RailStaff June 2016

JUNE 2016 | ISSUE 223

RAIL LIVE 24

ON MIDSUMMER'S EVE

There’s so much to see and cram in at Rail Live 2016 It makes sense to hold the biggest and best rail show on the longest day of the year.

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PLUS NEWS FEATURES HEALTH AND SAFETY EVENTS TRAINING GEAR + TECH CAREERS INTERVIEW

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CONTENTS JUNE 2016 | ISSUE 223

NEW FLEETS FOR THE NORTH AND SCOTLAND | 07 TransPennine Express is pushing ahead with the purchase of a further 126 brand new carriages.

A LA PROCHAINE (UNTIL NEXT TIME) | 20 20

26

Andy Milne considers the questions of the UK’s continuing involvement in the European Union.

THE 2016 RAIL SAFETY SUMMIT - THE MOST WIDE RANGING EVENT YET | 26 Colin Wheeler gives an in-depth review of this year’s Rail Safety Summit.

THAMESLINK 700 IN ACTION | 42 Marc Johnson experienced the ‘future of commuting’ during the inaugural outing for Thameslink’s Class 700 train.

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S T N EVE

s to in Leed

gether | 36 .

LEEDSnity leaders cameabtole rail franchising T A E in LIV and commu ta s und su Top rail king aro new thin discuss

CAMELS IN THE KAROO | 44 Colin Garratt continues his series documenting the world’s last-remaining steam locomotives.

GOTTHARD BASE TUNNEL | 48 48

All eyes were on Switzerland for the opening of the world’s longest and deepest railway tunnel.

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It would be wrong to laugh at Chris Evans and the shortcomings of the new Top Gear. Jeremy Clarkson is a hard act to follow - long may his apercus survive him. Evans taps a different public than Top Gear’s traditional fans. Maybe there is a deeper reason. Blokes playing around in motor cars are a diminishing species.

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At the recent rail franchising summit on sustainability (see Live at Leeds) RSSB’s dynamic director, Shamit Gaiger showed a picture of the Tesla car. That is my dream car, she said. It’s clean and electric. Most significantly the motor industry is now developing autonomous cars - vehicles that can drive themselves. Transport chiefs around the world have been quick to work out this could lead to greater road capacity - just as variable automated speed limits reduce jams © Shutterstock.com

and bottlenecks by managing traffic flow.

Technology moves so fast it is reasonable to forecast much greater use of driverless cars within 10 years - made commercially attractive by low fuel costs and tax breaks.

Sadly it will take the romance out of motoring. Clutch and pedal driving will become a leisure pursuit like horse riding.

By contrast, driving locos, cranes and plant is set to soar. Ambitious, new top gear will be put through its paces at Rail Live later this month. It’s a show like no other with practical demonstrations of the latest and best in railways. Railway staff will be there with plenty of Clarksonian humour and sound advice.

What of Top Gear? will it remain parked on the hard shoulder of visual media? What should replace it? Is it not time for a version of the show detailing the most vibrant transport phenomenon of our times, a mode that appeals to women as much as men?

Railways are popular. Heritage railways are such a success the DfT, showing a daring amount of ankle, is openly backing them with grants and encouragement.

Women are clambering aboard from Jane Simpson to Shamit Gaiger - not enough but a welcome quorate of fifth gear professionals.

Rail is run by people of every age and background who manage to get along without recourse to physical violence when faced with the withdrawal of hot food on late services.

For a host what about the wildly underutilised Alex Lester, night jock of Radio Two, or Classic FM’s mellifluous Jane Jones? What to call the new show? Top Regulator hardly has the same ring as Top Gear. Perhaps High-Voltage or Vanishing Point, or the more daring, Sex Piston. andy@rail-media.com FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF | @RAILSTAFFUK | RAILSTAFF.UK

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Walthamstow Heroes Two fast-thinking engineering staff working on the Phase Two Victoria Line Upgrade with MPI Ltd have been praised for their prompt life-saving action at Walthamstow station one evening.

Wesley Bent, an acting supervisor, and Luke Dunbavin, an installer, were alerted when a member of the public fell down the stairs and was seriously injured. The pair sprang into action, administering first aid and calling an ambulance. Wesley and Trevor stayed right by the patient until the paramedics arrived.

The pair were presented with a special award and a cheque at the VLU 2 Siemens Rail depot in North London by Siemens SQE George Gelston. MPI rail director Simon Henser was there.

‘All of us at MPI are very proud of the actions and behaviours of Luke and Wesley,’ says Simon.

‘They have proved to be our very own heroes and their example reminds us of the importance of first aid. Often it is taken for granted as a skill you hope never to have to use. However if called upon it can save a life.’

The big-hearted pair subsequently donated their cheque to Simran’s SuperHeroes, a fundraising page set up by their colleague, Sanj Bansal, to help Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity where his young daughter, Simran, is currently receiving treatment for Leukaemia.

Simran was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) two years ago. www.justgiving.com/ simranssuperheroes

Railways remembered As railways continue to make history it makes sense to back exhibitions celebrating rail achievements past and present.

Reading Museum’s ‘On Track: Reading’s Railways, Past, Present and Future’ exhibition looks at the history of the Great Western Railway including Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Sir Felix Pole along with the long forgotten railway lines that once transported jam from the Co-op at Coley and biscuits from Huntley & Palmers.

Backed by Resourcing Solutions, the Thames Valleybased rail and engineering recruitment specialist, with

support from FirstGroup’s GWR and UTC Reading, the year-long exhibition traces the development of Reading’s railways and its recently re-cast and re-configured station - now one of the busiest in Britain, used by nearly 20 million passengers a year. The exhibition includes memorabilia gathered from local people.

Says Richard Lawrance, chief executive of Resourcing Solutions, ‘The exhibition tells the fascinating story of why the railway came to Reading in the first place and its impact on local people and local business. It also shows how it has evolved over the years and its high importance to the Crossrail project.’

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York return for Evening Star GBRf has named locomotive 66779 ‘Evening Star’ in a ceremony at the National Railway Museum in York.

The last Class 66 to be built for European markets - new EU rules on emissions has meant a rethink for producers, EMD, in the States - has been painted in passenger express brunswick green livery.

The name recalls the last steam locomotive of the same name to have been built by Swindon Works for British Railways in 1960.

The naming also marks 15 years of GBRf. Success is all down to the staff, says John Smith, managing director. ‘As a life-long railway man, it makes me immensely proud that my company has the opportunity to own the last 66 off the production line for use on our operations across the country.

‘In recognition of the achievement of this locomotive, we will be donating 66779 to the national collection at the National Railway Museum at the end of its working life, so it can join © Bob Sweet

92220 and be preserved for the enjoyment of everybody.

‘Today also marks 15 years of operations at GBRf. It was not long ago that we started out on our first infrastructure contract with Railtrack, and we’re now operating over 1,000 train loads a week. We could not have got here without the hard work of GB Railfreight employees, past and present, and I would like to take the opportunity on this special day to thank all of those that have given so much to GB Railfreight along the way.’

Class 66s have made a major contribution to rail freight, transforming reliability since their introduction in 1998.

GBRf managing director John Smith and Progress Rail Services and Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) chief executive Billy Ainsworth greeted guests before 66779 was unveiled.

Seven locomotives (66773 – 66779) were procured from EMD. In addition to the 21 Class 66s that arrived in the UK last year, they bring the operator’s Class 66 fleet to 78 locomotives. It’s a remarkable achievement for a company that started off with just two employees and a phone. The freight operator now employs over 650 staff and generates annual turnover in excess of £130 million.

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New fleets for North and Scotland

TransPennine Express (TPE) is pushing ahead with the purchase of a further 126 brand new carriages.

Under the terms of its new franchise agreement FirstGroup’s expanded TPE will deliver an investment of more than £230 million in 25 brand new five-car trains which will be in service by 2019. The announcement follows an earlier agreement to buy 19 new five-car bi-modal trains from Hitachi Rail Europe. The new train fleets will provide an extra 13 million seats a year.

The two new fleets, comprise 12 five-car Civity UK InterCity electric trains financed

by Eversholt Rail and 13 sets of five-car InterCity carriages financed by Beacon Rail Leasing. The Civity UK InterCity electric trains will link Manchester and Liverpool with Glasgow and Edinburgh whilst the InterCity carriages will operate initially between Liverpool and Newcastle.

In total, 44 new trains will supplement TPE’s current fleet. Most services will operate with at least five carriages as

opposed to the current three.

Liam Robinson, chair of Rail North Ltd, said, ‘To support long-term economic growth and prosperity, the North needs a modern, high-quality rail service connecting towns and cities.

‘We need a lot more capacity with new routes and additional journey opportunities, seven days a week. Passengers want an end to overcrowding and an improved travel experience. This commitment from TPE to introduce another, much needed, 25 brand new trains will help to deliver on these requirements.’

Spanish manufacturer, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF), will build both the new EMU trains and the locohauled carriages. No UK manufacturer took part in the competitive tender process. The bi-mode AT300 trains will be built in County Durham by Hitachi Rail Europe. TPE will use Class 68 diesel locomotives to haul the new InterCity carriages between Liverpool and Newcastle, owned by Beacon Rail and leased from Direct Rail Services (DRS).

Doncaster freight train boost Freightliner has launched its 23rd daily rail service from the Port of Felixstowe, increasing the total number of daily trains from the port to 32.

The service will operate to and from the Freightliner Rail port at Doncaster after development work has finished at the site. In the interim, it will be serviced at the DB Cargo site operated by Newell & Wright, in Rotherham.

Says Adam Cunliffe, managing director, Freightliner Ltd, ‘This new Freightliner service will create much needed additional rail freight capacity to meet the growing demands of customers who are looking for a faster, greener, safer and more efficient means of transporting freight over land. It is also another milestone in the Port of Felixstowe’s strategy to increase freight on rail, not only by running additional services, but by lengthening the existing trains.’

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Ozzy names tram Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne returned to his native Birmingham recently to unveil a Midland Metro tram bearing his name.

The Aston-born frontman of Black Sabbath received a hero’s welcome from hundreds of fans who lined the city centre’s Corporation Street.

The tram was parked at a new stop forming part of the city centre extension, now open

to fans and public alike. The new tramway has been built

by Centro, the delivery arm of the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority (ITA).

Says Ozzy, ‘It’s great to be here and it’s a great honour.

Once a Brummie always a Brummie.’

Osbourne spoke of his forthcoming farewell tour with Black Sabbath, ‘We never thought back in 1968 that we’d still be here, it’s been

an incredible journey.’ Ozzy Osbourne shared a joke with conductor Julie Malsbury.

Roger Lawrence, chairman of the ITA, welcomed the rock star and outlined plans for further tram extensions. ‘We’ve already started work on extending the route from New Street station to Centenary Square to open in 2019. Another extension through Wolverhampton city centre to the bus and railway stations is also expected to be completed

around the same time, he said.

‘Funding has also been earmarked to take trams to Edgbaston, while the route of another extension through Digbeth has also been finalised, including to the planned HS2 high-speed rail station.’

The extension is part of a £128 million project which has seen the introduction of a new fleet of 21 Urbos 3 trams, a refurbished depot at Wednesbury and a new stop at Snow Hill station.

It's a girl

Trafalgar Square to Eiffel Tower

Labour relations on Southeastern received an unexpected boost recently when a local politician’s wife gave birth to a baby girl on a train.

This July, 40 keen cyclists will be riding from London to Paris to raise vital funds for the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

Henry Bolton, former soldier, secret agent and erstwhile UKIP candidate for Kent police commissioner, was with his wife on the highspeed train as it raced towards St Pancras.

Mrs Bolton went into labour and produced their second girl, named Victoria. The Bolton’s thanked Southeastern train crew, station staff and paramedics who attended the high-speed delivery at St Pancras.

Like so many high-speed services Victoria Bolton arrived slightly ahead of schedule.

The ride has been organised by Mark Lewis from Hochtief and the team includes cyclists from Hochtief, Network Rail, Mace, Atkins, Tony Gee, Clifford Chance, Mott MacDonald, Skanska, Robert McAlpine and BCM Construction.

Team Eiffel Over will depart Trafalgar Square on 21 July, 2016, and complete their epic ride at the Eiffel Tower on

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23 July. The route takes them down to Newhaven for the sea crossing to Dieppe.

Once in France, they’ll cycle to Beauvais on a dedicated cycle route that follows a former railway line. The finish is at the Eiffel Tower.

Says Mark Lewis, ‘It’s such a fantastic cause and on behalf of everyone in the team we are really looking forward to raising as much money as possible.’

Team members are training hard for the ride and would appreciate any help you can give. Please go to www.justgiving.com/ Eiffel-Over.

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RSSB appoints Upward mobility for Gordon technical director RSSB has appointed Chris Lawrence as its technical director. He joins next month from WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff where he is currently director and rail technical sector head.

Chris, a chartered engineer, previously worked for Arup. An international career has seen him working in Singapore, Jakarta, Hong Kong, New York and Bangkok. A fellow of the Institution of Chartered Engineers (ICE) and a member of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (FCIHT), Lawrence read civil engineering at Nottingham University.

RSSB chief executive Chris Fenton said, ‘Chris brings a true cross-system perspective and a wealth of experience. The industry faces major challenges to deliver and technology will play a vital role, so it’s essential we have the appropriate skills to best provide the expertise and knowledge for the future.’

Shoaf to head TfWM Laura Shoaf is to head up the Transport for West Midlands, TfWM – the new body that replaces the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority.

Shoaf will become managing director for TfWM, the transport arm of the new West Midlands Combined Authority. She joined WM ITA a year ago and was formerly a director of transport at the Association of Black Country Authorities.

Laura Shoaf was educated at New York University, Colorado College, and Miss Porters School in Connecticut USA.

Siemens boss, Gordon Wakeford, has been appointed as interim industry chair of the Rail Supply Group (RSG).

The RSG was formed in 2014 to bring together supply chain and government and help British business capitalise on record investment levels in rail.

Wakeford is managing director, Mobility Division, Siemens PLC – which employs 14,000 people in the UK - and is responsible for the company’s rail systems, rail automation, rail electrification and traffic solutions businesses in Britain. He is also chairman of the Railway Industry Association (RIA).

‘My first task will be to ensure that we maintain the momentum achieved after the launch of our ‘Fast Track to the Future’ strategy,’ says Wakeford. ‘It is essential that we get down to the business of delivering the main strategic work streams and continue to build links across the industry, ensuring alignment with the railway trade organisations, especially RIA, of which I am also chairman.’

Gordon Wakeford thanked Terence Watson, departing chairman and co-

founder of the RSG. During his time as managing director of the mobility division, Wakeford has worked with Transport for London, SWT, Transport for Greater Manchester and Network Rail and has been deeply involved in Thameslink and Crossrail.

Gordon is a member of the Siemens UK executive management board, a fellow of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (FCIHT) and a Chartered Engineer (MIET).

Triple team boost for MTR MTR is set to strengthen its European operations over the coming six months with three new appointments.

Rob Needham and Mike Bagshaw have been recruited from major roles in Australia and the UK respectively, while Mike Nelson will be promoted to finance director of the European business.

Rob Needham has been appointed as European engineering director. Rob recently returned to the UK after eight years in Australia, where he helped introduce the Waratah train fleet into service on the Sydney commuter network and supported the New South Wales government with the procurement and delivery of the North West Rail Link project. Most recently, he worked for the Alstom-Acciona construction joint venture on delivery of the Sydney Light Rail project.

Mike Bagshaw joins the

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business in June as bid director and will lead MTR’s bid for the Wales and Borders/ Cardiff Metro franchise. Having started his career at British Rail, Mike has since worked for operators in the UK, Germany and Sweden. He also has considerable experience of collaborating directly with the Welsh Government to integrate best practice and improve service across rail operations.

Mike Nelson will become finance director, succeeding Richard Drake who has recently announced that he will retire at the end of September. Mike has been appointed to the position from his current role as deputy finance director after first joining MTR in June 2014 and currently leads on financial and commercial elements on the mobilisation of MTR Crossrail. He will become the financial lead for bidding and is focussed on financial

development for the European business.

MTR in the UK runs London Overground Rail Operations Ltd (LOROL), a joint venture between MTR and Deutsche Bahn AG. Its London Overground concession, awarded by Transport for London (TfL) in 2007, has since been extended to run until November 2016.

In July 2014, TfL announced MTR as operator of the £14.8 billion Crossrail concession.

MTR began running TfL Railbranded services between Liverpool St and Shenfield on 31 May 2015. MTR will begin introducing the new Crossrail trains on this line in 2017 and then begin running services between: Heathrow and Paddington in May 2018; Paddington and Abbey Wood in December 2018; Paddington and Shenfield in May 2019; and full through services (including to Reading in December 2019).

Tratos backs Elisabetta Elisabetta Bragagni Capaccini has been appointed health and safety director at global cable manufacturer Tratos.

A fully qualified electrical engineer, Elisabetta is the grand daughter of the company’s founder, Egidio Capaccini. She steps up from her role as the company’s health and safety officer at its Knowsley factory in Merseyside. Educated at Rome’s La Sapienza university where she read electronic engineering, Elisabetta will be responsible for a rigorous programme of continuous improvement at Knowsley, catalysing ever higher safety standards that will be mirrored in the company’s factories in Italy.

Says Elisabetta, ‘As a member of the Capaccini family there is always a desire to go that little bit further in delivering business expectations and this new role will enable the business to grow safely.’

Tratos is one of Europe’s largest independent cable manufacturers - and keen supplier to the rail industry. Established in 1966, the company has five manufacturing facilities in Italy and Britain and

Andrew McNaughton, former chief executive at Balfour Beatty, has taken over as chief operating officer at Systra, the engineering subsidiary of RATP and SNCF. McNaughton, 52, as distinct from the head of HS2 Ltd of the same name, has spent much of his career within the Balfour Beatty group, which he joined in 1997.

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Crossrail job for Adonis Rail hero Lord Adonis is to be the new head of Crossrail 2.

employs more than 400 people, producing electrical, electronic and fibre optic cable solutions.

The company celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2016. Staff safety is important.

‘We maintain rigorous standards at Tratos and employees need to know they are working in a safe environment. Employees will be expected to enhance their learning on a continuous basis,’ said Elisabetta.

The company has created a special school to help them. ‘The Tratos Academy, set up last year, provides a unique opportunity for the company to educate, train and develop skills and capabilities over the long term and reflects our commitment to people’s development and performance,’ adds Elisabetta.

Inspired by the success of Crossrail - or the Elizabeth Line local leaders and transport chiefs are wasting no time in pushing ahead with a new north-south trans-London rail link.

Andrew Adonis was Secretary of State for Transport and Minister for Schools, in the Labour administration. He is chair of the National Infrastructure Commission.

Speaking of his new role, Lord Adonis said, ‘Without Crossrail 2, London will grind to a halt. There are no greater challenges facing London than overcrowding on the transport network and the city’s acute housing crisis.

‘Crossrail 2 will help tackle both.’ Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said, ‘As London grows, it is imperative that we plan now for the transport infrastructure it needs for the long-term. So I am delighted to announce my proposal to appoint Andrew Adonis as chair of Crossrail 2.

He will bring vital experience to help ensure Crossrail 2 gets off the ground and is delivered as quickly as possible.’ In fact much of Crossrail will be underground.

Initial plans for the scheme involve a new tunnel between Alexandra Palace and Wimbledon.

French post for McNaughton Between 2007 and 2009, he led Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd, where, notably, he was project manager for CTRL (HS1), before being appointed COO of the group in 2009. He served as CEO from March 2013 to March 2014.

Building his initial career as an

engineer at Kier Group, a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, he read civil engineering at Nottingham University, taking a masters in project management at the University of Reading. He is a Freeman of the City of London and is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Engineers.

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Elephant gob-stopper!

An eight-month closure of the Gospel Oak - Barking line is underway this summer as Network Rail electrifies what was once referred to as London’s secret railway.

The upgrade will enable TfL to introduce new four-car electric trains replacing the two-car diesel units currently used.

Work will include lowering four sections of track, installing OHLE structures and rebuilding four bridges. The upgrade will mean more freight trains will be able to use the line.

However, there are no plans to transport livestock. Back in 1884, Sangers Circus was booked to perform at Gospel Oak - on nearby Parliament Hill Fields.

Four elephants billed to appear were brought in by train. Gospel Oak station is situated quite high up on an embankment and the elephants were de-trained at Kentish Town. Two of them bolted and got as far as Tufnell Park. Their mahoots brought them back and with the other two staged an impromptu parade back to Gospel Oak. Cheering crowds lined the streets.

Pop-up depot A new pop-up rail depot in Warrington is helping to meet urgent demand for aggregates by the local construction industry in the North West.

Cemex, in partnership with DB Cargo, has created the new depot which will be able to handle 125,000 tonnes a year.

The temporary Warrington depot was put together using a readymade weigh-bridge, office with a generator and installed on available land next to the West Coast Main Line.

The aggregates are

transported in box wagons, unloaded with a grabber and stock piled on site, awaiting local transportation by road to concrete plants and construction sites.

‘A pop-up rail depot can be installed in weeks rather than months and gives the flexibility to move aggregates from quarries to areas where they are needed, especially in the short term,’ says Mark Grimshaw-Smith, head of Cemex Rail and Sea. ‘With the right piece of land close to the rail network you can create a depot.’

College win for Bombardier apprentice An apprentice engineer at Bombardier’s heavy maintenance depot in Crewe has been crowned Reaseheath College’s ‘Engineering Apprentice of the Year’.

Liam Barnett, 21, from Biddulph, Staffordshire, received his award from Bombardier general manager Tony Webb in front of fellow apprentices and colleagues at the historic works.

Liam is one of 16 engineering apprentices, aged 16 to 50, who are employed by Bombardier and trained by Reaseheath’s specialised staff.

Liam, who has completed his Level 2 apprenticeship programme and has progressed onto a Level 3 advanced apprenticeship, joined Bombardier three years ago after completing his A-levels at Biddulph High School.

Bombardier’s Crewe depot has a skilled workforce of 350 and is investing in its apprenticeship programme as part of future plans to enable the site to be considered as the UK’s Centre of Excellence for Rolling Stock Refurbishment, Service and Repair.

Liam goes to Reaseheath College, set in the countryside near Nantwich, one day a week.

Presenting Liam with a trophy and RAILSTAFF.UK | @RAILSTAFFUK | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF

Liam Barnett receives his award from Tony Webb, watched by Bombardier training manager Mark Mackay, Reaseheath training assessor Trevor Palmer, training and competence assessor Russell Clarke and fellow apprentice engineers. certificate, Tony Webb said, ‘Apprentices are the future for engineering industries like ourselves. Bombardier is looking forward to a bright future, thanks to the predicted growth in the rail industry, and by investing in our apprenticeship programme we are ensuring that we have young, talented and skilled staff to provide workforce succession. Liam has shown real passion for the job and really wants to learn and get involved. He is exactly the sort of young person we need to attract into the

industry.

‘Reaseheath is an excellent training partner and delivers a training programme which suits our needs and aspirations.’

Says Liam, ‘Becoming an apprentice has suited me very well because I like working practically and you pick up a lot of skills at your workplace. You get a lot of variety at Bombardier because you work on many different projects, and I also enjoy the classroom and workshop sessions at Reaseheath.’

New Law for Sheffield

Former special forces trainer Dale Law, founder of signalling training provider Instal8, is bringing his expertise to Sheffield-based Network Training and Resource Solutions (ntrs).

Beginning his career in 1999 as an apprentice in signalling and telecommunications in Crewe, Dale moved to Iarnród Éireann in June 2001 to become a signalling and telecoms installer and test assistant.

Seeking a fresh experience, Dale then became a Royal Marines Commando where he

served nine years. In his final 18 months, he served as a Special Forces Instructor.

After completing his military service in 2012, Dale decided to move back to the rail industry as a signalling and telecoms installer and tester. Combining his training qualifications with his passion for the rail industry, he founded his own company, Instal8, in February 2013, providing signalling training for companies such as Network Rail, VolkerRail and Bourne Rail.

Eager to train increased numbers within a multi-discipline environment, the former Royal Marine has now aligned his capability, knowledge and experience with ntrs’ top-grade facilities. The company has a strong affiliation with the military.

Joining as the lead signalling trainer and assessor, he plans, ‘To expedite the steady development of the company and provide first class signalling training for new and existing candidates.’

RAILSTAFF JUNE 2016

Dorothy Igniboza gave birth to baby Esther on 18 May in Purfleet’s ticket hall helped by two passengers and two c2c staff. Guided by a 999 operator, passengers Jenny Hay and Maria Kachalla helped deliver Dorothy’s baby daughter, Esther. The super-quick labour lasted just 18 minutes.

The two women were helped by station staff, Sam Mpofu and Antonio Rodrigues.

The father, Fred Igniboza, rushed back into the ticket hall after trying to hail a taxi to take his wife to hospital, to see his new baby daughter in the arms of the two passengers.

Says Mr Igniboza, ‘We had been at the hospital earlier that day for a blood test and come back home. We were not expecting the baby until today so both of us were surprised

when her waters broke at home.

‘I called an ambulance, but they said they could not bring her now so we went to the station to look for a taxi while my wife sat inside the ticket hall.

By the time I got a taxi the baby had already arrived!’

An ambulance eventually arrived to take Dorothy and Esther to hospital.

‘I would like to thank c2c service and the passengers who behaved like a medical team. The ladies were not professionals but they behaved like it. In my heart, I can’t compare how much they mean to me. It’s so amazing - it’s like something in a movie,’ Fred Igniboza said.

Says passenger Jenny Hay, who helped deliver the baby, ‘I was waiting for my train when I saw this lady was in pain so I offered to help. It was clear the baby was on its way. There was no way she was going to get into a taxi.’

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DfT boost for heritage rail A host of innovative projects which boost rail-related tourism have been awarded funding as a result of a million-pound competition run by the DfT. The move marks a growing recognition of the contribution Britain’s heritage rail sector makes to the economy.

The projects will create new opportunities for tourists and local people to enjoy the hidden gems of the country’s heritage and community railways.

Examples include an extension of the heritage line from Chinnor to its former terminus at Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire and an expansion of Pullman services on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Other winners include the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, Bluebell Railway, Swanage Railway Trust and the Severn Valley Railway.

Purfleet debut for baby Esther A baby girl made a surprise entrance into the world when she was unexpectedly born at c2c’s Purfleet station.

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Says Rail Minister Claire Perry, ‘We want to show the best of British to our visitors, and heritage and community railways are part of that package. Thanks to this competition, 17 railway organisations right across Britain will be able to invest in promoting and boosting what they have to offer to visitors.’

Winners will receive grants ranging from £25,000 to £75,000

Maria Kachalla (left) and Jenny Hay holding new baby Esther.

Mrs Hay, of Northfields, Ealing, added, ‘A 999 lady was on the phone talking me through it – and I guided the baby out. I saw the head was coming, so I had to hold onto it so it didn’t fall on the floor. I was hoping the ambulance would come.’

Fellow passenger Maria Kachalla supported Dorothy’s head, with Mrs Hay guiding the baby. She said, ‘The 999 lady was saying now wrap the baby in a blanket. I thought I didn’t have one so I wrapped her in my jacket.’

Scott Walker, station manager at Purfleet, said, ‘We were stunned by what happened - we’ve never heard of this happening before. Sam and Antonio at the station did a great job and it’s certainly a day at work they will never forget!

‘We’d like to thank Jenny and Maria for stepping in to take care of the situation, and we’re all delighted to hear that Esther, Dorothy and Fred are all doing so well.’ Adds Scott,

‘We do take customer care very seriously at c2c, so we’re always happy to receive new customers for the first time whatever their age!’

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The hunt for rail September Construction has officially begun on both sites of the National College for High Speed Rail at Doncaster and Birmingham.

The race is on to get the college ready to admit its first students in September 2017.

The college will equip thousands of students with the engineering skills required to build and run high-speed railways.

Transport Minister Robert Goodwill joined Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones and college chairman Terry Morgan at the Lakeside site in Doncaster. That afternoon Morgan hot-footed it over to Birmingham to a similar ground breaking ceremony with City Council leader, John Clancy, at the college’s campus in Birmingham’s university district.

Says Terry Morgan, ‘The National College for High Speed Rail is progressing at an excellent pace, and I am delighted that construction is underway on both sites in Doncaster and Birmingham. The College will have a major and hugely positive impact on the ability of the rail industry to develop a multi-skilled specialist British workforce,

capable of building HS2 and future infrastructure projects.’

‘Rail is in our blood in Doncaster, and we have a proven track record of delivering world-class engineering and infrastructure projects that makes us the perfect location for the college,’ says Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones. Over in Birmingham, John Clancy stressed the city’s home-grown reservoir of

Graduate welcome for students Engineering students from Elutec College, East London, visited a railway control centre in Upminster recently to receive training from two of Network Rail’s top engineering graduates.

The 18 students, on Elutec’s engineering systems course visited the Upminster Integrated Electronic Control Centre (IECC), which houses all of the controls and signalling equipment for the level crossings on the route that runs from Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness. As part of the training, they had a tour of the control room to see the signallers using the latest system, took part in a talk from

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the signalling section manager and had a tour of the centre.

As well as the practical session, two Network Rail graduates – Nick Rook, currently an electrification and plant engineer at Network Rail, and Iain Loggie, who works for Network Rail in the buildings team and infrastructure projects – taught students about the engineering aspects of various types of level crossing, how trains are detected and how the signals and level crossings respond through the control system. The students were able to find out more about the training that Network Rail offers through its advanced apprenticeship and graduate schemes.

young engineering talent.

‘We have thousands of talented young engineers and scientists and this will be their chance to access world-leading, cuttingedge rail technology,‘ says Clancy and added, ‘Birmingham will become the city of a thousand and one trades when we begin training an elite generation of high-speed rail engineers.’

Jackson joins AECOM Russell Jackson has been appointed as the head of rail for AECOM in the UK, Ireland and Continental Europe.

Russell, who joined the company in May, had been with Atkins and has spent more than 20 years in rail infrastructure management.

His appointment follows the arrival of Adrian Shaw to the UK rail business earlier in the year. Adrian is the head of rail for Europe, Middle East, India and Africa.

Says Paul McCormick, AECOM’s managing director for transportation, UK & Ireland and Continental Europe, ‘With unprecedented opportunities in the rail sector, Russell and Adrian take on critical roles that will augment AECOM’s growth strategy in the region.

‘Russell’s focus will be on growing our rail business as we look to take advantage of the large tranches of major programmes in the industry pipeline.

‘Adrian’s unique experience of managing some of the region’s largest and most complex projects will help grow our DBFO offering.’

From green army to orange army Recruiters from McGinley Support Services are spending a busy summer signing up ex-services personnel for new careers in railways.

Five fairs run by the Career Transition Partnership will help connect ex-forces people with new jobs and employment across the whole spectrum of the infrastructure sector. Soldiers, sailors and RAF staff are often well

suited to building new careers in the rail industry.

No strangers to hard work, often in difficult conditions, with night shifts thrown in, service personnel have been shown to flourish on the railway.

On-track camaraderie and the challenge of working with new equipment and plant out in the open can provide ideal employment for service people looking to continue building a career that is secure, well paid and of real social and environmental value.

Potential recruits will hear from industry representatives and employers in presentations designed to help them identify the career paths that match qualifications and skills.

SkillForce, the Forces Pension Society and Royal British Legion will be at CTP fairs to offer valuable advice.

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Return of the Laird An abandoned station building in Fife has been restored by volunteers and has now earned national recognition.

Ladybank station in Fife once had a private waiting room. The Laird’s Waiting Room - once used by the Herriot and then the Haig family who lived at long-vanished Ramornie House - had lost its original purpose by 1914.

The line itself closed to passenger traffic in 1955.

However, passenger trains returned 20 years later and Ladybank now enjoys a two-train an hour service.

Station buildings have been transformed and the waiting room is now open for all, laird and locals alike. Ladybank won the supporters’ prize in the National Railway Heritage Awards. The award goes to the best small project in the annual competition.

A plaque has been unveiled by awards trustee, Chris Smyth.

Left to right: Chris Smyth, Patricia O’Neill, Christine May and John Ellis.

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Mad about apps

© Paul Bigland

‘The world’s going mad about apprenticeships,’ said Neil Robertson, chief executive of NSAR, ‘And it’s about bloody time too,’ he added as he launched the new Apprenticeship Standards for Rail Engineering at the Rail Media/DfT Rail Franchise Summit held in Leeds.

‘The best way of filling our skills shortage is with apprenticeships,’ Neil said.

Neil (pictured above) was assisted at the launch by Network Rail former apprentice Jonathan Linford, 23. Mr Linford works at York T&RS depot on Network Rail’s yellow trains. He commutes in from his home in Hull.

Answering questions on his apprenticeship put to him by Neil Robertson, Jonathan said, ‘I really enjoyed my apprenticeship. I did three years at Portsmouth and have been working in York for two years now.’

The Leeds announcement marked the start of a further campaign to recruit and retain the next generation of railway engineers and technicians.

The National Skills Academy for Rail with a consortium of rail companies has developed a sweep of new Apprenticeship Standards. Forming part of the government’s Trailblazer apprenticeship initiative, the new rail apprenticeships focus on high quality, employer-driven skills. This means the industry gets the skills it wants and the people it needs.

Fit for the future Speaking in London, Rail Minister Claire Perry said, ‘Training our rail workforce is essential if we want to build a transport network fit for the future. I congratulate the rail industry for putting together such a high quality range of engineering apprenticeships, RAILSTAFF.UK | @RAILSTAFFUK | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF

which will create exciting pathways into the many highly skilled jobs in rail.

We are recruiting tens of thousands of women and men into engineering roles in the coming months and years who will all play a critical role in designing, building and operating a modern and customer-focussed railway.’

The Employers Group, chaired by Michelle Nolan-McSweeney of Network Rail, has developed three new Rail Engineering Apprenticeship Standards, which have been approved by the SFA and government.

They are 1) Rail Engineering Operative 2) Technician and 3) Advanced Technician at Levels 2, 3, and 4 respectively. They are all based on the same model of seven pathways (six at operative level) each including core and subject specialist knowledge and skills.

They will be underpinned by the behaviours set out in the standards. Rail © Paul Bigland

Engineering Apprenticeship Standards at levels 2, 3 and 4 cover maintenance, renewal and construction across electrification, overhead lines, signalling, telecommunications, traction and rolling stock and rail systems.

Critical importance Says Neil, ‘These apprenticeships will equip young people with high-level skills in problem solving, analytical thinking and communication, in addition to valuable technical skills. The apprenticeship will provide a solid new entry route into specialist areas that are of critical importance to the whole economy.

The fact that employers have led the design and development of these new apprenticeships will give organisations the confidence to recruit new talent through apprenticeships.’

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May blossom for Elizabeth line

Three quarters of the Elizabeth Line’s route will run above ground through outer London, Berkshire and Essex. Preparing the infrastructure for Crossrail, the biggest change in London’s rail fortunes in a generation, Network Rail’s orange army were out in force over the spring bank holiday weekend carrying out upgrades to existing tracks, infrastructure and stations.

Work powered ahead at 19 different locations both east and west of London, including the Great Eastern Main Line section of the route, with station and infrastructure improvements between Shenfield and London Liverpool Street.

At Shenfield, work to upgrade the electrification equipment that will power the new trains continued, with nine new booms installed across the railway and

a dozen foundations sunk to allow the installation of more new structures in the near future.

Construction of the landmark new station at Abbey Wood also continued, including the demolition of an old platform to create space for the new Elizabeth line platforms to be built later in the year.

West of London, between Paddington and Reading, electrification work included the installation of more than 30 new masts, and the foundations for 14 future masts at Maidenhead as well as three wire runs to install the cables that will power the new trains.

Station works at Hayes & Harlington, Southall, West Ealing and Slough included platform extensions and upgrades to accommodate the overhead electric lines needed for the Elizabeth line trains.

Construction of the flyover at

Stockley junction continued with 12 huge concrete sections lifted into place that form the basis of a new ramp. The flyover will allow more trains to run more reliably at the busy junction to Heathrow.

Across the country, more than 11,000 engineers worked through one of the warmest weekend’s of the year, delivering another slice of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan.

key personnel from both P-Way and welding, taking up pivotal positions in the company. As a result of growing industry demand, Haigh Rail opened a dedicated welding division in Doncaster in 2014, offering 20 directlyemployed operatives on stand-by for immediate mobilisation across the North.

Says managing director Chris Haigh, ‘I founded Haigh Rail on

the premise that I could improve the practices and principles employed elsewhere in the industry. Five years later, the aims of the company are slowly starting to take shape, and our new head office represents our growth, confidence and professional approach. Bamber Bridge is an ideal location, being close to Preston which is of great importance in the LNW region.’

Bamber Bridge HQ for Haigh Rail The new head office of Haigh Rail Ltd has been formally opened by Nigel Evans MP for the Ribble Valley and Linda Woollard, Deputy Mayor of South Ribble Borough Council.

The new head office is in Momentum Place, off Nook Lane, in Bamber Bridge.

Formed in 2011 in Chorley, just up the road, Haigh Rail Ltd is a rail engineering contractor under the dynamic leadership of managing director Chris Haigh.

MP Nigel Evans said, ‘Haigh Rail is a local success story, and I was only too pleased to be invited to the official opening of the new headquarters in Bamber Bridge. It is hugely impressive to see Chris Haigh start from zero and create a company with 41 employees in just five short years.

‘This is a fantastic new facility which states the company’s

intention to continue its great work in this part of the country, where there are strong transport links.

‘New enterprises such as Haigh Rail, which supply a vital engineering provision for Network Rail, as well as a range of private companies, are great for the region. This new office in Ribble Valley offers exciting local employment opportunities, which will be a boost to the local economy. The company should be called Haigh Rail Unlimited!’

Haigh Rail has a second office in Doncaster and a third in Crewe. The new head office in Bamber Bridge signals plans for further growth and underscores managing director Chris Haigh’s ambition to become the principal contractor in the north for Network Rail.

Leveraging his numerous strong relationships within the industry, Chris has set about hiring some

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Matthew takes the train Eleven-year-old Matthew Sanigar’s greatest wish was to drive the local Hirwaun coal train. This was recently granted by Starlight Children’s Foundation and big-hearted staff at Freightliner.

Starlight Children’s Foundation helps grant wishes to children with serious and terminal illnesses.

Matthew, from Penywaun, Mid Glamorgan, was diagnosed with a rare chromosomal disorder at birth. His condition means that he suffers from complex heart defects, hearing loss and a cleft palate.

Matthew adores all forms of transport and has hundreds of toy cars and trains. His favourite trains are the local coal trains which serve the Hirwaun mine.

From a young age Matthew looked out everyday for the train to pass by so he could count the wagons.

Matthew, with parents, Shelley and Paul, and grandparents Roger Joyce were driven to the Tower Surface Mine site near Aberdare.

On arrival at the site, Matthew was given a personalised high visibility jacket and huge goody

bag from Tower Regeneration Limited. After a tour of the opencast mine, Matthew watched the Hirwaun train being loaded.

He then mounted the cab with his dad and prepared for departure with two Freightliner drivers.

A welcome party gathered at Aberdare train station to await the arrival of Matthew’s train, including Matthew’s consultant Dr Humphrey Okuonghae and liaison health visitor Lynne Estebanez, from Prince Charles Hospital Merthyr Tydfil, as well as Matthew’s teachers and classmates from Caradog Primary School.

Driver support A new real-time driver support system (DSS), based on unique video train positioning system technology (VTPS), will commence user evaluation trials in June.

Part funded by RSSB and developed

by RDS International Technology, the system will be trialled by FirstGroup and helps drivers to learn and retain route knowledge information.

The system displays a rolling map to help train drivers pre-empt the route ahead. The map is displayed on a tablet showing the location of key information including signals, junctions and speed restrictions for the route ahead. The design team has worked closely with passenger and freight operators to achieve a layout which presents key information clearly at a glance, and it is now ready for user trials.

The system allows drivers to operate with confidence in less familiar situations, for example when a train has to be diverted off its planned route.

In order to display accurate data and information to the driver requires a precise train positioning system.

Matthew had always wanted to know where the train he’d so often seen pass his house ends its journey so after lunch he was given a tour of the RWE Aberthaw Power Station, near Barry. Matthew and his family visited the main control room, saw the coal stock grounds and finally watched Matthew’s train unloading its coal.

David Israel, commercial director of Freightliner Heavy Haul, said, ‘Matthew obviously has a real passion for trains and I am delighted that Freightliner was able to play a part in making Matthew’s wish to ride on our Hirwaun coal train come true.’

Award for Costain This cannot be provided via a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) alone as this would not provide positioning in tunnels, nor adequate positional information to determine which line the train is on. Lineside beacons are expensive to install and maintain, are a hindrance to track maintenance, and require additional equipment on the train to receive locational information.

DSS uses VTPS which has also been developed by RDS Technology.

VTPS provides a new approach to train positioning and offers a simple, reliable product, with both low installation and maintenance costs, and requires no lineside infrastructure. A forward facing video camera, and equipment installed inside the train, is used to measure train speed using video pixel analysis and to ‘read’ the route ahead with great accuracy.

Designed to meet the requirements for ERTMS odometer and speed measurement, VTPS can support many additional applications at low cost and is ideal for secondary routes. The outcome of the user trials is awaited with much interest.

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Angelika Chraska-Pongo, a senior community relations manager for London Underground’s Bond Street Station Upgrade, a Costain/Laing O’Rourke joint venture, has won a Volunteer of the Year award for London and the South East from Career Ready, a charity that connects employers with schools and colleges.

She volunteers as a mentor and Local Advisory Board member at the Quinton Kynaston School in London, where she shares her experience and knowledge with young people who are about to leave school.

Angelika also arranges paid internships for Career Ready students at Costain. Last year’s intern, Yehya Hawila, was runner up in the AstraZeneca STEM Student of the Year Award for engineering and will start a QS apprenticeship with Costain in August 2016.

‘I’ve been working with Career Ready over the last four years to help inspire young people who are studying STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects and show them the real working life application for these subjects.

‘The programme is important because it gives experience and confidence to young people and also opens doors to big companies. It is also a good example for employers of the importance of volunteering and convinces them that what they do can make a difference.’

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( until next time ) ANDY MILNE CONSIDERS THE QUESTIONS OF THE UK'S CONTINUING INVOLVELMENT IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

E

ven as late as the 1970s children starting school in the Channel Islands still spoke French and had to learn English. Not only is a version of French still spoken in Jersey and Guernsey, but London is apparently the sixth largest French speaking city in Europe. Links with the continent die hard.

JERSEY SURE?

The EU referendum on 23 June is not about leaving Europe, far from it. Britain will continue to be an integral part of this tangled comity of nations, whatever the result of the vote.

Britain has always been involved in the Continent, its history a steel hawser, not a thread, through European history. The vote is about how we are governed and should be seen against a wider, richer, historical canvas - a sort of Bayeux Tapestry de nos jours.

ENTENTE CORDIALE Dial back two millennia and even before it became a province of the Roman Empire, Britain was in trouble for aiding the Gauls. Expeditionary forces so maddened Julius Caesar he staged an unsuccessful invasion. It wouldn’t be the last time the British courted military disaster whilst helping out the French in their long succession of existential crises.

The Hundred Years War, the Entente Cordiale and the Concert of Europe bear testimony to British involvement with Europe. Parisian intellectuals suggest the reason we speak such excruciating French is the fault of the Norman Conquest. The British are still stuck with the short vowels and mispronunciation William the Conqueror bequeathed us. We’re European all right. The Royal Family originates in Germany. Our very currency was once defined as £-s-d - the ‘d’ meaning penny stands for ‘denarius,’ the smallest Roman coin. Strange to think the most fervent nationalist has been jingling the precursor to the ill-fated Euro in his pocket for over 2,000 years. It might not be worth much but it’s still change you can believe in.

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ETATS UNIS Ever closer union is the drumbeat of the EU and will lead to an incremental federal state along American lines. If fired by a vision of peace and concord, such a United States of Europe could be a powerful force for good in the world. We hear too little of this noble vision. Imagine a free country stretching from the frozen wastes of Lapland to the burning frontiers of Iran, Iraq and Syria.

People point to America and Switzerland as glowing examples of fully functional federal states. However, several points need to be born in mind. The American Republic works up to a point because its citizens see themselves as American first and Virginians, Texans and Minnesotans, second. Linguistically the country is united by one language - an admittedly eccentric approximation of English.

More importantly Americans are fired by a common vision of liberty and opportunity.

Interestingly Switzerland boasts an equally puissant espousal of personal freedom untraceable bank accounts, instant referenda and a citizen’s militia. Switzerland has never sought to join the EU precisely because such a surrender of sovereignty threatens her much prized neutrality and personal freedom.

ANCIENT AND MODERN Can an emerging Federal Europe be viewed as an effective functional state along Swiss or American lines? How will the inherited back story of new members like Turkey and Serbia serve concepts of personal liberty, free speech and freedom of religion long embraced by the world’s oldest democracy? Britain’s freedoms date back 600 years and are hard won. Magna Carta

IN OR OUT?

A La Prochaine

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Can an emerging Federal Europe be viewed as an effective functional state along Swiss or American lines?

established the principle that the government cannot imprison you without the agreement of a judge and jury. The English Civil War reserved to parliament the right to approve taxation. The Reform Act of 1832 advanced the concept of one man one vote - women would have to wait another 100 years. Like the railway such liberties need consistent PPM, planned preventative maintenance.

By contrast the European Union is a comparatively recent creation. The Treaty of Rome was signed in 1957. Denmark, the UK and Ireland joined in 1973. Ever-closer union jumped up a gear following the creation of the European Union at Maastricht in 1992. This led in turn to the ill-fated Euro - more disastrous than denarius. The Treaty of Lisbon in 2007 introduced qualified majority voting - meaning one country or indeed several, can be out voted by the rest.

Unlike Switzerland and America, the European Union has no central elected executive. Its governing bodies are staffed by civil servants licensed by their respective governments. These are not mature institutions arrived at by evolved democratic consensus. Static, structured and square, they lack the flexibility necessary for solving the riddles of the unexpected.

IMMIGRATION No society is static. The British were here long before the first Roman trireme crunched onto Walmer Beach. The English only arrived in the 5th century, migrating across the North Sea from what is now Germany and Denmark in a succession of ill-caulked leaky boats. Many drowned on the way. The Anglo-Saxons set up huge unsanitary camps and refused to adapt to local culture and customs.

Later migrant waves saw Vikings and Norsemen arriving from Scandinavia. Often better traders and tradesmen, they were able to do jobs the locals thought beneath them. Immigration is nothing new. This country depends on a steady feed of talented folk from the Commonwealth and Europe to fuel one of the most powerful economies in the world. It’s a society on which the sun never sets. British employers in farming, construction and retail want hassle-free access to motivated workers. Visas and permits are viewed with suspicion.

SAFETY FIRST One of the singular achievements of the EU is the Schengen agreement. To anyone who remembers the red and white barriers across country lanes of yester-year, being able to walk across a frontier is freedom indeed.

However, it is in dealing with international terror that the EU falters.

Intelligent anti-terror footwork means being able to examine and exclude undesirables. This is not possible under EU rules. Unless an individual can be proved to be an imminent threat, he or she cannot be stopped at a frontier. Thus Europe’s migrant crisis masks a real and present danger as the black flagged battalions of our enemies gleefully point out. It is foolhardy to ignore this threat.

AUF WIEDERSEHEN PET Perhaps the merging of Europe’s armed forces may help. It’s already happening. As of last year, the Dutch army’s 43rd Mechanised Brigade is now part of the German Army’s 1st Armoured Division. Similar mergers with the Czechs are apparently planned. Merged armies worked well enough during the last war. The Free French, Poland’s Anders Army, the Dutch and Norwegians joined with the British to face a common evil.

However, it will be a challenge. Odd to imagine the Royal Gibraltar Regiment teaming up with the south Cadiz chapter of the Guardia Civil.

How would a future taskforce to the Falkland Islands be constituted and approved? Will Poland’s hussars be absorbed by the 1st Armoured Division? Germany’s Defence Minister Ursula von der Leye has said unequivocally, ‘The European Army is our long-term goal…’

Imagine the old Durham Light Infantry bidding us ‘Auf Wiedersehen pet.’

Or as they say in the Channel Isles: Till next time - à la prochaine.

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THE POLITICS OF DISSENT The referendum should not be seen in left-right terms or decided by emotional response. Neither should vacuous arguments about being out of pocket feature in the debate. Denarius or not, Britain is the world’s fifth largest economy, London its financial and commercial capital. A confident UK will continue to flourish fired by the dynamism and ingenuity of its many peoples.

However, the deeper issue is the phenomena of popular revolt.

The trend of modern political and economic thinking is away from big institutions and corporations. Amazon, Starbucks,Google, HSBC, the BBC - it’s a growing list of humungous organisations people are unhappy with.

Big business is not on the side of the consumer. In contrast look at the success of small to medium businesses - many of them struggling against witless straight-banana bureaucracy. These little firms form the cockpit of innovation and development.

EGGS AND WAFFLES Establishment politicians fail to articulate a vision of a better world preferring to scaremonger. This is singularly unimpressive. Witness David Cameron’s mauling on live TV by a student. Soraya Bouazzaoui was succinct in her appraisal of Mr Cameron’s career-diminishing performance. ‘You’re not answering the question,’ she said. Then went on.

‘I’m an English literature student. I know waffling when I see it.’ Cameron had been questioned over Turkey’s speeded up admission to the EU. Previously he had argued for Turkey to join as soon as possible. Now he blithely assures us there is no prospect of this. Can his wider observations be trusted?

Voters are fed up with the distant and unresponsive political class.

Political correctness has all but enfeebled the ancient right to free speech - that is the ability to rubbish a government, a religion or a dogma. This populist revolts sees the bizarre emergence of Donald Trump as US presidential candidate - on the basis that he is not one of them, despite his vast personal wealth. In Rome, the rebellious Five Star party’s mayoral candidate, Virginia Raggi, tops the polls. Win or lose, Signora Raggi is giving the establishment a run for its last denarius.

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GREEK COMPACT Most voters want to see their representatives emerge from within their social context and not from a professional political class. This goes right back to the dawn of democracy when Greek city states elected people to hire soldiers to watch over them. Over-mighty officers could be fired. That is the principle of a democracy. It is a compact between the people and the state.

The late Tony Benn, leading socialist of his generation and friend of Bob Crowe, defined five checks for the exercise of political power: ’What power have you got? Where did you get it from? In whose interests do you use it? To whom are you accountable? How do we get rid of you?’

A Westminster MP can answer all five questions. An EU commissioner cannot adequately respond to any one of them. Leave or remain, the decision rests on how we see the long-term future of the country. It is not a question of finance or caprice.

The real question before voters on 23 June is whether to strengthen Europe as a concert of self-governing sovereign states or merge all 28 nations, together with Turkey and the Balkans, into a federation run from Brussels. Certainly Europe should remain united - a strong network of free and fair democracies - unified by defence treaties and free trade.

However, the central strength of a free Europe is the ability of its nations to remove their governments in elections conducted by secret ballot. Should we retain this basic prerogative? That is our choice on 23 June 2016.

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24

RAIL ALLIANCE

RAILSTAFF JUNE 2016

JUNE IS THE MONTH OF RAIL LIVE! NEW MEMBERS AQUASPIRA LIMITED (Manufacturers of composite steel reinforced pipe “CSRP” from 900mm to 2250mm diameter used in drainage, sewage systems, tanks and culverts) www.aquaspira.com

Composites in Rail

Set in a live rail environment at the Quinton Rail Technology Centre in Warwickshire, Rail Live 2016 will see companies from across the entire rail sector demonstrating products and services using the rail infrastructure and outdoor spaces allocated to them.

The Rail Alliance looks forward to welcoming you to Rail Live - the largest outdoor rail show in Europe. After five successful years of running, this year’s show is set to be the biggest yet. As well as on-track demonstrations the ‘Signalling Village’ will showcase the latest innovations - supported by the Network Rail SIG Team. Expertise on rail business growth and development will be on hand in the Business Zone. See the Railway in Action!

Come and see the railway in action with everything from rail plant and infrastructure, traction & rolling stock, electrification and signalling demonstrations; to displays of engineering, rail maintenance materials and product development/testing safety, digital products and innovation.

Rail Live 2016 reflects the Rail Supply Group’s strategic vision: Innovation, Skills, Export and Conditions for Growth – all geared to move the rail sector forwards to meet the new challenges in rail. Rail 2016 is supported

by Network Rail.

We are delighted to welcome Network Rail Track programme director Steve Featherstone, who will be awarding several companies with Rail Live Plant awards on Wednesday, 22 June. The awards presentation will take place at Stratford upon Avon Racecourse in the evening and is by ticket only - see www.raillive.com.

Rail Alliance - a busy month Since last month’s edition of RailStaff we have been as busy as ever with events across the country.

On 12 May, we had the honour of chairing a Rail Sector Showcase, run in conjunction with Composites UK, which focussed on the scope and scale of composite technology in the rail sector. The event featured presentations from Axillium Research, Atkins, TRB Lightweight Structures and the Knowledge Transfer Network. The event was wrapped up with a tour of Manchester University’s National Composites Certification and Evaluation Facility. We plan to run further events on the use of composite technology in rail and as part of this focus, we will be exhibiting at the Advanced Engineering Show at the NEC in November.

Member Networking Events On 26 May, we were packed to the rafters, with a full house and a call for extra seats at the ‘Traction and Rolling Stock Maintenance and Refurbishment’ session.

Shane Duffy of the ROSCO Porterbrook Leasing said they spend £2.5 million per week on maintenance, whilst Andrew Lister of Siemens said that of their 742 rail sector suppliers, over 80 per cent are registered in the UK which in turn has huge positive impact upon their operations.

We also heard from Dave Walker of Parker Hannifin on the use of additive manufacturing and application of LCCs, whilst Chris Brown of Crowle Wharf Engineering demonstrated how rapidly they have been able to apply knowledge and technology gained in other sectors to rail, not only in rolling stock but also infrastructure.

We pride ourselves on the interactive nature of our networking events and this was a perfect example of representing all tiers of the supply chain in one event, enabling SMEs to mix with primes and T1s for the greater good of the industry.

Upcoming events: Rail Live will play host to: Best Practice Workshop: Off Site Manufacture (10:00am, 23 June in the Conference Marquee) To conclude the first phase of this series of workshops, we will be holding an OffSite Manufacturing (OSM) session at the show. This will examine the use of OSM as

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NEWBURGH PRECISION (Contract manufacturer of high precision engineering components and assemblies for the rail, defence, oil & gas, power generating and nuclear industries) www.np-ltd.co.uk

EMPARK UK (Design, build and operate all types of parking facility in any environment) www.empark.co.uk

PIPE & PILING SUPPLIES LTD (Manufacturer of steel foundation piles and overhead structures) www.pipeandpilingsupplies.com

TWINFIX (Manufacturers of modular roof glazing for stations and depots) www.twinfix.co.uk

a means of improving conditions, reducing time spent on site and revealing the flexibility the practice offers manufacturers. Go to www. rsgbestpractice.org (please remember to also book your visitor pass for Rail Live as the entry passes are not interchangeable).

TOC16 Competition TOC16 – the competition launched by the RSSB on 19 May - is a unique opportunity to knit SME innovations with the needs of the operating companies. Rail Alliance, RIA and ATOC are acting as technology brokers to help introduce SMEs to TOCs and provide open or confidential communications between the two ends of the supply chain. We will be hosting a workshop on the competition at the show; please register your interest via Toc16@ railalliance.co.uk .

HS2 Supply Chain Roadshow We will also be exhibiting at each of the remaining HS2 Supply Chain Roadshows (hs2roadshow2016.co.uk ) – if you wish to speak with us there please come to our stand or keep up with the ongoing conversation on twitter with #hs2supplychain

R VISITO

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ION F T A R T IS

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The largest UK outdoor rail show as endorsed by Network Rail

‘

22-23 JUNE 2016

The railway is always evolving and, as an organisation measured by performance, we need to embrace innovation and best practice in the rail sector.

LONG MARSTON

We are looking forward to Rail Live 2016, a well-established event that really does sset et out to address and meet industry challenges now and for the future.

infrastructure & civils | traction & rolling stock engineering | electrification | rail maintenance materials & product development/testing safety | digital | innovation | signalling

> Hundreds of suppliers in one location

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> Meet customers and suppliers face-to-face

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26

TRACK SAFETY

RAILSTAFF JUNE 2016

REPORT BY COLIN WHEELER

THE 2016 RAIL

SAFETY SUMMIT THE MOST WIDE RANGING EVENT YET!

O

nce again the annual Rail Safety Summit was held in London at the Royal College of Physicians in Regents Park in London and the sun shone all day! I opened the event by welcoming the delegates and speakers and congratulating them for being present on the day of the London Mayor Election.

Four distinct themes for the Summit had been identified by group discussions in preceding months namely fatigue, health and wellbeing, road risk and workforce safety. The sixteen speakers came from technical and engineering backgrounds as well as being safety professionals and included two psychologists, two trades’ unionists and a retired army officer!

Referring to previous aspirations of both zero fatalities and serious injuries I suggested that since Leicester City winning the league had been achieved our aspirations for safer working must be possible too.

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION This year’s keynote speaker was Graham Hopkins Network Rail’s Group Director Safety, Technical and Engineering who reminded everyone that we now make 1.7 billion rail journeys each year, a 34 % increase since privatisation. He added that numbers are expected to double again in future whilst Graham Hopkins.

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Network Rail is to spend £25 billion by the end of control period 5.

He commented on the challenge of working at London Bridge where work is carried out during a three hour period each night which has to include getting in, setting up and getting out. He highlighted the time constraint risks and commented on the planning and technology needed.

He then commented on the “Home safe Plan” saying that a more focussed approach was needed at depot level and referred to the safe trackside working initiative being developed with the trades unions as part of the team.

The RMT, Transport Salaried Staffs Association and Unite are also involved in the road risk group.

NETWORK RAIL AND RAIL SAFETY AND STANDARDS BOARD An overview of policy was then given jointly by Roan Willmore of Network Rail and John Abbott from the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB). They described the developing of a strategy for working together with the industry focussing on leadership and “challenging the status quo”.

A document had been developed with the objective of improving the engagement of industry leaders, being a reference point for better safety management, leadership and cooperation and the identification of collaborative strategies. It contains twelve priority areas four of which were on the Summit agenda.

FATIGUE Mark Young from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has a degree in psychology and a PhD in Human Factors from Southampton University. He worked for RSSB before joining his current employer.

RAIB has a total of 43 staff working at either Farnborough or Derby and in the ten years since their foundation 320 reports have been published.

On the subject of fatigue he reminded delegates of the uncontrolled run back of a freight train on a gradient that occurred on August 17th 2010, before commenting that whilst we live in a shift-working society we are not by nature 24 hour animals.

Our metabolisms he said are geared to dip between 3 am and 6 am and again each afternoon. He stressed the importance of sleep quality, shift lengths and rotation before adding that many are “waking up to fatigue”.

He described bio-mathematical models which when input with proposed shift patterns can produce relative risk factors; also the use of “protected hours” which may be used to identify when an individual should rest. He commended two RSSB/RAIB booklets titled “Managing Rail Staff Fatigue”, but added that engagement with the workforce is crucial, coupled with a just culture for staff.

I was pleased to welcome returning speaker Jill Collis who was employed in the nuclear industry

RAILSTAFF JUNE 2016

TRACK SAFETY

27

Delegate speaking to Vital ID director Treive Nicholas.

SUMMER HI-VIS CLOTHING but joined London Underground in 1997. She is now (TfL) Transport for London’s Director of Safety and the Environment. She spoke of an audit that revealed an ad hoc approach to fatigue risk assessment. This resulted in the 2015 introduction of regular assessments, an initiative supported by the trades union’s health and safety representatives.

Their use is voluntary at present.

She commented on the potential effects of the “Night Tube” initiative and the need for roster designs, adding that the best solution for fatigue may not be best for family life. Overtime management, control of shift swapping, monitoring of overtime and hours worked together with the training needs of shift schedulers are also on her agenda. Another audit is planned for next year.

The next speaker was the Office of Rail and Road’s (ORR) Deputy Director Policy Strategy and Planning. He retired from an operational army role as Colonel John Shute. He took up this

appointment last October. As the last speaker on the challenge of fatigue he provided an interestingly different view.

He served with the Royal Green Jackets but his last Army role after 34 years was as their Chief Safety Officer where he introduced a new safety management system derived from the findings of the investigation into the Nimrod disaster.

He set up the first Defence Safety Authority. He highlighted the level of responsibility given to 19 year old soldiers who drove large combat vehicles after only a few months training, the military importance of physical fitness and mental resilience, the culture of discipline and accountability as well as need for adequate supervision.

He commended the Sandhurst motto, “Serve to Lead” before finishing with three memorable truisms; don’t let abrogation of responsibility happen, you cannot command by e-mail get out there, and know your workforce!

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TRACK SAFETY

RAILSTAFF JUNE 2016

HEALTH AND WELLBEING Mike Kearney from ASLEF was the first speaker on Health and Wellbeing. He reminded us of headline grabbing train accidents and of the Union’s concerns over the use of sun glasses, as well as diabetes control.

He recalled an old noticeboard warning drivers that “only train crew in uniform may use this bar”! He spoke of his union’s enthusiasm for better engagement with employers before outlining ongoing concerns including trauma support following fatalities; also new initiatives for debriefing, and the use of volunteer suicide prevention staff.

He highlighted the problems for drivers when Coroner’s Courts take 18 months to carry out their work and referred to the new 3 month guidelines issued. Moving on to new areas he endorsed the initiatives offered by Hitachi in involving the union in new train cab design at an early stage and the involvement of safety representatives.

He expressed the wish for reduced rest day working and the improvement of poor driving cab conditions as well as lack of toilet facilities on locomotives as current areas of concern.

David Nancarrow Atkins Business Partner and Professional Head of Transportation chose “What does good look like and what benefits can result” as his talk title.

He previously led a safety and environmental consultancy and his approaches to wellbeing include supporting the person, sourcing the problem and as necessary shifting the culture.

He referred to the health focus on the construction of the London Olympic stadium when making morning porridge available reduced incidents and the initiative used on the reconstruction of Birmingham New Street Station resulting in 70 people giving up smoking.

In East Kent a review of those working unsocial hours revealed 60% were overweight, 15% were clinically obese and 13% were suffering from high blood pressure. Turning to remedies he outlined the use of resilience workshops for high intensity project work, and of concerns when 15 days of consecutive working was done.

He stressed the importance of close call reporting and the benefits to Atkins from allowing two additional days off each year for those working for a charity.

ROAD RISK Ramesh Perera from Highways England spoke next in the section devoted to road risk. He began by defining the organisation’s areas of highway responsibility and quoted startling statistics in respect of road accidents, injuries and fatalities.

He went on to comment that in Europe only Malta and Sweden have better road statistics. He concluded by repeating the view of Road Safety endorsed by Highways England, that no one should be harmed whilst travelling on the strategic road network.

Paul Taylor of Colas Rail voiced his concerns about working when the railway is closed. He stressed the fact that workers’ body clocks can affect their performance when driving. For this reason they use

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taxis when they can.

He added that a third of all road deaths are work related.

He suggested that the driver, the vehicle and the journey were his three areas of concern. Trained drivers whose performances are managed and monitored he considers essential.

Colas carry out electronic licence checks annually and those with clean licenses are checked every two years but those with penalty points are checked more frequently. They have a driver’s handbook and encourage employees to speak up about fatigue. They also use telematics to monitor driving performance and the findings are fed back to drivers to encourage good driving.

Shaun Helman from the Road Research Laboratory asserted that road risk is rarely given the priority of other health and safety matters, although 30% of road deaths involve someone at work.

There has been no decrease since 2006.

He quoted 547 annual work related road fatalities before commenting that there is no overseeing regulator specific to the problem. To manage the situation and reduce the fatalities he suggested that Chief Executives needed to become more involved as better leadership was necessary.

WORKFORCE SAFETY Rupert Lown of Network Rail and Chris Hext from ABC Electrification then gave their combined overview of workforce safety. Rupert stressed the need for safety leadership with coordinated work systems that are used at “front line level”.

He continued by commenting on the importance of a single company approach especially when three companies are working together. Chris Hext took up this theme adding that his priorities were the safety improvement plan, people, behaviours, organisation, process and planning.

He also stressed the need to ask people on the ground and get them engaged including the 80% who are not directly employed by ABC. Emma Head from HS2 spoke on the subject of empowering teams to take ownership of their own safety. HS2 expects to directly employ no more than 18,000 employees.

They have decided against a target zero approach but during the ten years of construction they want to “care for anyone involved in the construction”. Safety, integrity, leadership and respect form the basis of their plan to set a new standard for occupational health and these have been agreed with the Department for Transport. Personal accountability and a belief based rather than target based approach are both principles within their Safe at Heart plan.

We were reminded that the first £11 million of contract works will be tendered later this year, and she concluded by adding that they will only work on the HS2 railway whilst it is under signalling protection.

Innovation was the theme chosen by Pino DeRosa of Bridgeway. His company have replaced a paper system of incident recording with an electronic web based event log.

This stores information for future use.

He also outlined the company’s initiatives in working with suppliers to develop crawler rigs that can work on cutting and embankment slopes of up to 55°. He went on to advocate removing risk by use of surveying railway sites using laser scanning.

I left the venue encouraged by the new ideas and approaches we had heard about. Now having read the annual report of the RAIB and with a date in the diary for a meeting with their Chief Inspector I hope to have more answers next month.

R E A C H F O R T H E S TA R S

Staff Awards

SATURDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2016 THE RICOH ARENA, COVENTRY Join us for the rail industry event of the year!

Do you know someone who has gone the extra mile?

In their job?

In your job?

For the business?

Personally?

For Charity?

Then nominate them online today!

www.railstaffawards.com Get them the recognition they deserve in the national RailStaff Awards.

NOMINATIONS CLOSE: 02 SEPTEMBER 2016

PUBLIC VOTE CLOSES: 11 SEPTEMBER 2016

30

RAILSTAFF AWARDS 2016

Hollywood meets Bollywood We're getting close. It's now less than four months - not much more than 100 days - until this year's RailStaff Awards evening and we can now reveal the theme: Hollywood meets Bollywood.

In past years, we’ve been a circus, a school and a prohibition-era nightclub. Where else will you be given the opportunity to see your boss drinking a Mohito dressed as a clown. The Bollywood element will add some much-needed colour. Black tie and gowns often rule at rail industry galas - rarely do guests get the opportunity to show some personality.

Hollywood and Bollywood are two of the most vibrant and lucrative film industries in the world. Of course fancy dress isn’t mandatory - you won’t be turned away at the door - but it is what gives the RailStaff Awards its identity. Kurtas and sarees are very much encouraged.

So what ties the railway with international cinema? Both are industries with a rich heritage; both have experienced their own golden age.

Both have evolved: from steam to electric, black and white to IMAX 3D. Both have encountered sizeable hurdles. Fewer people are going to the cinema - a result of the convenience of download and streaming services. Railways had been in decline following decades of political indifference before the current era of record investment.

Importantly both rely on their stars to sell tickets - quite literally in the railway’s case - and take customers on a journey. Each year, the stars of the railway are rewarded by the industry they serve so loyally. It’s an event which honours not only the industry’s Best Actor and Best Actress but also the lighting and sound effects teams behind the scenes. Few

Supporting tomorrow’s rail stars… …today

events hand out awards to as wide a range of roles. For one night a year, trainers, engineers, customer service reps and HR professionals are all brought together in one room to be celebrated.

Funnily enough, it’s not the only Bollywoodflavoured event to be held at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena this year.

In August, Bollywood star Rahat Fateh Ali Khan will be in the West Midlands to headline Mela Coventry - a two-day festival of South Asian culture. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has provided the soundtracks for numerous Bollywood blockbusters and has contributed to several Hollywood movies. The event in August will also show the UK premiere of a brand new Bollywood film.

Mela, a Sanskrit word used to describe a gathering or fair, is quite appropriate for the RailStaff Awards. This year is the 10th anniversary of the event. It will be the 10th time we’ve given the industry the opportunity to recognise the

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success of the individuals above all else.

To nominate someone for the RailStaff Awards, visit: www. railstaffawards.com/nominate

31

RAILSTAFF AWARDS 2016

Proud sponsor of Rail Safety Person of the Year 2016

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32

RAILSTAFF AWARDS 2016

Celebrating rail industry leaders Hendy, among other things, reaffirmed a commitment to deliver the electrification of the Midland Main Line and the TransPennine corridor.

The Hendy report sought to identify and offer solutions for some of the funding and delivery challenges hindering Network Rail’s ambitious forward programme of infrastructure works. But it acknowledged that some of the issues were, to an extent, out of Network Rail’s hands.

Particularly the skills deficit that persists in certain key engineering disciplines.

Hendy, among other things, reaffirmed a commitment to deliver the electrification of the Midland Main Line and the TransPennine corridor.

Although the funding may be in place to deliver these schemes, the challenge of finding the electrification engineers to wire up the routes still exists.

‘The market was looking for linemen. The focus was on the shortage of linemen; there’s not enough to do all this work,’ said Mat Baine, managing director of Collaborative Project Management Services (CPMS). CPMS, which was established in 2012, specialises in providing electrification project management services and resources to the rail industry.

simplifying the complex

Delivering over £500m of works for our clients

Project Manager of the Year ‘We spotted a niche that there wasn’t enough project managers to manage these linemen anyway, so we set up an overhead line project management company and we now manage over £500 million of electrification projects on behalf of our clients.’

CPMS is helping to recognise the work of project managers across the industry as the sponsor of the Project Manager of the Year category at this year’s RailStaff Awards. The 2015 award was won by Furrer+Frey’s Ankur Saxena, who coordinated the design, plant and installation teams delivering the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP). He was also responsible for briefing and training the teams installing the company’s Rigid Overhead Conductor Rail System (ROCS).

Mat continued, ‘Project managers are the lifeblood of the railway; they are the glue that hold the industry together and recognising the achievements of project managers helps to inspire future generations to join our exciting industry.’

Benefit the industry CPMS stands for Collaborative Project Management Services.

Its not just a name, it’s our project delivery philosophy.

We deliver project solutions by providing strategic planning on multi-disciplinary rail projects from conception to completion We supply expertise both on and off-site to enhance the capability of existing teams We provide a wide range of consultancy services from full project reviews to health checks

Proud Sponsors of

CPMS which started out with just four employees in 2013 now have more than 60 members of staff. In its short existence, the company has contributed to a number of significant electrification projects.

CPMS is playing a critical role in

To find out more call 020 3009 3120 or visit www.cpmsrail.co.uk.

Sir Peter Hendy.

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FACEBOOK.COM/THERAILSTAFFAWARDS 03/05/2016 22:44

replacing 320 km of overhead line between Chelmsford and London’s Liverpool Street station. The company also managed the installation of the foundations for the Great Eastern electrification scheme, which involved installing 465 foundations to shore up the OLE structures.

In April, CPMS attended the Infrarail exhibition. With the company looking to expand further, one of its main objectives was to speak to engineering graduates and apprentices.

Says Mat, ’If we can bring in some new people, some new blood, into the industry and into that discipline in particular I think it will be of great benefit for the rail industry as a whole.’

The RailStaff Awards will be held at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena on 8 October.

To nominate an exceptional project manager go to www. railstaffawards.com/nominate

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RAILSTAFF AWARDS 2016

TALKING SAVES LIVES

Helping to make a difference

TBF is proud to sponsor the 2016 Station Staff of the Year Award

Samaritans is proud to sponsor the Lifesaver award at this years’ RailStaff Awards 10,000 rail industry personnel and British Transport Police officers have been trained with the skills to help a person in need. These skills can encourage people to talk about their problems and help save lives.

With the help of the TOCs, Network Rail and other employers throughout the public transport industry we now have over 47,000 members.

For just £1 a week, a variety of financial, health and welfare benefits are available to you, your partner and dependent children if you work in the public transport industry... ...people just like you

For more info and to nominate a colleague  www.railstaffawards.com

Supported by

& 0300 333 2000 etd 00 38571 help@tbf.org.uk 8 8 www.tbf.org.uk Transport Benevolent Fund CIO, known as TBF, is a registered charity in England and Wales, 1160901

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A registered charity

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09:05:38

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RAILSTAFF AWARDS 2016

What to expect For those attending the RailStaff Awards for the first time this year, what can you expect?

Arriving at the arena around 6pm, you’ll be directed to the welcome reception, which this year is being sponsored by the Railway Benefit Fund (RBF) - the charity which exists to provide financial support to past and present rail industry employees during difficult times.

Guests will be treated to the full red carpet experience, complete with the paparazzi and the obligatory shouts of ‘who are you wearing?’ and ‘are the rumours true?’

Special guest The event itself will include a four-course meal, featuring a variety of Hollywood and Bollywood-inspired dishes. Throughout the evening, there will be various examples of the Hollywood/Bollywood clash of cultures in both the decor and live performances. There will also be a special guest making a surprise appearance on the night.

Helping to keep Britain moving

Rail link 2016 will be the event’s third year at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena, but it will be the first year with its own direct rail connection. In January, the stadium’s station finally opened, creating a new hourly service to the arena and the nearby shopping centre.

Those who attended the event in 2015 will also have noticed the significant amount of work being carried out around the hotel entrance.

The revamp was completed at the end of 2015 and all guests now receive a free warm cookie on arrival!

We deliver innovative and versatile asset management, engineering design and operational solutions to Network Rail, Transport for London, train operating companies, passenger transport executives and other rail providers.

Through standalone provision and joint venture partnerships with Sersa, Inabensa, and Keolis we’re helping to enhance performance and efficiency for our customers to improve service levels for the public.

Proud sponsors of Rail Plant and Equipment Person or Team of the Year

Something new As well as the category sponsors, this year’s event is being supported by Van Elle Rail - part of the Van Elle piling and ground stabilisation group. Van Elle Rail is an approved Network Rail Principal Contractor for AFA, platforms, canopies, bridges, signal bases, gantries and other aspects of geotechnical

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Following the presentation of the awards, there will be a performance by the RPJ Band.

The band is named after its lead singer and frontman Rick Parfitt Junior - the son of Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt.

The band is made up of experienced session musicians whose CVs include tours with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, The Script and Lily Allen. Once the event itself is over, guests are free to visit the 24-hour Super Casino which, apart from the obvious, has its own restaurant and cabaret bar.

@RAILSTAFFAWARDS

FACEBOOK.COM/THERAILSTAFFAWARDS

works in and around the rail infrastructure.

Says Rail Media’s Lianne O’Connor, ‘Every year we try to bring in something new.

We hope everyone gets into the spirit of the theme and has as much fun with it as we have had putting it all together.

What’s more, we hope the refurbished accommodation and new rail link will enhance everyone’s experience of the awards.

‘We also want to again thank our sponsors. The RailStaff Awards is about individual achievement, but the event wouldn’t be possible without their support and belief in what we do.

Over the course of the last 10 years, we’ve recognised so many hard-working, inspiring individuals and we hope to still be celebrating achievement in another 10, 20, 30 years’ time.’

To find out more about the event, travel or accommodation, visit: www.railstaffawards.com/about

35

RAILSTAFF AWARDS 2016

FACEBOOK.COM/THERAILSTAFFAWARDS

@RAILSTAFFAWARDS

WWW.RAILSTAFFAWARDS.COM

36

EVENTS

RAILSTAFF JUNE 2016

Rail Franchising Summit.

conference exhibition conference EVENTS conference KEY conference tech exhibition exhibition CONFERENCE conference exhibition conference conference

conference tech exhibition tech tech press conference EXHIBITION exhibition exhibition exhibition tech

press conference pressTECHNICAL conference techconference press tech VISIT tech

press conference press conference

PRESS CONFERENCE press conference press conference network network NETWORK network network awaards network network

AWARDS awaardsnetwork awaards awaards awaards dinner network awaards

dinner dinner DINNER dinner dinner awaards awaards dinner

FREE ATTEND free TOdinner dinner free

free free free free free

free

EVENTS

LIVE AT LEEDS

Top rail and community leaders came together in Leeds last month to discuss new thinking about creating the sustainable railway of the future.

Sustainability - how we live without creating hurt or damage - increasingly informs public opinion, politics, and the counsels of the more commercially astute.

Sustainability for railways breaks down into three constituent components. First, the people and places the rail industry serves. Secondly the men and women working in the industry, whether as staff, suppliers or contractors. Thirdly the environment - sustaining the planet and the delicate balance of its ecologies. All three phenomena are bound together in rail, one of the most extraordinary social dynamics of our time.

New franchises, new contracts and new job descriptions will

in future draw upon principles of sustainability. The recent Northern Rail franchise does just that as do the TransPennine Express and ScotRail franchises.

The conference, staged by Rail Media in partnership with the Department for Transport (DfT) and Business in the Community (BITC), ‘New Franchising – Delivering a sustainable railway for the future,’ was held against

GUIDE TO UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE RAIL INDUSTRY THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, AT A GLANCE

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a backdrop of the sustainablyinspired Leeds station in an area threaded with waterways and quiet squares. Law firm Addleshaw Goddard, specialists in railway law, provided a genial host, Paul Hirst, head of transport, overseeing proceedings with good grace despite the good natured ribbing of lawyers several speakers employed.

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Social value ‘Creating social value is at the heart of our new business plan,’ said Alex Hynes, managing director, Northern Rail. It needs to be, the body employing Northern Rail changes from the DfT to the Rail North partnership. In turn, Rail North will be part of the Transport for the North and will be responsible for overseeing franchises. This will bring the train operation nearer to the people it serves. Hynes describes it as a huge responsibility.

Social value is not just about making money. Peter Wilkinson, managing director of Passenger Services, DfT, spells it out, ‘The railway does not belong to my generation but the one that comes after me.’ The DfT will be re-thinking franchises to better sustain the public interest. Wilkinson clearly wants to see change. ‘Franchises of the future will be rebuilt from the ground up with sustainability in place. It’s not about the price to the Treasury…’

About people The attitude of the public is important. ‘We are committed to local user groups, making better use of station buildings,’ says David Hoggarth, director, Rail North. Hoggarth stressed rail’s role as a driver of the Northern Powerhouse. Sustainability for the north, said Simon Shrouder, head of stakeholder engagement at TfN, ‘Means our children and our children’s children can stay and prosper in this region. We can attract people from the south.’ TfN has a vast vision for the north: one agenda one economy one north. ‘The north is galvanising itself to help rebalance the UK economy,’ added Simon.

New franchise contracts emphasise involvement in community rail partnerships. Paul Salveson, founder of the original Community Rail Partnership on the Penistone Line and a former train driver, reeled off a colourful array of initiatives by station adopters, local people, schools and businesses. ‘Community Rail breaks down barriers between the railway and the community,’ said Paul. ‘It brings stations back to life.’ Getting whole communities involved reaps rewards both in terms of security - less vandalisation and public identity. Commercial performance also benefits, but, ‘Responsible business is not just about philanthropy; it’s about managing growth responsibly,’ says Stephen Farrant BITC ‘Be really clear about your purpose.’ Business in the Community is rapidly developing a huge admiration for the steps being taken by the rail industry. ‘It’s fascinating and we find dealing with the railway industry is very stimulating,’ said Catherine Van Loo - of Belgium an adviser with BITC.

Risk it!

Railways might be said to be risk averse - underpinned by a heathy safety culture. But let that go at business level. ‘Celebrate success. Learn from failure,’ says Paul Salveson. Wilkinson, however, goes much further. ‘We will have to take some risks in our industry. Let in some crazy ideas. Civil servants take note!’

The old ‘never done that before’ thinking has to change. ‘Change the model. Make proposals detailed and costed,’ Peter added.

If sustainability means acting responsibly it also means being responsible - being brave enough to roll out new ideas. Wilkinson praised Shamit Gaiger, policy director, RSSB. ‘We need leadership. We are a fragmented industry. It’s difficult to push things forward,’ said Shamit Gaiger in a rousing call to arms. She shares misgivings about the legal log jams that so often prevent new ideas gaining credibility. ‘Lawyers are the weakest link,’ said Gaiger, ‘The legal profession needs to step up and think outside the box…’ The conference host took this in good part.

Teenage kicks Developing new means of recruiting railway staff will be essential. ‘We need long-term decision making,’ Shamit went on.

‘Over 40 per cent of our workforce is over 50; not good news for any business. Only 4 per cent of engineers are women. This is something we have to address.’

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Good news was supplied by Neil Robertson, chief executive of NSAR. Neil chose Leeds to launch the new Apprenticeship Standards for Rail Engineering.

‘Network Rail has increased its apprenticeships to 800,’ said Neil. ‘It is a fantastic opportunity for youngsters.’

Recent Network Rail apprentice Jonathan Linford, 23, clearly agreed. ‘I really enjoyed my apprenticeship. I did three years at Portsmouth and have been working in York for two years now.’ Northern Rail itself plans more apprenticeships across its business and will be launching 40-week student placements.

New skills Russell Goodenough, managing director of Fujitsu Rail, was himself an apprentice at British Aerospace. Fujitsu Rail is heavily involved in supplying IT applications for the rail industry and the London Underground. ‘We’re writing the syllabus for the HS2 college. Jobs will be much more sophisticated.’ Russell then described a world in which engineers out on track used IT to capture data and measure up what’s needed, transmitting pictures, plans and requests back to base using an iPad. ‘We’re looking at the imperatives of doing your job quickly. No paper,’ he added

A family affair Goodenough made the point that part of Fujitsu’s Japanese ethos informs the rail division’s sustainability stratagems in Britain.

‘Japan sees society as part of an extended family.’ This marries well with the traditional view of the railway family - a strength that will greatly boost efforts to create a responsible and sustainable railway. ‘Executives are measured on showing they are responsible,’ he said. This includes their impact on the environment, employment diversity and relations with the local community. Fujitsu Rail has a policy of dealing with SMEs. ‘And we pay all our taxes in the UK,’ added Russell, eliciting a huge cheer.

Stimulating the local economy can have

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© Paul Langrock/Deutsche Bahn

direct benefits. Drew Haley, general manager of the Settle and Carlisle Development Company, says the line now puts £500,000 a year back into the railway. The company grew out of the campaign to keep the line open and now channels that energy into supporting a plethora of SMEs on the roof of England. A refreshment service on the train is supplied with homemade cakes and biscuits by a woman on a farm. Says Drew, ‘She now has 15 staff and a business unit in Kirby Steven.’

Upwards of 70 jobs have been created by the Settle and Carlisle.

Business ethics Paying taxes is important; a moral compass that applies to employment practice, equally so. ‘No zero hours contracts - that applies to our supply chain,’ said Alex Hynes. Wilkinson referred to the buying power of rail and how this could be an ethical force for good. ‘We buy an enormous amount of material. What about child labour? Are the companies we deal with thinking about pollution?’ The rail industry can change overseas employment scandals and curb irresponsible corporate greed.

Green dream The trains and buildings of the future will be cleaner and greener. Alex Hynes talked of DB’s StationGreen programme, creating climate-neutral railway stations.

The first station in Kerpen Horrem opened

in 2014. Trains will be quieter, faster and make better use of energy. The idea of using the train appeals to the public and should be capitalised on. ‘People make choices because they think they’re making a contribution,’ says Peter Wilkinson. The people joining this industry make an even deeper commitment.

It is in sustaining their pioneering vision, drive and determination that the rail industry can best secure a sustainable future. In the final analysis it’s all about people and how we serve them and the places where they live. As Peter Wilkinson put it, ‘We’re a people industry and long may we remain so.’

Thanks Dynamic get togethers like the Leeds conference don’t just happen by accident.

Paul Hirst, head of transport at Addleshaw Goddard, deserves a special thank-you for refereeing the whole thing and handling questions with enviable diplomacy, skills won, no doubt, in courtroom and chambers.

A good team kept the show on the road and on rail too - sorting out IT presentations, keeping delegates online and alert with a steady flow of tea and coffee and ethicallysourced biscuits and pastries. Thanks to Karen Edwards and Pat Tollar from Rail Media and Jennifer Ellis of Addleshaw Goddard.

Watch out for the next Rail Sustainability Summit on 8 November in London.

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AUGUST

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22nd -24th June, Rotterdam tech grfc2016.com press conference

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22nd -23rd June, Long Marston press conference railalliance.co.uk

28th - 30th June, Texas, USA rssi.org/2016-portal

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14th - 16th June, Shanghai, China press conference dinner 10times.com/metro-china-expo network

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URBAN TRANSPORT 2016 21st - 23rd June, Crete, Greece wessex.ac.uk/ conferences/2016

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27th - 28th July, Birmingham tech riagb.org.uk/events-diary press conference

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RVE 2016

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8th October, Coventry dinner railstaffawards.com

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19th - 21st July, Madrid, Spaintech wessex.ac.uk/ press conference conferences/2016

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LEARNING TO LOVE STATIONS AGAIN

T

he Great British public are learning to love railway stations again, says Rob Naybour, one of the founding partners of architects Weston Williamson. While so many buildings, which have for generations served as the hubs of their communities, are being repurposed, railway stations have endured and are rediscovering their role in our towns and cities.

Functional by nature and, in many cases, functional by design, stations in the UK are experiencing a renaissance. New and redeveloped ‘destination stations’ are being built that seek to do much more than move people from place to place.

‘Funnily enough, the engineering heroes of the past understood and got this better in a way,’ said Rob, speaking at the Rail Exec Club in Leicester on 20 May. ‘Think about the great termini of London with their hotels, Huddersfield station with its fantastic public square right outside the station. They understood how to make a place, how to pull together great engineering, great spaces, hotels, passenger experience, commercial activity. They understood how that all worked together.’

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VICTORIAN GRANDEUR Creating stations that serve communities, not just the practical needs of passengers, is something HS2 is hoping to do with the stations of the future. It was an unfamiliar concept initially. ‘When we first started as the architects for High Speed 2, designing Old Oak Common station, before we’d even had a start-up meeting with the client, I got a phone call to go and meet the director of regeneration and planning at Hammersmith & Fulham’.

‘My job was to explain the vision for Old Oak Common station because there had been an announcement that the station would not have a front door.

‘Imagine how you feel as the director of regeneration for a London borough - and this station, by the way,

is designed for 250,000 passengers a day. It’s the link between High Speed 2 and Crossrail. To give you some idea, that’s like building Waterloo station out in Hammersmith and Fulham. It’s an enormous project.’

Station usage figures show many of us are spending more of our time at railway stations. Around 2.75 billion entries and exits were reported between 2014/15 - well over a billion more than in 1997/98.

‘The Victorian’s understood grandeur and they had a lot more public buildings to play with,’ Rob explained. ‘We no longer build churches, we don’t congregate in that way any more. Local authority offices, town halls might, and frequently are, offices, rented space. Libraries are few and far between. Post offices are no longer the centre of communities.

‘And one of the reasons why, if you like, we’re learning to love stations again, is they’re one of the few public buildings that we still use - still build and still need. They’re part of everybody’s day-to-day life in a town or city in a way that very few other buildings actually are.’

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The Great British public are learning to love railway stations again...

CROSSRAIL

Artist impressions of Crossrail's Paddington and Farringdon stations.

Throughout May, visitors to the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in Portland Place were able to see some of the latest design visuals of Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) stations.

Western Williamson is involved in the design of several of the Crossrail stations, including Paddington, Farringdon and Woolwich. Last year, Rob won RIBA’s London Project Architect of the Year for his work on the new Crossrail station at Paddington - which, according to Crossrail, draws on the design features of the famous London terminus with which it shares its name.

Rob hopes Paddington, like its Brunel-built namesake, will become a destination in its own right. ‘I came through St Pancras this morning and that’s a great example. And I think, partly through St Pancras, we’ve learned to love stations again and see them as places to go and to spend time.

Hopefully our work at Paddington will be the same when that’s sort of unveiled with Crossrail in 2018.’

Rob Naybour speaking at the Rail Exec Club in Leicester on 20 May.

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NEWS

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THAMESLINK 700 IN ACTION

REPORT BY MARC JOHNSON

Siemens Hebburn.

‘C

ontroversy? What controversy?’ quipped Steve Scrimshaw, Siemens’ managing director for rail in the UK, talking about the challenge of delivering the trains for Thameslink - one of the most contentious train orders in recent years.

Sat across from each other on one of Govia Thameslink Railway’s (GTR) 12-car Class 700 trains somewhere between Blackfriars and East Croydon, we discussed the new commuter fleet, which is

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due to start going into passenger service in the coming weeks. The ride was part of a showcase event held on 24 May at Blackfriars station for which stakeholders and members of the media were invited to see the ceremonial unveiling of the Class 700.

CAPACITY Over the next few weeks, GTR hopes to roll out the new fleet across the network, starting with the Brighton to Bedford route. The Class 700, of which 115 are being built, will increase capacity substantially, particularly through central London.

Within Thameslink’s central core between Blackfriars and St Pancras International, Class 700s will operate 24 trains an hour, utilising an ETCS signalling system overlaid with Automatic Train Operation (ATO) - a first in the UK. To date, 17 trains have been delivered to the UK from Siemens’ factory in Krefeld, Germany - a combination of eight and 12-car units. The remaining 100 trains will be delivered, tested and commissioned by the end of 2018.

As well as providing greater capacity compared to the existing fleet, the Class 700s have wider walkways, wider doors and passenger information screens displaying real-time service information.

They’re also more energy efficient and lighter than the previous generation of Desiro units. There is, however, a notable lack of Wi-Fi, something GTR says it hopes to remedy.

Procurement of the Thameslink fleet began in 2008. Siemens, as part of the Cross London Trains consortium, was named as the preferred bidder in 2011 and financial close was eventually achieved in July 2013. But it was an unpopular decision at the time, with many feeling that the trains should have been manufactured in the UK. In response, Siemens has worked hard to highlight the contribution that

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L-R Siemens MD Steve Scrimshaw, CEO Go-Ahead Group David Brown, Siemens CEO Mainline Transit Sabrina Sousann, Exec Chairman XLT Andy Pitt and CEO of GTR Charles Horton.

All Photos © Siemens

its businesses in the UK, and the wider British supply chain, have made to the project. One example is Siemens’ factory in Hebburn, South Tyneside, which has produced electrical components for the trains.

‘We’ve said we’ve created up to 2,000 jobs,’ said Steve. ‘We’ve got two depots [Three Bridges and Hornsey] that we’ve built and we’ve invested more than £3 million of our own money... When we set this up, we always said it would be something that would be a sustainable legacy.’

Before he was appointed as Siemens UK’s managing director for rail, Steve had been involved in the Thameslink procurement process. He said it was an ‘emotional’ experience to be sat in one of the completed trains eight years on.

DELIVERING IMPROVEMENTS Infrastructure works being carried out across the network for the Thameslink Programme, particularly at London Bridge, have been behind a great deal of the disruption to services over the past couple of years. The level of disruption felt by passengers has been aggravated by a growing rift between GTR and the two principal rail trade unions - ASLEF and RMT - over

Smart signs which show where space on train can be found. the application of driver-only operation (DOO).

In a press release announcing the launch, Nick Gray, Network Rail’s Thameslink Programme sponsor, said, ‘Launching this new generation of trains at such an iconic station symbolises what the Thameslink Programme is doing to transform rail travel across London. We have worked closely with our colleagues at Thameslink and Siemens to get the infrastructure ready for these trains to create a more reliable, regular and modern service.’

GTR’s chief executive, Charles Horton, said the event last month showed the operator was starting to

deliver on the service improvements it has been promising passengers. ’It won’t be very long now before customers are able to travel on them and, from my point of view, this is the next step in a journey which is starting to come towards its end in terms of really delivering the upgrade in performance and capacity that customers want to see.’

In February, GTR finalised the funding for 25 more six-car Desiro units for its Great Northern services.

Due to be in service by the end of 2018, these will operate out of Moorgate to Welwyn Garden City and Letchworth Garden City, via Hertford and Stevenage.

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CAMELS IN THE KAROO SOUTH AFRICAN RAILWAYS: CLASS 25 CONDENSERS

REPORT BY COLIN GARRATT, DIRECTOR OF MILEPOST 92 ½ PICTURE LIBRARY AND PHOTOGRAPHERS TO THE RAILWAY INDUSTRY, CONTINUES A SERIES OF FEATURES DERIVED FROM HIS GLOBAL EXPEDITIONS DOCUMENTING THE LAST STEAM LOCOMOTIVES OF THE WORLD. COLIN ENDEAVOURED TO CAPTURE ON FILM THE CONDENSERS’ DYNAMIC INDIVIDUALITY; AN INDIVIDUALITY SO PUNGENT AS FREQUENTLY TO OVERSHADOW THE DESERT ATMOSPHERE.

T

o meet increased traffic requirements on South African Railway main lines in the early 1950s it became necessary to provide further large locomotives of a more sophisticated design. Originally it was intended to obtain locomotives with conventional tenders only. However, due to the everincreasing seriousness of water shortages, especially in the Karoo, the SAR decided to acquire some condensing engines as well. Accordingly 90 condensing locomotives and 50 non-condensing ones were ordered, the latter known as 25NC.

MASTER TOUCH

ONE MAN, ONE ENGINE

Many of these new locomotives were allocated to the important railway junction of De Aar from where they worked up the main line to Kimberley.

At De Aar they came under the responsibility of Locomotive Foreman, A. G. Watson, a man known throughout the world for the pride he had built up in locomotive operations at this important depot. Before Mr Watson took over at De Aar, engines were filthy and most operations there were regarded merely as a job of work, but this inveterate enthusiast soon injected a new spirit. He began by cleaning up all his shunting engines, simultaneously forbidding the crews either to slip them or to emit heavy smoke; any driver contravening these orders was hauled up onto the carpet.

Commensurate with this he introduced a policy of one man, one engine, and needless to say, cleanliness became a general rule, the men loved their engines and would spend much of their spare time polishing them. A story went around town that some men loved their engines more than their wives.

Class 25C in the Karoo.

Cab detail of South African Railways Class 25 NC.

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Perhaps Mr Watson’s master touch was in the naming of his 25NCs, engines which he personally loved a great deal – a marked contrast to his feelings about the 25s. He bestowed them all with girls’ names, choosing many personally, but some commemorated the names of the drivers’ wives.

Mr Watson showed little interest in the condensing giants which infiltrated his domain and many De Aar drivers shunned the prospect of having a 25 as pilot engine when double-heading; so great a mess did they make of the spotless 25NCs, the condensers were regarded as the SAR’s smuttiest and smokiest engines – no mean claim indeed.

It was a very real pleasure to meet this dedicated man who made me feel so welcome at De Aar, for quite apart from keeping control of all operations at this depot, he also found time to enthuse about his engine’s characteristics and performances.

Mr Watson welcomed us to his home and promptly ushered us into a delightful room whose walls were decked with locomotive pictures, many of considerable interest; I feasted upon this unexpected gallery. ‘Must we really spend the evening discussing Condensers?’ Watson sighed, ‘You know I don’t like them. Might we not discuss the merits of Hornby modelling instead?’

I firmly declined any such capitulation by emphasising that the 25s were the highlight of my 7,000-mile journey and that furthermore, they may soon be withdrawn – this latter point being emphasised by none other than our host earlier that day.

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Looking down on a Class 25 condensing tender at Bloemfontein.

TELL THEM MRS WATSON

WATER STRUGGLE Conscience won the day. The depot chief sat back in his chair in a manner befitting one about to undergo interrogation and said, ‘Did you know that we have always had trouble obtaining suitable water supplies in the Karoo, especially between Touws River and Beaufort West but also between Beaufort West and De Aar?’ At this juncture Mr Watson rose and crossed the room to a small bureau from which he extracted a leaflet entitled Henschel Condensing Locomotives. ‘This gives the principal points,’ he announced. ‘This is Henschel’s official catalogue – it says the 25s are the largest condensers ever built!’ From this he read as follows: • The Henschel condensing locomotive is an orthodox type of engine, the only difference being that the exhaust steam from the cylinder is not blown into the atmosphere but conveyed to the tender where it is condensed in an air cooling system.

• Distances of up to 700 miles can be covered without replenishing water. These locomotives are especially suitable for service in arid regions or in regions with unfavourable feed water.

• The saving in water compared with non-condensing locomotive amounts to approximately 90 per cent.

• Feeding the boiler with condensate – only

10% of fresh water being added – results in a corresponding longer boiler life.

• A saving in fuel is attained as the boiler is fed with hot condensate.

• The power for the condensing system and the draught fan is obtained from energy of the exhaust steam practically without detraction from the locomotives output.

• The condensing equipment requires no special attention from the crew.

‘There’, said our friend, ‘that’s everything you want to know. Once they were in action the condensing 25s certainly proved their merit and became an economical proposition even though they cost some £112,000 each compared with £70,000 for a non-condensing 25 – and that was in 1958. Their introduction enabled closure of some Karroo watering stations and dispensed with the need to transport water into the desert during the dry season. This, as you will imagine, was a very costly business.’

‘We have had a few bizarre incidents with them, as one would expect from such unconventional machines,’ continued Mr Watson. ‘They are dirty engines to work on – try riding behind one in the first coach… In fact we don’t like using them on passenger trains for these very reasons.’

‘Tell them about the incident at Reims,’ said Mrs Watson, who had by this time joined our circle. ‘You mean the one which blew its chimney out?’ retorted her husband. ‘Yes, that was caused by the exhaust fan breaking loose and breaking off the complete chimney

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structure – that chimney lay on Reims station for years afterwards.

Then, on another occasion, the fan broke through an engine’s tubeplate causing water and steam, at full boiler pressure, to shoot out of the chimney- just like a geyser.

Numerous tender fans have broken loose too, usually when the engine is moving: they break away from the tender housing and fly off up into the air. I will never forget the time when this happened to one of my men and his subsequent report of seeing what he took to be a helicopter following his train, before realising, to his horror, that one of the tender fans had gone. There are several of them lying about the Karoo should you want to examine one. Wait till you see one going along with its tender puffing,’ he continued. ‘They look so ridiculous.

Nowadays many of the tenders are in such poor condition that leaks cause them to puff in accord with the engine’s exhaust beats – exactly as does the chimney of a conventional engine.’ Upon leaving the Watsons that evening we swung southwards towards the Karoo. For him the occasion had been routine enough, but for me it had set into motion one of the greatest love affairs of my life.

FEARSOME SCREAM

25NC at De Aar depot.

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Later that night I was to experience one of the first fruits of this affair – the thrill of hearing a condenser at speed. It was from a small lineside hotel situated on the periphery of the Karroo. The occasion was one I will never forget.

It was a Saturday and, as is customary in many South African hotels at this time, a small band was in residence, their endeavours being audible from my room, and it was with relief on my

part that they took an interval prior to playing their final set. When the band stopped everything seemed strangely quiet, save for the tinkling of glasses and an occasional murmur of voices from the ball-room. An owl called, his cry piercing the night, until after a few minutes he too fell silent, presumably having moved on to richer pastures than the hotel environs offered.

A spell of quietness was broken by some terrestrial disturbance, a slight shudder convulsed the building followed by a deep rumbling above which could be heard a whine like a jet aircraft. It came ever closer as if a mighty whirlwind was about to engulf the hotel and dash it to the ground, demolishing it to a mass of smithereens. The cacophony gushed to a climax as a 25 howled through, the fearsome scream of its fans riding high above the roar of speeding wagon.

After the train had passed and normality gathered together its shattered fragments, the little band struck up again almost as if they had waited to pay homage to the fading sounds of the condenser. As they launched merrily into the 32 bars of a 1930s pop number, the ringing banjo rose above the heavier brass and percussion, seeming, as it did so, to mimic the way in which a 25’s turbine rides above the sound of a heavy train.

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

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

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

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

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

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GRAND LAUNCH

FOR RECORD BREAKING GOTTHARD BASE TUNNEL

T

he world’s longest and deepest railway tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel, has opened in the Swiss Alps. The link is a key component of a new, faster rail link through the mountain range and the culmination of 17 years of hard work.

From the northern portal at Erstfeld, the tunnel stretches for 57 kilometres (35 miles) through the Alps to the southern portal in Bodio. More than 150 kilometres of tunnel were bored during the tunnel’s construction in total, including the two main tunnels, ventilation shafts and connecting tunnels.

The Gotthard tunnel is not only the longest in the world, it is also the deepest, with more than two kilometres of rock and sediment above it in places.

Around 160,000 people applied to ride on the first train through the Gotthard Base Tunnel on 1 June although the tunnel won’t properly open to paying customers until December.

Trial service Opening ceremonies were held at both ends of the tunnel to mark the handover by delivery body AlpTransit to Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). In attendance were the heads of states for Germany, France, Austria and Italy.

SBB will now begin a trial operation phase, with some freight services expected to be rerouted through the tunnel this summer.

In an English translation of his opening speech, President of the Swiss Confederation Johann Schneider-Ammann said, ‘Today is an historic day for our country: We have completed the Gotthard Base Tunnel, an epic feat of engineering, a project that has involved generations, from the first sketches, to the planning and construction of the tunnel.

‘I feel extremely proud, but also quite humble. For a project like this does not succeed as a matter of course.’

He added, ‘The opening of the first rail tunnel in 1882 was a landmark, and the spirit of enterprise has borne fruit after years of hard work, and so today we mark a new milestone by inaugurating the Gotthard base tunnel. For it is here, in the Alps where the Reuss, the Rhine, the Rhone

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All Photos © SBB

and the Ticino rise, that languages and cultures, trade routes and economic zones meet. You can see why the Gotthard has always been vitally important.

‘The base tunnel provides us with a faster link through the Alps, and brings North and South even closer together.’

NRLA The Gotthard Base Tunnel is one of three tunnels that make up the New Rail Link through the Alps (NRLA of NEAT). The other two are the Lötschberg Base Tunnel, which opened in 2007, and the Ceneri Base Tunnel, which is still under construction. Once the Ceneri Base Tunnel is open in 2020, journey times between Zurich and Lugano will be cut by 45 minutes.

At the peak of activity, around 2,400 people worked on site.

Ahead of the opening ceremony on June 1, a memorial was held in the tunnel to remember the nine workers who died during the construction.

The tunnel will create additional capacity for both passenger and freight services. With little gradient within the tunnel, freight trains using the corridor will no longer need bank engines and the maximum number of freight trains

that are able to use the route each day will increase from 180 to 260.

Sixty-five passenger trains will also travel through the tunnel every day at speeds up to 250 km/h. This is made possible by utilising ETCS Level 2 signalling, which has been developed by Transtec Gotthard consortium.

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INTERNATIONAL RAIL

49

DOUBLE-DECKER

Double-deck high-speed trains could be the answer to maximising capacity on HS2, Alstom believes.

Refugees given rail chance A group of 12 refugees are to begin their professional training with Deutsche Bahn (DB) having come through a pre-entry programme with the company.

Translated as ‘Chance Plus’, the scheme is delivered in partnership with Germany’s Federal Employment Agency to create opportunities for young people. Over the past 10 years, the programme has given around 300 people the opportunity to gain qualifications or complete vocational training every year. The scheme has since been widened to allow young refugees to apply as well.

The Chance Plus pre-entry scheme focuses on teaching language skills and guiding applicants through the general

workings of DB. This first group of 12, which includes individuals from Syria, Eritrea, Egypt, Afghanistan and Pakistan, completed their training in March and will now pursue professional training within the company.

Another 18 are currently undergoing their training and a further 60 places will be created at sites in Hamburg, Erfurt and Bremen in the autumn.

DB chairman and chief executive Dr. Rüdiger Grube, ‘Our program shows that the successful integration of refugees into the labor market is possible. We as German Railways focus on sustainable training with perspective. I am pleased that these twelve young people with their motivation and enthusiasm are part of our railway family.’

The manufacturer, which has built double-decker TGV trains for France, has produced a new concept bi-level train for HS2.

The concept was unveiled by Henrik Anderberg, acting managing director of Alstom UK & Ireland, at a parliamentary reception hosted by Alstom last month.

Although double-deck trains wouldn’t be practical for some of the fleet, Alstom believes they could work for the ’captive’ fleet of trains that would operate solely on HS2.

The trains would be driven by power cars at either end rather than distributed traction - the technology used by Eurostar's new e320 fleet.

Anderberg said double-deck carriages would offer 40 per cent more capacity than regular units and would not be substantially more expensive to build.

© Bouygues

Tramway Olympico Rio de Janeiro is on course to open its VLT Carioca tram network ahead of the Olympics.

© Oliver Lang/Deutsche Bahn

The city’s mayor, Eduardo Paes, has opened the first phase of the line between Santos Dumont Airport and Parada dos Museus. The second seven-

kilometre section is also due to open in time for the Games.

The entire network comprises 28 kilometres of track, 31 stations and 32 trams - the majority of which are being built in Brazil.

Around 200,000 passengers are predicted to use the system every day.

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50

YOUNG RAIL PROFESSIONALS

RAILSTAFF JUNE 2016

S L A N IO S S E F O R P L YOUNGWREAEIK: BRIDGING RAIL

P A G S L IL K S IL A THE R

F

ollowing the rousing success that was the 2016 Young Rail Professionals’ Annual Dinner, all focus is now on the organisation and delivery of the first ever Rail Week.

From Monday 27 June to Sunday 3 July, a pioneering pan-industry initiative intends to bring the rail industry, in all its guises, closer to schools, teachers, career advisors and students, celebrating the diverse and rewarding opportunities available across the sector during the inaugural Rail Week.

The dedicated week of activity aims to address the skills shortage in rail-related roles and inspire a generation of young people through a series of events, visits and talks. The events for people at schools, colleges and universities aim to encourage them to consider careers in our great industry. Rail Week will also include a widespread schools outreach programme, facilitating ambassadors to get into the classroom and deliver inspirational activities designed for Rail Week.

The Rail Week initiative is the brainchild of the Young Rail Professionals, and we are now urging organisations across the rail industry to get involved by pledging to host events and reach out to schools, colleges and parents in their area.

WIDE RANGE OF ROLES ‘YRP and our members know firsthand that the rail sector is a great place to work, with exciting projects to get involved in, good career prospects and a wide range of different roles to undertake’, explains YRP chair Sabrina Ihaddaden. ‘Unfortunately, many children, parents and teachers don’t realise the variety of jobs and opportunities available. We hope to change this with Rail Week.

‘By getting the whole sector involved in Rail Week, we can collectively bridge the skills gap and celebrate the great careers in rail. It is important that companies across the sector and country get involved so we can truly represent the industry.’

The idea is already gaining momentum across the sector, with a number of industry leaders having already agreed to back Rail Week.

These include the support of the Rail Delivery Group, the National Skills Academy for Rail (NSAR), Rail Media, Rail Alliance, High Speed Rail Industry Leaders, the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Railway Engineers Forum (REF).

Sabrina adds, ‘We aim to give young people, parents, teachers and careers advisors firsthand experience of the projects, ideas and technology leading the sector today. We want to let them see behind the doors of some of the biggest and most innovative projects to show them how much of an exciting and varied industry rail is.’

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HOW TO GET INVOLVED Rail Week aims to show the huge breath of roles in the industry from the technical and creative to strategic and political. Rail Week aims to achieve this through special events, talks and visits.

As part of Rail Week, companies are being asked to host tours of depots, labs, stations, project sites, or organise conferences, evening lectures, visits to schools, colleges and universities. Once you’ve had an idea, get in touch with the Rail Week team to get the event added to the website.

Many companies already have outreach engagement with schools. Rail Week is a great opportunity to get these volunteers into school and promote rail further.

In addition, YRP, STEMNET and the wider industry are co-ordinating the Rail Week STEM Ambassadors programme to promote rail careers in schools and colleges directly. During Rail Week, teachers will request for ambassadors to go into schools and visit their class. Ambassadors can deliver a rail activity or give a presentation about their career and job.

A stellar example of how to get involved is a recent initiative led by our YRP Annual Dinner headline sponsor, CPC Project Services LLP. For the last nine months, its CPC Systems division has collaborated with Brighton University’s Engineering Department to set a group of five engineering students a final year project as part of their Master’s degree.

The team – comprising one electrical and four mechanical engineers – presented the results of their project to George Clark, engineering director, Capital Programmes - London Underground, and the CPC Systems team.

The challenge CPC Systems set was to investigate a method of detecting and recording the stopping

RAILSTAFF JUNE 2016

YOUNG RAIL PROFESSIONALS

51

Network Rail and the Institute of Civil Engineering (ICE) visited Twechar Primary School to help encourage its pupils to become the engineers of the future with an innovative hands-on workshop – the Bridges to Schools initiative.

position of the trains at Jubilee line stations with Platform Edge Doors (PEDs). The project stipulated that the detection had to be independent to the existing Transmission-Based Train Control (TBTC) SelTrac system but have the potential to interface with the trains’ Vehicles on-board Computer (VOBC).

The team explored several options, analysing pros and cons for each such as cost, complexity, effectiveness and durability. The YRP, CPC Systems team and George Clark are all impressed with the engineering solution that the team came up with and the enthusiasm and professionalism they have shown throughout the project. The team submitted their project on the 19 May and here at YRP, we wish them the best of luck!

‘It was great to see future engineers taking on a real challenge that railways can face and progress innovative solutions in a systematic way.

Their research and presentation was both professional and thought provoking and is certainly something we should progress further,’ says George Clark, engineering director, Capital Programmes Directorate, London Underground ‘It is a breath of fresh air to see what a group of young, enthusiastic engineers can come up with when set with a complex task. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the team and hope that this project has shown them there is room for innovation within rail and inspired them to pursue careers in the industry,’ said Charlotte Hughes, project manager, CPC Systems.

For more information on Rail Week, hosting an event or supporting the Ambassador programme, visit our interim website at www.railweek.com or email hello@railweek.com. Don’t forget to follow Rail Week on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and show your support for the campaign using the hashtag #railweek

Together we can bridge the skills gap and inspire a new generation into rail careers, promoting our industry as the exciting, ambitious and growing sector that we all love.

The inaugural Rail Week is a truly pan-industry collaborative programme. The rail sector will open its doors to thousands of students in schools, colleges and universities, and go out into the community and support teachers to deliver exciting interactive rail activities.

We need you to:   

Host tours of your depots, factories, control centres, stations, etc., Give public lectures and seminars about your incredible projects, Volunteer your staff to promote rail in schools as Rail Week STEM Ambassadors.

Rail Week can be whatever you want it to be. If you have a great idea shout about it and show off to the world what we can do together!

Join the ranks of organisations below who’ve already pledged their support.

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RAISING THE PROFILE DOES RAIL HAVE AN IMAGE PROBLEM? IT DEPENDS WHO YOU ASK.

T

hose who work within the industry don’t see it that way. Within rail there is a sincere admiration for the way the industry transports millions of people around the country every day with, on the whole, little fuss.

They meet with skilled, dedicated people every day and see firsthand the amazing engineering expertise that drives the railway.

But the perception outside the industry is quite different. Praise isn’t so forthcoming from passengers who have caught one too many late trains and were you to ask a school leaver if they had considered a career in rail, their first thoughts may well be of Victorian steam engines and sooty overalls.

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We provide our candidates with railway approved tooling, safety work wear and industry accredited training from day one.

Talent. Tooling. Training.

For more information contact us on +44 (0) 1332 344 443 or visit: www.fordandstanley.com

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TRAINING

RAILSTAFF JUNE 2016

‘Our job as recruiters is to try and sell the industry as a whole to new candidates who’ve never been involved in rail,’ said James Wall, managing director of Ford & Stanley (pictured below). The Derbybased specialist rail and engineering recruitment company has grown substantially in the last couple of years - it will soon be opening 2,500 sq ft of additional office space next to its existing headquarters.

James feels the rail industry isn’t coordinated enough in the way it pitches itself outside of its normal circles. He recalls attending an engineering graduate recruitment fair at The Roundhouse in Derby.

At the centre of the exhibition was a Formula 1 car surrounded by simulators where aspiring engineers could navigate some of the most famous circuits in the world in a vehicle at the pinnacle of its sector.

The Roundhouse is a cherished piece of Britain’s railway heritage, yet rail engineering’s presence at the show was understated. ‘As an industry, we talk about it, but very little is done to actively promote rail as an industry of choice,’ said James, who believes Ford & Stanley’s approach is addressing this by recasting the typical role of rail recruiters.

Skills partner Over the past 12 months, Ford & Stanley has added a number of new services to its business which James believes has moved the company away from the traditional ‘transactional’ relationship recruiters tend to have with clients - where they are contracted solely to fill a particular vacancy - to something of a skills partner.

The new offerings have come directly as a result of feedback given by clients and candidates through the company’s application of Net Promoter Score (NPS) - a widely recognised and adopted customer feedback index. As a result, the company created Talentwise, a service which sees Ford & Stanley provide candidates with workwear, tooling and training prior to joining a company, as well as completing all the necessary pre-employment checks and health screenings on the client’s behalf.

Ford & Stanley is now working with companies to look at how they can improve their in-house recruitment processes and external brand perception. The company is also helping to forecast skills demand and availability for project bids. ‘We’re moving with the industry… As a recruitment business we’re speaking to clients outside of just taking a job on.

‘We’re asking them about their opinions and what they would want to see and what they need,’ said James.

It’s an approach which will benefit the industry as a whole, he believes. ‘If recruitment agencies start working that bit closer with their clients to become an extended partner, we have the opportunity to share these great stories and incredible projects, extract this information and shout about it to the outside world.

‘This isn’t the entire answer but it’s helping.’

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Enterprise for Education (E4E) Ford & Stanley is partnering with rolling stock leasing company Porterbrook on Enterprise for Education - an initiative which encourages both businesses to visit schools, colleges and community projects to talk to young people about the industry, teach them how to write a CV and explain what opportunities exist for them in rail.

The other area of focus is to bring more people in from other industries. Ford & Stanley is working with the Armed Forces’ resettlement support service, Career Transition Partnership (CTP), to bring more former soldiers into the industry. The company also recently visited Tata Steel to help find new careers for the hundreds of steel workers who have opted for voluntary redundancy.

‘I think we’re going to keep talking about a skills shortage in our industry for another 10 years unless we do something about it,’ said James. He went on to add, ‘Every rail client we go to has a resourcing issue. They talk about the age demographic, they talk about the lack of women in rail… Moving people from one rail business to another, that isn’t solving the problem.’

But bringing in staff from other industries creates its own challenges.

Moving to a new industry is a daunting transition to make. To help candidates adjust, Ford & Stanley provides one-to-one support for the first 100 days of their employment through its GENIUS onboarding programme. ‘One recruit can transform a business,’ James explained.

He wants to see the same level of investment that is made available for training put towards programmes designed to attract new candidates. ‘One individual can transform a whole business in a positive way,’ he continued. ‘They can launch a whole division, they can win a bid as a result of expertise within that team, they can make changes around a service delivery or design function. Just one recruit can do that. Now that’s the power, for me, of working in tandem with a recruitment partner.’

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SOLDIERS ON THE RAILWAY A HOME AWAY FROM HOME MILITARY VETERANS SEEM AT HOME ON THE RAILWAY. MAYBE IT'S SOMETHING TO DO WITH THEIR REGIMENTED ATTITUDE, THE UNIFORM OR, DARE I SAY IT, THE BANTER.

‘T

he army and the railway are quite similar in a sense, apart from you’re not getting shot at,’ said Duncan Corefield, a COSS for Sky Blue, who up until 2012 was a soldier in the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. During his four years in the army, Duncan served in Afghanistan. He was on the ground in Babaji, Helmand Province - a region often at the centre of the conflict.

RESETTLEMENT

The employment figures for those leaving the services are encouraging. Within six months of being discharged, 84 per cent of veterans are currently finding work, according to figures provided by the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), the Ministry of Defence’s resettlement agency. The national average is just over 70 per cent. CTP believes the situation is actually even better than the figures suggest, with a chunk of the remaining 16 per cent either retiring or going into further education.

When he returned from Afghanistan, Duncan began the resettlement process.

Unfortunately, he was in the minority. ‘I was working through agencies here and there but I was struggling to stay in the one place,’ said Duncan. ‘I was going through quite a difficult time at that point.’ He had to learn how to present himself in an interview; how to communicate without ‘screaming and shouting’.

Duncan was out of work for 12 months before chancing upon an opportunity to swap his desert camo for high-viz orange. ‘By off chance, I remembered my friend worked on the railway and I spoke to him and the next thing you know I was in the office doing my PTS (Personal Track Safety), this that and the other and then I was on track.’ He added, ‘I’ve never looked back since.’

EAGER TO GET INVOLVED Working for Sky Blue, the recruitment and labour supply arm of Carillion, Duncan was immediately given the opportunity to gain additional competencies and is now a qualified Controller of Site Safety (COSS). ‘I was eager to get involved, I wanted to learn. I think people noticed that,’ he said. ‘I couldn’t sit still. When there was something to be done, I’d be the first one there.’

Duncan now believes he has a career on the railway’, describing it as a ‘home away from home’. He wants to go on to get his crane controller badge and become more involved in project planning. ‘Now I’ve got my own house, I’m getting married this year, I’ve got an 18-month old daughter. If it wasn’t for that job, I don’t think I’d have half of what I’ve got now.’

Duncan’s thoughts were echoed by Phil Crick, director logistics for Carillion Powerlines, who joined the company last year following a 25-year career in the RAILSTAFF.UK | @RAILSTAFFUK | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF

army. Phil was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Engineers and was the Commanding Officer responsible for the transfer and decommissioning of military infrastructure at the end of the British Army’s operation in Afghanistan.

Says Phil, ‘What I have found since arriving a year ago is that, like the military, the people are the heart of a really healthy and professional working environment - even when something is not quite right and needs improving, staff are positively engaged in making it better and dedicated to achieving the best outcomes. The context of those outcomes might be different, but the attitude is refreshingly similar.’

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS Phil now reviews and looks to improve logistics across Carillion’s rail business. Initially his role will focus on Carillion Powerlines’ involvement in Network Rail’s electrification programme. ‘As a chartered civil engineer, qualified during my time in the military, I found all the skills directly transferable.

‘The difference I brought was a fresh look at the business operating model backed on a lifetime of relying totally on robust logistics provision for all the construction operations I was responsible for.

‘On military operations, the material or equipment not being there on time, in the right quantity, in the right package and in the right place was vital as you cannot simply pop out and buy it, much as it is for railway possessions.’

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE LEAVERS In 2014, Carillion received a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award for the commitment it has shown in supporting the Armed Forces across all areas of its business. More than 400 veterans are employed by the company, which also offers a tailored programme for former service people who have been medically discharged to help ease them back into civilian life. The company also provides support to assist hiring managers to understand the transferable skills of veterans so that increased numbers are brought into the business.

RAILSTAFF JUNE 2016

‘It’s quite hard at the time because being in the military, you’re not really that used to making your own decisions,’ said Duncan, who felt there was more the rail industry could do to demonstrate the variety of roles and opportunities open to service leavers.

More than 14,000 soldiers currently leave Britain’s armed forces each year. To help adjust, CTP has a selection of online resettlement guides covering topics such as benefits, CV writing, interviews, finance and housing. There are also guides that deal specifically with the important role of LinkedIn and social media.

Says Jon Hull, Carillion’s head of resourcing, ‘LinkedIn is a good source of contacts and we recommend linking into ex-military colleagues, as well as other contacts and large organisations such as ourselves. There is a real shortage of skilled personnel across the industry and with major projects in the pipeline there are some great opportunities available to those leaving our armed services.’

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© Shutterstock.com

More than 14,000 soldiers currently leave Britain’s armed forces each year.

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BRIDGEWAY

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way People.com Tel: +44 (0)1530 816 450

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THE HEART OF UK RAIL Launched in 2001, RailwayPeople.com is the largest dedicated rail job site in the UK.

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CAREERS

RAILSTAFF JUNE 2016

Rail Accident Investigation Branch Worth investigating The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is the UK’s independent railway accident investigation organisation. Our focus when we investigate is on preventing a similar occurrence rather than on apportioning blame. We are currently seeking to recruit some new investigators to strengthen our team.

Rail Accident Investigator 3 posts – in Derby or Farnborough Grade: DfT Pay Band 6A&N Salary: £72,944 - £80,238 As a Rail Accident Investigator, whenever there is a significant accident or incident on the UK’s railways, you may be among the first to respond. You will then carry out a detailed and professional investigation, report upon the factors that led to the accident and make recommendations or improvements in the safety of railways.

We have a particular need to recruit investigators with backgrounds in track design and/or maintenance; also railway operations and safety

management. However, we are open to candidates from all railway disciplines, or to those with investigation experience gained from another field. It would be preferable if you had a degree in a relevant discipline, but this is not essential if you can demonstrate to us the necessary depth and breadth of experience and knowledge.

To be eligible to act as a front-line investigator you must be prepared to undergo security and health checks.

Investigations can involve work in demanding conditions; so we require that you are physically fit.

We will provide comprehensive expert training in the skills and knowledge required.

For further information and details of how to apply for this role, please email dftrecruitment@dftssc.gsi.gov.uk Closing date: 24th June 2016.

The Department for Transport is an equal opportunities employer.

We value diversity and want our workforce to reflect the communities that we serve.

01483 361 061 info@advance-trs.com advancerailwayjobs.com @railwayjobs

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Isle of Man Government – Isle of Man Railways Heritage Railways Permanent Way Manager Reference: DOI-003580 | 37 hours per week | Grade: Pay Band 25 | £42,902 - £50,125 per annum Isle of Man Railways within the Department of Infrastructure are seeking a professionally qualified railway engineering manager to join the engineering management team and lead the maintenance of the track, structures, and associated infrastructure of the Isle of Man’s Heritage railways and tramways to allow safe and effective operations.

The post holder will also be the technical head for Permanent Way Engineering.

Applicants must hold an appropriate professional qualification in an engineering or safety discipline and have at least 3 years’ experience in managing permanent way related maintenance within a railway/tramway system.

The post holder will be the line manager for approximately 20 members of staff, with an annual budget of approximately £1m.

Heritage Railways Electrical Traction Engineer Reference: DOI-003582 | 37 hours per week | Grade: Pay Band 25 | £42,902 - £50,125 per annum Isle of Man Railways within the Department of Infrastructure are seeking a professionally qualified railway engineering manager to join the engineering management team and lead the maintenance of the electrical traction, power supply, overhead line equipment and associated infrastructure of the Isle of Man’s Heritage railways and tramways, to allow safe and effective operations.

The post holder will be the line manager for approximately 5 members of staff, with an annual budget of approximately £0.25m. The post holder will also be the technical head for Electrical Engineering.

The Isle of Man is a self-governing dependency within the British Isles. The post holders will enjoy the benefits of low income tax, high rates of personal allowance and a low crime rate. Other advantages include good sea and air links, excellent quality of individual and family life, superb scenery and excellent leisure facilities. The Isle of Man is surrounded by

beautiful beaches and enjoys a mild maritime climate. Situated between Ireland and England it is 40 minutes’ flying time from London and has transportation links to other major UK cities.

There are ferry services to Liverpool, Heysham, Belfast and Dublin. For further information about living in the Isle of Man and the Island’s lifestyle visit www.visitisleofman.com

A generous relocation package will be available for the successful candidates relocating to the Isle of Man.

Applicants must hold an appropriate professional qualification in an engineering or safety discipline and have at least 3 years’ experience in managing electrical traction systems related maintenance within a railway / tramway system.

More details of the duties of the posts can be obtained from Mr Jeremy Reece, Chief Engineer on Tel: 01624 697476.

Further details and job descriptions for the posts can be obtained from: www.gov.im/jobs where you can also apply online.

If you have difficulties applying online please contact the Employment Services Team on Tel: 01624 686300 or by email at JobTrainHelpdesk@gov.im The closing date for applications is 30th June 2016.

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CAREERS

RAILSTAFF JUNE 2016

UPLOAD YOUR CV AND APPLY AT:

www.ata-recruitment.co.uk @ATA_jobs

MARKET LEADING OEM SEEKS TALENTED SUPPORT ENGINEER

MAINTENANCE ENGINEERS FOR LARGE TRAIN OPERATOR

SENIOR COMMERCIAL MANAGER TO LEAD TWO MAJOR PROJECTS

South Gloucestershire

South London

London

Up to £55,000 + Package

£33- £40k + Final Salary Pension + Rail Card

Excellent salary, car, benefits and great career prospects

An amazing opportunity has arisen for experienced Maintenance Engineers to join a rapidly expanding train operating company who have recently been awarded a multimillion pound project in London.

This is an excellent opportunity, in a brand new team for an experienced engineer to support the mobilisation of a high speed rail fleet including additional testing and commissioning. You will be working for a global OEM at the cutting edge of innovation which will enable you to challenge and progress your technical expertise to the next level.

The company pride themselves on their extensive training and development opportunities for both new and existing employees and have a fantastic depot culture!

If you have rolling stock experience and passion for the industry we want to hear from you.

DON’T MISS OUT APPLY TODAY! Sian.noon@ata-recruitment.co.uk

DON’T MISS OUT APPLY TODAY! Timothy.smith@ata-recruitment.co.uk

The opportunity to commercially lead two exciting projects comes at the perfect time as you’ll be joining an already established and hugely successful worldwide civil engineering contractor embarking on an exciting period of significant growth within their UK business.

If you have circa 10 years’ commercial experience on civils related projects (highways and/or rail), we want to hear from you.

DON’T MISS OUT APPLY TODAY! Tom.peach@ata-recruitment.co.uk

For further information on the above roles or to enquire about other vacancies with ATA, please contact the Rail team on: 0333 011 2046 and choose option 1 for Rail Jobs or apply now at www.ata-recruitment.co.uk

www.trsstaffing.com

Global Scale. Local Focus.

Commercial Coordinator – Rail and Infrastructure Vacancies Currently Available – Rail Project Manager

Rail Site and Construction Manager

Birmingham, London, York and Derby Degree educated, NEC experience £300 - £450/day or £35 - £65k

London, Birmingham and East Anglia £35K - £55K or £250 - £350/day

RAMS Specialist + Rail Safety

P6 Project Planners

Birmingham, London, York £50K - £75k or £350 - £500/day

London, Midlands, Reading and Manchester £40K - £65K or £350 - £500/day

Quantity Surveyors / Commercial Managers

Project Controls Manager

London, Guildford, Bedford, Midlands and York £35 - £65k or £300 - £450/day

London, Midlands, Reading and Manchester £55 - £70K

DPE/CRE – Track & P-Way Engineers

Project Engineers - Civils, M&E

London, York, Reading and Manchester £40K - £55K or £300 - £500/day

London, Bristol and Derby £300 - £450/day

TRS Staffing Solutions are international engineering recruitment specialists.

We recruit for major national and international projects for leading national rail organisations, main contractors and consultancies.

Please email your CV to andrew.johnson@trsstaffing.com or if you’d prefer to discuss any roles call +44 (0)20 7419 5800 RAILSTAFF.UK | @RAILSTAFFUK | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF

Rugby, Warwickshire Colas Rail Services owns, maintains and operates the largest fleet of modern On-Track Machines (OTM) in the UK and operates freight services for corporate clients nationwide. In this key role, you’ll provide commercial management of the recently secured Network Rail contracts (Freight and Non-Freight). That means effectively managing internal and external customers and demonstrating in-depth understanding of the commercial deliverables of the contracts.

Key Objectives • Manage all commercial aspects of the contracts, including preparing internal and external reports and representing the company in client meetings • Build and maintain a good working relationship with internal and external clients • Manage, report on and optimise, cost, opportunities and contract performance • Identify and implement cost saving on existing contracts and feed these back into new business opportunities • Ensure that all due revenue is correctly billed and collected in a timely manner Qualifications and Experience • A thorough knowledge of contract procedures and administration • Organisational ability with proven communications and motivation skills • Ability to meet tight reporting deadlines • Ability to express views and explain concepts to clients, suppliers and colleagues • Good and proven negotiating skills • A comprehensive understanding of contract reporting methodology, which determines the financial results for the division and their accuracy, is vital to the ongoing success of the company • Proactive self-starter with the ability to constantly improve reporting standards To apply, please email your CV to recruitment@colasrail.co.uk or visit www.colasrail.co.uk/careers. Strictly no agencies.

Colas Rail are committed to promoting equality and eliminating discrimination.

FAST TRACK YOUR CAREER Help create a better, faster rail network within a unique, forward thinking rail environment. The Alliance is Network Rail and AmeySersa working together in a collaborative way to transform S&C delivery.

You’ll benefit from support and opportunities to grow and reach your career goals. We are as ambitious for our people as we are for our business.

We are recruiting for a wide variety of roles including engineers, surveyors, project and construction managers and designers.

Visit our recruitment event in Crewe on 30 June to hear about our local opportunities.

WANT TO HEAR MORE? Come and see us at our rail event on 30 June 2016 from 14:00 to 20:00 at the Alexandra Stadium, Gresty Road, Crewe, CW2 6EB To find out more visit amey.co.uk/crewe

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