RailStaff June 2013 by Rail Media

RailStaff Issue 187 / June 2013

THE MOST POPULAR PUBLICATION IN THE UK RAIL INDUSTRY

Winner. Rail Team of the Year.

stobartrail.com

www.railstaff.co.uk

Crossrail Creates Elizabethan Serenade

Clare Hollingsworth heads Eurostar

PAGE 8

Star Track the next generation A new two year scheme aimed at attracting school leavers to rail.

PAGE 6

Crossrail’s premier tunnelling machine, Elizabeth, broke through into the new Canary Wharf station box, just a few days before the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the coronation of Her Majesty the Queen. TBM Elizabeth was greeted by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, who said, ‘This Government knows that by investing in transport projects like Crossrail we are investing in Britain.’

Minister for Transport interview Simon Burns MP talks to RailStaff editor Andy Milne.

Continued on PAGE 4

helping build the nation McGinley Support Services provides the industry with the staff and resources to design, build and maintain Britain's rail infrastructure. For information please call:

0845 543 5953

or visit: www.mcginley.co.uk

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CoMMEnT

Publisher:

Paul O’Connor

Editor:

Andy Milne

Production and design:

Adam O’Connor

Senior Reporter:

Jonathan Webb

Writer:

Nigel Wordsworth

Track Safety:

Colin Wheeler

Pictures:

Colin Garratt

Advertising:

Asif Ahmed Craig Smith Danny Rowbotham Paul Curtis

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

Contact Details RailStaff Publications Ltd Ashby House, Bath Street, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, LE65 2HF. Tel: 01530 56 00 26 Web: www.railstaff.co.uk Email: hello@rail-media.com Printed by Pensord. RailStaff is published by RailStaff Publications Limited. A Rail Media Publication.

SPECIAL FoCUS

TBM Elizabeth triumphs Crossrail’s TBM Elizabeth arrives at Canary Wharf

“…the railway has the singular privilege of drawing staff from every country of the Commonwealth…”

the singular privilege of drawing staff from every country of the Commonwealth. Such strengths are sorely needed in a world beset with humourless authoritarians and cleaver wielding terrorists. They shall never win. Elizabeth II’s reign is an afﬁrmation that good always triumphs over evil in the end.

unique role as the lymph system of a successful economy. Humour and commitment inform the philosophy of the railway just as it does the head of state. Whole families work on the railways. People invest careers contributing far more than the often lamentably low pay scales warrant. Moreover the railway has

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RailStaff

With a punctuality that would be the envy of any other industry, Crossrail’s tunnel boring machine, Elizabeth, arrived at Canary Wharf just days ahead of the 60th anniversary of her namesake’s coronation. TBM Elizabeth heralds the first of many such triumphs as Crossrail carves out its galleries and halls deep under London. Elizabeth is part of an industry that parallels the fortunes of the realm. The return of the railway has an Arthurian ring of confidence to it that both inspires and reassures. In 1953 Queen Elizabeth II presided over a country exhausted by war and economic dislocation. Europe lay in ruins and bread was rationed. Britain itself faced an uncertain post-imperial future. The end of the empire was often disgraced by ill treatment of insurgents and a failure to address the social crisis left behind. The railways declined. The Beeching plan achieved more in five minutes by government fiat than Goring’s Luftwaffe had managed in five years. In 1978/9 the Winter of Discontent saw the dead unburied and rubbish uncollected. The railways, under resourced and under invested, were beset by industrial strife. Through it all the British never lost sight of the need to support the underdog, see fair play and poke fun at the self important. Similarly the railway industry never forgot its

PAGE 12

Health & Safety Focus In July’s RailStaff

Progress at newton Aycliffe

Edinburgh wires go up

The biggest asset of any company is its people. Their Health & Safety is therefore paramount. Find out what new Rail Health & Safety initiatives are out there and keep in touch with Track Safety with Colin Wheeler. If you want to contribute, get in touch now. Please contact Paul Curtis or Tom o’Connor on 01530 560026.

Hitachi Rail Europe is pushing forward with plans for the construction of its new train manufacturing plant.

Engineers start installing overhead wires and underground cabling for Edinburgh’s tram system city centre section.

www.railstaff.co.uk

Elizabethan Serenade by Crossrail

Just a few days ahead of the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation her namesake, TBM Elizabeth arrived at Canary Wharf neatly underscoring the contribution the railway industry is making to a revitalised Britain. The 1,000 tonne tunnel boring machine, Elizabeth, was the first to arrive at Canary Wharf after a five mile tunnelling trip from Canning Town. Together with twin machine, Victoria, Crossrail’s eastern tunnelling machines set off from the Limmo site at Canning Town last December. Over the past six months, both machines have been working 24 hours a day to excavate the first section of new tunnels beneath the River Lea and east London. Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, admitted many had doubts the 4

project would ever get going. ‘Many thought it would never happen, it seemed almost unimaginable. But now, with the arrival of this gigantic tunnelling machine in the heart of Canary Wharf, grubby with mud and rubble, we can be in no doubt it’s on its way. ‘This new railway is adding vital new capacity to our transport network and creating thousands of jobs all over the UK. It is the perfect example of how investment in London beneﬁts the entire country.’ Tunnel Boring Machine Elizabeth will now undergo maintenance inside the Canary Wharf station box before resuming tunnelling towards central London. Sister machine Victoria is due to break through into the station in the

next few weeks. Western tunnelling machines Phyllis and Ada have now reached Tottenham Court Road and Bond Street respectively. In south-east London, tunnel boring machine Sophia has reached the Woolwich station box with sister machine Mary now underway from Plumstead. Says Crossrail Chief Executive Andrew Wolstenholme, ‘The Canary Wharf tunnelling breakthrough is our biggest milestone so far and a symbolic moment that shows the scale of the essential new transport links Crossrail is delivering. ‘We are making good progress in building world-class new stations and a marathon of tunnels beneath London with the entire Crossrail project now more than a

“We are making good progress in building world-class new stations and a marathon of tunnels beneath London…” AndREW WoLSTEnHoLME, CHIEF ExECUTIvE, CRoSSRAIL third complete. We are on track to deliver Europe’s biggest construction project on time and on budget.’ Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation took place at Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953, nearly eighteen months after she succeeded her father, King George VI. www.railstaff.co.uk

nEWS

Rallying cry for Crossrail 2 Transport for London and network Rail have launched a public consultation to gauge public support for the proposed north-south cross London rail link: Crossrail 2. Originally the new railway would have used the route of the Chelsea-Hackney Line, which has been kept free from any intrusive building development since 1991. TfL has now proposed two alternatives which, it says, would better meet the rail needs of the capital in the future - a Metro option and a Regional option. The Metro option offers a high frequency underground service across central London. An underground railway could operate between Wimbledon and Alexandra Palace, relieving congestion on the Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines. The Regional option beneﬁts people in Hertfordshire, Surrey and beyond by enabling more trains to

run on main line railways. This route sees a combined underground and surface railway operating from Alexandra Palace and stations in Hertfordshire to various locations in south west London and Surrey. Says Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, ‘Crossrail is set to revolutionise travel in the capital, and with a predicted 10 million people expected to be living in London by 2031, pressing ahead with the next stage of the plan, Crossrail 2, is quite simply essential. ‘In order to support this great capital’s bright future, we need to think ahead and not wait until our transport arteries are clogged up and restricting jobs and growth. That’s why I am sending out a rallying cry for the public’s support for this consultation come and share your views so we can progress with Crossrail 2 as soon as possible.’

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nEWS

St Pancras picks up Momentum

The award winning c2c rail operation has had its franchise contract extended for at least another 16 months following agreement with the department for Transport. From May 2013 c2c, part of the National Express Group, will continue to operate the current Essex Thameside franchise until September 2014 when a long term partner is expected to take over. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin justiﬁed the extension saying, ‘It gives the industry time to develop their long term plans for the future franchise and conﬁdence

Jamie Cullum took time out from a busy schedule to play for passengers and public at St Pancras recently. He took advantage of the free piano at St Pancras International to play a short set with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Says Jamie, ‘I’m in and out of St Pancras a lot. There is a piano in the station and I’ve seen a lot of busking here. I’ve always walked past it and thought, I fancy playing on that. ‘I thrive on live performance, the spontaneous vibe. This kind of thing suits me well. We hadn’t rehearsed with the orchestra at all, but they are a crack team of musicians. We hope we sent travellers on with a song in their hearts.’ The singer performed a new track, Momentum, from his latest album.

to passengers that services will continue for the next 16 months. ‘I am determined to ensure that when we let the long term franchise the operator delivers signiﬁcant beneﬁts to passengers and tax payers alike.’ Following the cancellation of the West Coast Mainline franchise competition last year McLoughlin brought in Richard Brown to examine the government’s approach to rail franchising. Among a number of recommendations Brown suggested letting no more than three franchises a year.

Staff at c2c run one of the best performing trail operations in Europe.

Top performing c2c gets extension

Star Track the next generation network Rail has launched Star Track, a new two year scheme aimed at attracting school leavers into the rail industry. Participants are being offered the chance to take up 20 places on a new trainee engineering design scheme. Youngsters will earn as they learn and gain a foundation degree. The scheme is being run in collaboration with the Permanent Way Institution and Shefﬁeld Hallam University. The organisations have worked together to develop a foundation degree in railway engineering that will provide a blend of on-the-job training and classroom-based learning for students. Says Joan Heery (pictured left), Network Rail’s head of track engineering, ‘By 2020 our railway will see a further 400 million journeys each year. Improved track designs are a pivotal part of our strategy to increase capacity to meet this additional demand, whether it is remodelling existing track layouts 6

or adding completely new routes. ‘This is why we’ve worked with the industry and educators to develop this new scheme and develop the track design engineers for the future.’ Applicants need GCSE Maths and English at grade C or above and either 2 A levels, one of which is maths, a science or technology subject or a BTEC (level 3) Diploma in engineering or a technology subject. In year one trainees will

receive a salary of £14,000 for the first year and £15,000 for the second year of the scheme. Richard Quigley (pictured right), a track design engineer for Network Rail, explained how he got into the role. ‘I had a number of jobs that I didn’t find very fulfilling until my dad suggested I try the railways - he had worked for them for over 20 years. ‘I landed a job with a consultancy using CAD to produce drawings for track designs. I really

enjoyed what I was doing, showed some initiative and started to get more involved - it never hurts to ask questions. One thing led to another; I went to college and did a BTEC before starting the HNC in Civil Engineering I am currently completing.’ The scheme starts in September 2013 and operates in Glasgow, Manchester, Swindon, Birmingham, York, Milton Keynes and London. www.railstaff.co.uk

Hollingsworth heads Eurostar Eurostar International has appointed Clare Hollingsworth as chairman. Clare will succeed Richard Brown who steps down at the end of June. Clare Hollingsworth joined the board of Eurostar as a nonexecutive director in 2010. She is also on the boards of Savills, the real estate advisor, Virgin Healthcare, Molnlycke AB, a Swedish medical technology company and Spire Healthcare. Prior to her non-executive roles she was Chief Executive Ofﬁcer of Spire Healthcare and its predecessor business, BUPA Hospitals. Before Spire Healthcare she was Managing Director, Caledonian Airways. Richard Brown’s decision to step down follows his

Wise move Brian Wisdom, chief executive of People 1st, the sector skills council for hospitality, passenger transport, travel and tourism, has been appointed as chairperson of the Federation for Industry Sector Skills and Standards. Formerly known as the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils, the Federation for Industry Sector Skills and Standards has changed its name, to reﬂect its role as the national certiﬁcation and quality assurance body for apprenticeships and to promote the professional standards in the development of skills solutions required by employers in all sectors of industry. Brian has extensive experience working within a skills council and has led People 1st since 2004. To date, career highlights include the merger with passenger transport sector skills council, GoSkills, the conception, development and launch of the Hospitality Guild, and the expansion of People 1st to include the National Skills Academy for Retail. 8

appointment earlier this year as chairman of the Department for Transport’s Franchise Advisory Panel. Brown is also a-non executive director of High Speed Two. Says Richard, ‘It has been a great privilege to be at the heart of Eurostar’s growth and expansion over the last decade but the time is right for me to hand over the reins. Eurostar is now an internationally respected brand and I have every conﬁdence that it will go from strength to strength in the future. ‘With her knowledge of the company and her experience of consumer-facing businesses, Clare is perfectly placed to lead the Board through the next phase of Eurostar’s development.’

Holmes joins RT Training Solutions Ipswich-based RT Training Solutions, has appointed Steve Holmes as Managing director. Steve has run his own successful business overseas, and has held senior roles within blue chip companies in Britain. He joins from Signalling Solutions. Steve has been brought in to further develop training for the rail industry and has a background in project management and engineering. Says RT Training Solutions CEO Simon Jamieson, ‘We are delighted that Steve has agreed to take up the challenge of leading the future direction of the company through its continuous growth and success. There is little doubt that Steve’s extensive experience in all aspects of business coupled with his outstanding leadership skills are just what the team at RTTS need to lead them towards their highest potential. ‘Having known Steve for many years I am conﬁdent that complementing his vast level of experience are the attributes of honesty and integrity and the desire to help others grow, which we consider vital values in nurturing the current and future relationships with both our existing and future customers and employees.’ Steve, who lives in Chelmsford is looking forward to his new role. ‘I am delighted to have been given this opportunity and excited by the challenges that lie ahead.’

“We are delighted that Steve has agreed to take up the challenge…” SIMon JAMIESon www.railstaff.co.uk

PEoPLE nEWS

Courtney moves to Murphy Mott Macdonald move for Andy Thomas

Colin Courtney has joined J. Murphy & Sons Limited as the new Strategy and Business development director. Mr Courtney joins from Skanska where he was Business Development & Strategy Director. Colin is also chair of the Promotion Working Group established by the government’s Green Construction Board which is driving forward the industry’s green agenda. Says John Stack, Chief Executive Ofﬁcer, Murphy, ‘Colin joins us at an exciting time for Murphy and will help to drive our strategic business development forward in delivering cost-effective, sustainable and customer-focused solutions to our clients.’ Mr Courtney read civil engineering at Queen’s University, Belfast and holds an MBA from the University of the West of England.

Career railwayman Andy Thomas is the new head of operations at Mott Macdonald. Professional transport operator Thomas has worked in the rail industry for over 33 years, starting off at ScotRail. He joins from Network Rail where he was a senior programme manager. Prior to this Andy was operations and safety director for Central Trains and London Midland. Andy has also held various senior positions at ScotRail including customer services manager, train crew manager and divisional operations manager. Says Robert Gray, Mott MacDonald’s rail director, ‘Andy has a strong track record in railway operations and until recently was involved in Crossrail and Reading station area redevelopment.

Permanent position for Robert Gaylor Robert Gaylor has been put in charge of permanent way design at WSP. Gaylor joins WSP from Atkins Middle East where he was the lead track engineer. He has 17 years experience of project management on various rail systems in Britain, Europe and the Middle East. Rob will help further develop WSP’s permanent way team. Says infrastructure area director, Graham Slade, ‘Rob joins us at a key time in the development of our rail track services capability as we look to grow our service offering alongside that of our established stations team. We are looking forward with conﬁdence to an exciting future in the rail market, and Rob’s appointment underlines our desire to work with the best.’

‘Throughout his career he has delivered projects that have improved train, safety and organisational performance. Andy will ensure Mott MacDonald is strategically placed to respond to our customers’ needs as technology and operational requirements change in response to the growth in UK rail.’ Andy Thomas studied for a BSc degree in Railway Operations at Caledonian University.

Course change Andy Course has been appointed Chief operating ofﬁcer of Eversholt Rail, responsible for engineering, asset management and procurement. Andy previously worked as a director and strategy consultant at PwC, advising private and public sector clients. Prior to this he spent over 20 years in the Royal Navy, responsible for the development and operation of warships and their systems. Andy is a Chartered Engineer and has a Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering and a second Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies.

ATA is a specialist provider of white collar technical,engineering and commercial recruitment solutions to firms throughout the rail industry.

Ganymede Solutions has a long heritage of providing contingent labour to safety critical aspects of the rail industry.

Tel: 0845 880 8115 www.ata-recruitment.co.uk

Tel: 0845 880 8104 www.ganymedesolutions.co.uk

www.railstaff.co.uk

RAIL ALLIAnCE nEWS

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

What a Party Railtex, to quote Bonzo dog (those of you of a certain age will understand) “what a party that was”! Not only did we have our strongest showing ever with over 60 companies in the Hall, but all of our members reported very positively; most gained orders and one was a prize winner! Perhaps most important of all to us we recruited over 20 new members in total and they are now in the process of joining. Since Railtex we have not been idle and we have now launched our new program and theme for the year which is our “Unlocking Product Acceptance Scheme” or as we like to think of it, life beyond the “Valley of Death”. Working in close partnership with James Lewis at Network Rail and with one of our more proactive members, Ebeni, we are taking a lead in helping Network Rail in their quest to make life easier and more efficient for companies seeking to supply to the railway. We held a meeting for the industry at Milton Keynes on the 15th of May for which over 100 people registered and then followed this up with our first workshop a week later down at Ebeni’s delightful offices in Corsham. Our next event in this program will be concentrating on the ROSCOs (rolling stock companies) and OEMs. The big news looking forward is that we have been chosen by Network Rail to host their Plant Show at our Long Marston home on 24/25 July, where we will be working in partnership with our partners at Rail Media to deliver a great event. We will again be running an infrastructure focussed Macro-Rail exhibition at the event which will give members the chance to show off their products in a “live” environment. Next a reminder to all to book on to our Railway Strategies Live 2013 10

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

new Members Anglia Metal Ltd (Manufacturer of plain and tinned (tin plated) copper wire to support a wide spectrum of market sectors.) www.angliametal.com

Signal Aspects Ltd (design and build services in railway signal engineering including standard gauge and narrow gauge applications.) www.signal-aspects.com

Arrowvale Electronics (Electronic sub contract design, sub contract manufacturing of PCB, wiring looms, harnesses, inter car jumpers, cabinets, full electro mechanical products.) www.arrowvale.co.uk

Tex Tech Industries (Based in Ireland, Tex Tech Industries is a market leader in ﬁre safety protective materials for the transportation industry. Their state of the art thermal/acoustic materials and seat ﬁre blocking fabrics are used by the world’s leading oEMs.) www.textech.us

Civils and Lintels (A Grafton Group owned company, Civils and Lintels supply a diverse & extensively stocked range of products to the Rail, Civils & Ground Engineering sectors of the UK construction industry) www.civilsandlintels.co.uk conference in London on 27th June. It promises to be a great day with superb networking opportunities. Our speakers include Dr Vince Cable, David Clarke Director EIT, Andrew Wolstenholme CEO Crossrail and David Waboso Director Capital Programs LUL. We have a particular emphasis on the railway going forward and so we also welcome Dr Martyn Chymera the Chairman of the Young Railway Professionals amongst others. We will be launching the Hi Tech Rail program at the conference, a £2.3M project based in the Midlands to help companies develop concept demonstrators and to take their ideas from prototype to reality. This is being run by Professor Clive Roberts’ team at the Centre for Rail Research and Education at the University of Birmingham Finally a quick look towards the Autumn, in partnership with Coventry University and Rail Media Group we are delighted to announce our Railway Interiors Convention which will be held over two days in October. Details to follow but it is shaping up to be a “must attend” event…

dWG Timber Components Ltd (Supplier of timber to the railway, furniture & civil engineering industries.) www.dwguk.com F P McCann Ltd (Manufacture and supply of a vast array of precast concrete products for the civil engineering, building, rail, utility and drainage industries.) www.fpmccann.co.uk Phil Jackson (Rail sector Sales & Marketing Professional) www.uk.linkedin.com/pub/philjackson/1A/490/256 Railfast Intermodal Ltd (developing strategies for increased capability and ﬂexibility in tomorrow’s rail network to reduce ﬁnancial risk on projects such as HS2.) www.railfastintermodal.com Selectequip Ltd (Crucial supplier of many types of maintenance consumables, signage and safety supplies to many different industry sectors.) www.selectequip.co.uk

Webro Cable and Connectors (Webro are at the forefront of communication cable and connector design and innovation for the rail environment.) www.webro.com Topcon (Great Britain) Ltd (Topcon is an innovative and global market leading company developing and manufacturing precise measuring, monitoring and mapping solutions for challenging rail environments.) www.topcon-positioning.eu ERICo (Worldwide company based in France manufacturing electrical rail connections and accessories to provide reliable solutions for reduced maintenance.) www.erico.com HL Plastics Ltd (Manufacturer of the Liniar range of Plastic Piling including the new Hd Log Pile, an easy to install heavy duty retaining pile made from 100% recycled plastic with a wood polymer facing. Plastic Piling is lightweight, easy to handle manually, easy on access and transport, sustainable and cost effective. Liniar also supply a range of fence posts and gravel boards as an alternative to concrete and timber) www.hlplastics.co.uk www.railstaff.co.uk

nEWS

Progress at newton Aycliffe Hitachi Rail Europe is pushing forward with plans for the construction of its new train manufacturing plant at newton Aycliffe in County durham. Merchant Place Developments has signed a contract with Hitachi to progress the £82 million brand new manufacturing hub. The factory will initially be used to build the Super Express Trains for the Great Western Main Line and the East Coast Main Line.

Safety partnership network Rail Consulting and RSSB have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to build up business overseas. Welcoming the new partnership, Nigel Ash, managing director of Network Rail Consulting said, ‘Being able to draw on the body of work and expertise in RSSB is a great addition to our portfolio, which is yielding a lot of interest across the globe. There is tremendous appetite to call on our experience as rail specialists, and it’s ﬁtting to be able to weave in RSSB’s knowledge of cross-industry issues and make that available on an international stage too.’ www.railstaff.co.uk

It can then be used for other orders such as building Crossrail rolling stock - should Hitachi Rail Europe be the successful bidder. Hitachi places great emphasis on employing locally where possible and the factory will create longterm employment for 730 people. This ﬁgure includes a Research & Development department. It is expected that 200 jobs will be created during the construction phase of the factory.

Says Alistair Dormer, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Ofﬁcer of Hitachi Rail Europe, ‘The close of contract with Merchant Place Development signals a new phase in Hitachi’s commitment to the British rail industry. By investing substantially in our train factory, we are creating employment opportunities for a large number of engineers and technicians in the North East of England, which has a strong tradition of engineering skills. We are keen to ﬁll our order books, building trains here in the UK - for use in Britain and for exporting to continental Europe.’ The close of contract between Hitachi Rail Europe and Merchant Place Developments enables the developer to award further contracts for the building of the plant. Currently an archaeological exploration is being carried out on

the site, which will take approximately three to four months. Construction of the plant is expected to start at the end of 2013, with the factory scheduled to go into production in 2016. The Super Express Trains should enter passenger service in 2017. The decision to build a manufacturing plant was taken after Hitachi Rail Europe won the contract from the Department for Transport (DfT) to replace the ageing ﬂeet of diesel-powered Intercity trains currently running on the Great Western Main Line and the East Coast Main Line. The contract with the DfT was signed in July 2012. Hitachi Rail Europe had singled out Newton Aycliffe as its preferred site for its manufacturing plant, after evaluating over 40 sites throughout the UK.

Sports teams raise money for Macmillan Specialist rail recruiter, Resourcing Solutions, entered two teams in Balfour Beatty’s charity sports day at Staunton Harold Hall in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. A total of 20 teams took part in the competition which saw them pitch their skills in nine different events including wheelbarrow races, hopping and the internationally acclaimed, welly wanging. The family fundraising event was organised by Balfour Beatty to raise money for Ashby Macmillan Cancer Support. After nine events, one of the Resourcing Solutions teams made it to the knockout stage ‘Tug of War’ but lost out to one of Balfour Beatty’s teams. Says Gareth Bone, business development manager at Resourcing Solutions, ‘We had a great family day out. Our teams came fourth and ﬁfth overall thanks to the children who were technically a lot better than the adults particularly in hopping and skipping!’ Over £4,000 was raised for Macmillan Cancer Support. Jo Anne Wilson, Macmillan fundraising manager in Leicestershire, said, ‘We’re very grateful to everyone who took part in the charity sports day and helped raise such a fantastic amount. Macmillan relies on donations to fund our cancer care services. The number of people with cancer is growing every day - we want to reach and improve the lives of every one of those people.’

Macmillan Cancer Support provides practical, medical and ﬁnancial support and pushes for better cancer care. For further information, visit www.macmillan.org.uk

Engineers start installing overhead wires and underground cabling for Edinburgh’s tram system city centre section this month. Cables will be installed on Princes Street and on St. Andrew Square during a series of night shifts. Overhead cabling will start in mid-June from York Place at Broughton St, working west towards Haymarket. The full programme which includes underground cabling is scheduled for completion in the Autumn. Says Transport Convener Lesley Hinds, ‘Good progress continues all along the tram route and we’re now approaching a stage, in the city centre, where road works are nearly finished. This will be a welcome sight to traders, residents and visitors to the area this summer. This cable installation programme is the final major piece in the construction jigsaw but it’s a significant project which requires time. ‘Contractors will carefully hang power wires overhead at the correct tension and they’ll pull miles of power cables and communication lines through 12

with Birmingham largely replaced by either double Voyagers, 10-cars, or 9-car and 11-car Pendolinos. Says Chris Gibb, Virgin Trains’ Chief Operating Ofﬁcer, ‘Our plans for December represent the latest phase in our development of services on the West Coast mainline, as we strive to make the most of this iconic route by providing more trains and more seats, seven days a week. ‘The success of recent years

shows the enduring popularity of the route, and the potential that remains. We face intense competition from airlines, motorways and other train companies, and will continue to drive forward improvements to attract more customers and stay ahead of our competitors, as well as playing a key part in the economic and social development of the Midlands, North West England and Scotland.’

The latest timetable changes follow phenomenal growth in passenger numbers on Virgin Trains’ Anglo-Scottish services since it took over the West Coast passenger franchise in 1997 and marks the ﬁrst step-change in capacity since the company was awarded a temporary franchise in December 2012. Virgin Trains is now expected to continue running the West Coast passenger service until April 2017.

Edinburgh wires go up

Best naming

underground ducts. Once this is done we’ll be closer to the rigorous testing phase which will fully prepare the system and the people of Edinburgh Trams for service next year.’

Balfour Beatty Rail has named Tamper dR 73939 after one of its longest serving members of staff, Pat Best. Pat Best worked as a relayer for 51 years and sadly died last year whilst still in the employ of Balfour Beatty Rail in Tonbridge. Pat was an SM3 and was well respected for his vast knowledge and expertise. He was married to Rita and Mr and Mrs Best has just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary before his death. Pat was a keen ﬁsherman and went ﬁshing with many of his colleagues and they went every year as a group to France. He was also a member of his local bowls club. A naming ceremony was staged at Balfour Beatty Rail’s Ashford Depot where family, friends and colleagues attended the event to recognise and celebrate his remarkable 51 years service in the rail industry. Mr Best was the Track Relaying Supervisor at the Tonbridge Depot where he will be sadly missed.

More trains and direct services between Birmingham Airport and Glasgow will expand Anglo-Scottish services from december 2013. A comprehensive timetable overhaul will provide an extra 3,300 seats per day between Scotland and Birmingham. The planned reconfiguration will also deliver the first direct trains from Scotland to Birmingham Airport in six years. Twenty-four of the 28 Scottish services that currently start or terminate in Birmingham will be extended to London Euston, offering new direct rail services to Scotland from Coventry, Milton Keynes and Sandwell & Dudley. The changes will see five-car diesel Super Voyager trains that connect Glasgow and Edinburgh

Longer trains for West Coast

This cable installation programme is the final major piece in the construction jigsaw…

www.railstaff.co.uk

nEWS

Gorilla Warfare

Local leaders, Martin Green from Break, Stefan Gurney from Norwich BID join Jonathan Denby, Greater Anglia’s Head of Corporate Affairs.

The GoGoGorillas! outdoor art trail in norwich is being publicised by a mock up gorilla at London Liverpool Street. The gorilla - Boris disconcerted passengers on the journey up to London. The gorilla is decorated with iconic Norwich scenes including the castle, city hall and cathedral. Says Jonathan Denby, Head of Corporate Affairs for Greater Anglia. ‘We’re delighted to be able to take Boris up to London Liverpool Street on one of our trains to help promote the GoGoGorillas! outdoor art trail, which takes place in Norwich this summer. We hope many people will come by train to see the trail in Norwich.’

Final bow for Erwin Stocker The IAF exhibition for on-track plant and equipment was held recently in Münster, Germany.

Railway engineers from around the world visited the three-day event to see the latest developments and machinery which will be working on our railway over the next few years. Erwin Stocker, Managing Director of ROBEL Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH, will be retiring at the end of June so this was his last IAF exhibition. To mark the occasion, Mr Stocker was presented with a placque by Peter Flatscher, Managing Director of Deutsche Plasser, Robel’s distributor in Germany. The two new joint-managing directors who will replace Mr Stocker, Wolfgang Fally and Dr. Daniel Siedl, were also present. Erwin is presented with placque by Peter Flatscher.

volunteers are sowing poppy seeds around a rural Cambridgeshire railway station in time for the First World War centenary next year. Scrubland has been cleared around Shepreth station so the poppies will bloom at next year’s anniversary. The poppies will commemorate those who died in the war. Many wounded soldiers passed through the station on

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Help for unforgotten heroes

their way to Shepreth Hospital for treatment. The poppies will remember them too. ‘We’ve been working for about a

month and we’ve got planting sessions coming up this week. We’re going to need to make this a continuous project - we’ll need

to do some more substantial work next year and every year,’ says local councillor, Susan Van de Ven.

Tram extension opens

orchestra Underground

The new extension of Manchester Metrolink to East didsbury has opened several months ahead of schedule. The ﬁrst passengers took the tram from the East Didsbury stop early on Thursday, 23 May. The 2.7 mile extension to the South Manchester line has new stops at Withington, Burton Road, West Didsbury, Didsbury Village and East Didsbury. From East Didsbury, which has a 300-space park and ride facility, the trams offer a thirty minute journey to central Manchester every 12 minutes. Says Andrew Braddock, Chairman of the Light Rail Transit Association, ‘It is excellent news for the people of Manchester that these new Metrolink lines will substantially

Using the abandoned Aldwych Underground station as a concert venue, London Contemporary orchestra set about creating a unique atmosphere for an evening of contemporary classical music. The focal point of the evening was a rendition of Vivier’s

unﬁnished piece Glaubst du an die Unsterblichkeit der Seele - Do You Believe in the Immortality of the Soul? - conducted by Hugh Brunt. Musicians played on the track bed with Hugh Brunt conducting. Vivier was stabbed by a male prostitute on the Paris Metro.

improve the quality of the city’s public transport system, delivering a sustainable alternative to the car and reducing environmental pollution in the corridors served.’ An award-winning disability group has given the thumbs up to new stops on the extension. Transport for Greater Manchester’s Disability Design Reference Group visited all ﬁve stops on the new extension on a test tram between East Didsbury and Withington.

Pop festival takes the train

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This summer 50 bands will play on four stages and several trains at the Midland Railway Centre over the weekend of 27/28 July. The summer music festival, Indietracks, on the heritage railway has proved an enduring hit with fans and enthusiasts alike. This year’s line up includes Camera Obscura, Helen Love and Devon’s highly recommended Big Wave. The festival will also host art and craft workshops and a selection of discos after the bands ﬁnish. Festival goers can have unlimited rides on the steam railway over the weekend, as well as full access to other railway attractions. The Midland Railway is at Butterley in Derbyshire. More details: http://www.indietracks.co.uk

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Mudlark

inspire and facilitate innovation and creativity in order to leave a lasting legacy beyond the construction of new tunnels and stations. ‘Our Artist in Residence programme will provide the opportunity for artists to gain unique access to a complex and dynamic construction project that will transform how Londoners travel. ‘Frank Harris’ Bird’s Nest is a stunning example of what can be achieved by bringing artists and construction workers together. Together with the Culture Line that will see eight large scale artworks funded by sponsors installed into the fabric of our new iconic London stations, Crossrail will leave a lasting artistic legacy beyond the construction of a new rail line.’ A ﬁnal year art student at UCL’s Slade School of Modern Art, Frank Harris specialises in large, functional sculptural installations that connect with their surroundings.

London clay, thought to be 50 million years old, is being dug out of new Crossrail rail tunnels and shaped into sculpture. Frank Harris, a sculptor, has

created a work called the Bird’s Nest. The unveiling of the unique artwork comes as Crossrail launches its Artist in Residence programme. Crossrail wants artists

Croydon tramlink extension

Passenger lift for Air Ambulance Passengers on c2c have generously donated almost £1,600 to London’s Air Ambulance, following a collection at Fenchurch Street. The charity, which delivers an advanced trauma team to critically injured people in London, has moved to new ofﬁces close to the station and a team of volunteers and staff collected donations from passengers at the station. Staff at c2c chose the charity and c2c backed passengers by donating £461 towards the total. Says Mark Davies, Director of Development for London’s Air Ambulance, ‘The generosity of c2c’s employees and commuters helps London’s Air Ambulance continue to serve the 10 million people who live, work and holiday within the M25. As a charity relying heavily on donations from individuals and corporate partners we greatly appreciate this support and are proud to be c2c’s charity of choice.’

l-r Svetlana Morris and Sarah Simmonds from c2c’s HR team with Mark Davies, Terry Goldsmith and Amanda Crozier from London’s Air Ambulance.

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Plans to extend the Croydon Tramlink network to Sutton have been endorsed by the borough council. Proposals for a ﬁve mile branch, which would diverge from the Croydon to Wimbledon route near Morden Road, are being developed by Transport for London. The cost of the project has been estimated at £240 million. A second phase of the scheme, priced at £60 million, would see the line extended by a further two miles from Sutton to Belmont.

to submit proposals and says it has several Artist in Residence opportunities available. Says Crossrail Chairman Terry Morgan, ‘Crossrail is seeking to

.com

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Shaw & Crompton Wedding stop newly weds Julian Shaw and Jenny Crompton started married life at the tram stop that bears their name. The Shaw & Crompton Metrolink stop opened five months ago on the Oldham and Rochdale line. Julian and Jenny plan to share their surnames CromptonShaw and first contacted Transport for Greater Manchester to ask if they could have their photographs taken at the tram stop. Julian, 45, and Jenny, 44, tied the knot at Manchester Registry Office before heading back to their Chorlton home on the tram with friends and family for a reception at South West Manchester Cricket Club. Says Julian, ‘I had always been aware of the Shaw and Crompton railway station due to years of commuting up and down Manchester. With the new Metrolink stop opening last year, I thought a snap of the new station on our wedding invitation would be too good an opportunity to miss. ‘I got in touch with Metrolink originally just to see if I could use a photo of the Shaw and Crompton stop for this purpose. However, one thing led

to another, and Metrolink generously offered to help us celebrate our marriage considering the uniqueness of our names.’ TfGM printed five commemorative wedding Metrolink tickets for Jenny and Julian and the three children, Sam who is 12, Leon aged 7 and Rose who is just fifteen months old. A bouquet was also presented to the couple by Edith Rodgers, Head of Customer Services at Metrolink, as they prepared to board at St Peter’s Square with a congratulatory wedding message played on the tannoy at the stop by Metrolink staff. Says Edith, ‘This was certainly one of the most unique tasks I have carried out during my time at Metrolink and it was an absolute pleasure to present the happy couple with the flowers. It was also nice to hear that it was not only their names which led to them wanting to use a tram on their special day, but also their positive experiences of Metrolink in Chorlton. The best wishes of everyone from Metrolink go to the former Mr Shaw and Miss Crompton and the new Mr and Mrs Crompton-Shaw along with their three lovely children.

Make the link Greengauge 21, which campaigns for High Speed Two, has published a report urging a better link between HS2 and HS1 to address domestic demand. Says Jim Steer, Director of Greengauge 21, ‘We have identiﬁed a substantial demand for domestic high-speed rail services over the proposed link connecting HS1 and HS2. The market from the North and Midlands addressed by HS2 to places in the HS1 catchment area East London, Essex and Kent - is important and nearly half the size of the market to/from central London.’ The proposed link is only one track and is considered inadequate to meet potential needs. Says Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham, ‘Proposing a new high speed network that only connects to the channel tunnel rail link by a single track, which is actually already in use, seems absurd, particularly as 16

Children take the train

Stratford International station remains woefully underused, despite millions of pounds have been spent on developing it. ‘The case has already been made that the growth of areas in East London and the Docklands, with their ever burgeoning population, should be better connected with other exciting urban centres across the national high-speed rail network. ‘As Greengauge21’s timely report clearly demonstrates, a higher capacity link between HS2 and HS1 provides us with the unique opportunity to drive growth through connecting our regional

economies through new rail services. The evidence is clear and Government must act.’ Domestic high-speed services would provide access, most likely at Ebbsﬂeet, to international services to France, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany from all locations served by HS2. Says Jim Steer, ‘Providing a link between HS1 and HS2 would provide a real alternative to much of the longer distance car travel around London on the M25. The report estimates that rail could increase its market share by up to 23% for journeys between catchments served by HS1 and HS2.’

Children from Barnardo’s enjoyed a rail day out with a disney theme thanks to Greater Anglia and the Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership. The 10.06 service from Mistley on the Mayﬂower line played host to a group of over 40 children and carers. Jayne Sumner of the ESSCRP decorated the train with the children’s favourite characters. Says Jayne, ‘It was a great day out for all on-board, the staff were really welcoming and we all did our upmost to make it a memorable day out, with a specially decorated train, refreshments at Harwich and lots of fun and games.’

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TRAInInG... sponsored CAREERS by vital Skills Training

vital Skills for a Safer Railway

By Lawrence dobie, Education and Training director at vital Services Group.

Technical skills and expertise form the bedrock when it comes to training people to work on the rail network. However, the importance of ensuring that staff are also competent in a range of other, non-technical disciplines cannot be over-emphasised. These ‘softer’ skills play a key role in ensuring that the rail network runs safely and efﬁciently and encompass effective communication and the ability to cope under pressure as well as planning, decision making and multi-tasking. Network Rail is committed to eliminating deaths and serious injuries by the end of CP6 (2024) and for this to happen, it has been recognised that there needs to be a culture where “competent staff are conﬁdent in taking sensible risk based decisions”. This will be

achieved through a commitment to improving the skills in a number of areas including leadership, culture, assets, risk, rules, skills and equipment, communications and staff wellbeing. The introduction of speciﬁc courses that focus on these areas means that now, as well as having to prove competency in their chosen technical ﬁeld, each member of staff will also complete assessments in non-technical skills, for instance, their ability to lead and assess risks. Changes are already underway to address these requirements and equip staff with the additional skills, which should improve safety and reduce fatalities across the industry. A recent development has been the creation of a non-technical skills course for those involved in site safety. These types of development courses focussing on non-technical skills are already being undertaken by signallers and

train drivers and, ultimately, will be completed by all staff in safety critical roles, allowing them to develop their cognitive and interpersonal skills and this in turn will go towards reducing accidents and fatalities, Network Rail has decided to keep the delivery of courses in-house for the current two year assessment cycle and from this month trainers and assessors will have to show that they have logged 30 hours of CPD (continuing professional development) per annum on the NSARE skills backbone. Currently in development is a new personal track safety package. Staff who pass the initial on-line theory test, based on approximately 3 – 4 hours of study, will go on to take the practical assessment, which will include extended tasks and a track visit to reinforce the reality of being trackside. Students are encouraged to take time to put their learning into

practice on the job, before completing the second part of the course. In fact, Network Rail has deemed attending a two day block unacceptable. It has also become apparent that operatives have had to attend numerous induction sessions which essentially re-cover the same content time and time again. A common content package has been developed which will only need to be attended once, with a short appreciation of individual site risks required thereafter. The course will cover generic health and safety issues with a scored assessment, along the lines of the CSCS scheme. This will eventually be an e-learning package which will be logged on the new sentinel smart cards as an entry level competence. These moves will not only enhance training by dovetailing non-technical and technical skills, but should result in a safer rail network.

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Simon Burns

talks to Andy Milne Last September Simon Burns MP moved from the department of Health to become Minister for Transport. He talked to Andy Milne last month at the dfT’s Horseferry Road ofﬁces. Most people aged over 55 can remember what they were doing when they heard that President John F Kennedy had been assassinated on 22nd November 1963. Few will be able to say with any certainty what they did as a result. Transport Minister Simon Burns is an exception. As an 11 year old Burns made a decision to go into politics. Looking back at John Kennedy 50 years after his death it is hard to appreciate the effect his brief presidency had on a generation. For the youthful Burns newly returned to Britain from Africa it was a revelation. ‘You had this contrast: A president of the United States who was 43 years old - young, glamorous wife, children - who captivated America and the world. Here you had a prime minister of Britain who was about 69, a president in France who was about 79 and a chancellor in West Germany in his mid-80s. The contrast was stark.’

When Kennedy said, ‘Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country,’ Burns facing the exigencies of a public school education took the words to heart. ‘Albeit as an impressionable child I thought there was something attractive about public service.’ John Kennedy among his many achievements started the space race determining to put a man on the moon. Simon Burns has the more down to earth remit of progressing High Speed Two and looking after Crossrail. At Railtex he listed a long parade of initiatives and plans for building up Britain’s railways, with more rolling stock, new stations and lines and 850 miles of electriﬁcation. ‘The Government sees transport as one of the key drivers of growth in our economy,’ he said. This is a far cry from the managed decline of yester-year. Burns admits there has been a sea change in attitudes to railways. ‘The reason is when BR was a nationalised industry there were not the same controls and concentration on raising standards. ‘Sadly it was a fact of life, whether under a Labour or a

Conservative government, when you got into dire economic problems and government needed to cut back on spending, one of the areas where it was relatively easy for them to do so was on the railways and a number of other nationalised industries. What you saw was a build up in lack of investment in infrastructure.’ That’s all changing now. ‘Since privatisation we have seen a dramatic change in the use of railways, the number of passengers has doubled and there has been a recognition that we have got to invest in our infrastructure and encourage more people to use the railways. ‘That is why we are investing billions of pounds one way or another in improving, maintaining and repairing the current infrastructure. We are moving ahead for example with electriﬁcation. We acknowledge and accept that railways have a crucial role to play in the infrastructure of this country. That is why we are investing in high speed rail.’

Loyal to a fault Investment and value for money rather than tinkering around with structure is the key to success. ‘Franchising is the best way to deliver services, to raise standards, whether on punctuality or reliability and to ensure investment is going into the infrastructure. ‘By and large I think the system is delivering although obviously there are always grounds for improvement. We should never be complacent.’ Although the night before the interview he had voted against the Same Sex Couples marriage bill he did so in a free vote. Burns is loyal to a fault. For many years he served as a party whip working under Patrick McLoughlin. Burns is regarded as a good party man, not given to whispers and conspiracies in the darker corners of Westminster. The scrapes he gets into - calling John Bercow a dwarf, an accident with a cyclist and using ministerial motors to get to work - are refreshingly public. On the face of it he is a traditional right of centre Tory, the son of a British Army ofﬁcer, a www.railstaff.co.uk

InTERvIEW

veritable child of the empire. Major Burns served in Burma, in the Ghurkhas during the war. He was in Berlin in 1945 interrogating Nazi war criminals at Spandau. Later he fought in the Malayan Insurgency, one of the few examples of a western power seeing off a communist guerrilla uprising. The way the British did it was by winning the hearts and minds of locals. In Ghana young Simon Burns attended Christ the King School in Accra, a catholic set up still going strong to this day. Last August he went out to represent the government at the funeral of the Ghanaian president.

She’s in good nick now Such a wide-horizon upbringing must have inﬂuenced the nascent politician as much as Kennedy. The iniquity of communism and Nazism was visible from the front door of successive Burns family quarters. After the Kennedy assassination Burns told his parents of his intention to enter politics. Decent people that they were, Major and Mrs. Burns were thoroughly alarmed. His father had little time for politicians. Simon joined the Conservative Party at the age of 14. Two years later he made the pilgrimage to the United States, working in a garage to save up the fare. Boarding a Greyhound bus he travelled from coast to coast. As a student he returned to work in Detroit for George McGovern, the Democratic Party hopeful who lost to Nixon. With Tamla Motown singles ringing in his ears, Burns continued his studies reading History at Worcester College,

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Oxford. Politics had by now become the main focus of his career. After graduating he worked as Political Adviser to Sally Oppenheim MP. From 1980-83 he was a journalist on What To Buy for Business magazine, and from 1983-87 was on the Policy Executive of the Institute of Directors. Burns entered parliament in 1987 for Chelmsford. Being a Democratic Party supporter once seemed a lonely position in the Conservative Party of the 1980s. However as Burns cheerfully admits, George W Bush changed all that. Politicians from across the British political spectrum welcomed the election of Barack Obama. Burns was especially pleased that Hillary Clinton was appointed Secretary of State. He had campaigned for her in the primaries. Hard though it is to imagine a Conservative MP stumping through the freezing winter of a New Hampshire primary that’s

what he did. A framed photograph of Clinton sits on his desk at home. It’s not the only picture. Burns still wears a watch with Hillary Clinton’s youthful picture on the face. ‘She looks in a lot better nick there than after a few years working for Obama,’ I can’t help remarking. ‘She’s in good nick now,’ says Burns, ever loyal. The American connection remains with holidays in the US and visits to Hyannis Port, the Kennedy family still has a house there. Since becoming an MP he has served under a succession of leaders starting with Margaret Thatcher. Burns himself remains a moderate, equally at home under David Cameron as he was with the late Baroness Thatcher.

Govern from the centre ‘Basically British people are moderate, reasonable, centrists. As a conservative I am on the right hand side of that moderation and

others on the left but broadly you govern this country from the centre.’ Nevertheless he remains an unapologetic admirer of Thatcher and is currently reading the Robin Harris biography, ‘Not For Turning.’ ‘Margaret Thatcher saved this country and turned it around both economically and philosophically, (she) was right of centre and a very pragmatic politician. She did make changes but was just acutely clever in the way she made them.’ Nowadays Burns’ background in US Democratic Party politics must add a deft healing touch to David Cameron’s cauterised Conservative Party. Burns previously served as Minister of State at the Department of Health and remains deeply committed to the NHS. His habit of reading a brief on health while dragging on a gasper outside the House of Commons tickled friends and opponents alike.

InTERvIEW

that seems wrong to me. The fact that I can do that and I might be able to resolve that problem and improve their quality of life, I ﬁnd very attractive.’

Free Health Care

Show her the watch Last year Hillary Clinton visited England. After a series of meetings at the Foreign Office William Hague introduced her to Burns in a passageway. ‘Show her the watch Simon,’ Hague urged. The Rt Hon Member for Chelmsford obligingly shot back his sleeve and lifted his arm. The Secretary of State uttered a delighted shriek of approval. Immediately her Secret Service bodyguards sprang in to action squaring up to Hague and Burns. Fortunately Mrs Clinton was able to restore calm, averting another potential crisis in international affairs. Although Burns has held high office it is the simple exercise of good sense that inspires him. ‘It always strikes me as odd that a constituent who has a problem,’ here Burns describes a familiar story of key-pad protected officialdom, ‘can write, telephone, visit local offices and get nowhere. They can never talk to a key player, a decision maker, in resolving that problem. Because I have two initials after my name I can pick up a phone and 99 times out of 100 I can get through to that person. In one way

‘The reason I have always been attracted to the Democratic Party is because I passionately believe in a national health service free at point of use, and it is the Democrats who have always been seeking to provide a better deal for the American people on health care. ‘There is something obscene about the world’s richest nation having 38 to 45 million working families who cannot afford or do not get through their employers, health insurance. You only have to have a child or adult getting a catastrophic illness or a horrendous accident and they will face financial ruin. ‘Obamacare will go a long way towards dealing with that problem. To hear Americans, particularly Republicans, denigrating the NHS I just find anathema.’ He remains firmly committed to the NHS despite the bruising time spent trying to reform its bureaucracy. ‘We (the Conservatives) have had stewardship of the NHS longer than the Labour Party. I think the maths still add up and we have never sought to privatise it.’ Serving under different leaders, from Thatcher to Cameron seems odd. Burns however believes loyalty is the secret weapon of a successful political party. ‘I am a middle of the road moderate loyalist. If I don’t like something there are ways I can make my views known. ‘I don’t need for my ego, to stand in front of a TV camera on College

Green shouting the odds. I have always been acutely aware that by attacking your own party you are helping your enemies. Let’s use the proper channels to have an intelligent discussion with the relevant minister.’

Brussels – Too Much Power We discuss Europe and UKIP, the only party opposed to High Speed 2. ‘Any political party is entitled to its view but let’s have a tiny bit of consistency instead of saying anything on any issue of the moment to win votes. There’s got to be consistency. We made it quite clear we support HS2….We were modest because if you read UKIP’s manifesto for 2010 they didn’t want one high speed railway but three…That was only three years ago. Now they say they don’t support high speed railways - it’s inconsistent and bizarre.’ Burns is quite relaxed about Europe. ‘Yes I do think too much power has been transferred from Westminster to Brussels,’ pointing out much of this had been done by the previous administration. ‘I think the time has come to look again. I think the Prime Minister is absolutely right: We need to renegotiate our terms and return powers (from Brussels). The PM has been quite clear on a referendum after negotiations.’ Would a referendum see Britain leaving the European Union? ‘I remember the 1975 referendum. Everyone assumed Britain would come out. Yet 66% of the country voted to stay in.’

extremely good job, sometimes in very difﬁcult circumstances…I have always found people extremely courteous and helpful.’ Has he gone native? ‘It depends on the deﬁnition of native. If you mean have I gone native because I am determined we improve the railways for the passengers and tax payers, improve performance and invest in infrastructure then I am proud of going native.’ It would be good to be able to report startled gasps all round but Burns, the consummate politician goes on, ‘If you’re saying have I gone native because all I do is sit here and civil servants put paper in front of me and I say yes to this and no to that, then no I haven’t. That’s not the way the system works here.’ It is hard to categorise Simon Burns as a member of the Tory squirearchy or a US Democrat apologist. His is an older take on politics informed by a belief that what matters is vision and loyalty not scheming and ego. John Kennedy casts a long shadow. A look up at the night sky whether in Essex or Cape Cod reveals the moon and the memory that it was the politics of conviction not expediency, that put a man there.

Going native Simon Burns enjoys his job. ‘From my personal experience I think they, (railway staff) do an 20

www.railstaff.co.uk

Recognising the people who keep the UK rail industry moving.

RailStaﬀ Awards AWARDS PARTY: 5th OCTOBER, BIRMINGHAM

WWW.RAILSTAFFAWARDS.COM

Feeling at Home at the RailStaff Awards The RailStaff Awards emphasises the success of railway staff from all backgrounds in delivering the railway day by day, night by night. That Colin Flack, who runs the Rail Alliance, should be hosting the event is quite fitting. Award winners find his presence reassuring. His own story underscores the message behind the RailStaff Awards Quite ordinary people do extraordinary work in progressing a vast series of projects on Europe’s fastest growing railway. The essence of the RailStaff Awards evening at Birmingham (on 5th October – nominations are open now) is a celebration of the courage and dedication of working people. Our heroes are too often overlooked by big business, government and media. Yet it is the signallers, drivers, track workers, engineers, ticket sales staff, dispatchers and planners who form the backbone of the railway and deserve, but too seldom receive, recognition. Nominating people you work with for an award is a great way of redressing the balance – the more nominations the better. The RailStaff Awards needs to reflect the industry it serves. However the idea of taking the stage at a big event and accepting an award can appear daunting to many people. This is not some movie Oscar parade where gushing stars feign startled

surprise at winning. Railway staff are quite often modest to a fault. ‘I was just doing my job’ is the usual response to recognition. As Tom O’Connor remarks elsewhere in this issue, ‘People are often quite shocked to have won an award and are unused to stepping into the spotlight. Colin is a down to earth reassuring presence up there on the stage.’ Flack himself is an ex-army ofﬁcer from a working class background in Chatham. He recalls his ﬁrst days at Sandhurst - which he’d managed to get into from his local grammar school. ‘In my intake of about 200, I think, there were only four of us not from public schools. They were speaking a language I didn’t understand.’ In fact Colin’s background held huge advantages

when it came to leading men under ﬁre, travelling the world and relating to very different cultures overseas. Such experience is now serving the railway industry. Colin Flack left the army after 27 years and with his wife, Ruth, runs Motorail Logistics which organises stabling and maintenance for rolling stock at Long Marston. Colin also runs a personal development and team coaching business, Vision to Mission. The RailStaff Awards grows year by year in popularity and this year looks to be bigger than ever. However the central ingredient is the people who make up the railway industry. Nominating a work colleague is a great way of saying thank you. Seeing them up there on that stage accepting the award is better still. Send in nominations and take a look at the web site. There’s a full guide on how to nominate at www.railstaffawards.com October 5th will be a great evening, a real celebration and Colin Flack will be there on stage making sure everyone feels thoroughly at home. For more details go to www.railstaffawards.com

Virgin salutes Depot Teams PAGE 23

LPA Backs Newcomer/ Graduate of the Year PAGE 24

Safety Support for Bridgeway

Depot Staff of the year 2012: John Coates, a depot maintenance manager working for Greater Anglia at the Ilford Train Maintenance Depot was recognised for his experience and long service of 50 years.

PAGE 25

Amy Selway from TfL helped reform and unite the organisationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s HR function. Colleagues praised her focus and understanding of the business and rail industry after such a short time in the business.

Nominations now open for 2013 David Maidment Award for Charity

Rail Engineer of the Year

Samaritans Lifesaver Award

Depot Team of the Year

Rail Manager of the Year

Signalling & Telecoms Person of the Year

Lifetime Achievement Award

Rail Person of the Year

Station Staff of the Year

Newcomer / Graduate of the Year

Rail Safety Person of the Year

Sustainability Award

Outstanding Customer Service

Rail Team of the Year

Train Driver of the Year

Possession Team of the Year

Recruiter / HR Person of the Year

Trainer of the Year

Access the simple nomination process at www.railstaffawards.com

Virgin salutes Depot Teams 2013 looks like being a busy and successful year for virgin Trains, which is backing this year’s depot Team of the Year at the RailStaff Awards. Says Tom O’Connor of the Rail Media Group, ‘We are delighted to welcome Virgin Trains back to the RailStaff Awards. Virgin is running more trains than ever and is poised to further increase services from this December. Depot staff are an integral part of the operation. The RailStaff Awards provides a great opportunity to salute the efforts of those who work behind the scenes to provide a fast and reliable ﬂeet day and night. The success of the modern railways owes much to the hard work and ingenuity of railway depot teams across the network. This is particularly in evidence on the heavily trafﬁcked West Coast Main Line.’ The DfT announced on 26 March

2013 a programme for letting future franchises, with the longterm West Coast franchise expected to start in April 2017. New initiatives are coming on stream this autumn. From December Anglo-Scottish services will be expanded with more and longer trains between Birmingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Says Chris Gibb, chief operating ofﬁcer, Virgin Trains, ‘A top performing ﬂeet that consistently impresses our customers means hard work and dedication and we have that commitment from our staff and depot teams. It’s our winning ingredient. With more passengers and more services the role of depot teams has never been more important. We are very pleased to be taking part in the RailStaff Awards, an industry–wide initiative that recognises the continuing success story of our railway.’

The December timetable is the latest step change in improvements to Anglo-Scots services by Virgin Trains. In 2004, the company introduced its tilting electric Pendolino and diesel Super Voyager trains, revolutionising travel on the West Coast mainline and cutting the fastest Glasgow Central to Euston journey from 5 hours 13 minutes to 4 hours 41 minutes. The ScotlandBirmingham service was developed as part of the Virgin Cross Country franchise before transferring to West Coast in 2007.

The establishment of the Virgin High Frequency timetable following the £8.9bn West Coast Route Modernisation programme in December 2008 cut typical Glasgow-Euston journeys by more than 40 minutes and established the fastest 4hr 8min journey. In December 2012, Virgin Trains introduced an hourly LondonGlasgow timetable. Virgin Trains currently operates 30 trains in each direction between Scotland and England, 15 of which operate between Glasgow and London Euston.

working together Experts IN support services for infrastructure markets

McGinley Support Services are pleased to be sponsoring

Railstaff Infrastructure Person of the Year T: 0845 543 5953

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LPA Backs Newcomer/ Graduate of the Year LPA Group is sponsoring the newcomer/Graduate of the Year at this year’s Rail Staff Awards. LPA Group Plc designs and manufactures top class LED lighting solutions, market leading electronic and electro-mechanical systems as well as equipment with the ﬂexibility to solve complex inter-car connection problems, auxiliary power & distribution systems from their four UK subsidiaries, LPA Channel Electric, LPA Excil Electronics, LPA Haswell Engineers and LPA Niphan Systems. LPA Excil produced LED lighting is increasing in evidence on the national rail network together with LPA Transport+®, the new turnkey support solution from LPA Group. Bringing together the extensive experience, knowledge and capability of LPA Group

companies in Lighting, Electronics and Electro-Mechanical product design, development and manufacture, LPA Transport+® offers an integrated service for rail vehicle manufacture and refurbishment. Using a partnership approach based on close communication, tailored products, quick response and innovative solutions, including onsite installation to offer a Turnkey solution, provide a single source for asset maintenance, refurbishment, repair and upgrade. Supporting newcomers by running projects in cooperation with the University of Essex, LPA provides cost effective solutions which improve reliability, reduce maintenance and hence life cycle costs. Says Andy Milne, editor of RailStaff, ‘The rail industry has an

urgent need to recruit new people, students, school leavers or simply people switching careers later in life. Encouraging newcomers is important. This is the category that shows we appreciate new people investing their careers in the rail industry. We wish LPA every continued success in the

industry. Their support is very much appreciated.’ The Newcomer/Graduate of the Year highlights the achievements of new people from schools, universities and other industries seeking a challenging and rewarding career in the rail industry.

PROUD TO SPONSOR NEWCOMER /GRADUATE OF THE YEAR

LPA Group is a leading Designer, Manufacturer and Supplier of ElectroMechanical, Lighting and Electronic Solutions.

LPA Group Plc Tel: +44 (0)1799 512800 Email: enquiries@lpa-group.com

We provide cost effective solutions to improve reliability, reduce maintenance and hence reduce life cycle costs for Rail and Transportation Industries throughout the world.

» A pr professional ofessional network network » Ar ea ev ents Area events » Academic qualifications » Pr Professional ofessional Development Development » CPD sc schemes hemes

Our membership inc Our includes lud des an anyone yone involved involved in rrailway ailway oper operations ations in tthe h UK he UK.. T o find out what ar ey o missing out on visit… ou To are you www .railwayoperatorss.co.uk www.railwayoperators.co.uk

www.lpa-group.com 24

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Safety Support for Bridgeway Bridgeway Consulting Ltd is supporting the Rail Safety Person of the Year at the RailStaff Awards 2012. With safety at the forefront of all operations, Bridgeway Consulting has always aimed to provide a safe, effective and professional service to its clients. A proactive approach is underpinned by a detailed directorled management process that utilises a number of methods to ensure safety is always a priority. With extensive engineering expertise Bridgeway Consulting provides a dynamic and innovative service, and is equipped to undertake small or large tasks efﬁciently, professionally and most important of all, safely. This approach continues to provide Bridgeway Consulting’s clients with peace of mind when they engage with them on key projects. Bridgeway Consulting supports a proactive and positive safety and

behaviour culture within the rail industry and believes that the RailStaff Awards - Rail Safety Person of the Year category is important for the industry as it rewards those who lead by example. Says Steve Diksa, Assurance Services Director, ‘Developing a culture in which the workforce prioritises safety can be difﬁcult but it is nonetheless still achievable. The RailStaff Awards rewards those safety minded people and who encourage good practice in the rail industry and we are delighted to support Safety Person of the Year award for the 5th year running.’

• Railway Access & Possession Planning/Support • Safety Critical Personnel • AC / DC Isolation Services • On-site Rail Security • Rail Training, Assessments and Sentinel Outsourcing • Assurance and Compliance Services • Safety Management Consultancy.

Bridgeway Consulting’s diverse portfolio of services include: • Site & Ground Investigation • Geomatics • Structural Examination • Permanent Way Engineering

Pino De Rosa, Bridgeway Consulting’s Managing Director, says, ‘Our range of services highlights our diversity and also our ability to provide a managed service to our client. Our belief is

PROUD TO SPONSOR

that we are be able to offer both cost and time savings.

Key points to remember about Bridgeway Consulting: • Network Rail Principal Contractor Licence holder • Strong safety record • National provider • Exemplary reputation for delivery • Continually striving for improvement • Highly experienced, competent and motivated staff • Team approach to ensuring value for money solutions • Commitment to timescales.

Proud Sponsors of the Rail Safety Person of the Year 2013

THE DAVID MAIDMENT AWARD FOR CHARITY AT THIS YEAR’S

With a reputation built on safely delivering multi-faceted projects we continue to provide a service of exceptional value to all of our clients.

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

Bridgeway Consulting’s diverse portfolio of services ensures our clients continue to benefit from our ‘one stop shop’ service offering. We know that the quality of our people ensures that we provide a quality service and this is why we are pleased to sponsor the Rail Safety Person of the Year in the 2013 Railstaff Awards.

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Rail Alliance supports RailStaff Awards The Rail Alliance is delighted to be backing the RailStaff Awards again as Associate Sponsors this year. Chief Executive, Colin Flack will also be hosting the evening again and bringing a light hearted sense of order to the proceedings. The Rail Alliance joins Network Rail and London Underground as high proﬁle supporters of the RailStaff Awards 2013. Says Colin, ‘We at the Rail Alliance are delighted to be playing a part at the RailStaff Awards again this year. It’s a great celebration of all that is encouraging and progressive in the rail industry. Just as importantly it underlines our aim to: network, collaborate, innovate and thrive.’ Says Tom O’Connor of the Rail Media Group, ‘We are delighted to have the Rail Alliance supporting the RailStaff Awards. Having Colin Flack as compère is an added bonus. People are often quite shocked to have won an award

and are unused to stepping into the spotlight. Colin is a down to earth reassuring presence up there on the stage.’ The Rail Alliance is an integral and important part of the rapidly growing new rail industry. Railways need better communications and better networking as all participants come together to expand the industry. The Rail Alliance spans all aspects of the Rail Sector to enable companies and individuals to Network, Collaborate, and Innovate with both suppliers and customers, to assist your business to thrive. ‘Our aim is to provide timely advice, tailored assistance and, most importantly, to identify and pass on business development opportunities at home and abroad to those in the rail sector,’ says Colin. The Rail Alliance is able to do this through its extensive range of

contacts and its well respected programme of networking events, rail-focused seminars, its knowledge transfer partnerships with academe and its knowledge of business support provision available from the public and private sectors. In fact, the Rail Alliance has something for everyone in the rail sector … whether you are a sole trader, a family business, a ‘classic’ small business (Small to

Medium Enterprise (SME)), or a multinational/global business (Large Enterprise) looking for a new and refreshing way to communicate to, and work with, the rail sector. First and foremost, the Rail Alliance is here to help you understand the Rail Industry. It will provide you with impartial information and advice whilst signposting the wide range of assistance that is available.

The Rail Alliance are proud to be associate sponsors of The RailStaff Awards 2013

Whatever you’ve done. Whatever life’s done to you. Call Samaritans. No pressure. No judgement. We’re here for you. ŵĞ͘ ŶǇ Ɵ

08457 90 90 90* www.samaritans.org

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PROUD TO O SPONSOR

With the help of the TOCs, Network Rail and d other employers throughout througho out the public transport indus industry stry we now have over 40,000 mem members. mbers. For just £1 a week a var variety riety of benefits are available to you you, u, your partner and dependent ch hildren. children. Join ttoday!

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The Transport Benevolent Fund (known as TBF) is a registered gistered charity 032) and in Scotland (SC040013) SC040013) in England and Wales (10580 (1058032)

Morson Group operates through two main subsidiaries, Morson International and Morson Projects. Morson International is the UK’s No1 Technical Recruiter and provides specialist engineering and technical personnel. Morson Projects provides outsourced engineering and project management design services. To date, Morson Group has presence is 57 office locations across the globe.

T:: Manchester 0161 707 1516 T

T:: London 0207 633 2040 T

W:: www W www.morson.com .morson.com

E: rail@morson.com

Network Rail isNetwork proud Rail to sponsor is proud the RailStaff Awards 2013 to sponsor the RailStaff Awards 2011 From pioneering investment and development projects, to innovations that make everyday It’s your hard work – the individuals and teams services faster, smarter andwithin saferour – we industry – that’sbelieve helping in us build a better railway for Britain. the recognising and celebrating From pioneeringindividuals investment and development projects, and 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 once

That’s why we’re very proud to once again sponsor this year’s again sponsor the RailStaff Awards. RailStaff Awards.

Helping Britain run better A better railwaynetworkrail.co.uk for

a better Britain networkrail.co.uk www.railstaffawards.com

Nominations now open for 2013 David Maidment Award for Charity

Rail Safety Person of the Year

Depot Team of the Year

Rail Team of the Year

Lifetime Achievement Award

Recruiter / HR Person of the Year

Newcomer / Graduate of the Year

Samaritans Lifesaver Award

Outstanding Customer Service

Signalling & Telecoms Person of the Year

Possession Team of the Year

Station Staff of the Year

Rail Engineer of the Year

Sustainability Award

Rail Manager of the Year

Train Driver of the Year

Rail Person of the Year

Trainer of the Year

Access the simple nomination process at www.railstaffawards.com London Underground

London Underground proud to sponsor the 2013 RailStaff Awards At London Underground we recognise that our people are critical to achieving our vision of a world class Tube for a

delivering an upgraded network while carrying record

world class city. So for the third year running, we are

numbers of passengers.

delighted to be an associate sponsor of the RailStaff

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

Awards. These awards recognise and reward the brilliant

Tube to ensure it remains the engine room of the UK

work, dedication and commitment of individuals and teams

economy, helping to create thousands of jobs across the

from across the rail industry.

country. So it is fitting that our sponsorship of the

At London Underground weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re firm believers in continuous

RailStaff Awards will help to focus on excellence across

improvement and development... and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the people who

the rail industry.

MAYOR OF LONDON

work for us that will help us achieve the success of

Transport for London

www.railstaffawards.com

FEATURE

developing a skilled workforce © MATTHIAS RHoMBERG © GILES BARnARd PHoToGRAPHY

London Underground celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. Accounts of its creation, construction and development have offered a fascinating insight into the workings of the world’s ﬁrst underground railway. The round-the-clock service provided by teams of engineers and rail staff ensures that the network runs smoothly. Morson International looks at the evolution of the industry’s workforce and its outlook for the future. ‘Morson has been a supplier of rail staff to the industry for over 30 years,’ explains Russell Otter (pictured), London Director at the global recruitment specialist, Morson International. ‘In that time, the UK rail industry has experienced many changes in terms of policy, structure, technology and operations - and developing a skilled workforce under a rapidly evolving and demanding environment has presented several challenges.

Highest calibre ‘The UK has a rich heritage with the oldest rail system in the world, the oldest underground system, www.railstaff.co.uk

and still one of the top 20 largest networks on the planet. From the very beginning the teams of engineers working on these systems were of the highest calibre – and this is true of today’s workforce, too. ‘The day-to-day operations and smooth running of both the overground and underground rail systems is very important. Disruption must be minimised for essential preventative and reactive maintenance and upgrades. The key to this will always be the people who undertake the work and this means companies face the challenging task of ﬁnding individuals with the right experience, qualiﬁcations and skills across multiple disciplines and geographical locations.’ A challenge faced by the current generation of recruitment companies is the industry-wide shortage of engineering skills across all sectors in the engineering industry. An ageing workforce of skilled engineers approaching retirement age means that there is an increased demand to attract the next generation of talent.

...the war for talent is at its peak Says Otter, ‘The rail industry is seen as less seductive than IT and Telecommunications, or less lucrative and exotic than oil and gas, however the workforce demands have been higher, the skills requirements have changed as technology has evolved and the war for talent is at its peak. ‘It is essential that an experienced workforce is retained, and that the contractor population enjoys a rich set of opportunities and projects. ‘Morson has developed the careers of many contractors, some of whom have been with us for many years and have professionally progressed to increasingly senior roles through training and the support of Morson’s experienced recruitment consultants who strive to develop talent against high demand skills for the beneﬁt of both our clients and candidates.’ Flexibility and agility are essential when providing resource to the industry. Despite being the leading technical recruitment company in the UK, Morson is strategically sub-divided to offer

Morson International looks at the evolution of the industry’s workforce and its outlook for the future…

real sector experts who get to the root of the industry and build relationships with the talent available in the market place. Morson is dedicated to solving problems before they happen and works with its partners on a long term hiring strategy.

nicholas Wrobel explains Subsurface Upgrade Programme 30

www.railstaff.co.uk

FEATURE

with that volume you inevitably experience more complex challenges. ‘Challenges such as communication within the workforce, but also the challenge of coordinating projects across all four lines – as opposed to the single line upgrade implemented on the Victoria line.’ The ambitious VLU, which involved the replacement of both signalling systems and rolling stock assets, resulted in achieving the ability to run higher capacity trains, at far higher frequencies. It achieved its target of delivering 32 trains per hour (tph), and currently boasts a signalling system that is comparable to the best in the world. © dUnC(An’T STAnd THIS nEW LAYoUT!)

Subsurface Upgrade Programme

www.railstaff.co.uk

Of those programmes, Nicholas Wrobel has played an integral part in both the successful Victoria Line Upgrade (VLU) which reached completion in 2010, and the present development of the SUP which is acknowledged as the most signiﬁcant of the planned upgrades thus far. ‘The SUP is a very different programme from the VLU programme,’ explains Nicholas. ‘It’s bigger in terms of cost, and scale. The SUP is 45% of the whole network, covering the Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City, Circle and District lines – four lines and a £4.2bn budget. ‘What’s interesting working on a really big programme – and it’s the biggest metro programme in the world at present – is the scale of the workforce involved. On this project, we have 650 working as the in-house team alone, and

Modern technologies In contrast TfL outlines that the SUP will result in the renewal of core assets across the oldest parts of the Underground, and provide a 33 per cent increase in peak capacity across the programme. In addition to a mass renewal of the project’s life expired assets, the programme will also focus on harnessing the capability of modern technologies and systems to generate maximum benefit to the programme’s delivery outcome. Nicholas comments: ‘It was decided that the SUP will separate its delivery of a new signalling system until later, in order to give the passengers the benefit of capacity early on, bringing the new trains on first. ‘This means that the passengers get the benefit of a new train that has more space, more effective air conditioning and heating systems, and is aesthetically more inviting. There have been some interesting challenges in terms of developing

and reassessing the railway infrastructure in line with the new trains that will ultimately result in a smoother, faster, slicker service for all passengers across this network. ‘In 2016 we expect a big new system of development work to come into play, so although we won’t experience its impact until then, in the meantime all of the trains will be out and in service well before then. The complete fleet is out already on the Metropolitan line, and has been for over a year. It consists of both seven and eight car trains to accommodate the varying platforms across the four lines. ‘The day we put the first train in to service, people were hesitant to get on it because they thought it was a special train – we had to tell them that is was okay to hop on! We had huge confidence that it would work, and are delighted that it has been so successful.’

At Morson International nicholas Wrobel (pictured) is the Programme delivery Engineer for the current Transport for London (TfL) Subsurface Upgrade Programme (SUP) across a signiﬁcant section of the London Underground. Preceding this, Nicholas was the Chief Engineer on the Victoria Line Upgrade (VLU) programme (2005-2009), now recognised as one of the most reliable railways in the world. In the past decade, Transport for London (TfL) has, via the subsidiary London Underground Limited (LUL), implemented some of the biggest upgrades and renewal projects that the iconic rail network has seen since its inception, 150 years ago.

Population growth Nicholas continues: ‘Whilst the upgrades have been a huge success for LU, one of the ongoing problems is keeping up with the population growth of the city. So with the VLU, it was a target to increase capacity by basically introducing faster and closer trains. I think 750,000 people use the tube every day – that’s a considerable number. However, during that time of conception to completion, the growth in the number of passengers has exceeded the 32% increase that this train upgrade delivered.’ That is why, Nicholas explains, he believes the new Deep Tube Programme (DTP) heralds an exciting opportunity to transform the remaining aspects of the network. ‘Everything is up for grabs with Deep Tube, it is quite exciting and will undoubtedly be quite costly. It has started already and is in the design feasibility and deﬁnition stage. That will mature in the next few years, where design and build can actually start. ‘It is a huge opportunity for TfL and London Underground to get all of the big problems on to the table, thrash them out, go through all of the options and then choose the best possible option with a real understanding of what that design will or will not do.’

IF THE SIGNALLING IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR CONTROLLING TRAINS WHY NOT USE IT TO PROTECT TRACK WORKERS? SAFETY Colin Wheeler colin@rail-media.com

The last resort Last month I suggested that the time was ripe for us to phase out the use of flags, whistles and horns as a way of protecting track staff from trains. Nostalgia for the exciting days when the Victorians built our railways can hardly be used to justify such an antiquated method! Looking through old papers I came across an early Railtrack form titled “Hierarchy of Protection Methods” which prescribed the use of the “highest achievable method of protection”. The top three choices were green zone alternatives (namely, arrangements where workers are separated from trains); fourth and fifth were working with trains running but warnings generated by automatic means (not as part of the signalling system). Six and seven were the use of a lookout using warning equipment. The use of a lookout with flags and a horn was described as being “the last resort.” The paper was dated 2002, but I still believe it was right.

Reliance on microchips My thanks to a “mainline train driver” who having read my May article, wrote in expressing his support for the use of lookouts. He commented that “almost all accidents to trackside staff are due to human errors on their part, usually through poor training, becoming blasé, or simply trying to save time and cut corners doing things that fall outside the parameters of basic PTS” (Personal

Track Safety). He says that, “horns, ﬂags, and whistles may be antiquated but cannot break down or go wrong and are simple to use,” adding “I would rather entrust my life to something that is down to the user not microchips”. I cannot believe that he really

wants us to replace main line signalling with ﬂags and horns? Indeed as a professional driver he obeys lineside signals many of which rely on microchips. Last month I suggested that it is now right for us to begin to phase out the use of lookouts and replace them with warning systems driven

by the signalling that controls the movement of trains. The necessary technology has been in use for well over a decade elsewhere in Europe. At the end of May I travelled through London Bridge (one of our busiest junctions). It is currently being renewed. Surely this should now

sponsored by

S FETYFIRST 32

™

www.railstaff.co.uk

TRACK SAFETY

be equipped with a signalling driven warning system as a ﬁrst priority?

Safety Central updated I am pleased to see Network Rail’s Safety Central Website has at last been updated, and is open to everyone who needs it. It features a personal 38 second interview with Simon Kirby who heads their Investment Projects organisation on the importance of safety. Adding a “Lessons Learnt” section is overdue but welcome. The intention is for this to feature “events that have led to a formal investigation or where there are signiﬁcant learning points.” An open invitation offers anyone involved in an incident who thinks the industry would beneﬁt from sharing lessons learnt, to make their DCP (whatever that means?) aware so that details may be sent to a central team for review. A recent addition to “Lessons Learnt” was issued on May 1st and relates to the COSS/Site Warden fatality at Saxilby on December 4th last year. The simple eight bullet point format gives a good (though belated) overview of what happened.

Within 2 miles of home station Safety Central has an up to date list of the membership of the Project Safety Leadership Group (PSLG) which notes that their meeting took place in May. I hope to be able to comment on it next month. Worth watching is a ﬁlm from the RED Programme aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of driving when fatigued. It features a young father suffering sleepless nights and attempting a long drive home with horrendous consequences. Laudable though the initiative is, an equally valid approach is to recognise that it is always better to work locally whenever possible. Could more be done to ensure continuity of local work for skilled railway people? It would be safer and almost certainly more productive. I recall old contracts of employment used by BR actually stipulated that staff had to live within two miles of their “home station” so as to be available to deal with unexpected events! www.railstaff.co.uk

Task Briefing Sheets I believe that these should be edited if not drafted by Supervisors to ensure they only include site specific information that needs to be briefed since it differs from the norm. I have just read the latest advice that the sheet can be “double sided A4, A5 (i.e. A4 folded once) or A4 folded twice like a Chinese Takeaway Menu”etc. What do such stipulations add to the process? Task briefing sheets were introduced when according to urban myth you needed a separate wheelbarrow to carry voluminous method statements. The principle is that the track staff are skilled and hence the task briefing should be a minimal exercise drawing attention to unusual and site/job specific variations from the norm. Arguably a long briefing can be as hazardous as none!

Safety Bulletins Current Safety Bulletins on the website include the road/railer runaway that occurred whilst it was being transferred from road wheels onto rail wheels on a 1 in 45 gradient near Glasgow Queen Street. That happened on 21st April. Bulletin 284 was issued following another on-track runaway on April 30th. The use of Rexquote Genie Z60/34 V3 Access Railers has been suspended as a result. Bulletin 285 was issued on May 9th after a contractor fell when he used a handrail whilst walking up a stairway on a Haki Compact Stair Tower. The handrail gave way and he fell through the gap sustaining bruising to legs, back and neck. It adds that the handrail may not have been ﬁtted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The location and date of the accident are not given.

Working with the adjacent line open to trafﬁc has always been hazardous. I still recall a dreadful night when having taken care to brief and warn all the staff of the dangers, a supervisor I knew well lost concentration and moved onto the live line in the middle of the night. He was killed by a train. Network Rail have a Project Manager working on reducing the risks associated with ALO (Adjacent Line Open). Slew Limiters for excavators are an obvious precaution but my concerns were aroused when I read the words “Quantitative Risk Analysis.” I hope the good intentions of some current initiatives have been carefully reviewed and agreed with the industry.

ALO Toolkit paperwork My fear is that the well intentioned new paperwork will add to the form ﬁlling without improving safety. There does seem to be a lot of it! The “ALO Toolkit”

went live on May 28th and companies have to be fully compliant by August 5th. It is described as being “additional and complementary to existing guidance.” It includes three separate ALO forms. Site details have to be entered in 15 boxes on the form and the ALO Change Control then has 7 yes/no tick boxes before the inevitable signing and declaration. There are also “ALO Workplan” and “Responsible Manager Tracker” forms. I hope someone is checking since I ﬁrmly believe that less is more effective when it comes to paperwork. But if you disagree please let me know!! Remembering my time as Project Manager of the now defunct Track Safety Strategy Group (TSSG) I recommended that additional paperwork should only be introduced after a group of supervisors say they need it! That was part of the agreed process used by TSSG and it proved its worth!

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STATIonS

In the public eye

A ﬂock of seagulls

Five of the country’s biggest and busiest railway stations will become art galleries this summer, hosting exhibitions of pictures from the Take-a-view Landscape Photographer of the Year competition. The stations, which include Manchester Piccadilly, Leeds, London Waterloo, Glasgow Central, and London King’s Cross, will showcase a series of stunning previously commended entries of places which can be reached by rail. Visitors can also ﬁnd out how to enter the Landscape Photographer of the Year competition, which has a top prize of £10,000 and includes a separate ‘Lines in the Landscape’ award which seeks to ﬁnd the best railway-related photography. Says David Biggs, director of commercial property for Network Rail, ‘People don’t just want their stations to be places they catch

their trains from; they want to shop, eat, drink and enjoy their surroundings. ‘Our stations are natural exhibition spaces so extending our partnership with Take-a-View… seemed a natural ﬁt. We also hope the millions that come through our stations will be inspired to visit the fantastic places they can reach by rail and record their own amazing views with their cameras.’ For competition entry details visit www.take-a-view.co.uk

Seagulls at newcastle Central Station have rufﬂed a few feathers among motorists. Two seagulls built a nest in a vacant bay in the station’s car park and are now hatching eggs. Railway staff found the nest and cordoned off the bay. Says East Coast’s Newcastle station manager, Louise Rutherford, ‘We contacted the RSPCA for advice and they suggested we leave the nest undisturbed until the chicks hatch and are able to ﬂy the nest. It’s against the law to touch or move the nest, so we’ve coned off the parking space and we’ll be keeping an eye on things to make sure they’re kept safe and sound. ‘We’re also asking drivers using the car park to take care around the birds as we’re told they can be quite

aggressive in protecting their young.’ Happily Louise is allowing the gulls free parking. ‘We’ve already decided to waive the charge for the use of the parking space – they’d be up and away before we could give them a ticket!’ All birds, including gulls, crows, pigeons and doves, are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 during their nesting season. Under the Act, it is illegal to damage or destroy an active nest or its contents.

newtwork Rail success

Transport Minister, Simon Burns MP, interviewed in this edition of RailStaff, visited Wakefield Westgate station, to check out progress on the £8.8 million new station project. Construction work at Westgate began earlier this year and the new station is scheduled to open in November. The site has been cleared and prepared, concrete piling columns for the foundations have been installed and the steel frame of the building is being erected this summer. The new station will include better shops, a spacious travel centre, ticket gates and improved security. Says Simon Burns, ‘This station, made possible with government support, will be the first newly-built station on the East Coast Main Line for decades and will show the world that Wakefield is open for business. ‘This is part of the wider programme of infrastructure

A colony of great crested newts has been successfully evacuated from norton Bridge in Staffordshire, in advance of the construction of a new railway ﬂyover on the West Coast Main Line. The newts are moving to the comparative calm of the nearby Shallowford House Retreat and Conference Centre, which is run by the Church of England. The ﬂyover at Norton Bridge will remove a major bottleneck on the route and forms part of a series of preparatory pipeline diversions, scheduled to take place from July of this year through to early 2014. The project is being run by the Staffordshire Alliance, a partnership of Atkins, Laing O’Rourke, Network Rail and VolkerRail, working under a collaborative contract aimed at transforming the delivery of rail projects.

new Station for Westgate

investment which will see billions spent on the network over the coming years, helping to drive economic growth and reinvigorate the railways.’ Network Rail’s Route Managing Director Phil Verster believes the railways will help boost Wakefield. ‘We know that our stations provide important gateways to the cities they serve and can help to attract investment and regeneration and look forward to that being the case in Wakefield,’ Phil said. Wakefield Westgate

Construction work at Westgate began earlier this year… currently has 32 direct East Coast services to London each weekday, with a fastest journey time of 1 hour 47 minutes. The weekday ﬂagship ‘West Riding Limited’ service leaves Leeds at 07.00, calling only at Wakeﬁeld Westgate at 07.12 and arriving at London King’s Cross at 08.59.

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Rail Team of the year 2012

Station design and build Stobart Rail are the proud owners and operators of Southend Airport Station. Similar to Parkway stations, this station, the car park and surrounding infrastructure was built within 18 months from start to finish. The airport is now receiving in excess of 800,000 passengers a year.

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Resisting Penn Station Architects and artists are being invited to submit ideas for the redesign of Penn Station and Madison Square Gardens in new York.

new police station at Reading Chief Superintendent Martin Fry joined Reading BTP officers, First Great Western and network Rail staff to officially open BTP’s newly revamped police station. The Area Commander was invited to officially open the new station following a three month revamp which saw the former building transformed from a 1980s station into a new bright, light and modern facility. The new BTP station also features a new public friendly front counter, plus greater office space for the 15 PCs, 10 specials, two sergeants, one inspector and two staff based at the building. The new look BTP office is part of major £850m improvement plan by First Great Western, Network Rail and Reading Council to transform Reading Station. 36

The Municipal Art Society of New York is backing plans by City Hall to redevelop the area. ‘Nearly 640,000 passengers use Penn Station every day, and yet it does not act as a digniﬁed gateway to one of the world’s greatest cities,’ says designer Roger Duffy, of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, one of four companies approached for ideas.

London Bridge for Aberystwyth Sections of London Bridge station’s old roof have found a new home at Aberystwyth. The roof will be rebuilt as part of the Vale of Rheidol Railway narrow gauge railway museum in the town. Network Rail has saved 16 columns, 14 beams and other elements which can be moved to Wales. ‘The roof offers an opportunity to show the locomotives in context within a train-shed environment and the Vale of Rheidol will work hard to recreate the atmosphere, which only a London terminus can provide,’ says Robert Gambrill from the Vale of Rheidol Railway. Mr Gambrill went on to praise the team he worked with from Network Rail. ‘It has been a pleasure to work with such a dedicated team from Network Rail - their care and attention to detail has ensured that as much of the structure that we need has been saved,’ he said.

‘Without their co-operation none of this would have been possible. We all look forward to unlocking the potential of our collection and seeing the Vale of Rheidol becoming a world class tourist attraction for Wales.’ The line climbs 12 miles to Devil’s Bridge and is a masterpiece of engineering. It opened in 1902 to carry lead ore, timber and passenger trafﬁc. The narrow track gauge allows the railway to follow the contours of the terrain with many sharp curves and steep

gradients which add to the railway’s charm. Says Chris Drabble of Network Rail ‘This great news has been possible because many people from many organisations have been working together. Up until the actual structures were lifted we were never sure if any of this would be technically possible, so all of the teams can be really proud of what they have achieved.’ The line attracts around 40,000 visitors annually from all over the world.

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STATIonS

Kenilworth gets new station Plans for a new £11 million station at Kenilworth moved a step nearer this month as Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin backed the scheme vowing to put up £5 million. Warwickshire County Council will work with Network Rail to finalise plans. The station will be located on the Coventry to Leamington Spa Line and will include two 100 metre platforms. Extensive infrastructure improvements are planned on the line in the near future. Network Rail plans to integrate the scheme into a wider programme of work. The date when the station would open will be confirmed later this year, once it has been integrated in the wider rail enhancement programme. Says Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, ‘Our support for Kenilworth station illustrates our commitment to working with community and national partners to meet local transport needs that not only deliver real benefits to passengers but also improves the network. ‘This is another example of the Government’s determination to transform the railways as we continue to push forward with the biggest programme of rail investment ever.’ Kenilworth has a population of nearly 24,000. Since the closure of the old station in 1965 the population of the town has increased by 50%.

Irish Trip for Welsh Princess dublin’s Heuston station will be hosting a Welsh princess this summer. One of the world’s ﬁrst narrow gauge steam engines, Princess, will be shipped from Holyhead to Dublin. The locomotive, from Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, is crossing the Irish Sea, courtesy of Stena Line, at the invitation of Iarnród Éireann as part of the Gathering Ireland 2013 festival. Princess was built at the Hatcham lronworks in New Cross, London in 1863, and was named

in honour of Princess Alexandra of Denmark, who married the then Prince of Wales - later to become King Edward VII in the same year. Princess was originally built to serve the slate quarries of Blaenau Ffestiniog in North Wales. The tax on the coastal shipping of slate introduced in the late 18th century was responsible for Welsh slate ﬁnding a market in Ireland, where the tax was not applied. Gathering Ireland 2013 is a year-long celebration of all things Irish.

duckling drama

Princess Gwenllian gives Paddington audience

A clutch of new born ducklings was saved by the prompt intervention of ScotRail staff. The brood was spotted wandering along tracks at Queen Street station in Glasgow by Ian Kinning, a ScotRail catering attendant, as his train pulled into the station. Two ﬁtters, engineers Derek Adamson and John Robertson joined in the rescue. Says Mr Robertson, ‘I was on the track working on a train at the time so I had already closed the line where the ducklings were walking, which was quite convenient. There was a train due into the platform four minutes after we removed the last duckling from the tracks, so I’m just glad there was a happy ending.’ The ducklings are being looked after by the Scottish SPCA at

Commuters at Paddington were startled to be accosted by Princess Gwenllian of Kidwelly recently. Her Highness was in London with a retinue of Welsh knights and caterers to encourage people to visit Wales by rail. Princess Gwenllian met FGW driver Aiden Jones, who regularly takes trains to Swansea. The event was part of the ACORP

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Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Trust in Ayrshire. Jean MacKay of the SPCA praised the efforts of staff. ‘These ducklings are very lucky to be alive and I’d like to praise the quickthinking staff who managed to safely contain them all before contacting us for assistance.’ Says station duty manager Jennifer O’Neill, ‘The ducklings were adorable - they really made my day. It took about ﬁve minutes to get them all off the tracks because they were running away in different directions.’ Concerned ofﬁcials are still trying to trace the mother.

‘Community Rail in the City’ initiative and the Paddington initiative was organised by David Edwards of the Heart of Wales Line Forum. The exercise passed off peacefully. However the original Princess Gwenllian of Kidwelly was a noted partisan responsible for leading a daring uprising against the Normans in 1135.

Driver Aiden Jones discusses rail travel with Princess Gwenllian.

Sochi 1520 David Shirres reports Sochi, on Russia’s Black Sea coast will be hosting the 2014 Winter olympics. david Shirres went to the International Rail Business Forum in the city and reports from an olympian event. Russian Railway’s operations are certainly large scale, and so are their conferences. With 1400 delegates from 32 countries, this year’s Eighth International Rail Business Forum held on 30th and 31st May was an impressive event. Sub titled “Strategic partnership 1520” (Russian gauge in millimetres), it promotes the development of Russian gauge railway business. The forum was first held in Sochi in 2006 when it attracted 450 delegates. Since then it has grown in size and diversity with participants including politicians, engineers, rail companies and financiers from over 300 organisations. This year the forum was held in a newly constructed hotel complex built for Sochi’s 2014 Winter Olympics in Krasnaya Polyana. The hotel complex is reached by a newly built 48 km railway line through difficult mountain country from the coast to service the games. The large media contingent, of whom RailStaff was the only UK representative, travelled to the forum on the first passenger train on this new line in 38

a Siemens-built “Lastochka” EMU which had only started running a few days previously. The train was hand-signalled as the signalling system was commissioned and travelled at a maximum 60 km/hr. Opening the conference, Vladimir Yakunin, President of Russian Railways (RZD) told delegates that holding the conference at Krasnaya Polyana was part of RZD’s support for the games for which there had been a huge investment in the railways around Sochi. He saw the conference as a key opportunity to strengthen business relationships, promote the development of international rail corridors and consider the best rail business model.

The vertical integration debate In the opening session Yakunin led the debate on whether railways should be vertically integrated. He advised that Russian Railways had studied railways worldwide to assess what was best for them. He was convinced of the need for a system wide approach and did not think this was possible with full scale liberalisation, such as in the UK where the lack of integration gave a 40 per cent increase in costs compared with other models. He also noted that the French were moving away from vertical separation.

Other speakers on this topic included Dietrich Moeller of Siemens; Alexander Hedderich, CEO, DB Schenker Rail; Henri Poupart-Lafarge, President, Alstom Transport and Francis Fukuyama, political scientist. Moeller also was convinced of the need for vertical integration to ensure an overall system authority which would, for example, ensure power supplies could accept regenerative braking. Hedderich and Poupart-Lafarge were less adamant. Hedderich felt the correct model depended on the circumstances of the country concerned. For Germany he felt the concept of separate businesses within an overall holding company worked well. Poupart-Lafarge advised that whatever the model it did not detract from the success of Alstom train projects. Last to speak was Fukuyama whose main point was that the issue was not the degree of state involvement but the quality of state governance, something that is clearly relevant in the UK with its recent West Coast franchise experience. Although Russia has still to decide how it will re-structure its railways to best attract private ﬁnance, Yakunin indicated that he favoured the German model

All happening at the forum The large media contingent ensured that the forum was a newsworthy event in Russia and provided an impressive media scrum around Yakunin. The press pack explains that “In 2013, a key consideration will be given to the development of the business model of the national carrier and an organisational model of the railway market. “The agenda also includes issues of freight and passenger trafﬁc, transportation design, engineering, transportation hubs, and strengthening the human-resource capacity. Prospects for development are based on the network contract and long-term tariffs for cargo.” The programme included numerous and varied presentations on commercial and technical matters which can be seen at http://forum1520.com/2013/en/. For non-Russian speakers there is a simultaneous translation of the, mainly Russian, presentations whose impact seemed to be lost in translation. Russian press colleagues advise that little new is said in these presentations. Part of the programme is the choreographed signing of agreements with a young woman standing behind www.railstaff.co.uk

FEATURE

each of the signatories who conveyed the agreement for signing. The impression is that it is all a big show. In his interview with RailStaff, Yakunin acknowledges this, but points out the forum’s main purpose is to provide an opportunity for business communication by bringing key people together in the right setting (which included two very enjoyable “strategic parties”). So it would seem that the real work is done behind the scenes with agreements to the value of £2.4 billion being signed at last year’s forum.

Russia’s high-speed future Speaking to RailStaff, Yakunin outlined the current status of two key projects discussed at the forum: high-speed rail and the construction of a Russian gauge line through Slovakia into Vienna. Until recently it had been expected that Russia’s ﬁrst highspeed rail line would be from Moscow to St Petersburg. However, at a high-speed rail conference in April held by Russian President Vladimir Putin, it was decided that the ﬁrst stage of Russia’s highspeed rail network would be an 803 km line from Moscow to Kazan via Nizhny Novgorod. Yakunin advised this was a www.railstaff.co.uk

political decision to promote this region’s development. It is also likely that this high-speed line has a stronger business case than the one to St Petersburg which already has fast Sapsan trains that average 180 km/h, taking 3hrs 40 minutes for the 659 km journey. The cost of the Moscow - Kazan line will be 1.2 trillion roubles (£24 billion) and that the intention was that 70 per cent would be funded by the state with the remaining amount from private investment. With private funding yet to be secured there is as yet no timescale for the line. After completion of the Kazan line RZD’s strategy is then to build high-speed lines from Moscow to St Petersburg and Moscow to Alder.

Russian gauge to Vienna The proposed 1520 line to Vienna from Košice in eastern Slovakia was also discussed at the forum. To learn more RailStaff met Robert Kredig of ÖBB (Austrian Railways) and Mikhail Goncharov of RZD who are on the management board of Breitspur Planungsgesellschaft, a joint venture between the Austrian, Russian, Slovakian and Ukrainian railway companies. They explained that the proposed line is not just a new 400

km railway. The intention is to create a 8,000 km rail corridor from the Pacific to Europe without a change of gauge. In Vienna there will be a distribution hub to take traffic further by rail or the river Danube with a small amount distributed by road. A prefeasibility study has indicated the line to be a potentially attractive investment. The next stage is a feasibility study which would provide a more accurate prediction of traffic levels, recommend a route and estimate construction costs. Goncharov explains that the contract for this study is expected to be let this year. He would not commit to a timescale for this feasibility contract, but did joke that the line would be built before the British HS2. He estimated the cost of the feasibility contract to be around 20 million euros, with each partner in the venture contributing 25 per cent. He also predicted that as the project developed other railways would wish to join the venture.

RZD’s global vision Yakunin’s vision is one of international rail development for mutual beneﬁt of which RZD’s high-speed rail and international projects, such as the line to Vienna, are a key part. These

Speaking to RailStaff, Vladimir Yakunin outlined the current status of two key projects discussed at the forum: highspeed rail and the construction of a Russian gauge line through Slovakia into Vienna… projects are, however, expensive, ambitious and as yet have no committed funding. With Yakunin believing there is the required business case and political consensus, the 1520 forum provided an opportunity to further promote them to the government representatives and ﬁnanciers present. In his closing speech to the forum, Yakunin noted that the agreements signed at the forum offered participants new opportunities for economic development. Big shows they might be, but Yakunin clearly considers that the Sochi forums have an important part to play to promote his vision of global rail development.

nEWS

National Railway Museum

seeks Mallard crew

On 3rd July 2013, Mallard and its five surviving sister A4 locomotives will fulfill the dreams of rail fans across the globe, with the ‘Great Gathering’ - a spectacular international family reunion. The six streamlined steam giants will be gathered together around the Great Hall turntable in the National Railway Museum in York for two weeks - a sight never seen before…

As the countdown continues to the 75th anniversary celebrations of Mallard breaking the world steam speed record the national Railway Museum is trying to ﬁnd the drivers and other crew that worked on the world’s fastest locomotive. The Museum plans a Drivers Day in October. Several members of the crews that worked on the footplates of Mallard and her sister locos are already involved. The NRM wants to talk to drivers and crew who worked the loco under British Railways. Says Associate Curator Bob Gwynne, ‘We are actively searching for drivers and other crew of A4 locomotives from the BR era which started in 1948. As many of the people we are speaking to are well beyond retirement age now, we wanted to ensure we could capture their experiences of working as 40

scheduled crew on the East Coast Mainline during the BR era, particularly the sixties, for our national collection of railway history. ‘We are also interested in hearing from the crew that worked on the locomotive in 1988, when we celebrated 50 years since Mallard raced into the record books.’ Preparations for the 3rd July anniversary of Mallard becoming the fastest steam locomotive of all time are falling into place with Dominion of Canada getting the final finishing touches of a cosmetic restoration. Along with fellow traveller, Dwight D Eisenhower, the repatriated locomotive arrived in Britain last October from the United States. Says former driver and fireman Bernard Bell (89) from York, ‘I started on the railways as a 16 year old in 1939. I’ve worked on

diesel but there’s nothing like steam and the Gresley locos were the best of them all. As many of us aren’t as young as we used to be, it makes sense to get in touch with the railway museum as I did.’ On 3rd July 2013, Mallard and its five surviving sister A4 locomotives will fulfil the dreams of rail fans across the globe, with the ‘Great Gathering’ - a spectacular international family reunion. The six streamlined steam giants will be gathered together around the Great Hall turntable in the National Railway Museum in York for two weeks - a sight never seen before. Crew wanting to get in touch with the museum should call 08448 153139 or email pressoffice@nrm.org.uk The ‘Great Gathering’ of Mallard and its sisters takes place 3 July – 17 July at the National Railway Museum in York. www.railstaff.co.uk

nEWS

HS2 - sound survey

Queen’s Award for Severn valley Railway

HS2 Ltd plans to use new technology to cut the noise of high speed trains on the line. Over two thirds of the line’s surface sections between London and the West Midlands will be sunk in cuttings. Earth removed for track laying can be used to build up noise-absorbing berms. On the train itself, designers plan to eliminate the gaps between train carriages to cut noise and boost aerodynamic efficiency. Drawing on Japanese expertise, HS2 trains could also be fitted with wheel farings to cut the noise made by the wheels on rails, the biggest source of noise on any electrified railway.

Says Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, ‘HS2 is absolutely vital for this country, providing a huge economic boost which will generate a return on investment that will continue paying back for generations to come. But you cannot build a new railway line without causing some disruption. What we can and will do is ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum by using the very latest design and construction methods.’ The most signiﬁcant proposed design reﬁnements, as revealed in last month’s RailStaff, include tunnelling under Ealing and Northolt in north west London, and at Bromford in the West Midlands.

Island in the Steam

Clean machine wins on Poyntzpass

A classic 1920s Southern Railway steam locomotive returns to the Isle of Purbeck in dorset for the ﬁrst time in more than 50 years to star in the Swanage Railway’s annual steam gala. Railway photographer John H. Aston captured No. 31806 on ﬁlm in the Isle of Purbeck when the locomotive hauled a passenger train from Bournemouth down to Corfe Castle and Swanage in September, 1955. Now owned by the Mid-Hants Railway in Hampshire, the Richard Maunsell-designed ‘U’ class locomotive, No. 31806, will be making a ten-day visit to the Purbeck line in early September, 2013. With six feet diameter driving wheels, the powerful and versatile 102-ton ‘U’ class steam locomotives hauled popular holidaymaker and day tripper trains from Salisbury, Basingstoke and Bournemouth down to Corfe Castle and Swanage during the 1940s and 1950s. 42

A new on-Track Ballast Cleaning Machine, on hire from Iarnrod Eireann, has been put through its paces by northern Ireland Railways on the newry and Poyntzpass line. The trials went well. The Plasser & Theurer RM90-IR Ballast Cleaner (Iarnrod Eireann Machine 781)

volunteers at the Severn valley Railway have been awarded the Queen’s Award for voluntary Service. In celebration of the achievement, four long-standing volunteers from the Severn Valley Railway, Hugh McQuade, Columb Howell, Gary Williams and Martin White, were invited to the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. The four rubbed shoulders with the Queen, Princess Eugenie and the Princess Royal, who revealed she is a self-confessed steam enthusiast after once being invited to drive a steam train. A commemorative piece of crystal will be presented to the railway by the Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire. Columb Howell, who was among the Preservation Group which relaunched the railway in 1965 and who is now volunteer driver, said it was a great honour for the railway’s volunteers to be recognised, and that attending a Royal Garden Party was the icing on the cake. ‘I feel extremely privileged to have been invited to Buckingham Palace to experience the wonderful hospitality, environment and atmosphere of a Royal Garden Party. It was an honour to speak to the Princess Royal, who, as it turns out, is also passionate about steam trains.’ Mr Howell stressed the hard work done by all volunteers. ‘It is wonderful that this award recognises the dedication of the many volunteers who keep the SVR running, without whom, its survival would not be possible. I would encourage anyone who is passionate about protecting and preserving this amazing attraction for future generations to join us.’

cleans track ballast along the line, removing stone from underneath sleepers, extracting unwanted materials and passing the ballast through various screens and ﬁlters. Where required the track is topped up with new stone ballast to replace the old inferior stone

removed from the track bed. This method of working obviates the need for full track removal. Northern Ireland Transport Minister Danny Kennedy with Catherine Mason, Translink Group Chief Executive during a visit to view an On-Track Ballast Cleaning Machine.

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Based in Guildford, salary £22,000 - £28,000 plus uncapped commission structure and excellent benefits.

Marketing Assistant Working alongside our Marketing Director you will enjoy a varied role with an opportunity to develop in all areas of Marketing, including but not limited to; Website management, Social media management, Exhibitions, Blog writing, Press communication & Direct marketing. Required skills: Good computer literacy Good copywriting skills Excellent attention to detail Education to A Level standard or beyond Motivated, driven & ambitious

Based in Guildford, salary £16,000 - £20,000 + benefits.

www.railstaff.co.uk

For more information or to view our latest industry vacancies visit our new website to apply or search for a job: Call: 01483 361 061

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

CAREERS

RailwayPeople.com Fast track your career

OVER 2,000 LIVE JOBS from all the rail companies that matter

www.trsstaffing.com

Rail and Infrastructure Vacancies TRS StaďŹ&#x192;ng 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:

Senior Project Engineer (Signalling & Telecoms) London - ÂŁ400 - 500/day Mainline Project Experience

Principal & Senior Civil/ Structural Design Engineers London, Birmingham, Warrington & York - ÂŁ40 - 60K or ÂŁ350 - 450/day Rail experience including station, platform & bridge designs

P3e Planners London, Swindon & Midlands ÂŁ300 - 400 per day Experience of Network Rail projects, Primavera experience essential

Lead Estimators London- ÂŁ50 - 75K or ÂŁ350/day Utilities, Airport or Rail experience with a Civils background

HSE Managers and Directors Middle East - ÂŁ60 - 120k Degree qualiďŹ ed, relevant Safety qualiďŹ cations, ideally you will have worked on major international Rail projects.

Rail Project & Programme Managers London, Midlands - ÂŁ50 - 75K or ÂŁ400 - 500/day Experience on rail & infrastructure projects

Please send your CV or if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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@trsstaďŹ&#x20AC;ing.com

Rail, Infrastructure & Construction 44

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Direct Rail Services (DRS) is owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency and provides a safe, secure and reliable transport service. DRS has a reputation for excellence within the Freight Industry, in order to maintain and improve our quality of service we are looking to recruit against the following vacancies: :PV XJMM CF SFTQPOTJCMF GPS UIF QSPWJTJPO NBJOUFOBODF BOE NPEJmDBUJPO PG WBSJFE SPMMJOH TUPDL nFFUT FOBCMJOH %34 CVTJOFTT SFRVJSFNFOUT UP CF NFU BT FGmDJFOUMZ BT QPTTJCMF :PV TIPVME IPME B UJNF TFSWFE SFDPHOJTFE BQQSFOUJDFTIJQ JO BO BQQSPQSJBUF EJTDJQMJOF For further details of this vacancy please refer to our website www.directrailservices.com To apply, please send a CV and covering letter detailing your experience in this area to: recruitment@drsl.co.uk Closing date: Friday, 28th June 2013. 4VDDFTTGVM BQQMJDBOUT XJMM CF SFRVJSFE UP VOEFSHP TFDVSJUZ DMFBSBODF JODMVEJOH TFDVSJUZ WFUUJOH JODMVEJOH OBUJPOBMJUZ SFGFSFODF BOE JEFOUJUZ DIFDLT XJMM CF DBSSJFE PVU PO TVDDFTTGVM BQQPJOUNFOU

www.railstaff.co.uk

CAREERS

Rail Automation

We make the most of rail. Together! Following the successful acquisition of Invensys Rail by Siemens we are keen to attract the very best talent to our business. If you are interested in joining one of the world’s leading engineering organisations within our rail signalling business we will be holding recruitment fairs on the following dates: Birmingham Burlington Hotel, 12 July 11.00-20.00 Bristol Hilton Garden Inn, 22 July 11.00-20.00 Croydon Jury’s Inn, 10 July 11.00-20.00 Glasgow The Grand Central Hotel, 3 September 11.00-20.00 London Hilton Hotel, Euston, 9 July 11.00-20.00 Manchester The Double Tree Hilton, 1 July 11.00-20.00 York The Royal York Hotel, 15 July 11.00-20.00 For further information regarding available opportunities please visit www.siemens.co.uk/careers or send your CV in writing, detailing the position you are interested in applying for to: Susannah Minshall, HR Department, Siemens, PO Box 79, Pew Hill, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 1JD

Available opportunities include: Commercial Managers Senior Project Managers Construction Managers Senior Project Engineers Installation Managers Project Managers Signalling Designers Engineering Managers Signalling Engineers Design Managers Signalling Testers Planners Project Quantity Surveyors We welcome candidates with experience in rail, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering.

siemens.co.uk/careers

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GLOBAL REACH, LOCAL DELIVERY www.ata-recruitment.co.uk

Rail Project Manager

Based in South Wales

£47,000 - £50,000 dependant on experience A principle contractor is looking to grow their Western team by bringing on a Project Manager based in their South Wales location. The role will be to manage multiple teams on reactive maintenance rail projects, which can amount to a few hundred different sites per year. This role will be mainly office based, so will suit someone who is highly organised and doesn’t prefer being out on site. Senior Engineer OHL

Based in Liverpool

£60,000 per annum + car allowance and package A leading principle contractor is looking for an individual to lead multiple teams of engineers and technicians working on a multi-disciplinary railway project supervising OHL design work. They will ensure that it is carried out to the appropriate technical standard and that it is managed to programme and budget.

Rail HSQE Manager

Based in Bristol

£45,000 per annum A leading principle contractor is currently looking to recruit an ambitious HSQE Manager to oversee a multi-disciplinary rail project in Bristol. Covering a single large project, you will be responsible for advising, implementing and maintaining HSQE procedures on site. The contract will be carried out to Network Rail regulations, therefore knowledge in this area is key along with the attitude to progress. For further information on the above roles or to enquire about other vacancies with ATA, please contact the Rail team on 01332 861326 or email your details to civils@ata-recruitment.co.uk referencing RAILSTAFF + Job Title 46

www.railstaff.co.uk

London Midland Your most incredible journey yet.

Management opportunities Flexible locations At London Midland, we are proud to be the UK’s busiest rail operator. We are building a new operations leadership team to take us in a new direction and you will help us become the very best. Following the recent extension of our franchise to 2017, you will be instrumental in realising our exciting vision for the future. With 1,300 services daily and over 60 million passenger journeys annually – from Liverpool to London and everywhere in-between – we have many exciting challenges for you. Make the most of every opportunity and your success here could define your career. You will play a pivotal part in improving what we do and how we do it. Helping to make London Midland a great place to work and a business that always delivers, you can rely on the support to transform our business. Changing London Midland in this way means your achievements could be recognised throughout the rail industry. Along the way, you will experience the advantage of being part of a national operator with a real focus on local communities. Across 147 stations, with our cross-city and inter-city services, we have a unique potential to forge rewarding connections with our customers and each other.

Head of Drivers – £Dependent on experience Head of Conductors – £Dependent on experience Area Operations Manager (Drivers) – £Competitive Area Operations Manager (Conductors) – £Competitive Driver Manager – to £50,683 Conductor Manager – to £38,415 Operations Performance Analyst – £Competitive To join us, you will need an impressive track record, plus a passion for customers. Friendly and inclusive, you’re a real team player with a flexible approach and the drive to make positive changes happen. In return, you will benefit from a great rewards package – from our final salary pension scheme, through to free journeys for your family and massive nationwide rail discounts.

To discover more about these roles or contact us to discuss other possibilities, visit

www.londonmidlandcareers.com

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