline Experience from Transport for London

Royal Greenwich UTC Pupils and Teachers from Transport for London

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RAILWAYPEOPLE AWARDS

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Morson International named Best Rail Professional Recruitment Company Manchester-based Morson International has taken home the Best Rail Professional Recruitment Company award at the RailwayPeople HR, Recruitment & Skills Awards.

The award is designed to recognise companies that have provided outstanding service in the supply of professional temporary and permanent rail staff.

Ged Mason, chief executive of Morson Group, said: “We’re delighted to have won the award. It really reflects on the hard work my colleagues have undertaken.”

Nominating Morson International, Jim MacLellan said: “Whether the project is large, small, complex or serial in nature; Morson Rail responds with proactive, innovative, effective and tailored solutions to ease the burden of both HR and line management.”

“Where bulk labour is required for rail works (such as major route projects, rail system campaigns, or track renewals, where I’ve been senior engineer or manager); or where I’ve required operational safety personnel support; each company I’ve represented has always been secure with Morson Rail’s response. Their deep knowledge of the marketplace and their mature management systems give peace of mind to the client; as does their dedication to safety, rapid response, professional service, flexible approach and overall reliability.”

Award and event sponsor RailwayPeople is the leading UK and international railway jobs website, welcoming more than 80,000 unique users every month and boasting a database of almost 200,000 registered candidates.

The Finalists Advance Training and Recruitment

Matchtech Group

ATA Recruitment

Morson International

Clemtech

Resourcing Solutions

Fusion People

RGS Executive

kn networking services

Technology Resourcing

RAILWAYPEOPLE AWARDS

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Heathrow Express takes home Best Training Team

The Finalists Bridgeway Consulting Training Team Learning and Development Team from First Transpennine Express Learning and Development Team from Heathrow Express

Lean Transformation Training Team from Spitfire Consultancy Contact Centre Learning and Development team from Transport for London

ITS Cleshar Training Department

IM Training Team from Transport for London

Asset McGinley from McGinley Support Services

SAP Education from Transport for London

Learning and Development Team from Merseyrail

Tube Lines Stratford Training Team from Tube Lines

Birmingham Gateway Team from Network Rail

A team from Heathrow Express took the 2013 top training team honour at the RailwayPeople HR, Recruitment & Skills Awards.

The Best Training Organisation or Team award was presented to Paul Haynes, Chris Scott and Mandy Passmore during a ceremony at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre (ICC).

Heathrow Express’ Learning and Development (L&D) team have been praised for developing a new training culture at the company.

Chris Scott said he was happy to see the team rewarded for the “great job they have done throughout the year”.

Nominating the Heathrow Express team, Lynn Crump said: “The Learning and Development Team at Heathrow Express have transformed the way we train and develop our colleagues.

“Two years ago the focus was purely on compliance. Now, the team are focussed on building capability and driving personal growth every day, for everyone.”

The award was sponsored by McGinley Support Services, one of the UK’s biggest recruitment businesses, finding permanent, contract or temporary staff for clients in the rail industry.

RAILWAYPEOPLE AWARDS

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Howe named top trainer

The Finalists

Karl Howe won Training Person of the Year at the first RailwayPeople HR, Recruitment & Skills Awards.

Karl, 34, who lives in Norwich, said he was “blown away” after winning the award and thanked those who had attended his training courses.

“He is the model professional, can’t do enough for people,” said Anthony Wood, nominating Karl, who delivers courses for Keltbray Training.

“He makes the most mundane of railway courses exciting and interesting. I value his experience and knowledge and he has helped myself

Brian Stretton from 2020 Safety Solutions

Terina Fitzpatrick from Morgan Sindall - Rail Electrification

Monique Choudhuri from Advance Training & Recruitment (advance-TRS)

Simon Threadgold from Network Rail

and many others feel valued and part of the railway community.”

Tony Wood, who has firsthand knowledge of Karl’s courses, added: “For me Karl Howe has made the courses I have attended comfortable and easy to manage. His teaching methods make the course interesting and easy to follow. He shows plenty of patience when things are hard to take in. He is a friendly person and easy to get on with and that has made the courses a pleasure to attend.”

Chris Isgar from S&T Training Alan Drummond from Bridgeway Consulting

Steve Tollerton from Samaritans

Diana Doyle from British Transport Police

Aimee Logan from Southeastern Railway

Tracy Bartle from East Coast

Bob Priestley from TQ Catalis

Brian Tuffin from First Great Western

Simon Shelley from TQ Catalis

Steve Wiskin from Inspiring Safety Solutions

Bassey Henshaw from Transport for London

Karl Howe from Keltbray Training

Andy Hawkins from Transport for London

Alan Foster from London Underground James Wardell from London Underground

Dominic Joyner from Transport for London

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RAILWAYPEOPLE AWARDS

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Sarah Gatland wins HR Person of the Year Network Rail’s Sarah Gatland beat off the competition to be named HR Person of the Year.

Sarah’s colleague Suzanne Hanney, who collected the award on her behalf, said: “Her knowledge of everything is just superb. She just gets things done.

We turn our back and everything is organised.”

“I am delighted to be recognised for what I see as doing my job,” said Sarah, reflecting on her win.

“I didn’t see that I had done anything award winning and was really proud to have been nominated by my manager, our customer and my shared services

partner. To win was just wonderful.”

Nominating Sarah, Steve Featherstone said: “Since Sarah joined the team last year she has quickly become an integral part of the track team.

“Sarah is always client and customer focused, proactively identifying people and raising potential issues to defuse problems before they occur.”

The award was presented by sponsor Fusion People, which describes itself as a people and personalitiesbased business and far from the “fill vacancies and walk away” style of recruitment.

The Finalists ATA Recruitment

PSD Group

Bailey Montague

RGS Executive

ES Consultants

Technology Resourcing

Ford and Stanley

White Crow

Morson Group

Proud sponsor of HR team of the year at the 2013 Railway People HR, Recruitment and Skills Awards

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ü Electrification and Power

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ü Signalling

ü Telecommunications

ü Project Management

ü Trades & Labour

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www.resourcing-solutions.com

RAILWAYPEOPLE AWARDS

37

First Great Western team take The Finalists home top HR honour A group of First Great Western employees have been awarded HR Team of the Year.

The team flooded the stage to accept the award from sponsor Richard Lawrance, Managing Director of Resourcing Solutions.

Sharon Johnston, First Great Western HR director, said she was “so proud” of her team.

“They have just worked so hard. They are just so dedicated and they make my job so easy,” added Sharon.

Nominating the team, Jane Jones said: “The team has been under new management since 2011. With the appointment of a strong and capable

head of HR, the team has gone from strength to strength in building up the function to support the business more effectively following a costcutting exercise in 2008, where it was reduced to just five people to support a workforce of over 4,500 employees.”

Resourcing Solutions was founded in 1996 by Richard Lawrance and now operates out of offices in the UK and internationally. Over the next five years, the company is looking to expand further, particularly in the Middle East which is committing to unparalleled levels of investment in new rail infrastructure.

ATA Recruitment

PSD Group

Bailey Montague

RGS Executive

ES Consultants

Technology Resourcing

Ford and Stanley

White Crow

Morson Group

Proud sponsors of the Outstanding Contribution to the Rail Industry award

www.advancerailwayjobs.com “Together, we can all advance.�

RAILWAYPEOPLE AWARDS

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HR guru recognised for Outstanding Contribution to the Rail Industry The career of First Great Western’s (FGW) Chris Donovan was brought into the spotlight with the awarding of the Outstanding Contribution to the Rail Industry honour at the first RailwayPeople HR, Recruitment & Skills Awards.

A well-known member of the FGW team, Chris was nominated by colleagues for his years of service and intimate knowledge of company procedures.

Chris, 51, said: “I’m so fortunate to work within such a fantastic industry with such fantastic people, particularly the current HR team.”

The award, which was sponsored by Advance-TRS, recognises individuals who have made a lasting impact on HR, recruitment and training in the rail industry.

Nominating Chris for the award, Mark Heffernan, head of organisational development and compliance for First Great Western, said: “Chris Donovan has been in the industry for over 30 years, and I have had the privilege of working with him over the last 20. Throughout this time, Chris has commanded the respect and admiration of peers.

“Chris’ knowledge of company policy, procedures, TU agreements, terms and conditions, pensions, payroll and general ‘corporate knowledge’ is second to none, and appreciated and relied on by all.”

The award was presented to Chris, who lives in Plymouth, by Advance TRS managing director Andy Ridout, whose years of recruitment experience in the transport industry has made him a leading figure in the field.

The Finalists Tony Martin from Croma White

Mick Schruyers from Resourcing Solutions

Roger Wanbon from East Coast Trains Chris Donovan from First Great Western

Mark Eastwood from Staff Absence Solutions

Paul Metcalfe from Fusion People

Ray Butchart from TQ Catalis

Tracey Eagles from Network Rail

Patricia Holgate from Transport for London

Christopher Thorpe from Network Rail John Keegan from Tyne & Wear Metro

RAILWAYPEOPLE AWARDS

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Caroline Wilson named Recruitment Person of the Year Northern Rail’s Caroline Wilson has been named Recruitment Person of the Year.

Caroline Wilson, 38, who works in Leeds but lives in York, said: “I feel really proud and overwhelmed actually to be recognised. Six years in the job working my socks off and it’s nice to finally get something tangible.”

Caroline also described her team

as “amazing” and said they “make it really easy”.

Nominating Caroline, Stuart Draper said: “She has worked really hard to attract women to work in a railway male environment of train driving.

“The campaigns and adverts were really inspiring and Caroline persuaded a number of lady drivers to advertise the fact that they enjoy their roles. We have since seen a massive increase in lady applicants, not just for drivers but in other roles.”

The Finalist Andy Ridout from Advance Training & Recruitment (advance-TRS) Neil Webber from Bailey Montague Daniel Taylor from Ford & Stanley

Caroline Wilson from Northern Rail Michael Schruyers from Resourcing Solutions Oliver Behrendt from Resourcing Solutions

Tony Field from Fusion People Mark Restall from London Underground Roksana Chobot from London Underground Joe Riley from Meridian Business Support

Laura Fletcher from Transpennine Express Chris Mussard from Transport for London James Lloyd from Transport for London

Tim Jordan from Morson International

Mark MacKenzie from Transport for London

Daniel Winchcombe from Morson International

David Stradling from Transport for London

Daniel Haydon from Network Rail

Andrew Johnson from TRS Staffing Solutions

Save the date

18-19 June 2014

Rail Live

2014

The National Track Plant Exhibition, held in July 2013, was a great success. More than 4,000 visitors saw displays and demonstrations from over 200 exhibitors, and there were presentations to attend and network opportunities galore.

Rail Live 2014 will be even better. New exhibitors are already clamouring to be included, and the signalling, telecommunications and electrification sectors are now participating.

Rail Live 2014 is on 18/19 June 2014 at Long Marston.

Be there! www.raillive2014.com

In partnership with

TRACK SAFETY

42 | RailStaff | January 2014

BEING HUMAN MEANS MAKING MISTAKES But doing so deliberately is a reflection of bad management and/or employing the wrong people SAFETY Colin Wheeler colin@rail-media.com

T

he dangerous antics of individuals excited by the recent high tides and strong winds have underlined just how foolhardy people can be.

More than a hundred years ago a Government Inquiry into the large number of track-worker fatalities concluded that the employers were “doing all that they could” and the majority of those who died were “victims of their own demise”.

Nine level crossing fatalities each year Before Christmas, Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB)

representatives gave evidence to the House of Commons Transport Committee’s Inquiry into level crossing safety.

The latest RSSB Information Bulletin comments that “Britain’s Level Crossings are amongst the safest in the world.” However, it goes on to say that the “behaviour of users still presents significant risk and are a matter of considerable concern.”

RSSB comments on work done

in risk assessments, education and enforcement to reduce risk and draws attention to the increase in budget by Network Rail for level crossings in the latest funding determination. It adds that “most of the risk is to members of the public in vehicles or on foot”. Over the last decade there were on average 9 fatalities each year.

Behaviours and awareness I suggest that the Inquiry a hundred years ago into the demise of rail workers and the current work of the Transport Committee both reflect the fact that people make mistakes and do unsafe acts from time to time.

Improved equipment and processes can help but introduce new risks.

Influencing behaviours and awareness

of the dangers on track and in using level crossings need to be the first priority.

Being human means being liable to make mistakes (after all none of us is perfect) but deliberately doing so is something else!

Using human judgement RSSB is looking for “remote condition monitoring solutions” that will detect track and infrastructure failures before the passage of trains is affected. I believe that the use of the human eye and judgement on site (and especially familiarity with an area) remains one of the best ways of detected changes which will result in infrastructure failures.

Conversely I note RSSB has published a set of leaflets “to support industry’s understanding of standards issues”.

Surely the standards ought to be clear and easily understood by all if they are to be of any use?

Distracted by the other train?

A report of a tragic accident that happened on 26th October last year underlines the importance of our awareness of risk when we are on or near the railway. The location was Barrat’s Lane number 2 footpath crossing at Attenborough in Nottinghamshire. This crossing links two residential areas.

Immediately before the accident a train had stopped at a signal near the crossing. At 1450 the Nottingham to Birmingham train travelling in the opposite direction struck an elderly female pedestrian killing her instantly.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) bulletin suggests that the presence of the stationary train “may have distracted the pedestrian”.

Embankment failure derailment Recent flooding makes the publication last month of RAIB’s report Where the two portions of train 6L73 came to rest (photograph courtesy of Network Rail).

TRACK SAFETY

January 2014 | RailStaff | 43

Aerial view of the accident site (photograph courtesy of Network Rail). into the freight train accident at Barrow upon Soar on 27th December 2012 especially relevant.

Caused by the cess rail becoming “dipped due to a failure of the supporting embankment” a loaded freight train was derailed at 0450. The Class 66 diesel electric locomotive and the first 10 bogied hopper wagons remained on track, the eleventh and twelfth derailed, number thirteen stayed on track but the rear 7 separated from the rest of the train, derailed and tipped over.

No-one was injured but track, embankment and wagons were damaged. The train was on the Up Slow Line. The locomotive was hauling loaded hopper wagons with a total train weight of 2,036 tonnes (locomotive weight 102 tonnes). After the accident the affected slow line remained closed for 12 days.

Track inspected and repaired but embankment…

The River Soar was 0.18 metres above normal on the day of the derailment but had peaked at 0.73 metres above on Christmas Day. The embankment was widened to accommodate the slow line in the 1870’s using ash placed on and up against the original clay core.

The Assistant Track Maintenance Engineer carried out an inspection on 21st December and noticed water pooled at the foot of the Up Slow embankment. Very little track twist was recorded in July 2011 but this had risen to 15 mm by November 2012. The highest growth rate was in late 2012 during high rainfall and flooding.

Train drivers reported feeling jolts on the line on 5th December and 8th December (2) at the location where the patroller had found and marked a dip.

Subsequently a 25 sleeper length of track was ballast packed.

On December 10th the Section Manager asked a Supervisor to inspect the repairs and look for any embankment problems.

“Marginal and average risk” said the Examiner On December 11th the Track Maintenance Engineer rode over the Up Slow in the rear cab of a train but felt nothing and concluded that the

repair was effective.

However on 21st December his assistant again noted a dip, but having measured it at just 10 mm took no action. Their last examination before the derailment was in November 2011.

The Examiner noted “some soil creep, local slumping in places in upper and mid slope”. He attributed the latter to rabbits burrowing.

He classified the embankment as “marginal” and in the “average risk” category. A “poor” rather than “marginal” rating would have resulted in a geotechnical team evaluation. The management of earthworks, as distinct from track rests with the Route Asset Manager (Geotechnical) rather than the local Track Maintenance Engineer.

The patrol was not done!

A track patrol was arranged as scheduled for December 24th. A Patroller, lookout and a third man to drive and lookout as required were allocated. The patroller signed off the two relevant records of inspection showing no defects found requiring action during the next four weeks.

However the RAIB Inquiry discovered that, “most if not all of this inspection was not undertaken and the patroller did not walk along the Up Slow Line where the embankment failed”.

Also that, “maintenance staff took steps to make it appear that the inspection had taken place”. It concludes that “the dip in the rail would have been visible to the patroller had the inspection been undertaken.”

RAIB investigations are independent of any carried out by either the safety authority (Office of Rail Regulation) or British Transport Police.

myself the day after the scheduled ones. I then contacted the local supervisor for his patroller’s record and compared the two. Sometimes the report was not available. I asked why?

If faults had been missed, I asked why? I complimented good reporting.

Merely checking the patroller is patrolling is not good enough?

If a senior manager patrols he demonstrates his appreciation of

patrolling. I couldn’t check very often, but no-one knew who would be visited next!

Influencing behaviours by supporting staff and demonstrating an appreciation of their work is the key to a safer railway. Similarly ensuring that the public understand the dangers of misusing level crossings is far more important than adding more signage.

RAILWAY SIGNAL ENGINEERING TRAINING AND CONSULTANCY

I asked why Subsequently the report adds that “as a final check senior managers carried out spot checks over a two week period and in each case found staff carrying out their track inspection activity where they should be”.

After such an occurrence I should have been astonished had they found otherwise. I recall personal experience that I commend to all who carry responsibility for track safety and inspections.

With 2,500 staff I carried out a small number of unexpected track patrols

ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC ENGINEERS

NEWS

44 | RailStaff | January 2014

Track Safety Correction

Derby Celebration Planned

In the November edition of RailStaff we reported in Track Safety Focus that Scott Dobson was an employee of AmeyCOLAS at the time of his demise. This was incorrect. We apologise to all concerned especially the AmeyCOLAS team. It is always our intention to get the facts straight.

RailStaff and sister paper, the rail engineer, are backing calls to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the beginning of Derby’s pioneering rail manufacturing industry.

The confusion arose from our reading of the RAIB report itself. In the RAIB report it said: “AmeyCOLAS is a contractor to Network Rail. It had obtained the services of the COSS involved in the accident from Sky Blue on numerous occasions prior to the accident.”(Clause 12) Later in the report it says, “normal practice was to supply a supervisor on site if the work was being performed by non-Carillion staff” (Clause 51).

AmeyCOLAS are also thanked in the report for their co-operation with the Inquiry.

Based on this, Track Safety Focus concluded that since a Carillion Supervisor was provided and AmeyCOLAS were thanked for their cooperation in the inquiry the COSS must have been hired by a non-Carillion company namely AmeyCOLAS. Re-reading the report in detail, and it runs to 147 clauses plus recommendations, we accept the Sky Blue men were working for Carillion on this occasion. Hence the wording in the 3rd paragraph of Colin Wheeler’s November article was wrong. We extend our apologies.

The city has played a leading role in the development of Britain’s world leading railway industry since the first workshops opened in 1839. Kevin Owen, a team leader and welder at Bombardier’s Litchurch Lane has started a campaign to organise a fitting celebration of the city’s railway heritage.

Says Kevin, ‘Rail is a major Derby success story, which continues to this day. Generations of Derby people have worked in the industry. Many of them have stories to tell, which could be collected and made part of some kind of exhibition or television

production.’

Bombardier has agreed to plan a celebration later in the year. Adds Tom O’Connor, managing director of Rail Media, ‘We are based nearby and owe Derby a tremendous debt of thanks. I remember when we first started RailStaff early editions were run off on the presses of the Derby Evening Telegraph late at night.

‘Many railway staff and businesses in Derby have long supported us and the idea of a good news magazine about railways. We wish Kevin Owen every success with plans for a celebration.’

Alexander Technique This new year sees the launch of Bill Alexander’s new specialist service, offering advice on expanding railway engineering skills, analysing government policy on training and progressing the development of apprenticeships and new qualification frameworks.

Bill Alexander Consulting will also help rail industry liaison with Further Education Colleges and Universities As the rail industry ramps up efforts to bridge the skills gap in 2014 Bill is well positioned to help. The one time S & T apprentice is the founder and former head of Training and Skills at the National Skills Academy for Railway

Engineering. Bill introduced the Training Inspection scheme at NSARE based on the Ofsted model. This has improved the quality of training providers throughout the rail industry.

Bill designed and pioneered the Network Rail Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme working closely with the Royal Navy and Babcock to deliver a unique

blend of engineering skills, knowledge and personal development. He ran the scheme from 2005 – 2011 during which time over 1500 apprentices joined Network Rail.

Progressing the Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme, Bill worked with Sheffield Hallam University to develop an HNC in railway engineering.

This forms a natural first step in career progression from Apprenticeship to HNC – Foundation Degree – Bachelor of Engineering.

Earlier Bill ran a programme aimed

at recruiting and converting engineers from a range of industries. The scheme continues to deliver Railway Engineers, many of whom go on to read for an MSc in Railway Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University.

Bill’s career has also seen him pioneering the introduction of dedicated possession planning/ delivery teams to increase the efficiency of possession management and increase productivity for the WCRM project.

He was responsible for the introduction of signallers assessment which assessed the holistic role of signallers not just their rules knowledge as previously. Bill also worked on Project Sentinel and has a wide range of knowledge and advice to offer the industry.

NEWS

January 2014 | RailStaff | 45

Permanent Way Institution

The Institution for Rail Infrastructure Engineers

The Bear that Roared A young girl and her teddy bear - who she left on a train - have been reunited thanks to the miracles of social networking.

On a family trip to London from York, Phoebe Simpson accidentally left the bear, called Roar, behind at King’s Cross. A few hours later Lauren Bishop Vranch, a London-based marketing director, found Roar on a northbound service. Miss Vranch kindly consoled Roar as the train sped north to Newcastle.

A Philosophy graduate, Vranch noticed the bear had clearly been the object of sustained affection - the coat was old and well worn. Kind-hearted Lauren later posted messages on Twitter about her discovery asking for help to trace the owner.

Phoebe’s father, Ben, spotted the tweet and got in touch. Meanwhile Roar enjoyed an impromptu weekend in Newcastle where he visited the panto and a pub. Roar and Phoebe have now been reunited.

S&C COMPONENTRY MANUFACTURE & INSTALLATION North West Technical Seminar Thursday, 27th February 2014 MANCHESTER CONFERENCE CENTRE SACKVILLE STREET, M1 3BB > UNDERSTAND NEW AND EXISTING SPECIFICATIONS AND COMPONENTS > LEARN ABOUT THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS > ANALYSIS AND MODELLING EXPLAINED > S&C INSTALLATION WITH THE USE OF BIM AND TIME LAPSE VIDEOS > MEET AND INTERACT WITH LIKEMINDED PROFESSIONALS Guest Speakers include: STEVE FEATHERSTONE

Programme Director Track, Network Rail IAN BOSTOCK

Principal Engineer (Switches & Crossings), Network Rail TIM FENEMORE

Deputy Managing Director, Progress Rail Services ANDY BIBBY

S&C Development Manager, Babcock SECURE YOUR PLACE NOW AT WWW.PWI.ORG OR CONTACT KATE HATWELL – 01277 230 031 or email secretary@thepwi.org TICKETS ARE PRICED AT: £50 FOR MEMBER, £65 NON-MEMBER, £20 STUDENT MEMBER, £25 STUDENT NON-MEMBER

Any other queries concerning the event contact: Carl.Baker@PBWorld.com

FEATURE

46 | RailStaff | January 2014

(2)

(3)

(4)

FEATURE

January 2014 | RailStaff | 47

The station now arriving…

Report by Graeme Bickerdike Years after it was first mooted, Wakefield’s new Westgate Station welcomed its first passengers on 22nd December, the culmination of a construction project taking 11 months.

The eye-catching building cost £8.1 million, with delivery agent East Coast appointing Network Rail as principal contractor and the Buckingham Group acting as the latter’s design-and-build subcontractor.

Located 200 yards north of the old Westgate, the station forms a key part of the city’s revival strategy, sitting within a redevelopment area which includes offices, apartments and the Council’s striking new headquarters. The building’s alignment draws visitors towards an alternative pedestrian route into the centre via the commercial district.

(5)

With 630 square metres of black glazed brickwork, new Westgate’s flowing frontage gives way to a main concourse that features a travel centre with six FastTicket machines, a spacious First Class lounge and four retail outlets. The building is 71% more energy efficient than its predecessor, an improvement achieved by maximising daylight and natural heating, as well as the fitment of a photovoltaic energy generation system on the roof.

Ticket gates have been installed to enhance safety and tackle fare evasion.

Access to the northbound platform is

(6) significantly improved by the introduction of lifts and an eye-catching golden footbridge, making it easy for everyone to make their way around the station.

On weekdays, Westgate is served by a free city bus between the morning and evening peaks, as well as offering covered accommodation for 30 bikes.

Next door is a 900-space multi-storey car park. East Coast operates 33 services from Wakefield to the capital, with the fastest taking just 1 hour 46 minutes.

Photos courtesy of Four by Three (1) New Westgate contrasts starkly with the austere Sixties building it replaces.

(2) To the left, the Travel Centre and ticket machines.

(3) To the right, four retail outlets including W H Smith.

(4) Beyond the gate line are a lift and staircase to the northbound platform, as well as a First Class lounge.

(5) A golden footbridge crosses the tracks.

(6) The eye-catching station sign on a black glazed-brick wall.

(1)

NEWS

48 | RailStaff | January 2014

Three Bridges Joins Top 12

Lights On for Rail Freight

A new signalling centre which will eventually control large parts of the railway across Sussex and Surrey has been officially opened at Three Bridges.

Rail freight continues to grow, underscoring and aiding Britain’s economic recovery.

Local MP, Henry Smith opened the rail operating centre at Three Bridges, one of 12 which will eventually operate the entire rail network, replacing more than 800 signal boxes. The new Thameslink maintenance depot is also being built nearby and the station itself has been expanded and upgraded.

Tim Robinson, Network Rail’s route managing director for Sussex, said, ‘This new rail operating centre, and the nearby new Thameslink depot currently under construction, means that Three Bridges will be one of the most important places on the railway map in the south east.

‘When fully operational, it will help to boost performance, increase capacity and provide a better level of service to passengers during periods of

disruption. As well as helping to create a better railway, it will also help boost the local economy as several hundred jobs will be relocated to the town, giving a vital boost for local shops and amenities.’

Eventually Three Bridges ROC will control all of the railway from London Victoria and London Bridge stations down to the south coast, taking in Sussex and Surrey. However there are no plans to change the name.

According to the Office of Rail Regulation rail freight traffic powered up by 9% between July and September last year compared with the same period the year before.

Says Philippa Edmunds, Freight on Rail Manager, ‘Freight activity is a bell weather for the economy. Rail freight traffic has continued to grow year on year since the recession with the past two quarters showing increases of 5% and 9% respectively compared to the

© SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Maiden Voyage for New Desiro As the last hours of 2013 ticked away the first of a new fleet of First TransPennine Express Desiros entered revenue-earning service.

The maiden voyage of the new Siemens-built Class 350/4 Manchester – Glasgow service on 30th December marked the start of an eventual increase in capacity of more than 80 per cent on the route between Manchester Airport,

Wigan, Preston, Carlisle, Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central.

The new trains can run at speeds of 110 mph and can accelerate faster than diesel trains. The new trains signify the successful completion of Network Rail’s

previous year.’

No one should underestimate the importance of rail freight or the need to increase capacity for this fast and healthy sector of the rail industry.

‘The economy relies on rail freight; it literally keeps the lights on as 50% of our electricity comes from coal and biomass transported by rail. A third of consumer products imported into the South of English container ports are transported by rail,’ Edmunds added.

phase one delivery of its £400m North West electrification programme.

FTPE is delivering a £60m investment in new rolling stock. A further nine Desiros will be introduced on the electrified route between Manchester Airport Edinburgh and Glasgow, with all ten new trains being fully operational by May 2014.

Delight on a Shiny Night A £250K project to improve the ticket hall at Lincoln station gathers pace this month.

Financed by East Midlands Trains and Network Rail the new look station features a new, brighter, bigger, booking hall. The work should be complete by the spring.

Left to right: Lisa Breeze, acting Station Manager for Lincoln, Robert Kirkland Director of Construction at Bowmer & Kirkland, Neil Micklethwaite, Customer Service & Commercial Director East Midlands Trains and Clive Hannaford, Contracts Manager, Bowmer & Kirkland.

Play your part in railway history Here at the National Railway Museum we are very proud to be recognised as the world’s leading railway museum and the most visited museum outside London with over 800,000 visitors each year.

Our visitors come from all over the world because they are fascinated by our collections and the story they represent.

As a national charity, we rely on the support of people young and old to preserve and care for our collections now and for the generations to come.

One way of supporting our work is to leave a gift to the National Railway Museum in your Will. A legacy gift of any size really does make a huge difference to our work and the future of the Museum.

As a Railway Magazine reader, we know that you care as much about our railway heritage as we do, so if and when the time is right for you to include a legacy in your Will, please remember us.

The National Railway Museum Development Team • Leeman Road • York • YO26 4XJ • 01904 686 285

FEATURE

50 | RailStaff | January 2014

Scotland’s New Railway Report by David Shirres

A

mongst many other improvements, the next ScotRail franchise is to have faster more comfortable trains connecting its seven cities with scenic trains on tourist routes.

This much has been widely reported but perhaps the big story is why the Scottish Government wants to pay more for rail quality improvements.

With the current ScotRail franchise worth £2.5 billion over its 10 year term, specified improvements could increase the annual bill for Scotland’s railways by tens of millions.

On 19th November plans for the new franchise, starting in April 2015, were unveiled as tender documents were made public. Transport Minister Keith Brown advised that as well as improving passenger experience, the franchise specification is ‘focused on innovation, connectivity, value and benefit for communities throughout Scotland.’

Draft document A trawl through the 174 page draft Invitation to Tender (ITT) document reveals much detail to support Brown’s statement. The ITT is a draft document to allow bidders to suggest improvements before it is finalised in 2014. Issuing such draft documents was a recommendation in the Brown report on rail franchising.

Passenger experience is an important objective for the franchise. Failure to meet passenger satisfaction targets results in a fine of 10% of annual profits. If this happens two years running the franchise may be terminated.

Another measure is “minutes per train mile” which is currently 1.175 for long distance inter-city journeys. As this is considered to be too slow, bidders are required to propose improvements which will become contractual conditions.

Rolling stock The ITT contains a detailed specification for rolling stock, all of which must have Wi-Fi. For inter-city stock this includes the need for a ‘passenger environment consistent with modern inter-city passenger stock in UK and Europe; seats to be aligned with windows, large luggage areas within sight, cycle storage and flexible pram space.’

As the current class 170 DMUs do not meet this requirement, new or refurbished rolling stock will be required. It is possible that the specification of additional storage areas may result in more coaches.

The ITT reflects the findings of an extensive rail consultation exercise undertaken by Transport Scotland in 2012 from which it became clear that the current class 170s were not considered suitable for long distance journeys especially when compared with a journey to Aberdeen on East Coast Mark 3 coaches.

The ITT’s specification for scenic train initiatives is intended to support local communities as well as providing better views for passengers. This is shown by the need “to work with local partners to develop their tourist services” and that catering facilities should serve local/Scottish produce.

Community Rail Partnerships (CRP) will also support local businesses.

These champion initiatives to maximise potential benefits of the location, its rail line and stations. By the start of the franchise, the Scottish Government expects to establish ten such partnerships.

The ITT requires the franchisee to actively support CRPs, spend

£0.5 million annually on them and consider creating new ones. Small businesses should also benefit from the requirement for the Franchisee to make their sub-contracts available to smaller companies.

Cycle innovation plan Innovation is mentioned throughout the ITT, for example the requirement to “operate a quality, efficient rail passenger service which is also considered by the industry to be at the leading edge of innovation”. An innovative approach will be needed to provide Wi-Fi connectivity on long remote rural lines with poor mobile reception.

Bidders are also required to submit a Cycle Innovation Plan to convey more bicycles to destinations offering cycle rides and for rail to give Scotland’s residents and visitors a greater cycle service. For passengers requiring assistance, there is a need for innovative technology to minimise advance notice of travel.

Value for money is another phrase mentioned throughout the ITT, with bidders encouraged to submit plans to reduce the subsidy requirement. As the Scottish Government considers there are cost savings from rail industry collaboration, bidders are invited to submit proposals for close working relationships with Network Rail and

FEATURE

January 2014 | RailStaff | 51

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other rail industry partners.

Better value is also required for passengers. The ITT caps peak fares at inflation and off-peak fares at inflation minus 1%. The franchisee is also required to promote flexipass tickets that give discounts to regular passengers who do not travel daily.

Integration with other transport modes was another concern highlighted by the rail consultation exercise. The ITT addresses this by requiring the Franchisee to have a Transport Integration Manager who must ensure that rail plays its part in a cohesive public transport service.

This includes cross-modal smartcard ticketing being used for

most rail journeys by 2019, providing information on other transport modes at key stations and ensuring that timetables are integrated with buses and ferries. Not forgotten is the requirement to improve timetabled rail connections.

Capacity targets With sustainability being a key aspect of the Scottish Government’s agenda it is no surprise to see it featured in the ITT. This requires proposals to reduce environmental impact and targets to reduce energy use, CO2 emissions and waste.

To make better use of capacity, bidders must submit targets, increase

patronage on lightly used lines and off-peak services. Failure to meet such targets three years running may result in termination of the franchise.

Investing in the workforce is also specified. This includes taking on at least 100 apprentices during the franchise.

The new franchise covers a period of significant change. The Borders railway opens a few months after it starts. December 2016, 20 months into the franchise, will see the first electric trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow which the franchisee has to procure.

Almost certainly these will be new trains. Although this is a demanding procurement timescale, Transport

FEATURE

52 | RailStaff | January 2014

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Scotland has produced a detailed specification for these trains which has already been made available to bidders.

New stations An interesting part of the ITT is the priced options which require bidders to price for plans that are not yet fully developed. These include options for a new station at Winchburgh and improved services between Edinburgh and Berwick-upon-Tweed / Newcastle with new stations at Reston and East Linton.

The option for an improved train service to Stranraer should reassure residents who fear a rail closure following the loss of their ferries.

Bidding for the ScotRail franchise are First Group (the current holders), Abellio, Arriva, National Express and MTR. Their tender returns must include delivery plans demonstrating their ability to provide the service and respond to change including the provision of rolling stock. Any bid that cannot will be rejected.

A quality score will be given

to delivery plans that concern enhancements. Once bids have been confirmed as financially robust, the lowest bidder gets a 100% price score and other bidders are given a score

related to this lowest price. When bids are evaluated the quality score is given a weighting out of 35%.

Transport Scotland considers that this is the first time that a rail franchise competition has had such a heavy emphasis on quality. As Keith Brown says, ‘Bidders for this franchise must commit to ambitious improvements if they want to win.’

So why does the Scotland Government want to pay more for a quality railway? Currently the total cost of its rail services is around £900

million annually, much of which is fixed costs. Transport Scotland considers that the resultant economic benefit will far outweigh the additional rail quality costs.

The Scottish Government has a stated purpose of creating a more successful country for all through increasing sustainable economic growth. Its rail franchise ITT is a means to this end. It also demonstrates the benefits of joined-up Government from which there are, no doubt, lessons to be learned south of the border.

FEATURE

January 2014 | RailStaff | 53

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Drive Safely to Work

© SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Report by Chris Nutty Have you ever wondered what all that mumbo jumbo, ‘over steer, understeer,’ Jeremy Clarkson talks about on Top Gear really means?

Aslef Educational Project Worker Chris Nutty arranged a course for staff from East Midlands Trains and London Midland Trains at the world famous Donington Park circuit to learn more.

How many times over the years have you been caught out by snow or ice on the road? Because such conditions happen rarely in the UK we are poorly prepared to deal with them.

For rail staff travelling to work at all hours of the day and night, through the winter, it is important to learn skills about driving in such conditions. While Aslef Education’s core courses are academic, there is always room for other practical courses, hence the Skid Car Course.

Driving on ice After a short demonstration from our instructor we were straight into the driving seat, driving a figure-ofeight around cones to learn the difference between understeer and oversteer. The car we were driving was fitted into a rig that has four wheels that can be lifted to bring the car’s own wheels off the ground, front or rear, or both to simulate understeer, oversteer, aquaplaning, or driving on ice.

We also practiced stopping, with and without the ABS engaged. The rig we were using was Swedish. It was made over 20 years ago, yet it gave a very real feedback in all situations.

The tuition of the instructors, Mark Cowell and Andy Hicklin, was excellent. Every question we asked was answered in depth. The knowledge the two men have

of the subject is impressive. Just a few of the things we learnt included: • A modern fuel injection car will pull away at tick over.

• Moving the steering left to right will help a car get forward motion on ice.

• Even with ABS a modern car takes a distance to stop, what you gain with it is the ability to steer.

Our training session took place on the original Melbourne loop of the 1938 Grand Prix circuit, so we had plenty of room to play. Which is good when you are pirouetting round and around at 15 mph!

The session was really fun because we could do things that would probably get you killed, or at least seriously injured on public roads. But that is the

purpose of the course - to get the feel of when the car is losing grip, and know what to do to regain control, to learn that the worst thing to do is to panic and try to put the brake pedal through the floor boards to stop!

EMT Train Driver Wayne Barnett said, ‘It’s amazing how much you can learn while having so much fun.’

While Paul Williams, another EMT Train Driver, said, ‘I’ve learnt a lot and I think all drivers, whether they’ve driven for a year or 30 years should have a go at this.

You really get a feel for when the car is starting to lose grip, which allows you to react to regain control quicker.’

The course was provided by Automotional.

NEWS

54 | RailStaff | January 2014

Cardiff Rescue for Gospel Oak Boy A Welsh football fan, who risked his life to save a toddler who had fallen under a train, has been praised by fans from both teams.

Cardiff City fan John Noctor was travelling on the Gospel Oak–Barking line to watch the New Year’s Day match between Cardiff City and Arsenal at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. John and his nephew, Simon Healey, were exchanging good natured if contrary predictions about the outcome of the match with Arsenal fans when the train stopped at Gospel Oak. A young mum with a baby in a buggy backed onto the train. The child who was not strapped in tipped out and fell onto the tracks below.

Says Arsenal fan, Roy McLoughlin, ‘We got chatting because John asked us where the toilets were, and we took great pleasure in teasing him that there are no toilets on the North London line services.

Then we had a bit of banter about Vincent Tan and the rest of it, when John

suddenly leapt up and ran to the door.

‘Virtually before anyone else knew what had happened, he was down under the train and lifting up the kid. As far as I’m concerned the guy’s a proper hero.’

Cardiff and Arsenal fans held the doors, alerted the driver and contacted the police. Self–effacing John Noctor says he acted instinctively. ‘I looked around the platform and couldn’t see anything, then I heard the crying from underneath the train.

‘As I got down there I could hear the doors beeping as the driver was about to move off, but at the time what that meant hadn’t really sunk in - I was more bothered about reaching the kid. I found out afterwards that my nephew had jammed the train doors and hit the alarm, otherwise it

would have moved off.’

Roy McLoughlin was so taken aback

by John’s prompt and selfless action that he contacted Cardiff City. ‘The most important thing is that the kid’s safe,’ says Roy. ‘But as well as that it’s just gone to show that, despite the press coverage we get, football fans can laugh and work together, and on occasions do something truly heroic.

‘I’ve written to Cardiff City to tell them just what a special fan they’ve got, and that they really ought to do something to mark his bravery in some way.’ Tim Hartley, chairman of Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust agrees with Roy. ‘Football fans have had a very bad press in the past. It is great to see someone like John behave in an unselfish and generous way. He is a credit to the club and we are grateful for his brave actions.’

Cardiff lost the match 2-0 with Arsenal scoring the wining goals in the last three minutes of the match.

Hull Move for T&RS Man Jon Plowright has joined First Hull Trains as Head of Engineering.

He will be responsible for the fleet of Class 180 DMUs which operates all of FHT’s services between Hull and London King’s Cross.

Jon joins from Network Rail after almost seven years looking after Northern Rail and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and was based in York.

Between June 2001 and June 2005 he worked for Freightliner joining from Angel Trains. Jon spent four years at Railfreight Distribution where he became a T&RS shift engineer. He joined British Rail as an engineering trainee in 1992 having read a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering at Kingston University.

Earls Court Date for Infrarail Interest is high in this year’s Infrarail exhibition, to be held at Earls Court in London from 20 to 22 May. Railway staff are welcome and already over 140 companies have signed up for the show. Infrarail brings together suppliers of rail infrastructure products and services from all sectors of the industry and provides a showcase for the very latest

innovations rail companies have to offer.

Infrarail is supported by a full programme of activities including seminars organised by RailStaff’s sister magazine, the rail engineer and the Infrarail Awards. The Recruitment Wall,

arranged by RailwayPeople.com, will highlight exhibitors’ job vacancies and skills needs.

The Platform will see a range of speakers delivering updates on major rail infrastructure projects and includes daily interactive forum sessions covering key industry topics.

Exhibition features this year will again include The Track. A section

of track will be laid for the display of smaller items of equipment and machinery. The Yard is an area dedicated to larger items of plant such as road-rail vehicles. Both will be located in the main exhibition hall.

In addition, Rail Alliance members will have stands in their own section of the show.

A significant development will be the introduction of a new Mack Brooks event, the Civil Infrastructure & Technology Exhibition (CITE), which will be co-located with Infrarail in the main hall. This will cover equipment, products and services needed for constructing and maintaining vital infrastructure such as roads, ports, airports, utilities and communications networks. There is plenty of scope for crossover between the two exhibitions and visitors will be able to move freely between them.

RailStaff will be providing regular updates on plans for Infrarail in future issues. Meanwhile, more information including the latest list of exhibitors can be found at www.infrarail.com

drug dealer?

Child trafficker?

Pimp? paedophile? rescue worker?

alone and Every five minutes a child arrives India. in rm tfo pla desperate on a railway

HELP US GET TO THEM FIRST. CALL 01270 757 596

railwaychildren.org.uk/rescue

Yes! I’ll help your rescue workers reach even more children.

Here is my gift of £10

My own choice of £

I enclose a cheque/postal order/charity voucher made payable to Railway Children OR please debit my Visa/Mastercard/Switch/Maestro/CAF Card.

Security Code

Card No. Start Date Title

/ First Name

Expiry Date

/

Issue No. Surname

Address Postcode Email address

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Switch/Maestro only

Make your gift worth a quarter more – at no extra cost to you.

I am a UK taxpayer and I would like Railway Children to treat all donations that I have made, as well as future donations as Gift Aid until I notify otherwise. (Please tick) Signature Date I confirm that I have paid income/ capital gains tax, at least equal to the amounts of gifts made to all charities and Amateur Sports Clubs in the same tax year as the donation has been made.

I understand that VAT and Council Tax do not qualify.

We’ll never share your details with other organisations We’d like to let you know from time to time what we’re achieving with your money, and about other aspects of our work. You can always tell us, at any point, if you’d like us to stop, or only get in touch at certain times. If you do not wish to receive updates from us, please call us on 01270 757 596 Please return this form with your donation to: Freepost Plus RRHJ-ESZK-EYCG Railway Children, 1 The Commons, Sandbach, CW11 1EG Telephone: 01270 757 596. Email: hello@railwaychildren.org.uk www.railwaychildren.org.uk/rescue Reg charity number 1058991

O13RSF

NEWS

56 | RailStaff | January 2014

© MJ CHEESE PHOTOGRAPHY

Famous Trains A Derby-based model railway charity has got off to a good start in its new home thanks to a weekend warm up sponsored by the Rail Media Group – publishers of RailStaff, home of good news stories about railways.

Famous Trains has secured a 15 year lease on new premises in Markeaton Park. Mayor of Derby, Fareed Hussain, opened the new building and expressed his delight that the new facility would be open to the public this spring.

Seven model railways were on display and the weekend itself attracted 400 visitors. Charity chairman, Colin Boocock, acknowledged the support received from Derby City Council. Substantial grants came from the Big Lottery Fund and Biffa Award.

The Hedley Foundation, the Garfield Weston Foundation and Derbyshire

Community Foundation also helped.

From the spring the centrepiece of the exhibition will be a 40-feet long 00-scale model of Chinley station in the 1950s/1960s. Chinley had four main line tracks running through it then. The model railway was given to the charity by benefactor Derek Chandley who used to live at Wilson near Melbourne, Derbyshire.

REPTA 2014 Membership benefits and discounts open to all rail & public transport industry staff, active & retired, including immediate family.

NEW for 2014:

Discount “Taste Card” Reduced rate admission to Alnwick Gardens Health Screening special rates.

JOIN & PAY ON LINE TODAY www.repta.co.uk FOR MEMBERSHIP CARD AND YEARBOOK OR Send cheque / postal order for £4.50 inc P&P. Extra family members: £3.00 or Family Membership £9 (2 Adults and all children up to age 16) payable to REPTA to 4 Brackmills Close, Forest Town, Mansfield NG19 0PB (Ref. RS). Tel 01623 646789

www.repta.co.uk

The model railway is being expanded to take advantage of the 70 feet-long space in the refurbished building. Plans for expansion include a country branch line, a pre-Victorian factory complex, and a rope-worked inclined plane modelled on the Cromford & High Peak Railway.

The building upgrade included a complete re-roofing and rewiring, insulation and the laying of a splendid timber floor given by Derby City Council. Famous Trains has charity status because of its approach to training members and volunteers equipping them with the skills needed to establish and maintain model railways. Famous Trains will also educate visitors about Derby’s fundamental contribution to the development of UK railways and the

city’s survival as Britain’s longestserving centre of train-building.

Speaking at the opening Colin Boocock said, ‘I stand amazed at how much the members of Famous Trains have accomplished in the mere four weeks since we first occupied this newly-upgraded building.

‘In just two days the supports for the main section of the Chinley layout were constructed and the layout set up on them, and an extension to the baseboard width fitted in place. Since then all the station platforms have been completed and work is on-going.’

Famous Trains has over 70 members and welcomes new ones.

An application form can be copied from the web site membership page.

Check out Famous Trains at www. famoustrains.org.uk.

New Station for Kenilworth Government approval means Kenilworth will get its long awaited station and the cost, £11.3 million, will be partly met by the New Stations Fund.

The Department for Transport has approved the allocation of £5 million from the fund following confirmation that the station can be built without adversely impacting other network improvements. Construction of the station paves the way for new local services to start running between Coventry, Kenilworth and Leamington Spa in December 2016.

Says Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, ‘The Government recognises the importance of strong

transport links for local communities and the economy. That is why we have been working hard to make sure Kenilworth station becomes a reality.

This will provide real benefits both to passengers and to local businesses, providing improved connectivity across the West Midlands and to London, and helping create jobs. This is further proof of the Government’s determination to transform the network through our record levels of investment.’

CAREERS

January 2014 | RailStaff | 57

S&T Technicians Greater Manchester, £Competitive Metrolink by RATP dev, is looking for committed individuals to join its team. You will be based at Queens Road depot or Trafford depot.

The S&T department is responsible for the performance of preventative and corrective maintenance on the Signalling and Telecommunications infrastructure including but not limited to: • • • • • •

First line maintenance of :Signalling, Comms and Control Systems Telecommunications and Transmission Systems CCTV systems Passenger Information Systems Assist in investigation of incidents Railway Signalling Systems and PLC-based Tram Management Systems

You will ideally be qualified to a minimum of ONC (BTEC National Diploma) level in Electrical / Electronic Telecommunications Engineering or equivalent. You must also be in possession of a full current driving licence and maintain this throughout your period of employment.

Previous experience in railway signalling working to SMTH and (or) telecommunications would be an advantage. Additionally the ability to demonstrate logical fault finding techniques and strong IT skills.

The hours of work will be based on 37 ½ hours per week and will require shift work and flexibility. The S&T team covers 7 days a week, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.

To apply for this position please send a covering letter and your CV to the HR department.

Katie Huthwaite khuthwaite@metrolink.co.uk

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CAREERS

58 | RailStaff | January 2014

MSD

CONSTRUCTION

UK. LTD

CIVILS GANGS & SUPERVISORS REQUIRED FOR WORKS LONDON-DERBY

FOR WORKS IN THE NORTH-WEST

MSD are looking for experienced Civils Teams for ongoing troughing works on the East Coast Mainline. The first phase is running from London-Derby and MSD are keen for gangs experienced in Routeworks to get in touch.

MSD are looking for experienced Civils Teams for ongoing works on Junction Lighting Schemes in the North-West.

MSD are keen for gangs experienced in either Junction Lighting works or Base Installations to get in touch.

Each gang must comprise of 5/6 members and have the following tickets as minimum:

Each gang must comprise of 5/6 members and have the following tickets as minimum:

1 x COSS 2 x LOOKOUT 1 x 3day First Aider 1 x Cat Scanner 1 x Stihl Saw

1 x COSS 2 x LOOKOUT 1 x 3day First Aider 1 x Cat Scanner 1 x Stihl Saw

MSD are also looking to take on supervisors to manage new and existing gangs. Experienced supervisors interested in managing Routeworks projects should get in touch.

MSD are also looking to take on supervisors to manage new and existing gangs. Experienced supervisors interested in managing Junction Lighting or Base Installation projects should get in touch.

Call 01709 878988 or email jobs@msdconstruction.com

www.msdconstruction.com MSD Construction (UK) Ltd, Manvers House, Pioneer Close, Wath upon Dearne, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S63 7JZ.

dg8 design and engineering bespoke services for the rail industry

dg8 has a passion and a reputation for delivering innovative design and engineering services to all sectors of the rail industry. We provide bespoke solutions to a wide range of ‘high profile’ customers including rail vehicle owners, operators, manufacturers and equipment suppliers.

Small Plant Fitters Small Plant Fitters required nationwide, particularly London, Yorkshire and Glasgow. Full-time and casual contracts available at competitive rates / salary.

Small Plant Fitters to carry out repairs and maintenance in accordance with manufacturers specifications and company maintenance schedules on small plant.

Clean driving licence essential. Must have or be prepared to take P.T.S Personal Track Safety qualifications.

Contact Rebecca on 01543 421918 or rebecca.davies@vpplc.com for details and application pack.

www.torrent.co.uk

dg8 design and engineering

Our expanding business means we have several stimulating engineering opportunities. These roles are primarily office based in Derby, however, the successful candidate will be required to attend clients facilities around the UK and potentially worldwide:

Project Engineer Graduate Electrical Engineer Graduate Design Engineer If you are highly motivated, have the necessary skills and / or qualifications, and would like to work on a wide range of projects in a dynamic environment then please visit dg8design.com/vacancies for further information on each role and details of how to apply.

dg8 design and engineering • The College Business Centre • Uttoxeter New Road • Derby DE22 3WZ Web: www.dg8design.com

CAREERS

January 2014 | RailStaff | 59

We’re going places.

Are you? www.storycontracting.com We currently have immediate opportunities for the following positions based in the North of England:

• Commercial Manager • Health and Safety Advisor • Technical Training Manager

• Operations Manager • Site Manager • CRE Engineer

We are an established, dynamic, solution driven organisation with an enviable client base and an excellent reputation for delivering both tendered projects and frameworks within the Rail industry. We offer competitive salaries, relocation expenses (where applicable) and other benefits associated with a successful and forward thinking company (including company car and bonus).

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Do you have a high degree of drive and commitment to bring continuous improvement to what we do?

Do you have great customer focus with the ability to engage with clients and build relationships?

Do you have the willingness to take ownership to find solutions and get results?

If you answered YES to the above then we want to hear from you. More details for these positions can be found on our website at www.storycontracting.com. Please submit completed applications (available from our website) to: recruitment@storyhr.co.uk.

Recruitment Ad - Rail Engineer - 190x130 090113.indd 1

1/9/2014 11:14:43 AM

CAREERS

60 | RailStaff | January 2014

Hammond (ecs) ltd Level Crossing Attendants Liverpool LXA'S Required for a 9 day blockade in Liverpool starting Feb 2014.

PTS required as well as an in date D&A.

Hammond are specialist works contractors within the rail industry, working on projects involving structures and civil engineering works.

Supervisor / Manager with engineering background LONDON / SOUTH EAST PERMANENT SALARY BASED ON EXPERIENCE

Safety Critical Staff

A Supervisor / Manager is required to assist the project manager / CEM to deliver modular platform refurbishment systems and other associated works within programme and on budget.

Gangs & Civil Gangs for forthcoming

Good knowledge of Network Rail standards and operational procedures would be advantageous.

We also require Safety Critical Staff, Track

find out more at randstad.co.uk/howibecame

work in 2014.

Interested? Contact Brian or Jenny at Randstad Rail Manchester.

Good man management skills essential, as the job will involve setting work schedules and allocation of labour, planning resources of labour plant and materials.

QUALIFICATIONS

Please forward your details to: brian.fogg@randstadcpe.com or jenny.worthington@randstadcpe.com

Ideally the candidate will have a minimum PTS qualification and at least five years experience within the rail industry, and knowledge of CDM Regulations, CPHSP, Work Package Plans, task briefings and risk assessments documentation.

For more information, please contact: Rob Williams. Project Manager/CEM. Hammond ecs Ltd. bob@hammond-ecs.co.uk

www.hammond-ecs.co.uk

half page_final_Layout 1 09/01/2014 12:48 Page 1

Safety Critical & Track Staff

Wanted For Long Term Work Thames Valley - Reading, Slough, West London

London Underground

Ganymede are looking to recruit skilled track operatives to facilitate new contracts delivering maintenance & project works.

We are currently looking to recruit experienced, keen & enthusiastic operatives for on-going and up-coming works on London Underground Infrastructure.

We require competent and experienced General Track Labour & Safety Critical Staff.

Candidates must be experienced and as a minimum hold valid PTS TRKIND. If the above applies to you then contact us without delay so we can arrange an interview for a potential immediate start.

info@ganymedesolutions.co.uk

www.ganymedesolutions.co.uk

For further information contact Justin Scannell directly on 07795 822 379 or email Justin.scannell@ganymedesolutions.co.uk

We require the following skills to deliver general track maintenance and renewal activities. 路 路 路 路

T002/3 Handbacks Site Person in Charge (Track) Skilled Platelayers/Multi Skilled Operatives Platelayers

Long term work and excellent rates of pay are offered.

For further information contact Derwyn Eaves on 01443 749057 or email derwyvn.eaves@ganymedesolutions.co.uk

RAIL RECRUITMENT PROFESSIONALS For more details visit our dedicated website section:

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CDI AndersElite has been supplying permanent and contract staff to the rail sector for over 20 years.

We are specialists in providing rail jobs for permanent, temporary and contract positions.

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London

Senior Operations Director - South East - £on application + excellent benefits Are you seeking an autonomous role in an entrepreneurial environment? Our client is seeking to appoint a Senior Operations Director to provide support and direction across a portfolio of Rail projects in the South East. This is a

great opportunity to join a forward thinking team and be part of an organization that are undertaking a structured growth plan in the South.

Degree educated or equivalent essential and rail experience ideal.

Contact: Rob Hobdell | 0207 7432 7529 | rob.hobdell@anderselite.com

Senior Commercial Manager / Commercial Director - London £on application + excellent benefits Senior Commercial Manager required to oversee all aspects of commercial management on a number of projects in the South East. This leading role will liaise closely with the senior management team and will be responsible for

overseeing a team of Commercial Managers and Project Surveyors. Ideally the candidate will be educated to degree level or equivalent with demonstrable experience working for a main contractor (ideally in rail) at a senior level.

Contact: Fallon O’Keeffe | 0207 743 7554 | fallon.okeeffe@anderselite.com

Health and Safety Risk Advisor - London - £40-50k plus excellent benefits

Bid Manager (London Underground) - Hull - £40-£55k + benefits

A fantastic opportunity for a Health and Safety Risk Advisor to join an expert team. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing changes to working practices in line with safety legislation along with a wide variety

Seeking a driven and adaptable Bid Manager to act as a key member of our client’s bid team to lead, manage and coordinate all aspects of London Underground bids and ensure the best bids possible are

of related tasks that fall under this diverse role.

Experience within the rail industry is essential along with NEBOSH National Certificate (or equivalent) and ideally IOSH Membership working towards Chartered Status.

Contact: Gary Milburn | 0207 743 7530 | gary.milburn@anderselite.com

submitted. The successful candidate will have previous experience in managing large infrastructure bids with London Underground with a track record of success.

Contact: Jon Sheridan | 0113 205 1273 | jon.sheridan@anderselite.com

Tel: 020 7743 7500 contactus@anderselite.com

Junior Planner / Planner - Hull - £30-35k + benefits

Civils Project Manager - London – ongoing contract / permanent - £competitive

Seeking an ambitious individual, ideally with demonstrable planning experience in the Rail/Civil Sector. You will have the potential to move well beyond the scheduler and/or software operative role, therefore you will

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Project Manager to join a Civil Engineering Contractor based in the South East, within the Rail sector. This Principal Contractor is looking to expand their team

need to show a true understanding of the projects lifecycle and be able to work across a number of projects. Experience in ASTA PowerProject/Primavera P6 preferable.

Contact: Martin Chapman | 0161 832 7577 | martin.chapman@anderselite.com

due to various project awards. The successful individual will initially be looking after a platform extension/lengthening project and experience within this area would be beneficial.

Contact: Deborah Loding | 020 7743 7518 | deborah.loding@anderselite.com

Design Manager - London – £competitive

Setting Out Engineer - South East – £competitive

3 month contract (opportunity for ongoing contract/permanent)

3 month contract (opportunity for ongoing contract/permanent)

A Design Manager is required to provide competent design focused engineering resource to a number of multi-disciplinary projects to ensure that compliant, fit for purpose engineering solutions are

Due to an increase in workload, our client is looking to recruit an ambitious and enthusiastic Site Engineer / Setting Out Engineer initially on 3 month basis. The role will include setting out and arranging the formal checking of setting out

implemented. The successful candidate will have previous experience of platform extensions/lengthening projects and steel fabrications alongside extensive knowledge of current Health & Safety Legislation.

Contact: Teddy Jordan | 020 7743 7519 | teddy.jordan@anderselite.com

on a number of platform extension/lengthening and civils projects across several sites in the South East. The successful candidate will have solid experience as an engineer within the construction industry.

Contact: Deborah Loding | 020 7743 7518 | deborah.loding@anderselite.com

General Foreman - South East - £competitive + benefits

Construction Manager - South East - £competitive + benefits

Multiple opportunities for experienced Civils carried out on time and to the necessary Foremen to join Rail Contractor and work on quality and safety standards. PTS card multiple schemes in and around the South required, other tickets desirable.

East. Seeking site based individuals with the ability to drive works forward ensuring they are

We are currently looking to identify a number of Construction Managers who will be responsible for running sections of major projects. The individuals will ensure smooth operation and delivery of projects to the client’s satisfaction and safely to time, cost and

Contact: Rob Hobdell | 0207 7432 7529 | rob.hobdell@anderselite.com

Contact: Teddy Jordan | 020 7743 7519 | teddy.jordan@anderselite.com

quality in accordance with the Guide to Railway Investment Projects (GRIP). Ideal candidates will have previous civil rail experience, a track record of motivating and developing team members and a detailed knowledge of safety regulations.

Sidings Project Manager - South East – ongoing contract/permanent - £competitive

Project Manager - South East - £60-£70k + benefits

Privately owned and growing Principal Contractor requires an individual with a successful history of managing Rail & Civil Engineering packages to join them as Project Manager to manage an enhancements and facilities upgrade project, with

Several Project Managers are required to work Seeking individuals educated to degree level on projects throughout the South East. These or equivalent with extensive Civils delivery roles will offer autonomy in a non-process experience in the Rail sector. driven environment with a forward thinking business that is projecting fantastic growth.

a particular focus on sidings. Alongside prior experience with sidings, the successful candidate will have strong multi-disciplinary rail project management skills including knowledge of track and platform extensions.

Contact: George Hvid | 0207 743 7535 | george.hvid@cdicorp.com

Contact: Teddy Jordan | 020 7743 7519 | teddy.jordan@anderselite.com

Contractors Responsible Engineer (CRE), Track - London – £competitive

Senior Signalling Testing & Commissioning Engineering Lead - South East – £market beating + benefits

3 month contract (opportunity for ongoing contract/permanent)

A unique opportunity for an individual to spearhead the development of a Signalling Testing & Commissioning division within an entrepreneurial environment. To be considered for this role, you will be an

A CRE is required for a growing Rail Contractor to provide support to project teams in the contribution of compliant, fit for purpose design solutions. The ideal candidate will be a qualified engineer, have

expert in your market, ideally Chartered, with experience in the provision of guidance to project managers and project engineers in respect of Signalling testing & commissioning activities.

Contact: Teddy Jordan | 020 7743 7519 | teddy.jordan@anderselite.com

previous experience as a CRE alongside project delivery experience. Platform extension and track re-modelling experience would be beneficial.

Contact: Daniel Hartman | 020 7743 7500 | daniel.hartman@anderselite.com

CDI AndersElite welcomes applications from all and does not discriminate on grounds of colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sex (including gender reassignment), sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, being married or a civil partner, or physical or mental disability. CDI AndersElite Ltd operates as both an Employment Agency and Employment Business.

CAREERS

62 | RailStaff | January 2014

PLAN FOR AN EXCITING FUTURE HEALTH, SAFETY, QUALITY AND ENVIRONMENT MANAGER

ABOUT US There has never been a more exciting time to join London Overground Rail Operations Limited (LOROL). We have a vision for an even better London Overground network, and we're working hard together to achieve it.

We're passionate about developing, expanding and enhancing the network, connecting communities across the capital. It's a rewarding journey.

BENEFITS In return, you'll be able to make the most of great benefits, excellent development and career opportunities, plus the satisfaction of making a significant and lasting difference for the network.

FACILITIES AND CONTRACT MANAGER

BASIC SALARY £40,000 - £42,000 PER ANNUM

BASIC SALARY £40,000 - £44,000 PER ANNUM

In this role you will ensure that all health, safety, quality and environmental requirements are adhered to at Willesden Train Maintenance Depot and will support the production and facilities teams located there.

As a Facilities and Contract Manager, you'll oversee all depot contracts and manage the facilities at Willesden Train Maintenance Depot.Through your excellent leadership skills you will ensure compliance with all legislation and the smooth and efficient operation of Depot facilities.

You will have worked in a safety critical role within the rail industry and be IOSH certified. A NEBOSH qualification or working towards this is also a requirement for the position.

MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT COMPETITIVE SALARY As a Management Accountant you will engage and support your team to ensure the production of accurate and timely, revenue and cost information.

With line management responsibilities for two team members, you will support them to achieve all objectives in a timely manner.

You will be experienced in the development of contracts, have sound knowledge of the facility management process and have strong people management skills.

LOROL is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome all applications especially from women and black, Asian and minority ethnic groups who are currently under represented.

You will have experience of dealing with revenue in a railway environment, be proficient in excel and hold a professional finance qualification.

Discover more and apply online at www.lorol.co.uk Closing date for applications: 14th February 2014

www.trsstaffing.com

TRS Staffing Solutions are international engineering recruitment specialists. We recruit for major National and International projects for leading National Rail organisations, main contractors and consultancies. Currently we have vacancies for the following:

Manufactured in the U.K., SPX Rail Systems provides point operating equipment through the Clamplock brand, as well as level crossing barriers. It is part of SPX Corporation, a multiindustry manufacturing leader with operations in over 35 countries and more than 15,000 employees world-wide.

P-Way Design Engineers and Managers

Excellent opportunities have arisen to join SPX Rail Systems' Dagenham-based business:

Rail and Infrastructure Vacancies P6 Planners

Warrington, Birmingham & London £300 - £350/day or £30K – £60K Mainline Rail Project Experience

London, Midlands & Swindon £40K – £50K or £300 - £400/day Experience of Network Rail Projects, Primavera experience essential

Project Manager

Renewal & Enhancement Engineers

Swindon, Milton Keynes & London £40K - £55K or £450/day Projects civils, Signalling and M+E enabling works Experience

London & Bristol £35K - £60K or £350 - £500/day Line speed and general rail infrastructure improvements experience

This is a critical, high profile role reporting to the business's senior management team, and the successful candidate will have the chance to turn their recommendations into reality as they help shape the future of this highly successful business. Knowledge of ISO9001-2008 QMS is preferred.

Drainage Engineers

Rail Project Managers (CRE), Site Agent & Sub-Agents

Mechanical Design Engineer

London, North West & South West £35K – £55K or £250 - £350/day Track Drainage experience

£35K - £55K or £250 - £400/day Rail Civil works, Bridges, embankments

Please send your CV or if you’d prefer to discuss a role in more detail and in confidence, please contact one of our specialist consultants on

+44 (0)20 7419 5800 or email rail@trsstaffing.com

Rail, Infrastructure & Construction

Manufacturing Engineer

£Excellent Package

The Manufacturing Engineer will take on a key role in optimizing the business's manufacturing capability, working closely with engineering, production, purchasing, and quality assurance leaders to streamline production while reducing wastage.

£Excellent Package

The Mechanical Design Engineer will take on a key role in the design and maintenance of the company's custom-engineered product portfolio, working closely with customers to capture requirements for mechanical signalling products from initial specification through to release and after-sales support.

This is a high-potential role with strong promotion potential with a growing business. Prior exposure to the rail industry, ideally rail infrastructure such as Point Operating Equipment (PoE) and barriers, is preferred.

If you would like more information about these opportunities, please contact Lori Sitton: lori.sitton@spx.com

New Year. New Career?

Great opportunities with a fast moving company...

Signalling Solutions is a company formed by combining the complementary signalling resources and products of Alstom Transport Information Solutions UK and Balfour Beatty Rail Projects.

If you are looking for a new challenge and want to make a real contribution to the success of our business, we have opportunities across all our locations in the following disciplines: • Design • Testing • Planning • Project Management • Quantity Surveying • Installation Management • Project Engineering • Health, Safety and Environmental • Systems Engineering

If you want to work with a forward thinking company and the latest cutting edge technology, apply today.

In return for your commitment and contribution, you can expect an excellent package and the opportunity to shape your career the way that you want, with training, development and career planning.

All the advertised positions have the following benefits: We offer a competitive salary plus a range of benefits including a contributory pension and 25 days holiday.

For more information please visit www.signallingsolutions.com or apply by sending your CV to recruitment@signallingsolutions.com

For further information, or to make an application: Tel: +44 (0)1923 635 089 email: recruitment@signallingsolutions.com

a Balfour Beatty and Alstom company

H T I W K C A R T GET ON S L A C I D E M S EXPRES IN 2014 Save Time No Hidden Costs Quick Results ity l i b a l i a v A t n e m t Appoin No Stress CALL 0207 0 0 9 6 500

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020 7500 6901 www.expressmedicals.co.uk