RailStaff November 2012

RailStaff

See Stobart Advert P2

Winner Rail Team of the Year

stobartrail.com

Issue 180 / November 2012

THE MOST POPULAR PUBLICATION IN THE UK RAIL INDUSTRY

www.railstaff.co.uk

New Railways for the New Year

Man for all seasons joins Eurostar

RAILSTAFF AWARDS 2012 WINNERS INSIDE

PAGE 9

Steam returns to London Underground Next year marks the 150th anniversary of the London Underground.

PAGES 12

Green lights for new Borders and Chiltern rail links. Two new rail links have been given the green light. Work will start in the new year. Both new rail links will increase capacity and give more towns direct links to London and Edinburgh. In Scotland the Scottish Government has signed a contract with Network Rail to build the long awaited Borders Rail link connecting Edinburgh and Tweedbank. Further south Chiltern Railways is to open a new rail link between London Marylebone and Oxford using a reconfigured railway from Oxford to Bicester.

Laidlaw blames inadequate planning Virgin Trains will continue to run West Coast rail services.

Continued on PAGE 4

WE HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE...

TO DELIVER EVERY TIME! Get connected to one of the largest specialist recruitment businesses in the rail industry, for unrivalled support services and the very best professional staff.

0845 543 5953

www.mcginley.co.uk

PAGE 14

Rail Team of the Year In 2012 a Stobart Rail Team was awarded the RailStaff Awards Rail Team of the Year for the work they carried out on the Manchester Metrolink Track Replacement Possession. “Stobart Rail successfully delivered the core works within a very demanding timeframe, both lead-in and delivery.

Despite unforeseen circumstances affecting key aspects of their supply chain, they responded effectively by reworking their methodology just days before the core works began. Their level headed and proactive approach ensured

the track was handed back on time at operational line speed.�

Clive Pennington Head of Engineering, MRDL Stobart Rail specialise in Bridge & Tunnel reconstruction, Track Lowering, Earthworks, Civils & Drainage projects, Plain Line Track Renewal and Replacement of Ballast under Switches and Crossings.

If you would like some Award winning thinking and Award winning engineering on your next project contact us to discuss.

Rail Team of the year 2012

Keith Winnery Rail Director t. 01228 518 150 e. keith.winnery@stobartrail.com Andy Richardson Operations Director t. 01228 882 300 e. andy.richardson@stobartrail.com Kirk Taylor Managing Director t. 01228 882 300 e. kirk.taylor@stobartrail.com

stobartrail.com

COMMENT

RailStaff Contact us:

Publisher:

Paul O’Connor

Editor:

Andy Milne

Production and design:

Adam O’Connor

Senior Reporter:

Jonathan Webb

Writer:

Nigel Wordsworth

Track Safety:

Colin Wheeler

Pictures:

Colin Garratt

Advertising:

Asif Ahmed Craig Smith Paul Curtis

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

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

RailStaff is published by RailStaff Publications Limited.

A Rail Media Publication.

George Osborne’s little local difficulty on a Virgin Pendolino was eagerly seized upon by the media.

The fare incident piles on several political gaffes this autumn which together undermine the Clegg-Cameron administration. However, the Coalition Government has done well by railways and should take heart from its achievements.

Progress on Crossrail, commitment to High Speed 2, new rail links for Oxford-Marylebone and Great Western electrification are among a few of the headlines in a continuing roll of good news.

This is an industry that despite the recession is building commerce and expanding its market.

Structures that constrain capacity and civil service ineptitude present challenges not barriers. The franchising crisis will be resolved by further enabling the people who know how to run railways and knocking back the influence of Marsham Street.

The great success of railway privatisation has been to set free the inherent ideas and initiative of the industry itself. By backing railways both politically and economically the government demonstrates it is socially aware, environmentally literate and economically responsible.

Central to the railway is its staff.

Like no other industry railways have a high degree of customer-

SPECIAL FOCUS

Expanding its market The great success of railway privatisation has been to set free the inherent ideas and initiative of the industry itself.

“The franchising crisis will be resolved by further enabling the people who know how to run railways and knocking back the influence of Marsham Street.”

supplier contact. Signallers, workers and managers are not very far from the people for whom they are responsible.

Platform staff, ticket sellers and guards welcome passengers personally. Genial revenue protection officers are on hand to advise the more absent minded of our customers. It is their achievements - eloquently testified by the RailStaff Awards - that

make investing in rail such a worthwhile proposition.

Franchising may have problems but career railwayman, Richard Brown, in his review, can be relied upon to speak with resolution for an industry that holds the answers to the structural conundrum.

The strength of this industry is its efficient and resourceful staff.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer would be among the first to agree.

PAGE 6

PAGE 62

Rail Freight In December’s RailStaff

Property boom for Crossrail

Work begins on Stratford Parkway

Transporting freight by rail is now more efficient, more cost effective and growing year on year. RailStaff talks to freight operators, suppliers and customers. If your company is involved in rail freight get in touch with us now and promote your business to the whole rail industry.

Please contact Paul or Tom on 01530 565700 today.

Crossrail looks like creating a £5.5 billion boom in residential and commercial property over the next ten years, new research shows.

An official ceremony was held recently to mark the start of building work on the new Stratford on Avon Parkway station.

www.railstaff.co.uk

3

The Scottish Government has signed an agreement with Network Rail for the building of a new Borders Railway connecting Edinburgh and Tweedbank.

The new rail link will be 30 miles long with seven stations and will be completed by 2015. Says Transport Minister Keith Brown, ‘The official handover of the Borders project to Network Rail marks a milestone in our efforts to provide a fast and efficient rail link that will significantly contribute to the area’s economy.’

The Borders Railway will re-establish passenger railway services for the first time in over 40 years from Edinburgh through Midlothian to Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders. The original line continued right through to Carlisle.

Passengers will be able to travel direct

30

© JONATHAN WEBB

Starters Orders for Borders

miles long with

from Tweedbank to Edinburgh seven stations and completed by 2015.

Waverley in less than an hour at peak times.

‘We’re proud to be delivering this prestigious project and look forward to delivering what will be a hugely important new asset for Midlothian and the Scottish Borders,’ says David Simpson, route managing director for Network Rail Scotland.

Passenger trains last ran on the Carlisle-Edinburgh route in 1969. The project became mired in controversy when two other consortia dropped out of the bidding process. Network Rail is confident the new railway can be delivered on time and on budget. The contract was signed in Scotland’s National Mining Museum at Newtongrange in Midlothian.

Footpath to become Narrow Rail Corridor through Galashiels.

Green Light for new Oxford – Marylebone Route

A new rail route between Oxford and London Marylebone via Bicester has finally been given the go ahead.

The Secretary of State for Transport under the Transport and Works Act granted permission for Chiltern Railways to start work on the line; the first new rail link between London and a major British city for 100 years.

The groundbreaking £130m 4

project will result in the train company running services between London Marylebone and Oxford from 2015. Chiltern Railways will build new stations in Bicester and in north Oxford.

A new parkway station in north Oxford will be located at Water Eaton. Bicester Town station will be redeveloped providing a first-class gateway to the town next to the popular Bicester Village retail

centre. The route will be achieved by constructing a short connecting line just south of Bicester, where Chiltern Railways’ LondonBirmingham line crosses over the proposed East-West line which will run between Oxford and Milton Keynes.

The latter will be upgraded from just east of Bicester Town station to Oxford, including restoring much of the double track that was

removed many years ago. New signalling and safety systems will be installed. Bicester Town and Islip stations will be rebuilt and additional platforms provided at Oxford.

Says Graham Cross, Business Development Director of Chiltern Railways, ‘We are pleased to have been granted the power to proceed with this significant railway investment, which will benefit thousands of commuters and businesses in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

‘The Oxford to London link is the latest in a long line of innovative Chiltern-led projects to upgrade the rail infrastructure, fuelled by our understanding of rail’s potential to make a significant contribution to economic growth and prosperity.’ www.railstaff.co.uk

NEWS

Elizabeth goes underground Engineers at Crossrail lowered a 550 tonne tunnelling machine into a 40 metre deep shaft in east London on 25th October.

The TBM, called Elizabeth, will be tunnelling under the River Lea towards Canary Wharf this winter.

The team at Limmo Peninsula, adjacent to Canning Town station, will repeat the operation with sister machine, Victoria.

Work has started to prepare Crossrail’s Canary Wharf station to receive Elizabeth, with workers breaking out the hard concrete at the tunnel eyes to allow for the machines to enter the station next year.

Both tunnelling machines will receive maintenance while in the large station box, before continuing their journeys toward Whitechapel, Liverpool Street and Farringdon.

Says Andrew Wolstenholme, Crossrail’s Chief Executive, ‘This is

www.railstaff.co.uk

a significant milestone for Crossrail’s progress in east London.

Elizabeth and Victoria will construct Crossrail’s longest tunnel section - 8.3 kilometres between Canning Town and Farringdon.

When Crossrail is completed it will dramatically improve transport in east London and bring places like Custom House and Abbey Wood to within 20 minutes of London’s major employment areas.’

The 1,350 tonne crane took weeks to assemble and includes heavy duty equipment to lower Elizabeth and Victoria into the enormous main shaft at the site. A smaller crane will lift the 10 gantries that form the back-up trailers of the tunnelling machine and carry the materials to support the tunnelling effort.

The assembly of the tunnelling machines and their gantries will be completed underground creating two 148 metre long

tunnelling factories. After both machines and their gantries are safely in the shaft, a large conveyer system will be constructed to take the earth from the bottom of the shaft onto nearby ships.

The two machines will use large shove frames to push themselves forward into the earth. Works are

also being completed on the River Lea to construct a jetty to berth ships that will take 1.2 million tonnes of earth to Wallasea Island to create a new RSPB nature reserve as well as a facility to dock barges that will bring 120,000 concrete segments from Chatham in Kent to line the tunnels.

5

NEWS

Property boom for Crossrail

eight new stations in London and upgrading many existing stations.

Stretching from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west, across to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east, the new railway will provide a further engine for recession busting economic growth in the south. Crossrail services are due to commence in 2018.

The research was conducted for

Hitachi Europe Ltd has launched a European Rail Research Centre at its offices in central London.

The newly established European Rail Research Centre will focus on a broad range of areas, including rolling stock design, manufacturing practices, maintenance and Traffic Management Systems.

Says Kiyoshi Yamamoto, Managing Director of Hitachi Europe, ‘We expect the European Rail Research Centre to support Hitachi’s railway business in Europe and contribute to the development of the region’s railway infrastructure.

‘The Research Centre will provide safe and high quality solutions by applying Hitachi’s leading technologies. In the future, we’d like to expand the research centre with a local office to directly support Hitachi Rail Europe’s planned manufacturing and assembly plant in the UK.’

platforms at Charing Cross earlier this year. A London bus also makes an appearance, filmed driving down Whitehall.

The Underground has been an integral location for film making in London for over eighty years from Hitchcock’s first talking film, Blackmail, through to Skyfall.

‘Nothing identifies a location as being in London quicker than the inclusion of an Underground station or train.

‘It’s a unique and instantly recognisable backdrop and is recognised around the world and instantly the viewer knows that it’s in London,’ says Kate Reston.

Over recent years the disused platforms at Charing Cross and Aldwych stations have proved popular with directors who can film without compromising passenger safety. All revenue generated from filming on the London Underground is reinvested back into the transport network.

© SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Crossrail looks like creating a £5.5 billion boom in residential and commercial property over the next ten years, new research shows.

The project is already having a significant impact on property investment in central London.

However the rail link will also push up the value of houses in Berkshire and Essex. Building the new railway involves constructing

Rail research

Crossrail by GVA, independent commercial property consultants.

Crossrail will also create quality new buildings above and around its new stations, benefitting workers, residents and visitors for generations to come.

Says Mike Taylor, Director at GVA, ‘One of the biggest impacts of Crossrail will be on the commercial and residential property market with additional value of as much as £5.5bn generated along the route.

Crossrail will have a distinct impact on the residential property market not just in London but also several areas in Essex and Berkshire.

As a result of significantly improved transport connections, areas such as Abbey Wood, Woolwich, Ealing Broadway and Southall are highlighted as future places to watch. Crossrail is more than a new rail link. It will be the catalyst for regeneration and a key driver in maintaining London’s position as a leading global city.’

Bond Street back drop for Skyfall Nothing identifies a London scene like an Underground station and the new James Bond movie, Skyfall, makes full use of the capital’s 150 year old rail network.

Says Kate Reston, Head of London Underground Film Office, ‘Skyfall was one of the biggest productions that I’ve had the pleasure to be involved in. Though filming took place over the course of several weeks, months of preparation work with the production team preceded it, a culmination of nearly a year’s work.’

In one of the biggest film productions ever to be filmed on the London Underground over 450 cast and crew filmed scenes for the spy thriller on disused 6

www.railstaff.co.uk

New roles at Interfleet Martin Fenner, Ken Chan and Stephen Head - a product of Interfleet’s Graduate Development Scheme - have joined Interfleet Technology’s expanded Advanced Rail Control Systems team.

Martin Fenner has previously worked as a Signal Engineer on the Neasden Depot Re-signalling project for London Underground and was a Project Engineer for Metronet Rail. Martin was a co-

Close shave for cop Former British Transport Police officer John Barber, has been told to take it easy after breaking a hip whilst out running.

The 85 year old marathon man still runs regularly near his home in Sunderland. ‘I must have fallen over a stone or a tree root or something. At first I thought I’d damaged my groin. The doctor said it was a bit of prostate trouble and that a lot of men in their 80s got it, so I carried on running. I was running on a fractured hip.’

Mr Barber has always been a keen runner as thieves found out to their cost. John Briggs, who worked at Sunderland railway station, says Barber was a legend among rail staff.

‘There were many stories of thieves stealing coal from the sidings who would take off when challenged, obviously thinking they could outrun some middle-aged cop. Then John would take off after them and no one got away. He’d run for miles before they gave up.’

After leaving the police John Barber ran a gym. He also ran various marathons and aged 75 came second in the over 60s section of the Morpeth – Newcastle road race. Friends expect him to be back pounding the beat soon. ‘I reckon there’s a mile or two left him in yet,’ says John Briggs.

8

founder of the Young Railway Professionals and former Chairperson of the IRSE Younger Member’s Section.

Martin holds a Masters Degree (with Distinction) in Information Systems Engineering from Imperial College.

Ken Chan has worked for

London Underground spending the last five years on the Victoria Line Upgrade as an ATC Testing and Commissioning Engineer.

Stephen Head has worked on a range of projects including a strategic evaluation of global CBTC projects, Remote Condition Monitoring and ERTMS brake

curve optimisation, as well as being the project manager for Interfleet’s winning entry in the recent IMechE Railway Challenge during his graduate training.

Prior to joining Interfleet, Stephen gained a Masters degree in Engineering Design from the University of Bristol.

Young people Get Into Transport

Four young people from the West Midlands have been offered apprenticeships with Centro after completing a Prince’s Trust scheme.

Leon Castle, Moah Nur, Vanessa Smith and Anthony Bell (pictured L-R), all from Birmingham, won the coveted places through ‘Get Into Transport’ run by Centro on behalf of the Prince’s Trust.

The Get Into Transport scheme saw ten candidates spend four weeks on work experience rotating between Virgin Trains, National Express and Centro. Aboard Virgin Trains’ Pendolinos they carried out silver service in First Class and at Centro spent time in customer relations and ticket information centres.

Moha Nur, aged 23, from Edgbaston, is originally from Holland and moved to England with her family in 2009. She had been unemployed for a year when she applied for Get Into Transport.

‘To have been selected feels awesome. I really didn’t expect it.

I’ve really enjoyed the scheme and to have been selected for one of the apprenticeships is a real bonus,’ she said.

Says Paul Beesley, senior head of programmes for The Prince’s Trust in the West Midlands, ‘The Prince’s Trust Get Into Transport course is a fantastic way for young people to increase their chances of finding work in the transport industry.

“To have been selected feels awesome. I really didn’t expect it…”

MOHA NUR

We provide young people with intensive training, work experience and qualifications to help them into jobs. It is great to be working with Centro, Virgin Trains and National Express to help support young people in the area to move into the workplace.’ www.railstaff.co.uk

PEOPLE NEWS

Norman conquest

New post for Powell

Norman Topsom MBE, a stationmaster with over 50 years railway service, has been named as the face of Henley.

Mr Topsom works at Twyford station and is delighted but surprised with the recognition. ‘I am very surprised. I do not think anyone thinks they will be voted for.

Especially when people such as the mayor are pictured.’

Mr Topsom received his MBE in 2005 for services to the community.

In addition to his long career on the railways he is a patron of the YMCA and an altar server and bell ringer at St Mary’s Church. He has been keeper of the church tower clock for the last 35 years. Local people and appreciative commuters backed his nomination and his portrait now hangs in a gallery in the town.

David Powell will be overseeing the procurement of new trains for the Merseyrail network.

Powell, 44, has been appointed Project Director, Rolling Stock.

David has been involved with many rail and urban mass transit projects worldwide for more than 20 years, most recently in senior roles within Manchester’s Metrolink expansion programme where he oversaw the introduction of the city’s new fleet of trams.

Previously David worked for five years as a Project Director at Bombardier. Says David, ‘We are building on a lot of success here on Merseyside, with Merseyrail consistently one of the best train operators in the country.

‘This project is a unique opportunity to deliver a world-

class fleet of trains which will become the bedrock of the region’s public transportation system for decades to come, and further improve our local train services.’

opened a series of restaurants.

Blanc always attributed his expertise to his parents. His father grew much of the food they ate and the table, Blanc told RailStaff editor Andy Milne, many years ago, was the heart of the home.

Says Reuben Arnold, Head of Commercial Development for Eurostar, ‘In the current climate many of our business clients have tough decisions to make. We are

committed to offering excellence at every step and continue to invest in our service to ensure it offers the best travel experience possible.

‘Working with one of the world’s most respected chefs we are demonstrating that we are genuinely putting our money where our mouth is…and delicious food on the plates of our Business Premier travellers.’

Man for all Seasons joins Eurostar Top chef, Raymond Blanc OBE, has joined Eurostar as its Culinary Director.

Blanc, who runs Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons in Great Milton, Oxfordshire, is a firm believer in organic farming and seasonable, sustainable food.

Commenting on his appointment, Raymond Blanc said, ‘As a chef, I’m always searching for the purest ingredients, striving to ensure that everything I use is traceable and responsibly sourced.

I’m delighted to work with Eurostar which shares these same values and was the first transport provider to join the Sustainable Restaurant Association.

‘Together we’re working to change the perception of on-board cuisine and serving sustainable and locally sourced food which is at the heart of our new Business Premier menus.’

Blanc’s remarkable rise to culinary stardom began simply enough in Bançon where he worked at the Le Palais de la Bière. Blanc was fired for trying to advise the chef on how to cook better. The sympathetic owner helped Blanc flee town in an old Renault and gave him the address of a friend, a restaurateur in Oxford.

Coming to England Blanc worked his way up, learnt English and

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

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

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

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

www.railstaff.co.uk

9

RAIL ALLIANCE NEWS

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

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

Istanbul call for Rail Alliance New © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Members FT Transformers Ltd (Bespoke design & manufacturing company supplying custom built transformers & associated wound components to the Rail Industry.

Specialising in Signalling Transformers having completed many projects including Newport phase 1 & 2 and just starting National PSP renewals) www.ft-transformers.co.uk Ebeni Ltd (Provider of Safety & Systems Engineering services for safety & mission critical industries. Services include Safety Engineering & Assessment, Systems Assurance & Certification, Safety Management) www.ebeni.com

The Rail Alliance will be helping members capitalise on opportunities at the Eurasia Rail 2013 exhibition in Istanbul and AusRail 2013 in Sydney, Australia.

With Innotrans fading into our personal and corporate memories, and with 2013 just round the corner, now is the time to have a look at other exhibition opportunities for buyers and sellers alike. 2013 will be another busy year for the Rail Alliance.

In terms of framing the year, we will be having a presence at EurasiaRail 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey at the beginning of 2013 and AusRail 2013 in Sydney, Australia at the end of the year, with much in between.

Railtex Macrorail ‘13, our own exhibition, will be held in September 2013. In between there

Rail Alliance events 10

EurasiaRail 2013 presents a unique opportunity for UK companies to test the water by having a look at the Turkish Rail Industry. When we last visited EurasiaRail, a couple of years ago, we were surprised at the relatively small number of British companies that had considered this market.

However, we have worked with the organisers to secure space at the 2013 event for the Rail Alliance and its members.

We are presently organising packages for buyers and sellers alike. They are very attractive too, especially for buyers - as you

might expect - who could benefit from free hotel accommodation.

For those wishing to display their products and services to the Turkish rail market this is also a great opportunity with extremely reasonable packages on offer as well as a share of the Rail Alliance floor space at little or no cost.

So - as the headline purports Turkey is an all-year-round market and it has, if you will excuse the pun, legs! Check your diaries for the period 7-9 March 2013 and have a look at www.eurasiarail.eu for more encouragement. As before, we will be working closely with regional UKTI staff as Turkey is a market that figures significantly on their radar.

If you want more information about the Rail Alliance’s EurasiaRail 2013 special offer (for buyers or sellers) - please do not hesitate to contact the Rail Alliance at info@railalliance.co.uk

Members Networking 6th December National Composites Centre, Bristol

Introduction to BS11000 12th December Long Marston

is also of course Railtex at Earl’s Court. Once again we have a great location at the heart of the exhibition. Space is filling quickly so contact us if you are considering exhibiting.

Turkish Rail industry

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway Plc (Heritage Steam Railway operating over 12 miles of track) www.gwsr.com INTEG Solutions Ltd (Providers of a range of expertise to promoters of light rail schemes or contracting parties designing, constructing, financing, operating and/or maintaining light rail schemes) www.integ-solutions.co.uk John McAslan & Partners (Leading Award winning Architecture Practice to the Rail Industry including King’s Cross and Crossrail) www.mcaslan.co.uk SET Ltd (Provider of services and innovation for the Rail Industry) www.set.gb.com

John McAslan & Partners event January TBC Kings Cross, London

www.railstaff.co.uk

Keyline has all the right connections to offer solutions for your rail project through a rail compliant delivery service Contact the Keyline National Rail Office on 0844 892 2677 or email rail@keyline.co.uk

www.keyline.co.uk TRACKSIDE

TUNNELLING

PLATFORMS

Registered

STATIONS

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

TRANSPORT LINKS

SITE SAFETY JB69939 10/12

Steam Returns to London Underground 150th anniversary of the world’s first underground railway.

The Met Locomotive No. 1 was built in 1898 and headed the opening train on the Uxbridge branch of the Metropolitan line in July 1904.The original Underground line was built and financed by the Metropolitan Railway, a private company which had been formed in 1854 to undertake the groundbreaking project to link the mainline stations at Paddington, Euston and King’s Cross with the city centre business district to the east.

On 10 January 1863 the first underground train pulled out of Paddington station to make its first public passenger journey. The train made the 3½-mile journey under the streets of London from Paddington to Farringdon.

To mark this occasion, LU working in partnership with the London Transport Museum - will be organising a wide range of events

during the rest of this year and throughout 2013. Two new twopound coins issued by the Royal Mint will go into circulation in 2013.

TfL plans a commemorative Oyster card and there will be live drama at the disused Aldwych station.

Says London Underground’s managing director, Mike Brown, ‘London Underground has always played a hugely important role in the success of our city, from the growth of the early network which led to the expansion of the suburbs in the last century, to the development of Canary Wharf’s financial powerhouse in the 80s, and on to today’s system which successfully moved record numbers of people during the Queen’s Jubilee and London 2012 Games.

As we mark the 150th anniversary of the world’s first underground railway with a range of wonderful events, we are also building for the future - transforming stations and replacing trains, signals and track to create a truly 21st century network able to maintain London’s vital role in the UK economy.’

Next year marks the 150th anniversary of the London Underground and steam trips are planned to celebrate the anniversary.

The first journey took place between Paddington and Farringdon on the Metropolitan Railway. This will be recreated on Sunday 13 January 2013, with a series of specially restored trains

including the Metropolitan Steam Locomotive No.1 and the Metropolitan Railway Jubilee Carriage No 353.

A fundraising campaign to secure £250,000 to restore Met Locomotive No. 1 has been launched by London Transport Museum. Donations will help bring the historic vehicle back to the London Underground to mark the

Portable paint job

Olympic kit reunion for Michael

12

© GB ROWING

The final London Midland trains in non-LM livery are being refreshed and repainted by Chrysalis Rail at Bristol’s Barton Hill depot.

The three class 150s, of which two are needed in service on a daily basis, will receive the train operator’s new livery and have corrosion repairs carried out.

Although there is no paint booth at the depot, the work is done by using a portable paint room. The studio can be erected in 12 hours and adapted to accommodate different types of vehicles.

Each vehicle takes around a week to complete with the final two-car class 150 due to be released from Bristol on 19th November.

Olympic silver medalist Michael Jamieson has been reunited with his Olympic kit which he left on a train thanks to keen nosed detective work by staff at ScotRail and First Great Western.

Michael won the silver medal in the 200 metres breaststroke at the 2012 Summer Olympics. In despair he tweeted: ‘Left my suitcase on the train a few days ago - had some Olympic kit in it and a new pair of sneakers… gutted! Help plz!’

Michael Jamieson from Glasgow lives and trains in Bath. His case, which included a Team GB wash bag and tracksuit bottoms, was tracked down to the lost property office at Paddington, where Michael had originally set off by train to Bath.

Says Michael, ‘I had been to London and was going home quite late. I just got up and walked off the train without it. I never thought I would see it again, but it’s great to finally have it back.’

Michael was re-united with his luggage at Bath Spa. Peter Rignall, Station Manager said, ‘It’s so pleasing to be able to help this young star out and have his case returned to him.’ Michael is a sports performance student and trains at the British Swimming Bath Intensive Training Centre at the University of Bath.

“I just got up and walked off the train without it. I never thought I would see it again, but it’s great to finally have it back…”

MICHAEL JAMIESON

www.railstaff.co.uk

NEWS

On the road

Bridges for Crossrail

Jamie West, Alan Sarjant, Stephen Dady, Teresa Beadle, Carl Durrant.

Network Rail’s first preference is to transport goods by rail In a bid to minimise road movements Network Rail is to build a 300,000 square foot national road haulage distribution centre on the site of the former Peugeot plant at Ryton in the West Midlands.

The £25m centre will create approximately 100 jobs when it opens and will be a significant hub for Network Rail’s National Delivery Service. The NDS will have direct access to the A45 and the motorway network. It will also help reduce the cost of the railway by centralising previously leased properties in Lichfield, Worcester and Ludgershall and will cut Network Rail’s carbon footprint by

reducing road fleet mileage.

Says Martin Elwood, director of Network Rail NDS, ‘Network Rail’s first preference is to transport goods by rail. This is not always the right solution so we have an extensive road fleet to transport goods and equipment to our work sites and depots.

‘By bringing the logistics for this

together at Ryton we can offer a more effective and efficient service for Network Rail. This will mean reduced costs and faster turnaround times when we do work on the railway.’ The former Peugeot plant was closed in 2006.

Originally it produced aircraft engines during the Second World War.

Work has begun on replacing four bridges in Slough and Hillingdon as part of the Crossrail project.

Bridges on the route need to be higher to provide clearance for over-head electric equipment.

Middlegreen Road Bridge and Trenches Bridge in Slough and Old Stockley Road Bridge and Horton Bridge in Hillingdon will be replaced as part of this process.

Network Rail, on behalf of Crossrail, is carrying out the work which should be completed over Easter 2013. Worksites have been set up at each of the bridges with the major work of removing the old bridges and installing the new bridges taking place over Christmas 2012 and Easter 2013, when the railway is closed for engineering work.

New patrons for Transport Benevolent Fund Michael Roberts and Professor Richard Parry-Jones have become patrons of the Transport Benevolent Fund.

Professor Richard Parry-Jones CBE, the new Chairman of Network Rail, held a number of senior positions with the Ford Motor Company during his 38 years with the car manufacturer.

On retiring from Ford, he became involved in policy matters, advising the Welsh Government on economic development, transport, energy and IT infrastructure.

www.railstaff.co.uk

He also worked with central government, including the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), where he chaired the new Automotive Innovation and Growth Team.

Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of ATOC, has previously worked at the CBI, where from 2000 he was Director of Business Environment.

His previous CBI roles included Transport Policy Adviser from 1991 and Head of Industrial Policy from 1996. He and his team were responsible for developing and

promoting the views of CBI members on transport, land use planning, environment, energy and health and safety.

Says Chris Godbold, Director of the TBF, ‘ATOC is crucial in representing the train operating companies and shares our interest in the welfare of public transport workers. Also, we’ve been fortunate to have encouragement from successive chairmen of Network Rail, where our membership is about to top 2,000.

‘With the support of Professor

Michael Roberts and Professor Richard Parry-Jones have become patrons of the TBF… Parry-Jones this can only increase in the interests both of Network Rail and the members.’ The Vicechair of TBF trustees is Ian Wilson, who is a Network Rail tunnel engineer based in York.

13

Advance Warning This Christmas whilst sat around the table with your family spare a thought for the Signalling Testers who will be working hard to ensure that plans to update the British railways are delivered on time, reports Victoria Turner of advance-TRS. Unfortunately every year, during the Christmas period, the rail industry faces a challenge mustering enough Signal Testers prepared to work the holidays.

According to Andy Ridout, Managing Director of the specialist railway recruitment company advance-TRS, this year is no exception.

With train operating companies eager to limit the disruption caused to travellers during peak times it is essential that scheduled commissioning’s are completed promptly over the festive season.

Says Andy Ridout, ‘Failure to deliver major commissioning work within the designated time frame could cause major interference to services. As a result smaller projects could be cancelled and staff transferred to priority areas.

For some the Christmas bonus incentive is not enough to justify missing out on family festivities.’

According to advance-TRS one solution could be to consider using Functional Testers who are under

mentorship for their IRSE licence.

This would provide work experience and log book building whilst taking them one step closer to qualification and perhaps eradicating future staff shortages.

Another option is to outsource.

James Sneller, signalling specialist at advance-TRS believes that international workers could be the way forward. Says James, ‘Many foreign testers who already have UK experience and track

certificates would find the offered rates highly appealing. All it would need is an agreement with Network Rail to approve a Certificate of Competence (CoC) prior to the work period.’

Advance-TRS is an international recruitment company, specialising in sourcing highly skilled, scarce railway candidates. For more information or to discuss your requirements with our team of industry experts call 01483 361 061.

CILT charity

Virgin Trains will continue to run West Coast rail services for the next 9 to 13 months, following a decision by transport secretary, Patrick McLoughlin. Meanwhile Sam Laidlaw, the DfT nonexecutive director leading an independent review into the west coast fiasco, has presented his preliminary report.

Laidlaw points to a significant array of mistakes including poor preparation and weak leadership.

‘These errors appear to have been caused by factors including inadequate planning and preparation, a complex organisational structure and a weak governance and quality assurance framework.

‘The full causes and the lessons to be learnt will be addressed in the final report of my independent Inquiry to be published at the end of November,’ he said and added,

Inspired by the London Olympics a 40-strong group from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport has raised over £100,000 for international development charity Transaid by cycling from London to Paris.

CILT’s Chairman, Neil Ashworth and two former CILT presidents, Peter Hendy CBE and Graeme McFaull took part in the event. The money will go towards reducing the high death toll on Africa’s roads.

CILT’s Business Development Manager, Daryl Chesney is a veteran of several sponsored Transaid rides in Africa. Daryl was sponsored entirely by recruitment specialists Bis Henderson. Says Daryl, ‘Thanks to the generosity of Andy Kaye and the team at Bis Henderson I was able to take part in this memorable ride. I’ve seen at first hand the work that Transaid is doing in countries such as Malawi and Kenya and this is a way of literally going the extra mile to help our official charity’.

14

© JONATHAN WEBB

Laidlaw blames inadequate planning

‘Firm judgments should not be made based upon what are provisional findings or wider conclusions drawn at this stage.’

Richard Brown, who is leading a full investigation into the franchising process, is expected to report by the end of the year. In a statement on the interim Laidlaw report, Virgin said this justified their actions contesting the decision his summer. ‘Today’s

interim report shows just how important our calls were in the summer to find out what went on behind closed doors when deciding the future operator of the West Coast franchise and that it should be opened up to proper detailed scrutiny.’

Staff at Virgin Trains continue to run services with noteworthy professionalism and are preparing for a busy Christmas.

www.railstaff.co.uk

NEWS

Tank wagon returns home A hundred year-old railway tank wagon, originally used to carry shale oil products from oil works in West Lothian, was unveiled by Fiona Hyslop, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs.

The vehicle will go on display at the Museum of the Scottish Shale Oil Industry, part of the Almond Valley Heritage Centre in Livingston. The wagon is typical of many hundreds once used to distribute, petrol, diesel, and other oil products that were produced in West Lothian from oil shale.

Most such wagons were scrapped following closure of the industry in

1962. Tank wagon No.50 outlived its contemporaries by many years, being used as a waste oil store, then a sewage storage tank, before being abandoned in a siding in South Yorkshire.

Almond Valley was alerted to this remarkable survivor by the Railway Heritage Committee; the body tasked with identifying objects and archives of historical merit held by the railway industry.

The wagon was then donated to the museum by railway company DB Schenker and returned to Scotland where the tank was restored to its original livery.

Driver Manager Ian Rowlands with Geraint Llewellyn at the school visit.

Train driver goes to school A train driver who narrowly missed hitting two young children playing on the railway has been out briefing school children and the Welsh Assembly.

Geraint Llewellyn, 33, a driver with first Great Western for 11 years was travelling at 90 mph near Briton Ferry last May. To his horror he saw two boys sitting on the tracks eating and drinking.

Despite blowing the horn the boys froze and then only just jumped clear as Geraint slammed on the brakes. The train took a mile to stop.

Salute for Bernard Holden A former ballast clerk who rose through the ranks of the Southern Railway and British Rail to help found and lead the Bluebell Railways has died aged 104.

Bernard Holden was carried to his final resting place aboard a Bluebell Railway service from Sheffield Park to Kingscote in East Sussex. The funeral was at Ditchling. With him travelled his bowler hat and medals, including the Burma Star and MBE, awarded for services to railway preservation.

The coffin was draped with the flag of the Royal Engineers.

Bernard Holden OBE was the son of a railway family which first became involved in railways when his great grandfather took a job www.railstaff.co.uk

with the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway at Shoreham.

Bernard Holden was born in the station house at Barcombe where his father was stationmaster.

After leaving school he joined the Southern Railway in 1925. He studied signalling and transport and moved up. At the start of the Second World War he worked in Croydon organising trains carrying evacuee children out of London.

Later he did a similar job running troop trains bringing members of the British Expeditionary Force and units of the French Army inland after the evacuation of Dunkirk.

Later he joined 191 Rail Operations Company, Royal Engineers, and served in India.

Bernard had to cope with sabotage to railway lines in Assam and shunted trains to safety himself during an air raid on Calcutta. Commissioned in the Indian Army he joined 159 Indian Railway Operating Company.

Given charge of the AkhauraLumding line over the Naga Hills, he helped supervise troop movements up to the front as well as supplies and munitions.

Landslips and sabotage were commonplace. Occasionally wild elephants charged the trains.

Bernard Holden became a lifelong friend of Vera Lynn after she landed under enemy fire at Shamsheernugger airfield and sang for troops before the Battle of Kohima, which effectively saved India from Japanese invasion.

Vera Lynn wrote the foreword to his book ‘Let Smoke Make Steam.’

With the help of driver manager Ian Rowlands he now visits schools in South Wales in his own time driving up track safety awareness. ‘It was very traumatic, especially as I’m a father with two children of a similar age. I went back to Swansea and chatted to Ian about it.

‘I felt we had to do something and we came up with an awareness package. An accident obviously has major implications for those involved, but a near miss also has an horrendous impact on train drivers,’ says Geraint.

After the war he helped rebuild railways in Malaya before returning home and re-joining the railway.

He retired from BR in 1972.

To save money British Rail closed the Lewes-East Grinstead railway in 1958. Volunteers formed what became the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society and approached Bernard at BR. Far from decrying their scheme he gave them every encouragement.

His contacts and jovial support were essential to get the project off the ground. Bernard Holden went on to lead the Bluebell for 50 years.

The railway opened its first section of restored track in 1960. It is now one of the most successful in the rail industry.

Mr Holden’s coffin was borne by members of staff. His wife Lilian and his two sons predeceased him.

15

EMT launches Apprenticeship Scheme “Derby has a long and proud heritage of railway engineering and we recognised the need to invest in the future of the maintenance side of the business …”

says Joshua.

‘The railways are in my family blood and they are all really proud of me. I had considered going to university but didn’t want to be saddled with loads of debt. The opportunity to earn whilst training is brilliant.’

Tim Sayer, Engineering Director for East Midlands Trains, welcomed the new apprenticeship scheme. ‘These four apprentices are the first to be recruited by East Midlands Trains and we are really pleased to be welcoming them into our business.

‘Derby has a long and proud heritage of railway engineering and we recognised the need to invest in the future of the maintenance side of the business, ensuring that we have the skills in place to continue our excellent track record in vehicle safety and reliability.

‘The apprenticeship programme is a tried and tested route to recruit and train young people and we are pleased to be working with Derby College to introduce this scheme into our business.’

Joshua Brear, Jamie Spooner, Callum Howling, Matt Taylor.

TIM SAYER, ENGINEERING DIRECTOR, EAST MIDLANDS TRAINS

East Midlands Trains has recruited its first four engineering apprentices as part of a new scheme to build workforce skills and tackle potential future skills shortages.

The Derby-based train operator has recruited four local young people based at its maintenance depots in Etches Park, Derby, and

Eastcroft, Nottingham. The newcomers will attend Derby College’s Engineering Academy at the Roundhouse studying for mechanical and electrical engineering qualifications as part of their apprenticeship.

The new apprentices are Matthew Taylor (18) from Mickleover, Jamie Spooner (16)

from Alvaston, Callum Howling (16) and Joshua Brear (17) who are both from Long Eaton.

Former Long Eaton School pupil Joshua Brear is the third generation of his family to work on the railways. ‘I had wanted to follow in my family’s footsteps and work on the railway and I was really pleased to be accepted for the apprenticeship scheme,’

Apprentice Champion

ScotRail takes on more apprentices

Jamie-Leigh Clayton has been named Apprentice Champion of the Year in the regional final of the National Apprenticeship Awards.

Jamie-Leigh successfully completed an Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering with Invensys Rail in 2010 and is now an Assistant Designer with the company. She now champions apprenticeship programmes at schools and events, sharing her positive experiences and encouraging others to see an apprenticeship as a worthwhile career move.

16

ScotRail has taken on a second tranche of recruits for its Modern Apprenticeship in Customer Service.

The apprentices will study for an SVQ Level 2 in Customer Service, and will be encouraged to take the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award.

Ahead of them lies the bright prospect of a full-time career with ScotRail.

The 18-month programme, first launched in March 2011, offers experience in three frontline customer service roles. Apprentices work in a station booking office, as a ticket examiner and as an onboard hospitality host. The scheme has been widely admired and is supported by the Scottish Parliament.

Says Steve Montgomery, ScotRail’s managing director, ‘The modern apprenticeship programme was so successful that we have decided to continue the scheme with a second group of young recruits. It is an excellent way of nurturing young talent in order to create a highly

skilled and loyal workforce.

‘The group will face many challenges over the 18 months and in return will receive first rate training and mentoring to develop their confidence and equip them with the skills to forge a successful career.’

Angela Constance, Minister for Youth Employment, is a keen

supporter of the scheme. ‘Taking on a young person makes good business sense and helps employers thrive. I saw the benefits for both ScotRail and its young apprentices when I recently attended the graduation event for the first cohort of apprentices who have now completed their training,’ says Constance. www.railstaff.co.uk

TRAINING

Recommendations provide framework for success The National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering’s report on the state of training in the railway engineering sector could not have come at a more appropriate time.

With multi-billion pound investment set to kick-start ambitious projects around the country, the industry has been made to take a long hard look at how it is going to provide and train the workforce necessary to deliver what’s required.

While there has been a consensus that much more needs to be done to address the overall competency of training companies within rail engineering, there hasn’t been a cohesive strategy around how to go about it.

Lawrence Dobie (far right) at the opening of the new training academy in Leicester.

Comprehensive review Thanks to NSARE’s comprehensive review of the current state of railway engineering training, we now have a better idea of what needs to be done across the industry. While some training providers are judged to be outstanding in the training they deliver and many more are labeled ‘good’, NSARE wants to see

improvements across the board and has therefore compiled a list of specific recommendations for providers to follow in order to achieve success.

The first recommendation is for the providers themselves. NSARE believes, like Ofsted, that the woolly label of ‘satisfactory’ is far from what it says. It agrees that any training providers judged as such should, from 1st January 2013, be told that they require improvement; a much more constructive way of ensuring levels of provision are improved.

Until they can raise their standards high enough to be ‘good’, providers will not qualify for accreditation under the NSARE accreditation framework.

The trainers play a crucial role in the quality of delivery and if they are not adequately qualified - or trained - themselves, there is little hope of improvement. So NSARE’s recommendation for minimum qualifications, both for existing and new trainers, is welcome. So

too is the requirement for trainers to up-skill in order to gain a certificate of professional development for teaching in the work-based learning sector.

Outdated training practices According to the NSARE report, more than half of the existing trainers in the industry are aged over 50, so the need for recruitment is increasingly becoming more apparent, and in the medium term, it will ensure there isn’t a shortfall of trainers.

Recruiting and up-skilling trainers will also help to eliminate outdated training practices where the emphasis is on knowledge transfer rather than on developing a deeper understanding of the risks associated with activities in the railway engineering sector.

Equality and diversity A further step forward for training providers are the recommendations relating to equality and diversity and also

supporting learners with learning difficulties. In addition to removing gender-specific language, which is something we already do with having both male and female learners, one suggestion is for trainers to become role models.

By having someone to relate to who can provide inspirational, real-life examples from their career, learners will be more engaged and apply themselves throughout their training. This, in turn, will lead to increased levels of knowledge, understanding and application.

The increase in the number of apprentices entering the sector in the past 18 months is encouraging; we need to make sure this trend continues and, surely, the provision of excellent training is one way of doing that.

While many may think that NSARE could be accused of asking for a lot, the recommendations make sense and offer a framework for positive change within the industry.

Helping our clients get from...

Track

A Web.

www.vital-rail.com

www.railstaff.co.uk

OLE & Isolations

Email.

Signalling & Telecoms

info@vital-rail.com

Building and Civils

Tel.

0845 894 9020

Recruitment

B Fax.

0845 894 9699 17

What do they do

?

The British Transport Police Continuing our series looking at people and organisations in the rail industry, RailStaff asks the question: What do they do?

Andy Milne and Marc Johnson look at The British Transport Police

The British Transport Police looks after Britain’s rail network including the London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, Midland Metro tram system, Croydon Tramlink, Sunderland Metro and the Glasgow Subway.

Modern technology and traditional visible policing reassure staff and passengers and have led to a reduction in crime of 9.1% over the last 12 months. This enviable result has been achieved by 2,852 officers covering a beat 1,000 miles long and looking after six million people who are almost all on the move.

The history of railway policing is dramatic, reflecting the social discord of the times but also testifying to the pioneering spirit of a constabulary making full use of innovation, new technologies and skills.

Police Establishment

Andy Trotter, Chief Constable BTP.

18

Sir Robert Peel may have grabbed the headlines with his creation of the Metropolitan Police in 1829, however the railway police came into force soon after. In November 1830, the Liverpool and Manchester Railway set up a ‘Police Establishment.’ A year later the LMR authorised a pay rise for the railway police.

These forerunners of the BTP had to cope with widespread lawlessness on railway construction sites, often descending into armed battles between English and Irish

navigators. Order was often only restored with the boisterous assistance of nearby infantry regiments. Happily relations with track workers are much more circumspect nowadays.

Safety was always central to the role of the police right from the start. Watches, flags and lamps were issued to each constable and the Ulster Railway Police were equipped with a shovel and a wheelbarrow to help remove obstructions from the line. Today all officers are PTS passed and fully trained in railway safety.

The railway was quickly taken advantage of by hard-nosed criminals. Railway police however were often one step ahead, making full use of new technology. On 1st January 1845 a railway police sergeant, William Williams, arrested John Tawell for the murder of his lover, Sarah Hart.

Tawell had poisoned the girl and fled by train from Slough to London. An eyewitness told the station master what had happened. The man promptly telegraphed the railway police at Paddington. Sergeant Williams set off in pursuit. Tawell was subsequently convicted and hanged.

Fare evasion Following the 1856 County Police Act local police forces became better organised. On the railways some companies kept their police, others tried to do without. Crime remained a problem, particularly

fare evasion, and the wisdom of having a special police force was generally accepted.

From 1900 several railway companies reorganised their police forces. The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway virtually reformed their force from scratch, followed by the Great Eastern, the North Eastern and Midland in 1910, Caledonian in 1917 and the GWR in 1918. As with almost all county and borough forces these reorganised forces were headed by ex-army officers.

The First World War put great strain on railway policing.

Almost half the officers on some forces joined up. The staff shortage was made up by special constables and women officers.

The Great Eastern Railway Police recruited women as special constables, one of the first police forces to do so.

After the war came the amalgamation of Britain’s 100 railway companies into the Big Four: Great Western Railway, London and North Eastern Railway, London, Midland and Scottish and the Southern Railway.

The companies were largely divided along geographical lines.

Twenty railway police forces were absorbed into the new companies.

Each force was controlled by a chief of police. During the Second World War the railway police were armed and their numbers increased. Women officers were back and stayed on. www.railstaff.co.uk

FEATURE

Often unreported was the high level of crime during the black out, largely because of food rationing or bombing. Vast numbers of goods were carried by rail and were easy targets for thieves. Police also had to cope with the air raids and direct hits on stations and railways.

British Transport Commission Police After the war the railway was nationalised in 1947. The railway police forces were merged into one as the British Transport Commission Police in 1949. The London Transport force joined in 1960. Pay parity with civil police was only achieved in 1957.

Shortly afterwards the MaxwellJohnson enquiry found that policing the railways could not be done effectively by civil forces and that it was essential that a specialist police force was retained.

www.railstaff.co.uk

Certainly some of the stories exofficers relate are, literally, hair raising and could only have been handled by experienced railway police. In his book, ‘Railway Copper,’ Bill Perkins - who served from 1951 till 1984 - recalls a man sticking his head out of a train and being hit by a locomotive coming the other way.

The man staggered down Barking Station blood pouring from his head. The man was bundled into an ambulance. No one expected him to live and Perkins arranged for the engine to be intercepted and inspected in anticipation of an inquest.

Then the hospital phoned up and said if the top of the man’s scalp could be found they could sew it back on. BTP at Fenchurch Street clambered around the loco and found the article. Officers sped round to the hospital in a car. The man lived to tell the tale and resume normal life.

Football hooliganism The 1970s and 80s were plagued by football hooliganism. Rival fans fighting pitched battle on railway stations. International terrorism remains a clear and present danger. However, the BTP is better equipped than ever before. At privatisation the fate of the BTP was again a subject for heated discussion. However, the force continues and is now funded by the industry itself rather than the tax payer.

The presence of a BTP officer on a station remains an enduring testimony to a railway that is safe and comfortable. Few recognise the hard work that goes in to policing Britain’s railways or the debt owed to former officers over a span of 180 years.

What we do Andrew Trotter became Chief Constable in 2009, having joined BTP in 2004. Trotter had previously served with the Metropolitan Police. He represents a police force that boasts several firsts.

The BTP was the first force in Britain to use a computer to record crime. Railway police pioneered the use of police dogs to hunt down criminals. Women police officers made their first appearance as railway police.

Says Andy Trotter, ‘BTP has all the attributes of any other police force dealing with the full range of crime incidents from murder to by-laws and we have to do all of the checks and balances of any

police force having professional standards departments being subject to HMI inspections.

‘But I think uniquely we work in the private sector and we provide a public sector policing with a full range of services in a world where we are funded by the rail industry.’

Dealing with disaster In 1989, an inquiry by Sir Anthony Hidden QC massively influenced how BTP deals with major incidents. The investigation looked into the Clapham Junction rail crash - a three-train collision which claimed the lives of 35 people.

The emergency incident training given to BTP officers up and down the country was born out of the Clapham tragedy. Serious rail accidents at Southall (1997), Potters Bar (2002) and Grayrigg (2007) saw BTP put into practice specialist techniques honed to deal with fatal incidents on the railway.

The London bombings in 2005 saw BTP’s London officers facing their toughest terrorism challenge.

The actions of the 7/7 suicide bombers killed 52 people - many of whom were travelling on the London Underground near Edgware Road, King’s Cross and Aldgate.

Events in 2005 forever changed how BTP officers approached disaster scenes and more importantly the methods they use to prevent similar incidents from happening.

19

FEATURE

“I think innovation and flexibility is very much our watch word…”

ANDY TROTTER, CHIEF CONSTABLE, BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE

Stop searches were immediately stepped up. A community engagement programme was put in place. BTP’s Special Branch began to work closely with regional counter terrorism units.

Officers began to receive training to help spot suspicious behaviour in crowds. The object is to identify a potential suicide bomber by monitoring his or her actions.

Chief Constable Trotter led the Metropolitan Police’s operation at Ladbroke Grove alongside BTP. The Ladbroke Grove crash happened on 5 October 1999. 31 people died and more than 520 were injured.

‘One of the first things I did when I came here (to BTP) was look into major incident training, critical incidents and a whole range of other things like that.

There was an enormous amount we had to do,’ says Trotter.

‘I think innovation and flexibility is very much our watch word. I don’t feel we’re bound by the way other people do business. We look very closely at the way we deal with bomb threat categorisation, suspect packages, things which were

20

bringing the rail system to a halt and that’s been utterly transformed.

‘The way we deal with matters now is far more scientific in its background and we’re quite rigid with how we apply it. We’ve looked at the way we deal with fatalities and other areas of disruption and we’ve made a massive difference.

Just in the last year we’ve reduced delayed minutes on the system hugely through our disruption strategy. This year alone, April to September, on Network Rail’s calculations we’ve saved £11 million worth of lost minutes.

There’s real focus, the fact that we challenge all the time. We don’t just keep doing things the same way.’

Metal theft Metal and cable theft has grown and with it the number of delays on the network and the replacement cost to Network Rail. It’s a problem so extensive that a joint operation between BT, the UK Border Agency, the serious organised crime unit at Network Rail and BTP has been launched to gather vital intelligence to combat metal theft.

Andy Trotter believes that thanks to this coordinated effort and additional investment from the government BTP is now beginning to win the war against metal thieves, with the number of reported metal thefts falling by 51 per cent between April and October 2012 compared with the same

period last year.

‘We’ve taken over the national lead for metal theft. We’ve now managed to have operations across the country and the situation has been utterly transformed. We’ve also seen a significant reduction in metal theft.’

It remains a struggle, not least because of the ease with which stolen metal can be sold on. ‘We’ve got to choke this off because it’s the only trade where you can reduce the stolen property into something completely unrecognisable before its arrival at a dealer.

‘My nervousness is that the international economy is a bit depressed, copper prices are down

a bit at the moment. We’ve got to really keep hammering to make sure that when things pick up again there isn’t a resurgence because it’s absolutely vital to keep this country on the move.’

More passengers, more crime Trotter believes rail’s growth in the UK presents BTP with a major challenge, ‘When I joined, BTP was not in a good place. It was pretty well underfunded and even with very good staff was not performing particularly well.

‘Between myself and Ian Johnston and the excellent staff that we’ve got and quite an injection of cash from the rail companies, I think the organisation has been transformed since then.

‘Crime is down for the eighth year running, there’s been a huge increase in passenger numbers and what we’re facing in the future is an enormously successful railway.

‘It’s great news that we’ve got more and more people using the railway, but we’ve got to constantly adapt, to be aware of the new challenges and always look at where we can be flexible to deal with the demand of the industry and passengers.’

The BTP may be just like any other force in terms of legal status, power and technology. However it remains an integral part of the railway industry and most people on the railway remain proud and staunch supporters of their police force. www.railstaff.co.uk

RAILSTAFF AWARDS SAYING “THANK YOU” TO THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP THE INDUSTRY MOVING

in association with

www.railstaffawards.com

RailStaff Awards Span Rail Industry All the winners are displayed inside this special edition...

Rail Engineer triumph for Chris Hooper

PAGE 26

Tahir Ayub wins RailStaff Sustainability Award

PAGE 36 Armed gangsters and flappers in feather boas welcomed guests to this year’s RailStaff Awards at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham.

The theme of the evening was the Roaring Twenties in the United States, the era of prohibition, speakeasies and guns in violin cases. Over 800 people - more than

ever before - attended the rail industry event dedicated to the men and women who deliver the railways at the sharp end.

The rail industry is a serious business, safety critical and always subject to unremitting public scrutiny. However, the RailStaff Awards has become an uproarious celebration of all that is good and

courageous in the railway – and it is a fine party to boot.

Top gangster, Fat Tony, welcomed rail barons and ballast tampers alike. The railway is a great leveller.

Gradients are gradual and there was no glass ceiling at the Rail Seventeen Club - the specially created New York Speakeasy.

Continued over…

Graduate Triumph for TfL Newcomer

PAGE 50

CONGRATULATIONS! To the amazing, deserving winners...

Common Loyalty Part of its success is that the RailStaff Awards now spans the whole spectrum of rail industry experience. Overall backers, Network Rail and London Underground, represent the complete railway infrastructure.

The Rail Alliance - the third Associate sponsor - brings together entrepreneurs and small to medium businesses whose ingenuity enriches the industry they serve.

Colin Flack, chief executive of the Rail Alliance, hosted the evening.

Tricia Riley of London Underground spoke of facilitating success in Britain’s triumphant Olympic year. Martin Frobisher of Network Rail drew parallels between the 1920s and the new century rail industry. We might be many different companies and organisations but people feel a common loyalty to the railway.

Good fortune Train operators attracting passengers are central to the good fortune of the railway. Companies like East Coast, FirstGroup and Govia emphasise staff ingenuity and genuine concern for customers - deep strengths that the industry has to draw on. All have driven up ridership, expanded services and are busy attracting the next generation of RailStaff Award winners.

The darkness and danger in which many railway workers labour is often overlooked by the travelling public and comfortable politicians. Companies like

22

Bridgeway Consulting and BridgeZone set the record straight supporting the RailStaff Awards, many of which go to hardy and courageous people out in all weather maintaining and keeping rail infrastructure safe for passengers and staff.

This is an awards event like no other. You can hear almost every local accent at the RailStaff Awards not just from Britain but abroad as well. For these are the people down on the ground with plant and machinery, glad to swap all-

weather HVVs for Chicago pin stripes, shades and fedoras.

Companies like McGinley Services Group, long term supporters of the awards which supplies top grade staff to 1000s of infrastructure projects. CDI AndersElite prides itself on recruiting quality personnel to drive forward Britain’s rail renaissance. Vital Rail emphasises training and excellence. Morson International is a firm believer in top quality recruitment.

If the railway is a serious

business then, the argument goes, a party celebrating the achievements of its heroes and heroines should be much more fun than the average dinner dance.

Certainly the gangster theme was heartily taken up by railway staff at Fat Tony’s Rail Seventeen Club.

Police raid Half way through the presentations the surreal speakeasy atmosphere deepened still further with a police raid and gunfire unnerving guests. New York cops rampaged through the crowds. The now not-so-genial party host, Fat Tony, reckoned there were three police snitches in the audience.

Woefully disregarding political correctness Fat Tony said the hoods represented gangs from Italy, Ireland and Coventry.

Goodfellas Pino de Rosa of Bridgeway Consulting, Paul Curtis – lifelong Coventry City fan - and a startled David Franks - only a few days into accepting a new career with Irish Railways, were hustled on stage for a menacing chat with Fat Tony.

People in charge of possessions and safe systems advisors were quickly on the scene. Shoot outs and dancers certainly made this a memorable party. www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

New sustainability award If Fat Tony really wanted to dig out the guys behind the RailStaff Awards he’d be questioning whole swathes of an industry not normally given to talking itself up.

It is not only existing skills that are honoured but newcomers, new technologies and ideas as well.

Balfour Beatty Rail launched a new sustainability award this year.

Methods of trading and technology both help answer the environmental imperatives of our time.

LPA is behind new light technology. The Institution of Railway Operators speaks for much of the industry as it seeks to expand the skills and knowledge of its members. All of this makes for good business.

Social aspect However the RailStaff Awards is ultimately about an industry at ease with itself performing better, delivering more. More intriguing still is the social aspect of the railway.

www.railstaffawards.com

The RailStaff Awards is backed by RIFAA, specialists in first aid training. The amount of letters from the public and other staff detailing lives saved on trains and platforms, everything from heart attacks to child birth, is extraordinary.

Railway staff find themselves in situations way beyond the original job description. A new award supported by the Samaritans and Network Rail draws attention to the growing attempts to reduce the number of suicides on the railways.

Looking after people is at the heart of this industry. The railway needs to take care of its staff and the Transport Benevolent Fund underscores a common commitment to railway staff fallen on hard times. It does this with a grace and skill Fat Tony would find troubling.

As the band, Fully Funktional, took the stage winners and runners up, mobsters and molls, partied the night away. When it comes to backing the people who

deliver Britain’s railways everyone at the Rail Seventeen Club agreed there’s no finer way to celebrate than in a railway speakeasy with good food, dancing, comedy and a chance to catch up with old friends and new.

All 30,000 rail staff who wrote in supporting a nomination have the

satisfaction of knowing they are part of an industry determined to change public perceptions. The companies that make the awards possible deserve a special thank you as does the host, Colin Flack, masterfully rendering order out of chaos and even taking the revolving stage in his stride.

23

Simone Carter wins Outstanding Customer Service Simone Carter, who works in the Travel Centre at Worcester Foregate Street for London Midland, won this year’s Outstanding Customer Service award.

‘Simone is an absolute celebrity at Foregate Street,’ said Alex Hynes, former commercial director of London Midland and now GoAhead’s Managing Director - Rail Development.

Many passengers and colleagues wrote in nominating Simone for the Outstanding Customer Service award praising her cheerfulness and encyclopaedic knowledge of railway ticketing.

Says Derek Oldale, who works at the station, ‘Having worked as a contractor at Worcester Foregate Street station for a number of years, I saw Simone working at first hand. At all times she behaved in a professional, helpful way to the customers seeking advice and help. No matter what

demeanour they entered the travel centre they invariably left feeling they had received her personal attention. In short, her exemplary attitude makes her a great ambassador.’

Popular figure Simone, who lives in Kidderminster, said the award was unexpected. ‘I want to thank all my customers for nominating me.

It feels great. I really hadn’t expected this. I’d like to thank all my colleagues at Worcester Foregate Street as well,’ she said.

Simone is a popular figure in Worcester and her nomination received many endorsements.

Says colleague, Nigel Tolley, ‘Having known Simone for many years, during which time she has held various positions within the rail industry, it makes a refreshing change to find somebody who is really enthusiastic, truly knowledgeable and customer

friendly.

‘We all know that with many rail passengers it would appear that their prime objective in life is to wear into the ground any member of staff that they stumble upon.

However, they have met their match with Simone and within minutes admit defeat as it would appear impossible to wipe the smile off her face and stop her friendly banter.’

Inspiration Andy Milne, editor of RailStaff, who lives in Herefordshire and has used Worcester Foregate Street, said, ‘People like Simone Carter are the backbone of the railway. Both her skill, her kindness and generosity of spirit are an example and inspiration to all.

‘This award is highly deserved and the fact it was endorsed by so many passengers and other staff is testament to a successful career and great personal achievement.

This award means Worcester 24

Foregate Street has to be one of the most friendly railway stations in Britain.’

Alex Hynes added, ‘Our 10,000 rail staff do an excellent job providing high levels of customer service ever day and thinking like a passenger to provide a good end to end journey. We run 3700 services every day and that just wouldn’t be possible without the commitment and dedication of our staff.’

Sponsors Govia Govia, the partnership between Go-Ahead Group plc and Keolis, sponsored the Outstanding Customer Service award. In existence for over 15 years, Govia operates the London Midland, Southeastern and Southern rail franchises.

London Midland operates train services through the heart of England from London to Birmingham, the Midlands, Liverpool and Worcester Foregate www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

Street. Between them these rail companies are responsible for over 5,500 train services a day.

All the three companies were in the lead at the London Olympics carrying millions of passengers to and from the games. Staff working round the clock demonstrated high levels of customer care and helped make the London Olympics perhaps the most remarkable in history.

Highly Commended Claudio Marcolongo of London Underground Says Mike Guy, ‘Claudio consistently demonstrates World Class customer service and goes out of his way to help customers and his colleagues.

‘Recently Claudio calmed down a young customer who was very distressed after losing her belongings including her passport when pick pocketed. Speaking fluent Italian, Claudio was able to liaise with the customer, BTP. By telephone he reassured the young girl’s mother in Italy that he would take care of the situation.

‘In his own time he supported the customer further by taking her to the Italian consulate to gain papers to allow her to travel home to Italy as her passport was lost.

BTP were very complimentary about Claudio’s intervention and the customer truly did receive absolute ‘World Class’ service.

‘Claudio was there for the customer in what was a desperate situation. This is not the first occasion Claudio has provided assistance to customers beyond his duty and this was typical of his commitment to customer service…Claudio is a star and a role model for the railway industry.’

Paul Farnes of Virgin Trains A passenger, Sarah, said the

following about Paul Farnes. ‘The day I met him I was travelling home from Daniel’s appointment at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London. It was the first time I had made this journey via train. Having not travelled by train for years, or ever with a baby for that matter, let alone a baby with Daniel’s numerous problems.

‘I was nervous and unsure what to expect. Due to my lovely little boy’s syndrome he looks very different from other babies. This often causes a lot of unwanted attention, being stared at, comments and so on. I felt quite uncomfortable to say the least on the journey home and was also struggling with my pushchair and a rucksack packed full and heavy with all of the things that have to accompany Daniel.

‘As the distance is so far, the costs are simply not possible for friends or family members, particularly given the amount of trips we need to make so I had no one to help.

‘When he spotted me, Paul not only moved me to first class, but also provided me with refreshments. I was not stared at

in first class, it was much quieter and there was a table I could use for Daniel’s toys to keep him amused.

As well as this Paul carried all of my things for me and also helped me off the train with everything at the other end so I would not struggle. He went out of his way to ensure our comfort and to make things easier for us. This made what had started out as a stressful

journey into a fantastic one for both me and Daniel.

‘I was touched to the point of tears by his kindness as our situation usually just warrants people staring, no one offers to help let alone go to the trouble Paul has.

‘Paul is a credit to your company and I want both him and you to know how much this means to me.’

!"#$%#&%'()%*+,&%-.&#)&'%% /$#0%!1)/$'!/2%3")/%!4)% 5#00#!4%1)!10)%.&)%!./% &)/"#6)&%)")/7%8$72% !"#$%&'(%)'%'(*%

+)",,%-!'%."$/%0)%"11%!"22/#3% 4'50"%6%+2'#+'*%',%)!/%7()+)"#80#9% :(+)'./*%;/*50</%:")/9'*&=%>"01+)",,% ?-"*8+%@AB@3 !"#$%&!'(%&)*(!+(&,((%!

%-

,,,./#'$ .$%0#

www.railstaffawards.com

25

Chris Hooper of communications company, telent, has won this year’s Rail Engineer of the Year Award.

Chris, a development engineer at telent, is based in Coventry but often finds himself hard at work in London. The Rail Engineer of the Year was sponsored by BridgeZone, top civil engineering company specialising in Difficult Access Inspection.

Unstinting efforts Chris Hooper worked all hours to ready many of London’s rail info systems for the London Olympics.

Being able to hear Mayor of London, Boris Johnson’s announcements on the tube was largely down to Chris and his colleagues’ unstinting efforts.

Chris was away from home on an almost permanent basis during that time and more than willing to attend sites at short notice. His work involved a range of projects, improved customer information for DLR and Greater Anglia, as well as implementing a new voice announcement system for London Underground.

Rail Engineer triumph for Chris Hooper Unique Paul Dobbins Head of Engineering (Metro) at telent said, ‘Chris Hooper is a unique guy, liked by all, nothing too much trouble, and despite a busy life outside work is always available any time of night or day to help customers or colleagues and always coming up with innovative ideas to improve things.

‘He has shown this over several years in his involvement in development of the telent management system for London Underground, DLR and Network Rail. However, it is the extreme effort, beyond any reasonable expectation in the lead up to the Olympics for which he has been most commended.

‘He was involved in a range of projects, improved customer information for DLR and Greater Anglia, implementing a new voice announcement system for London Underground, and a small matter

of working out a way to get the ‘Boris Olympic message’ implemented across a range of systems. As the time got tighter, the more he put himself in the firing line to make things work.’

Says Tom O’Connor, head of the Rail Media Group, ‘The London Olympics has been great news for Britain, for all participants and for the rail industry. 1000s of spectators and competitors travelled to and from the games by rail.

‘That they could do so is as much a testament to the hard work of frontline staff as it is to the behind the scenes people like Chris who worked night and day to make the whole event a success. Modern communications systems are the life blood of transport and his achievement is hugely important. We wish Chris well in the future and congratulate him on winning this ward.’

26

The former service business of Marconi, telent was formed in 2006. Employing over 1,500 people telent helps maintain and support communications on national transport networks. telent rolls out broadband networks that allow rail and metro operators to run their operations more efficiently round-the-clock, every day of the year.

Rail Engineer of the Year was sponsored by BridgeZone ‘We are totally committed to investing in our people and developing our engineering skill base. This is a fundamental part of our strategy to grow the business, make a positive difference to people’s lives and sponsoring ‘The Rail Engineer of the Year’ category is a reflection of that,’ said BridgeZone’s Managing Director Paul Marshall. www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

BridgeZone Ltd is a civil engineering consultancy, specialising in Difficult Access Inspection of built structures such as bridges, tunnels and operational property large and small, with extensive experience in rope access, diving and confined space operations.

BridgeZone draws on a wealth of experience, both nationally and more recently - internationally, for new and existing clients. The company is also a member of the Association of Diving Contractors, an operating member of IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) and registered with the HSE to undertake inshore and inland diving operations.

Difficult Access Inspection BridgeZone provides professionally qualified and experienced civil and structural engineers, trained in wide ranging disciplines such as commercial surface supply diving, difficult access inspection, confined space operations (incorporating full breathing apparatus for hostile conditions) and rope access.

BridgeZone offers an alternative to standard working at height restrictions, allowing access to most sub-surface and confined space environments by which Difficult Access Inspection, survey, investigation and assessment of structures can be carried out.

Highly Commended Keith Taffs of First Capital Connect Says Terry Ridley, ‘Keith Taffs is employed as a Rolling Stock Inspector by FCC and deals with train faults and failures on a daily basis. Along with his vast knowledge of train systems and the fact that one of Keith’s

attributes is attention to detail, he was identified as the ideal candidate to work alongside a software development company to design and implement the Train Assistance Faults and Failure System (TAFFS).

As an engineer Keith has had to ascertain how each individual department across the business contributes in providing a safe and reliable train service. With knowledge gained Keith was able to develop a system that will provide our control and maintenance teams with the required information when dealing with disruption to the service caused by a failed train or a train related incident. The information provided by TAFFS is up to date, logical and correct and has the appropriate links to the relevant safety database.’

Mike Jones of Merseyrail Says Simon Olorenshaw, ‘Mike is a Project Manager for Merseyrail, responsible for the delivery of refurbishment and maintenance projects across the Merseyrail network. For the past 10 months Mike has had the day-to-day responsibility for the delivery of the concourse refurbishment project at Liverpool Central, one of

the busiest stations outside of London, which also involved a full station closure for 16 weeks.

‘Mike has not only worked with station staff and the principle contractor, but he has also liaised with Network Rail and their principle contractor who were working on a scheme at Central station at the same time refurbishing the platforms and associated passageways that form the underground elements of this sub-surface station.

‘Using his experience and

knowledge of the station, coupled with his skills in negotiation and diplomacy, his drive and enthusiasm has enabled him to deliver the transformation of a tired 35 year old station into one fit for the 21st century on time and within budget.

‘Mike has earned the respect of all involved in this project due to his ability to remain calm under pressure and to be constantly smiling, regardless of the issues that arrive from all directions on a project of this nature.’

Up close & personal

We excel at inspecting the uninspectable.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY

Proud sponsors of the Rail Engineer of the Year 01884 842942 info@bridgezoneltd.co.uk www.railstaffawards.com

www.bridgezoneltd.co.uk 27

The Stobart Rail Team has won this year’s Rail Team of the Year Award.

Will McMurray accepted the award on behalf of the team. The Rail Team of the Year Award is sponsored by CDI AndersElite.

In appalling weather the team helped complete a re-rail and weld project on 700 metres of the Manchester Metrolink in 51 hours – the only window of time available to them. The circumstances of the job changed and the team was able to work round this completing the job in time.

Team effort Part of the Stobart Rail Group, the team, led by Will McMurray, had to remove and replace ballast, install continuous welded rail, new adjustment switches and a pair of insulated rail joints. They then had to tamp the ballast and stress the track over a distance of 975 metres.

Says Kirk Taylor, Managing Director of Stobart Rail, ‘As well as paying tribute to our Team this

Team of the Year triumph for Stobart Rail possession would not have been the success it was without the attitude of Manchester Metrolink and the rapid response of Sky Blue Welding and their welders. This really was a Team Effort right throughout the Supply Chain.’

Level headed approach Clive Pennington, Head of Engineering, Manchester Metrolink, paid tribute to the team’s level headed approach.

‘Stobart Rail successfully delivered the core works within a very demanding timeframe, both leadin and delivery.

‘Despite unforeseen circumstances affecting key aspects of their supply chain they responded effectively by a reworking of their methodology just days before the core works began. Their level headed and proactive approach ensured the track was handed back on time at operational line speed.’

Says Tom O’Connor, managing director of the Rail Media Group, ‘The Stobart Rail Team’s ingenuity and efforts on a difficult job on the Manchester Metrolink demonstrates the resourcefulness and professionalism which underscores so much of the rail industry.

‘We congratulate the Stobart Rail Team on their achievement and wish all members of the team every continuing success in the future.’

Stobart Group Ltd, founded by Eddie Stobart, is a multi-modal freight and logistics transport operation with an involvement in railways and railway engineering.

The group is headquartered in Carlisle, Cumbria.

Stobart Rail Infrastructure Engineering is one of the UK’s leading names in rail maintenance repair and improvement. Fully proactive, Stobart Rail holds a Network Rail Principal Contractor’s 28

Licence and Rail Plant Operating Company Licence and is continually working on earthworks, structures, permanent way, drainage and lineside infrastructure across the wider rail network.

The Rail Team of the Year Award is sponsored by CDI AndersElite.

Says Scott Siwicki, Director of Strategic Accounts and Emerging Markets of CDI AndersElite, ‘We are delighted to be sponsoring Rail Team of the Year for a second year.

We believe that by managing and being involved at all levels, our experienced team plays an active role in our clients’ supply and visibility on site, ensuring all staff services meet our high standards.

‘Our consultants here understand the importance of team work throughout the rail industry and, as such, we supply a large number of successful gangs to major contractors within the www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

market. These teams work cohesively to help ensure delivery is on time and on budget.’

CDI AndersElite is a subsidiary of CDI Corporation, an integrated market-leading Engineering and Technology Services organisation providing differentiated clientfocused solutions in select global industries.

Covering permanent, temporary and contract positions, CDI AndersElite is a specialist in resourcing and placing thousands of technical personnel equipped with good expertise and relevant knowledge across a wide range of Rail and Safety Critical clients.

These include fulfilling the ever expanding demands of the national rail network, London Underground and many local transport providers.

Highly Commended LNW Civils Framework Agreement Team Martin White praised the joint Network Rail and Birse Rail LNW Civils Framework Agreement Team. ‘This nomination recognises 15 years of successful collaborative working between Network Rail and Birse Rail on the delivery of a wide range of structures maintenance and repair projects throughout London North Western territory, most recently through the LNW Civils Framework Agreement.

During this time the team has consistently delivered to the highest standards of safety with a proven track record of delivering complex multi-disciplinary schemes on time, within budget and with minimal disruption to the travelling public.

A truly integrated team that worked together to develop the best possible solution for each and

every project, the team continuously strived to develop new and innovative ways of working that offered the least disruption to passengers, minimised environmental impact and improved quality and cost efficiency.

Over the last 12 months the team successfully delivered 37 schemes which involved managing almost 700 possessions.

CEFA Earthworks Team David Frost spoke of the strengths of the CEFA Earthworks Team. ‘The Earthworks team is a design by Steve Audley who was brought on board in 2009 as Business Manager for Earthworks when Amey Consulting won the national CEFA contract from Network Rail. The Earthwork aspect of this contract meant annual examinations and inspections of 35,000 railway embankments, cuttings and rock slopes, along with providing 24/7 on-call provisions for a rapid response to any earthwork failure within the UK.

Steve had to bring together a team of Engineering Geologists and Geotechnical Engineers in order to achieve the high output.

Since 2009, the team has grown to 8 permanent Earthwork Examining Engineers located within each Network Rail territory, plus an additional 40+ reliable experienced examiners contracted in during the main exam season.

The team is highly regarded within Network Rail for its achievements over the last three seasons with many accolades having been received from members of Network Rail over that time.’

David added, ‘Only as a team have we been able to achieve so much, and, as a team, we will continue to achieve in the future.’

CDI AndersElite is a specialist supplier of permanent, contract and temporary recruitment services to the rail industry. Our services cover professional, technical and safety critical labour.

For more information about our rail recruitment services, please call one of our dedicated consultants: London office for technical roles: 0207 680 3100 Bristol office for safety critical roles: 0117 922 1441

www.anderselite.com

Proud sponsors of Rail Team of the Year

www.railstaffawards.com

29

Phil Graham of Network Rail has won this year’s Signalling Person of the Year Award.

Many signallers owe their advanced knowledge of Railway Signalling to evening classes run

by Phil. Signalling Person of the Year is sponsored by Morson Group.

Friends and colleagues nominated career railwayman Phil Graham of York for having run voluntary evening classes for 25 years to teach the principles of Railway Signalling and the related Rules and Regulations. By running these evening classes Phil Graham provided many people with an exceptional opportunity to expand their knowledge of matters which are essential to the rail industry.

As well as staff from Network Rail, his classes are attended by people from train companies and local heritage railways. Phil’s classes are so popular that this year he had to repeat them up to three times every fortnight between September and March.

A rigorous examination is held at the end of each six month course.

Signal Success for Phil Graham Phil takes great pride in helping his classes achieve high pass rates, whether they are established operators or those entirely new to the subject.

Extensive knowledge Says signal engineer Bruce MacDougall, ‘Phil is always prepared to share his extensive knowledge and experience gained as a leading railway operator. By doing this he has made a significant contribution to improving safe working, bringing about changes to the Rule Book, often as the result of inquiries he has chaired, and even occasionally as a result of issues raised in his classes where lively and challenging discussion takes place about such matters.

‘Not only does Phil give his time freely on the subject of signalling, but he also runs voluntary evening First Aid classes for those in the rail sector.’

Bruce MacDougall, former Principal Signal Engineer at Network Rail, worked with Phil and added, ‘He was the classic professional, calm under pressure and absolutely clear about what should and should not be done with that sound judgement that comes only from intimate knowledge and real practical experience.’

Phil Graham has been on the railway for 39 years, starting as a leading railman on Hough Green station. ‘It has been a real pleasure and I am very grateful to all the people who have nominated me.

Do be sure to thank them.’

Says Tom O’Connor, managing director of the Rail Media Group, ‘Phil Graham is passing on skills and knowledge gathered during a long and successful career in railways. Such commitment is rarely noted by the public but 30

should be celebrated by us in the wider railway industry. His is an example of how to contribute to the railway community.’

Phil Graham works for Network Rail which runs the railway infrastructure including track, signalling, bridges and tunnels. A dynamic investment programme is enhancing and modernising the network including new signalling systems.

Signalling Person of the Year is sponsored by Morson Group Says Dan Winchcombe, Rail Manager at Morson, ‘Having been involved in the rail industry for over four decades, Morson International is keen to show its continued support for signalling.

The individuals involved do a hugely important job; everyone from design through to delivery www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

and maintenance continues to deliver in what can be an extremely demanding and pressurised environment.

In an area that has been experiencing a notable skills shortage, Morson International is eager to raise the profile of signalling and encourage those new to the industry to specialise in a skill that is much sought after across the UK.’ Morson Group operates through two main subsidiaries, Morson International, providing specialist engineering and technical personnel and Morson Projects Limited, which provides outsourced engineering and project management design services

Highly Commended David Forrest of Network Rail David Forrest, a signaller at London Bridge ASC, helped deal with a fire on board a train one June evening. He contacted the signal box to get trains stopped and the current isolated to make the area safe as passengers were de-training.

Although not normally involved in front line contact with the public Dave helped the passengers – many of whom were starting to panic – into the cess on the safe side of the train. He assisted the driver and the Rail Incident Officer and emergency services when they arrived. He kept a clear link using his personal mobile to the signal box to ensure that they were kept fully up to date.

Says Dave’s line manager Louise Carver, ‘His quick thinking ensured that a situation that could quickly

have escalated out of control was contained and delivered safely.

Dave doesn’t deal with passengers or front line incidents within his role and on this occasion he had to deal with the challenge of passengers, incident management and an emergency situation. His ability to manage this incident was pure initiative and drawing on the existing knowledge that he has learnt in his career at Network Rail.’

Colin White of London Underground There are always challenges in signal engineering when seeking to introduce a new, longer, train onto an existing line. London Underground’s new S stock train posed such a challenge.

The key capacity constraint for the new train service was Edgware Road, controlled from a 1920s manual lever frame signal box at the site. Colin White has over 40 years of signal design experience and was selected to lead the

technical development and design of the scheme.

Says colleague George Clark, ‘Colin had to use his extensive experience and technical knowledge to challenge beliefs, assure the safety of his radical proposals and seek agreement across a wide range of stakeholders to develop his design which created a slave relay-based interlocking,

integrated with the existing mechanical lever frame.

‘The new signalling circuitry would be constructed in a relocatable room, craned into the site. He then oversaw its implementation at all levels. The works were all commissioned over the 2011 Christmas period and have met the highest expectations of service performance and usability.’

PROUD TO SPONSOR Signal Engineer of the Year

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

www.railstaffawards.com

31

James Lloyd wins Recruiter/HR Award James Lloyd of London Underground has won this year’s Recruiter HR of the Year Award.

James has been at the forefront of initiatives aimed at attracting young people into the industry.

The Recruiter HR of the Year Award is sponsored by Vital Rail.

James Lloyd was nominated for his hard work in attracting young people to the transport industry.

He pioneered a series of Classroom to Boardroom events working with the Mayor’s Academies in London.

14-17 year olds undertook various transport challenges and presented their findings to a TfL panel – some of the answers were later adopted by the organisation.

James also worked on the University Technical College project and set up the Rail Talent Community to tackle the growing problem of scarce skills in the industry.

As a result of his work students and young people have been

attracted into the industry enriching both London and TfL. During the London Olympics he was heavily involved as a travel ambassador at London Bridge station.

Important opportunity Says Patricia Holgate, ‘The events James has spearheaded provide an incredibly important opportunity for developing confidence and capability in young people by giving them the opportunity to address work-based problems in a work environment which in turn provides evidence which young people can draw upon when applying for jobs and taking part in recruitment processes.

‘James’ event also provides an excellent insight into potential careers within rail for young people. Not only is this showing initiative to banish future scarce skills, but helps to represent those from less privileged backgrounds.’

‘It is all down to the training people and engineers I work with, ‘ said James modestly. ‘They inject passion into what they do. It’s they who do it and I’m very proud to be a part of that.’

Says Tom O’Connor, managing director of the Rail Media Group, ‘James Lloyd demonstrates what can be achieved using imagination and initiative. The railway industry is expanding rapidly and needs to recruit a whole new generation to carry it forward.

‘James is helping bring that about and we should all be grateful. His is a stand alone triumph and this award is hugely deserved. Well done.’

London Underground, part of TfL, runs trains on eleven different lines serving 270 stations. The network has over 408 km of railway, reaching into 28 London Boroughs.

32

The Recruiter HR of the Year Award is sponsored by Vital Rail The company, which supplies skilled railway operatives across the whole spectrum of railway infrastructure, is a leader in tackling the skills shortage in the rail industry and developing HR strategies that retain and advance railway staff.

Vital Rail is part of the Vital Services Group and is a multidisciplined rail support services company with its own PCL and POL accreditations. As a major supplier of track, underground, safety critical, security, technology, signalling, OLE and supervisory services to the majority of the UK’s national rail Infrastructure companies, Vital Rail has established a strong history of partnering agreements based on trust and commercial www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

competitiveness.

With head offices in London and Manchester and a network of supporting facilities in Glasgow, York, Warwick and Swindon, Vital Rail has a strong record of delivering multi-disciplinary projects safely, on time and within budget.

Highly Commended Andy Ridout of advance-TRS Chris Darlow has known Andy Ridout for over 16 years. ‘Andy started out as a young Trainee Recruitment consultant at a large agency. There, he quickly worked his way up to director level where he specialised in signalling and remained the company’s top consultant for over fourteen years.

After countless recruitment campaigns for the majority of the UK’s rail organisations Andy finally took the big decision to set up his own international railway recruitment firm and in August 2011 launched advance-TRS. After twelve months, a colossal amount of hard work and very long hours, advance-TRS is now recognised as expert in supplying the complete range of permanent and contract, blue and white collar staff throughout the industry and has grown from a two man band to employing twelve full time members of staff, this in the midst of a recession.

Ironman challenge Despite a very hectic work schedule, Andy enjoys nothing more than spending time with his partner and three children who are the inspiration for his latest campaign. In August next year Andy will be attempting Norway’s ‘Xtreme Norseman’ Ironman, in the hope of raising £10,000 for

Railway Children.

Over the past five years I have worked closely with Andy on many staffing projects and can only praise his conduct, attention to detail honesty and integrity. He is someone who always goes out of his way to make himself available to anyone in need of his help or advice, a quality that he clearly expresses to his team, which reflects on their outstanding performance.’

To support Andy on his venture to help Railway Children go to: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ AndyRidout Tubelines HR Team Steve Norris spoke warmly of the Tube Lines Stratford HR Training Team. ‘This is a diverse team of trainers and administrative employees responsible for the delivery of safety critical training for all Tube Lines workers, TfL employees and external contractors and sub-contractors who work on the Underground and across the railway.

All in all, we have approximately 25,000 personnel pass through our doors on a yearly basis.

‘Over the last twelve months

we’ve gone through significant change with the implementation of a new online booking system to ensure our customers receive a 24hour service and allow forward booking of courses up to three months in advance. This change has completely transformed our entire way of working.

‘Through the efforts of the whole team, they have ensured that the result is a simplified and improved service for booking training.

This has also helped to improve

the overall delegate experience on the day. They’ve done all this whilst adopting new responsibilities and delivering training and continued support to our customers in using the new system.

‘As a team they work well and support each other in their respective roles, have immense pride in the service and quality of training that they offer, and always deliver it with tremendous professionalism and enthusiasm.’

Specialist provider of integrated services for the Rail, Light Rail and Underground infrastructures.

We are proud to be a first tier supplier to the majority of the UK’s rail infrastructure companies, delivering work packages as a principal or subcontractor.

Our services include: • Civils and Construction • Overhead Line and Isolations • Plant & Equipment

Proud sponsor of the

Recruiter / HR Person of the Year RailStaff Awards 2012

• Rail Security • Rail Training • Safety Critical • Signalling and Telecoms • Supply of Skilled Railway Personnel • Underground

To discuss a project opportunity or request a brochure, please contact us: Tel. 0845 894 9020 Fax. 0845 894 9699 E-mail. info@vital-rail.com

www.vital-rail.com www.railstaffawards.com

33

Station Staff of the Year Award for Richard Hackney Richard Hackney of Virgin Trains has won this year’s Station Staff of the Year Award.

Richard Hackney works at Stockport station. Station Staff of the Year is sponsored by the Transport Benevolent Fund.

Richard Hackney works as a team leader at Stockport and lives across the road from the station.

He has been praised by colleagues for his level headed approach never more apparent in successive crises that are all too familiar to railway staff.

These included keeping Stockport station operational after it was partially closed and declared a crime scene because of a stabbing. Even at the height of the day he made time to encourage a new announcer working his first shift behind the microphone.

Another time he helped save the life of an asthmatic passenger who had collapsed on the station. With a colleague Richard looked after

the man guided by a paramedic over a phone link.

Keep a level head Said a member of the Stockport team, ‘The thing that Richard does best in these situations is follow procedure and keep a level head making all of the right decisions for the best outcome. There have been many more, but Richard is consistent with a professional manner, being polite, and thinking problems through.

Richard is also a person who is not scared to criticise if you have done wrong but will be the first to say “well done” when he sees fit.’ A passenger, Alyson Hirst, backed his nomination.

‘Upon meeting Mr Hackney when I had questions about my train and journey I found him friendly, approachable and very efficient. My concerns about my journey were answered and made my journey and my day very much

less stressful.’

Richard has been with Virgin Trains for six years – his wife works for the railway at Manchester Piccadilly. ‘I’d like to thank all the station staff at Stockport. They do a lot of good work that often goes unnoticed.

It’s a very busy station. Everyone there seeks to make sure the job is done – it’s a great team.’

Says Tom O’Connor, managing director of the Rail Media Group, ‘The railway has perhaps one of the closest consumer-supplier relationships of any industry.

Railway staff look after passengers and are in personal contact with them. That staff handle them with such grace and resourcefulness is one of the hidden strengths of the rail industry. Richard Hackney exemplifies the qualities of top station staff and this award is indeed well deserved.’

Richard works for Virgin Trains which runs express services on the 34

West Coast Main Line and has boosted ridership and customer service levels consistently. Part of the success of Virgin Trains is attributed to its top performing staff on trains and stations.

Station Staff of the Year is sponsored by the Transport Benevolent Fund.

Says Chris Godbold, Director of the Transport Benevolent Fund, ‘Many of our members have been involved in, or started their career at, a railway station. TBF exists to help all people in the railway industry. We are pleased to be involved in the RailStaff Awards and to help celebrate the achievements of ordinary men and women who make this such a great industry.’

The Transport Benevolent Fund (TBF) is a registered charity and offers a wide range of benefits including health, legal advice, convalescence and cash help to its www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

members and their dependants.

The TBF is run by Trustees who understand the industry and the needs of staff.

TBF is here to support those who work in the public transport industry when they are in need, hardship or distress. Almost anyone who works in the industry may join TBF.

Highly Commended Jack Ward and Daniel Tot of Southern Railways A member of the public wanting to thank Daniel Tot and Jack Ward found her way onto the RailStaff Awards web site.

Jan Stevens takes up the story. ‘I am a peak time commuter, who constantly travels to and from Clapham Junction on Southern seeing many of the staff everyday.

Once coming through from a night out after work I saw two members of staff who exceeded my expectations of customer service.

‘They were dealing with drunken customer’s questions, violent passengers and cleaning up sick.

They were handling it so professionally, whilst giving all the passengers on the platform excellent customer service.

The things that they were having to deal with in the 45minutes I was there, were unbelievable.

These members of staff are the ones that need to be recognised for what they do, day in day out.

The next day when I travelled to work tired from the night before I saw they were again out on the platform around 06.30am unfazed by the goings on of the night before.

After seeing all this, a couple of days later I was looking to see if

there was any way the staff could be awarded for all they do, that’s when I came across this website. (railstaffawards.com). I know that they work for Southern at Clapham Junction, but I only know their first names which are Daniel and Jack. I have already written a letter to the station saying how excellent and professional they were.’

Jason Townsend of Northern Rail Jason has been with Northern Rail for three years working as Customer Service Assistant at Blackburn Station and has never taken a day off sick. Says manager, Simon Godfrey, ‘Jason is always smart and has an extremely positive attitude to life and his job.

He is renowned for always ‘going the extra mile’ and for being cheery, polite, thoughtful, knowledgeable, thorough and helpful.’

Jason is popular with customers and railways staff alike. ‘One

regular lady who is blind takes great comfort and inspiration from Jason who is also visually impaired. She says ’He is my friend and guide. When I come to the station, I always look forward to him meeting me so that he can assist me onto a safe and happy journey.’

Jason is involved in many

different local events and recently attended a community day aimed at promoting careers and Northern Rail’s services among the Asian Community. His motivation was to gain a better understanding of Asian cultures and their particular requirements which he has since incorporated into his unique customer service regime.

The Transport Benevolent Fund is proud to sponsor the Station Staff of the Year award again this year.

With the help of the TOCs, Network Rail and other employers throughout the public transport industry we now have 36,000 members.

For just £1 a week a variety of benefits are available to you, your partner and dependent children.

Join today!

✆ 0300 333 2000 etd 00 38571 e-mail help@tbf.org.uk www.tbf.org.uk

Transport Benevolent Fund

The Transport Benevolent Fund (known as TBF) is a registered charity in England and Wales (1058032) and in Scotland (SC040013) www.railstaffawards.com

35

Tahir Ayub wins RailStaff Sustainability Award Tahir Ayub of Network Rail has won the new Sustainability Award.

Tahir Ayub is a Senior Design Engineer at Network Rail, based in the Mailbox at Birmingham.

The Sustainability Award is a new award backed by Balfour Beatty Rail.

Working with industry stakeholders Tahir Ayub has secured new methods of advancing signalling power design. Better systems have reduced the copper content of power cables by a third contributing to environmental and sustainability targets.

Tahir has guided over ten suppliers through the Technology Introduction Process and has been successful in achieving quick approval of equipment used on signalling projects.

Says colleague Peter Dickson, ‘Tahir has worked with a range of stakeholders within Network

Rail and across the industry to secure a new method to challenge existing norms and practices in relation to signalling power design giving the opportunity of significant CAPEX and OPEX savings. The system also reduces the copper content of power cables by a third contributing to the Industry Environmental and Sustainability targets.

Technical and cost benefits Tahir showed how the Class II concept can be applied to signalling power systems and has worked in collaboration with both Signalling and E&P communities, convincing them of the technical and cost benefits. He has also interfaced and worked in collaboration with other disciplines, suppliers and involved consultants to ensure that the railway industry complies with European and

British standards.’

Tahir thanked his colleagues and said, ‘This has been the culmination of four years work on a project I have had the honour of leading. It’s been a huge effort by a wide team and has been a real privilege to work on.’

Says Tom O’Connor, managing director of the Rail Media Group, ‘As the railway seeks to reduce costs, sustain the environment and the communities it serves whilst fuelling the huge upgrades and expansion necessary, the skills and resourcefulness, like those eloquently displayed by Tahir Ayub, are essential.’

Tahir Ayub works for Network Rail which runs the railway infrastructure including track, signalling, bridges and tunnels.

An investment programme aimed at enhancing and modernising the network is the most ambitious there has ever been.

36

The Sustainability Award is sponsored by Balfour Beatty Rail.

The Balfour Beatty Rail Sustainability Award is designed to recognise individuals, teams or businesses that have made positive environmental, social or financial impacts. Environmental performance, from carbon footprints to ecology, is increasingly reflected in purchasing decisions, sourcing materials, waste disposal and water consumption, so sustainability finds a natural constituency in the rail industry and it is gaining healthy interest from all areas of the sector.

The Balfour Beatty Rail Sustainability Award looks like becoming a popular category at the expanding RailStaff Awards.

‘We are playing our part to embed sustainability into everything we do, with all employees thinking and acting in a sustainable manner. This helps us make a www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

positive difference to people’s lives and influence the next generation,’ said Balfour Beatty Rail’s Managing Director Peter Anderson.

Committed to delivering tomorrow’s sustainable infrastructure that helps communities and individuals live within environmental limits, develop health communities and make cost efficiencies wherever possible - Balfour Beatty Rail is focused on setting the industry standard and raising the bar for sustainability.

Highly Commended Environmental Sustainability Team Northern Rail The Environmental Sustainability Team, led by Dr Karen Booth, with Gareth Williams, Euan Hilton and Kyle MacNeill has worked tirelessly to make Northern Rail a more environmentally sustainable business.

Says Gary Stewart, ‘The rail industry has historically dealt with the environment in terms of risk avoidance and mitigation, and managing pollution and abiding by legislation. We realised that we needed to be doing something on the environmental agenda although we were not entirely sure exactly what shape that would take, so we recruited Karen to head up our strategic development.

‘Karen’s team has transformed this view within the business and across the industry and put Northern on the map. Northern is now seen as a train operating company that is leading the way on this agenda.’

www.railstaffawards.com

The Environmental Sustainability Team sits on industry forums like the RSSB Rail Sustainable Development Group and actively participates in shaping industry research programmes. The team helps steer research projects and regularly presents to stakeholders reporting on Northern Rail’s inspiring progress.

Steve Judd of Tube Lines.

Steve Judd is Head of Environment and Sustainability at Tube Lines and has a great love of nature. Says colleague Tara Smith, ‘He has been very effective at integrating nature conservation…He is well respected in the organisation. His vast knowledge of subjects outside of his main field, Track and Maintenance, means that he is often consulted on a range of areas.

This has helped to really embed environmental values into the business culture including promoting the ‘One Team’ approach with Tube Lines contractors. Tube Lines currently excels in several environmental areas, such as a 94% waste recycling rate.’

Steve is a long distance ultra

runner and raises money for Oxfam and the Woodland Trust.

Last Christmas Day was dedicated to helping vulnerable elderly people enjoy Christmas lunch in the village hall.

‘Steve’s enthusiasm is contagious and he is always willing to help bring others up to his high standards,’ says Tara.

37

Lifetime Achievement Award for David Maidment David Maidment, founder of the Railway Children charity, received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sponsored by FirstGroup Plc the Lifetime Achievement Award recognises the unique and wide ranging contribution of one individual per year. The Railway Children charity has been widely adopted by people across the railway industry - and beyond.

Appalled, David decided to do something about it In 1993 David Maidment, a career railwayman, and one time safety chief at British Rail and Railtrack, was on a visit to India. On a railway station in Mumbai he saw many homeless children living on the streets nearby and sleeping rough under platforms and rolling stock. Appalled, David, decided to do something about it.

Haydn Abbott, formerly head of Angel Trains and a trustee of the charity, takes up the story. ‘David

assembled a group of railway managers and supporters to help create the charity and managed to obtain support for the cause from senior members of British Rail and later the privatised rail industry.

‘Under David’s leadership the charity grew from an idea to a £3 million a year charity supporting Street Children in India, East Africa and the UK. Each year the charity helps thousands of children who are living on the streets or in railway stations, protecting children from abuse, hunger and disease.’

How did David feel when he first started the charity? ‘I was scared stiff when I started. This was before the days of corporate social responsibility. A lot of companies do it now, but in those days I thought they’d think I’d gone soft in the head because I was quite emotional about what I’d seen.’

However, David Maidment tapped into the hidden strengths

of the railway’s sense of community and responsibility. As Vernon Barker, Head of FirstGroup’s Rail Division, puts it, ‘The railway, for many of us in the industry, is a way of life. Unlike most other sectors it is not uncommon to find colleagues with 30, 40 and 50 years service.’

38

Recognising achievement Speaking of the RailStaff Awards he said, ‘I think there is a real value in recognising achievement in the industry and the RailStaff Awards do a really good job of actually personalising the individuals in the industry.’ For many David Maidment personifies

www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

the values of an industry that sees men and women going far beyond the basic criteria of the jobs and positions held.

After some 15 years of tireless effort, David retired as Chairman of the Railway Children board of Trustees in 2010, but has continued to be an ambassador for the charity both in raising funds and in promoting the cause of street children. ‘I’d like to thank all those who have supported us right from the start,’ David said.

Many owe their lives to David’s vision and we salute him Says Tom O’Connor, managing director of the Rail Media Group ‘The Railway Children charity has caught the imagination of the rail industry. Men and women from all over the network help raise funds and are the better for it. The plight of street children living in danger should concern us all. Many owe their lives to David’s vision and we salute him. His has been a life of quiet achievement and vision. He is a real hero of our industry.’

The Lifetime Achievement Award is sponsored by FirstGroup.

FirstGroup is Britain’s largest rail operator carrying more than 290 million passengers per annum. It operates First Great Western, First Capital Connect, First TransPennine Express, First ScotRail, First Hull Trains and London Tramlink. It runs regional and commuter services, open access and light rail operations as www.railstaffawards.com

well as high speed inter-city trains and overnight sleepers, everything from local branch line stopping services to long distance express trains.

In North America it is the largest provider of student transportation with some 57,000 yellow school buses and operates the iconic Greyhound coach services. Vernon Barker, Head of FirstGroup’s Rail Division, said: ‘We are delighted to be sponsors of an award recognising the people who have invested so much of their own lives to delivering excellence in the rail industry.’

Highly Commended Tim Wade of London Underground Says Kelly Lee, ‘Tim joined London Underground in 1989 at Northumberland Park Depot as a train maintainer, after finishing an apprenticeship with the Electricity Board. He has worked many years on the Underground in various roles, working his way up to his present position of Service Manager on the Victoria Line.

His passion for trains came at a very early age and still today Tim loves anything train related. He devotes time regularly to the Railway Children Charity and helps raise funds annually. He devotes his own time to being a steward on the Three Peaks Rail Challenge train every year.

Tim found himself caught up in the mayhem of the London Bombings, and assisted with the evacuation of many injured people that morning. He has assisted with many events on the railway

including the Notting Hill Carnival and Steam on the Met. He was a volunteer at the London Olympics.’

Roger Wanbon of East Coast Says John Hayhurst, ‘Roger has spent some 40 years in the rail industry. He joined the industry at the age of 21, with a degree in Zoology, not an obvious

qualification for his future role in this great industry.

He started work at Lea Bridge Parcels office before he joined the Personnel function. He’s seen many changes over his long career – including a management buyout, privatisation – and then the new franchises of GNER, National Express and most recently East Coast.

He helped with the introduction of attendance improvement procedures, sick-pay harmonisation, healthcare policies – to name just a few, as well as coaching and mentoring countless numbers of employees across the business. One valuable attribute Roger has is his ability to interpret new legislation, and the impact of this on the business.

He also influenced the company’s response to the tragedies at Hatfield and Great Heck – and following these incidents, he was the driving force behind the creation of the ECML incident care team – a role with which he’s been intimately involved with until just recently.’

Proud sponsor of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the RailStaff Awards

www.firstgroup.com 39

Rail Safety win for Paul Garnish Paul Garnish, who works for London Underground at King’s Cross, has won this year’s Rail Safety Person of the Year Award.

Paul has been championing rail safety at the busy Underground station for the last five years. The Rail Safety Person of the Year Award is sponsored by Bridgeway Consulting.

As a duty manager and safety champion at London King’s Cross Underground station, Paul has had to cope with station improvements which reduced available area for passenger flow.

Much of King’s Cross has resembled a building site recently.

Key role As well as his duties as DSM, Paul assisted with the numerous building projects taking place on the station, and most recently played a key role in developing

the crowd control plan on the station for the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations and the London Olympics.

His extensive knowledge of health and safety policies and procedures, acquired over a number of years, has given him a deep skill in understanding complex information. Importantly Paul has an ability to impart this information to his team in a measured, methodical and understandable way.

Paul Garnish said, ‘When you’re having a lot of building work going on, safety is something you’ve got to think about all the time. I’d particularly like to thank all the staff at King’s Cross there’s around 165 of them. I must also thank all who nominated me and the Health and Safety reps.’

Paul also finds time to encourage colleagues. Gary Rogers

thanked him, ‘I first met Paul ten years ago, when he was my Duty Manager and he had the Safety Portfolio. I was the local Health and Safety Representative and found Paul extremely knowledgeable and happy to share this knowledge and experience with all of his colleagues.

When I became interested in a safety career, Paul helped me prepare for the role, giving me advice, imparting his knowledge and helping me to attend all the relevant safety training that was available.

‘It was Paul’s support and guidance that enabled me to secure a position within LU’s Safety, Quality and Environmental team, where I had the pleasure of working alongside Paul once more as his Safety Adviser whilst he was at King’s Cross station during extensive upgrade work. Paul displays all the qualities required of a truly professional safety person.’

40

Professionalism Says Tom O’Connor, managing director of the Rail Media Group, ‘Thousands of people pass through King’s Cross every day. That they can do so quickly and safely is in large measure because of the professionalism of people like Paul Garnish. Safety is the underlying imperative of all railway operations. His skill and professionalism have a direct impact on railways and we salute him.’

London Underground, part of TfL, runs trains on eleven different lines serving 270 stations. The network has over 408 km of railway, reaching into 28 London Boroughs.

Indeed the extremities of the network reach beyond the Greater London boundary into Essex, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. During peak hours LU operates more than 500 trains, while 422 escalators and 141 lifts move passengers in and out of its stations. www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

The Rail Safety Person of the Year Award is sponsored by Bridgeway Consulting.

Bridgeway Consulting supports a proactive and positive safety and behaviour culture within the rail industry and believes that the RailStaff Awards - Rail Safety Person of the Year category is important for the industry as it rewards those who lead by example.

Says Steve Diksa, Assurance Services Director, ‘Developing a culture in which the workforce prioritises safety can be difficult but it is nonetheless still achievable. The RailStaff Awards reward those who stand up and encourage good practice in the rail industry and we are delighted to support this as well.’

Bridgeway Consulting Ltd is one of the leading consulting and contracting companies in the UK today, covering many aspects of civil engineering and asset management. Bridgeway Consulting always aims to provide an effective and professional service.

Highly Commended Nigel Appleton of Freightliner Richard Jones, a one time shunter with Freightliner described Nigel as a saint. ‘From my experience of working in shunting for many years and stepping into management, Nigel’s name is one that is hugely respected.

‘When writing methods of works or any other safety related topic he continuously involves the men on the ground, drawing from their experience and finding out every last detail. No stone is

www.railstaffawards.com

left unturned with regards to his work ethic. Personally I think the guy is a saint. He isn’t afraid to speak his mind on anything that he deems unsafe.

He is the guy that I turn to with my safety concerns and he will always get me an answer. The work he does and is doing within his own time to put together the groundstaff manual should win him the award on its own. This document contains everything that a ground staff member will need to do their job safely.’

Martyn Durrant of Bridgeway Consulting Steve Diksa praised Martyn’s all round knowledge. ‘Martyn has consistently shown a high degree of leadership and professionalism in developing and maintaining the Bridgeway Consulting Health and Safety Management System. He has developed the system to ensure that Bridgeway is fully compliant in relation to legislation relating to Health, Safety and the

Environment.

During his time at Bridgeway he has acquired an excellent, all round underpinning knowledge of rail industry safety and operational rules and regulations.

Martyn has helped to instill a sound safety culture within the company and this has resulted in a 35% reduction in trackside incidents.

Martyn has also been instrumental in developing and monitoring systems to ensure that work is only undertaken safely by competent and properly equipped staff. Martyn regularly drives home the message to all staff that everybody has responsibility for health, safety, and the environment via his Target Zero Safety Campaign.’

41

John Coates celebrates Depot Staff award Essex rail engineer, John Coates, has won the national Depot Staff of the Year award at this year’s RailStaff Awards 2012.

The award, sponsored by Mechan, highlights the ‘behind the scenes’ hard work of men and women responsible for maintaining Britain’s rolling stock and infrastructure. John works for Greater Anglia and is based at Ilford Train Maintenance Depot. He joined the rail industry in 1967 as a teenage apprentice coppersmith and worked his way up to maintenance manager responsible for the depot.

Says Ellen Rossiter, communications manager and colleague at Greater Anglia, ‘In 1997 John became the maintenance team leader, later working his way up to maintenance manager, where he was responsible for the depot

infrastructure.

‘John’s work as depot maintenance manager has been crucial in supporting the Greater Anglia fleet team in their work to help provide over 1,900 train services a day.’

Absolutely stunned Speaking at the RailStaff Awards, John Coates said, ‘I am absolutely stunned. Thanks to all the people at Ilford.’ Asked about the job he said, ‘I tried to help everyone there.

What is important on the railways is that we help each other.’

Says Jason Carey, Greater Anglia’s fleet manager, ‘I’d like to congratulate John on his 50 years of working in the rail industry.

John has been a key member of the depot team, his knowledge, experience and dedication are second to none and I wish him a very happy retirement.’

Unsung heroes Tom O’Connor, managing director of the Rail Media Group drew attention to John’s long service and experience. ‘The 50 years experience amassed by John Coates is of incalculable value to the railway industry.

John is typical of the unsung heroes of our industry. His has been an exemplary career and he deserves both our congratulations and thanks.’ Mr Coates has reached retirement age. ‘He’ll be a hard act to follow,’ says Tom. Greater Anglia runs 1,900 trains a day and is part of Abellio Transport Holdings.

Mechan sponsors Depot Staff of the Year Maintenance equipment specialist, Mechan, sponsored this year’s Depot Staff of the Year

42

award. Said Richard Carr, Mechan’s Managing Director, ‘We are very pleased to be associated with the RailStaff Awards, as we work closely with the engineers and maintenance crews who keep our rail industry on the right tracks.’

The Sheffield-based manufacturer is renowned for the quality, safety and reliability of its lifting products and works tirelessly to improve depot working conditions and speed up the railcar maintenence process.

With more than 40 years experience in heavy lifting and rail industries, the firm’s impressive range of handling equipment now enjoys success at home and overseas.

In this highly specialised field, export business is becoming increasingly important and is forecast to account for 25% of

www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

turnover in 2012, compared to just 2% in 2005. Mechan has continued its global expansion, opening up new markets in Taiwan, New Zealand and Belgium this year.

Highly Commended Ian Bateman of First Capital Connect Says Terry Warner, ‘Ian started his career on the railway as an electrical and mechanical apprentice in 1965. On completing his apprenticeship in 1970 he became a fitter at Bletchley Depot.

He then moved into an RSI position at Willesden depot in 1980, and from there moved into a supervisors position in 1981.

Ian started at Hornsey Depot in 1985 as a WSC senior maintenance supervisor progressing through to a WSD and then a WSE supervisor.

Ian’s final move was on the 27th September 1998 as a Shift Fleet Manager.

Ian’s career on the railway has covered all aspects of train

maintenance even working on the infamous APT. (Advanced Passenger Train). Ian retired in August 2012. Ian was and is a well loved and respected member of the maintenance team at Hornsey.

He is always there to offer support and guidance to anyone, always leads from the front, always rises to the challenge and is never afraid to get his hands dirty.

Ian will leave a hole at the depot that will be hard to fill and the new manager coming in has a lot to live up to. On a personal level it has been an honour and a privilege to work with Ian over the years.’

Philip Pinnegar of Cleshar Says Alan McMillan, ‘As Depot Operations Manager and Plant Manager for Cleshar, Phil has continually demonstrated his desire to go the extra mile. His endeavour and will to succeed along with his versatility and

ability to adapt has led Phil to continually achieve success in all areas.

His sheer determination to provide a quality service and resolve all issues, coupled with vast knowledge of the industry has led Philip to become the ‘go to’

man for almost all that know him.

If you have a problem no matter how big or small, Philip is always ready to help solve it using his pro-active approach. Philip….is the epitome of what a manager should be and a great deal of people could learn a lot from his approach.’

RAIL DEPOT AND WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT • Railcar Lifting Jacks • Bogie Changing Systems • Bogie Test Machines • Under Car Handling • Maintenance Machines • Workshop Equipment

Proud sponsors of

Depot Staff of the Year Award 2012 info@mechan.co.uk www.mechan.co.uk +44 (0)114 257 0563

www.railstaffawards.com

43

Sharon Willet of East Coast has won the Samaritans Lifesaver Award at the RailStaff Awards 2012.

Sharon Willet, known to friends as Shaz, works at Newark Northgate station. This new award is supported by the SamaritansNetwork Rail Partnership.

Sharon Willet attended a course on suicide prevention run by the Samaritans. Shortly after the course Sharon noticed a young man in some distress on the platform not boarding successive trains.

Prompt actions Simon Pashley takes up the story.

‘He had isolated himself and asked about when fast trains were due.

Sharon approached him and got into a conversation about how busy it had been and would he mind if she sat down for a minute.

Initially he was agitated and withdrawn but gradually became more engaged. After about 30 minutes he agreed to let Sharon ring his parents to come and collect him. Since then the boy’s

Sharon Willett wins Lifesaver Award mum has been to the station and spoken to Sharon. Her son is now much better and has just started a college course. Thanks to Sharon’s prompt actions a vulnerable person is now in a better place and moving on with his life.’

Sharon Willet is no stranger to approaching those looking lost and confused. One day the then managing director of GNER, Christopher Garnett, alighted unannounced at Newark for a quick look round. Garnett quite often did this on his patch.

Seeing the man, apparently not sure where he was going, Sharon approached him and, according to station manager Phil Beck, said, ‘Are you alright darling? Are you lost?’ Far from remonstrating with Sharon, Garnett often retold the story citing it as one of the best examples of customer services he had ever witnessed.

Says Sharon Willet, ‘I am flabbergasted, I feel overwhelmed.

I was just being myself. I’m a mum. The Samaritans course gives you the confidence to approach someone. I’m glad I did.’

Caring and helpful Colleague Liz Dove said, ‘In the seven years that I have known Sharon, I have always found her very caring and helpful. She certainly goes the extra mile towards the needs of all customers. It came as no surprise to me that she was put forward for this life saving award, due to her lovely personality and always putting other people’s needs in front of her own.’

Says Tom O’Connor, managing director of the Rail Media Group, ‘Sharon Willett is an example to us all of a kind, caring and compassionate person who puts kindness into action and saves lives. This is a well deserved award and we wish her every continuing success.’

Rachel Kirby-Rider, Executive Director of Fundraising and 44

Communications at Samaritans says: ‘There have been a number of interventions by railway staff following participation in Samaritans training that could have otherwise resulted in a ßfatality. Approaching a stranger who may be distressed and suicidal requires significant dedication and is so much more than ‘just part of the job’.

Being there for an individual at a point in their lives of extreme vulnerability does make a huge positive difference.’

The Network Rail / Samaritans Partnership The Samaritans is a confidential emotional support service for anyone in the UK and Ireland. The service is available 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.

Volunteers offer support by responding to phone calls, emails and letters. Alternatively people www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

can drop in to a branch to have a face to face meeting. Across the UK you can call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 for the price of a local call. In the Republic of Ireland call 1850 60 90 90.

The Network Rail/Samaritans Partnership was launched two years ago with the aim of reducing the number of suicides on the railways. Network Rail is investing in the partnership.

Special courses have been developed to equip train staff with the skills to approach vulnerable people and help to get them to a place of safety, as well as a call-out service that involves Samaritans volunteers visiting stations to offer support to vulnerable people and staff.

Highly Commended Cheryl Marland of Virgin Trains Cheyrl Marland was praised for helping a disturbed man on her station. Here she describes what happened. ‘A gentleman came into the kiosk around 8am, he was very distressed and near to tears. He then went onto explain where he

had arrived from and that he had been sleeping rough and trying to get in touch with his wife who had previously left him in January.

‘He had no money and looked very dishevelled. I got the gentleman a cup of coffee and a sandwich and tried to calm him down; he said he had not eaten for days. He was with me for about two hours. He told me lots of personal things about his life and that he had lost a child and showed me poems he had written.

He kept telling me that he was going to jump off a bridge and told me that he was a chef and that he was not frightened of using knives to end it all, when he got home.’

Cheryl quietly alerted the BTP and used techniques learnt on the Samaritans course. The man was known to the Glasgow BTP and had suffered mental health problems. The police and Virgin Trains helped him home.

PC Dean Pinnel and PC Ron Levett of the British Transport Police Prompt action by PC Dean Pinnell and PC Ron Levett saved a woman from death on a signal gantry. Says

Simon Lubin, communications manager for the British Transport Police, ‘PC Dean Pinnell and PC Ron Levett saved a woman from hanging herself on 4th July 2012.

PC Dean Pinnell climbed the gantry and successfully caught her with one arm when she jumped preventing her from hanging.

He took a big personal risk climbing the gantry whilst she was distracted and undoubtedly saved her from serious injury, if not from death.’ The pair attended the scene and saved the woman’s life. Both are respected officers with the British Transport Police.

A registered charity. *Please see our website for latest call charges.

In partnership with

Samaritans / Network Rail Partnership are proud to be sponsoring the RailStaff Awards www.railstaffawards.com

45

Simon Melville wins Rail Infrastructure award Ipswich-based Simon Melville who works for Balfour Beatty Rail has won the Rail Infrastructure Award at this year’s RailStaff Awards 2012.

Simon Melville has been working in the rail industry for ten years.

The Rail Infrastructure Award is sponsored by McGinley Support Services.

Great tenacity Colleagues nominated Simon for the award for his great tenacity and determination in organising a complex midweek re-railing job.

Rails were replaced on a busy stretch of the Chingford line during the night.

Difficult access to that part of the railway meant men and equipment had to be moved through Limehouse station. Simon organised the job and saw it was conducted in safety.

Says Nick de Bellaigue, ‘Simon showed great tenacity and

determination in pulling together the revised plan at short timescales for the delivery of a complex midweek re-railing job.

Simon is an SM2 and has only 10 years rail experience but in driving this job home during short midweek night possessions he showed maturity far above his length of experience.

Simon worked with the project management tirelessly in order to make sure that job was done when there was doubt.’ The site was in London on the Chingford line out of Liverpool Street and as such was in a sensitive area.

The machine and material access point was a great distance from the work site. Men had to be taken in through the very busy Limehouse Station. This gave very little opportunity for adequate access and meant parking was sparse. Equipment had to be carried up and down steps each night.

‘This added extra risk but Simon took it all in his stride with no accidents or incidents taking place during the job,’ said Nick.

Says Tom O’Connor, managing director of the Rail Media Group, ‘The general public remain largely unaware of the huge amount of work that goes on over night repairing the very rails their trains run on. That people can travel in comfort and safety on one of the busiest commuter rail networks in Europe is in no small measure because of the hard work, ingenuity and professionalism of people like Simon Melville.’

Balfour Beatty Rail is extensively involved in the rail industry from high speed lines in Italy, to Blackfriars Bridge in London. With over 6,000 committed rail specialists, Balfour Beatty Rail delivers innovative and custombuilt solutions in more than 30 countries.

46

The Rail Infrastructure Award is sponsored by McGinley Support Services.

Sean McGinley, Business Support Director of McGinley Support Services Limited, says ‘This is a great celebration of the ordinary men and women who are out there making the rail industry a leading industrial success.

At McGinley Support Services we continue to rise to the challenge of providing the railway with the personnel and solutions it needs to move forward and prosper.’

Sean, a keen supporter of the RailStaff Awards, added, ‘The RailStaff Awards is an exercise in confidence, in the future of the industry and the people who make it up.’

McGinley is a Link-Up accredited supplier of personnel and support services to the national rail and metro sectors. McGinley is also a leading innovator in the industry in terms of service and www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

transparent financial arrangements. As one of the top specialist rail recruitment suppliers McGinley drives new initiatives that embrace safety and systems, upholding a strong safety and quality culture that is necessary to support the rail and metro industry in meeting its own objectives.

Internal processes and systems ensure through co-ordinated planning that a highly skilled, flexible, motivated and compliant workforce is available to meet all needs.

Highly Commended Carl Hunt of Network Rail Says Mark Fitch, ‘Carl is the Infrastructure Maintenance Engineer for Romford Delivery Unit, which is responsible for a very large majority of the Olympic railway infrastructure. This includes the Great Eastern mainline, including Stratford Station and the Thameside route.

For the last three years Carl has been at the forefront of the Delivery Unit’s planning to deliver a reliable, safe and compliant railway during the London Olympics period.

Carl has coordinated his engineers in development and execution of asset enhancement works, developed and carried scenario testing for all railway disciplines, written and published the Olympic Delivery Unit management strategy, provided a Microsoft project plan identifying key milestones and developed and agreed Engineers, Section Managers and staff rosters.

All of this has resulted in a truly exceptional asset performance during the Olympics Games period.’

Carl’s efforts have ensured asset performance during the Olympics remained at an exceptional level,

staff engagement was also at a very high level and when called upon to respond to an incident the response times were excellent.

Caroline Higgins of Network Rail Phil James says, ‘Caroline is the Track Maintenance Engineer at Watford, working for London Euston Delivery Unit. During her time at Watford she has embedded a strong leadership ethic and has strived to develop her team with guidance, coaching, mentorship and buckets of enthusiasm.

Watford South Junction is a piece of key infrastructure on the West Coast Mainline. The junction is not due for renewal until 2014, and some of the components date from 1960s. This junction has been subject to a TSR (Temporary Speed Restriction) on the Up and Down Fast Lines which has had a performance implication for Virgin Trains.

In order to bring the track back to standard Caroline has developed a rigorous maintenance regime. At

times this meant altering plans at short notice, securing multi purpose stone blowers from other areas and working within tight access time.

Throughout all this her determination and commitment never waned, she leads by

example and is a credit to my Delivery Unit and Network Rail.

Caroline has also been instrumental in engaging a work stream on reporting infrastructure issues with both Driver Managers and Drivers within Virgin Trains.’

working together Experts IN support services for infrastructure markets

McGinley Support Services are pleased to be sponsoring

RailStaff Infrastructure Person of the Year T: 0845 543 5953

www.mcginley.co.uk www.railstaffawards.com

47

Nicola Hosty wins Rail Manager of the Year Award Nicola Hosty, Head of HR Support Services at Northern Rail, has won the Rail Manager of the Year award at the RailStaff Awards 2012.

Nicola Hosty is based at York.

The Rail Manager of the Year award is sponsored by the Institution of Railway Operators.

work that has already been done to raise the profile and increase recruitment from under-represented groups (Women, LGBT, BME) would not have happened without Nikki so expertly steering it.’

Sensitivity

Nicola Hosty, 38, from Methley in Leeds has worked for Northern for six years and for the railway since she was 16. She said, ‘The award was totally unexpected and I was so pleased to receive it, especially as I was nominated by my colleagues on the TrainbowUK team.

‘We work to change the culture both within and outside of the company to bring positive improvements to individuals’ professional and personal circumstances.’

TrainbowUK is a team of Northern employees who work to engage the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual

Nicola Hosty was nominated for her work on projects leading to diversity and inclusion. ‘I’ve never worked with someone so enthusiastic about changing the way people see the railway industry,’ one colleague said.

Another praised her sensitivity in working with diversity and inclusion forums. ‘The rollout of the Diversity Policy at Northern has been so successful because of the time and faith she has invested into it.

She works hard behind-the-scenes to make things happen and I am certain that much of the excellent

‘Every day try and make a difference

and Transgender (LGBT) community, to promote Northern as a service provider and local employer. Nicola continues, ‘I say: ‘every day try and make a difference’ and looking at the way Northern and the rail industry as a whole has moved forwards to embrace its diverse communities shows that we really are doing this.’

Colleague Stephen Tivey said, ‘I’m on the LGBT Forum set up within Northern Rail. I’ve never worked with someone so enthusiastic about changing the way people see the railway industry. She, Nikki, supports us personally and professionally in changing the way Northern Rail works, internally and externally.

She manages the groups in such a delicate way as this can be a touchy subject within the rail industry; she helps us get our 48

message across at a higher level and brings detailed information to the table to help us make a bigger impact.’

Says Tom O’Connor, managing director of the Rail Media Group, ‘Nicola Hosty’s sensitivity in her work is to the credit of Northern Rail and will help make a big difference in the rail industry.

Sometimes thought traditional and slow to change, the rail industry is becoming more welcoming of people from diverse backgrounds thanks to the hard work of people like Nicola. Thank you.’

Northern Rail runs trains across the north of England, serving a population of nearly 15 million.

4,900 employees provide nearly 2500 train services every weekday.

Northern Rail is a 50:50 joint venture between Serco Group plc and Abellio. www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

The Rail Manager of the Year award is sponsored by the Institution of Railway Operators.

The Institution of Railway Operators exists to advance and promote the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the railways, by improving the technical and general skills, knowledge and competence of those engaged in the operation of the railways.

Backed by the rail industry, the Institution of Railway Operators (IRO) was formally launched on 3rd May 2000. Financial support from railway companies and a government grant enabled the IRO to design and develop an Education Programme that would meet the standards necessary for accreditation by an awarding body.

In 2004, Glasgow Caledonian University entered into partnership with the IRO to provide distance-learning courses for the award of either BSc Degree or Diploma in Higher Education. A Certificate Level qualification was added in 2008.

Highly Commended Spencer Adaway of Heathrow Express Colleague Mary Donovan says, ‘I have known Spencer for seven years and I was told even before I met him that I would like him. I was told that he has all the attributes that I personally hold dear and that will support Heathrow Express. A bold statement - I thought at the time.

I had the delight of training Spencer as a Station Manager and I knew then that he was special.

He was charming, passionate, and professional and with a great work ethic which has not changed since day one. He has been involved in many of Heathrow Express’s

achievements with the latest being the delivery of our Olympic project.

His efforts make them all look so seamless. You forget what work he has put in to achieve this. He was my manager for two years and always inspired me to do more and aim higher. He is one of Heathrow Express’s greatest assets all wrapped up in a stylish suit with a wicked sense of humour with which he can make even the most difficult day take an upward positive turn.’

Anthony O’Donnell of London Underground Ayo Akande has worked with Anthony O’Donnell for five years.

‘He is a well rounded leader. He leads his team with passion and commitment and brings a lot of positive energy to the workplace.

The old saying - people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care - rings true to his approach towards ensuring his staff’s welfare.

He fully understands the importance of showing genuine care and concern for his staff members who in turn co-operate with him in achieving the task at hand, delivering an exemplary

customer service, as evidenced by the performance of the group of stations he is responsible for.

Apart from being a visionary leader, he uses his extensive knowledge in the capacity of coach and mentor to his immediate team members as well as those outside his team. He sacrifices several hours of his time in supporting the development of his team.

Following the Operational Strategic Plan within London

Underground, every Duty Manager was required to submit a portfolio to confirm the level of their competence. His encouragement and invaluable support made it possible for me and another colleague to attain the next level of competence.

It is pertinent to note that we are the only managers that attained this level in the company and I attribute our success to his immeasurable support and guidance.

Delighted D elighted to to sponsor sponsor

Rail Manager of the year 2012 We W ep provide rovide a allll our our members m embers w with ith access a ccess tto… o… » A professional network » Area events » Academic qualifications » Professional Development » CPD schemes

Our membership includes anyone involved in railway operations in the UK. To find out what are you missing out on visit… www.railwayoperators.org

www.railstaffawards.com

49

Graduate Triumph for TfL Newcomer Amy Selway of Transport for London won this year’s Newcomer-Graduate of the Year Award at the RailStaff Awards 2012.

The Newcomer-Graduate of the Year Award is sponsored by LPA Group Plc. Amy Selway is a Change and Effectiveness Specialist at TfL’s Human Resources department.

She joined TfL’s graduate trainee programme after gaining a first class honours degree in Human Resource management and Business from Oxford Brookes University. She also read a Masters degree at Middlesex University.

Project Horizon At TfL Amy worked on Project Horizon helping reform and unite the organisation’s HR function.

Amy redesigned the HR operating model and launched ‘OneHR’, a fully integrated, streamlined HR

function which removed duplication and exceeded TfL’s savings target.

Says Penny St Martin, Head of People Planning and Organisational Effectiveness at Transport for London, ‘Project Horizon was launched within Transport for London (TfL) in anticipation of the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review this past year.

‘The aim of the project was to review the organisation design and ways of working of twelve back office functions and increase efficiency to ensure they are fit to support the operational business whilst also delivering savings of 20%.

Amy was an integral part of the HR workstream with responsibility to review TfL’s HR functions of which there were previously three separate HR Delivery teams reporting into three different MDs

with elements of Centres of Excellence activity in each, as well as a Corporate Centre of Excellence and a HR Service Centre.

‘OneHR’ There was previously duplication across HR and due to the disparate structure, HR teams were working in silos. Therefore, within the HR workstream Amy redesigned the HR operating model and launched ‘OneHR’, a fully integrated, streamlined HR function which removed duplication and exceeded TfLs savings target.’

‘The fact that it’s the newcomer of the year award is pretty special,’ said a delighted Amy Selway. ‘I think it kind of sets the pathway for what I’m going to do in the rest of my career.

‘I started on the graduate scheme, and I was taken off the graduate scheme in order to deliver this project that I’ve won the award for, so I think they recognised that I was working hard and putting my life and soul into 50

the project.’

Transport for London runs the London Underground, the Docklands Light Railway, trams, buses and the London Overground.

It is driving a substantial investment in the upgrade of the London Underground pioneering a level of renewal and refurbishment work on a scale unseen for more than 60 years.

Says Andy Milne, editor of RailStaff, ‘That the rail industry is attracting young people full of enthusiasm and get up and go is hugely reassuring. People of the calibre of Amy Selway bring with them a sense of confidence and purpose. We all wish Amy every success in the future and thank her for her contribution to TfL so far.’

The Newcomer-Graduate of the Year Award is sponsored by LPA Group Plc. Based in the Cambridge area, LPA Group Plc, which sponsored the award, designs and manufactures top class LED lighting solutions, www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

market leading electronic and electro-mechanical systems as well as equipment with the flexibility to solve complex interconnection problems, auxiliary power and distribution systems.

LPA provides cost effective solutions which improve reliability, reduce maintenance and improve life cycle. LPA-produced LED lights are increasingly in evidence on the national rail network.

Highly Commended Ben Leathley of BridgeZone Says Paul Capener, ‘A little over one year in and Ben Leathley is as proactive, committed and passionate about his career as ever. Intent on getting the job done well, he has beyond doubt demonstrated commitment and dedication to his employer, BridgeZone and has attracted the attention of many key people – clients and colleagues alike.

A real asset Paul Capener, BridgeZone’s Associate Director, went on, ‘Ben is a dedicated rising star who enjoys a challenge, is improving constantly and is a real asset to the company.’

After graduating with a BSc in Coastal and Civil Engineering, Ben went on to complete a Masters in Structural Engineering. He then went back to work at York Council where he had been employed during his placements. At around the same time a close friend and former fellow student accepted an internship with BridgeZone. It wasn’t long before Ben chose to follow suit.

In the short time Ben has been with BridgeZone he has already passed his part 3 in diving, become

proficient in rope access and confined space techniques, attained PTS and is now one of a only a handful of engineers qualified and able to work in any environment.

His commitment and enthusiasm has already been recognised by the ultimate client, Network Rail, especially during the recent devastating floods when Ben not only inspected the structures but also assisted in reopening the railway line.’

Craig Carless of Bridgeway Consulting Says Ian Marcham, ‘Craig joined Bridgeway in July 2009 and at that point held a COSS Competency.

From the very start of Craig’s career with Bridgeway it was evident to myself and other senior managers within the business that Craig was committed, highly motivated, and very keen to learn new skills as well as develop his existing ones.’

Craig’s railway career started in

2006 when he attained his PTS card. Craig worked for a number of companies until he took the opportunity of joining Bridgeway.

Craig’s ability to learn quickly, develop existing skills and look for the next challenge has seen him appointed Senior Picop within the business. From COSS to Senior Picop in three years is a

memorable achievement.

‘The attitude that Craig has is rare, he will go anywhere, help anyone and do anything that is asked of him whilst at the same time challenging himself, myself and others if he feels there may be another way of delivering the job within the parameters of the role,’ says Ian.

PROUD TO SPONSOR NEWCOMER /GRADUATE OF THE YEAR

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

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

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

www.lpa-group.com www.railstaffawards.com

51

Steve Tollerton, Training Officer for the Samaritans, has won the Trainer of the Year Award which is sponsored by RIFAA. ‘I’d like to thank the Samaritans and all the frontline staff who put these techniques into practice,’ says Steve. Working for the Samaritans Steve Tollerton runs training courses for front line railway staff – many of whom have to deal with people taking their own lives and the aftermath.

Steve deals with the difficult and complex topic of suicide in a sensitive but practical manner.

Delegates are put at ease and leave the courses with skills that will help them in their personal lives as well as at work.

Darren Ward, Head of Operations Strategy and Implementation for East Midlands Trains said, ‘Steve is passionate about giving frontline rail staff the skills to deal with some of the most challenging situations they face. Steve runs two courses that have been written for rail staff, Managing Suicidal Contacts and Trauma Support Training.’

Steve Tollerton wins Trainer of the Year Emotional first aid Delivering the course, Managing Suicidal Contacts, Steve has now trained over 1,800 staff from TOCs, Network Rail and BTP. ‘The course trains frontline rail staff to administer emotional first aid to distressed people as well as providing an understanding of suicide. The course equips delegates with techniques to help someone and prevent a potential suicide.’

The Trauma Support Training course is devoted to supporting staff involved in fatalities. Steve has worked with colleagues in the rail industry to develop a course that would help to improve the support for train drivers and other rail staff who experience fatalities.

Steve researched the course by interviewing and shadowing train drivers, including attending an inquest, and has used real-life examples to make the training authentic. The course is designed

for anyone who may have a role in supporting staff after they’ve been involved in something traumatic at work, in particular managers and union reps. Steve has so far delivered the course to over 200 people.

‘Having personally had the privilege of assisting Steve in his meticulous research, and seen first hand the quality training that he has developed and delivered, I feel that he is a perfect candidate for ‘Trainer of the Year,’ says Darren.

Says Andy Milne, editor of RailStaff, ‘This award is important and well deserved. Lives have been saved as a result of Steve’s courses.

Staff emerge better equipped to talk down potential suicides.

However of equal importance is the more focused work going on to help and counsel those staff who have suffered a fatality at work.’

The Samaritans is a confidential emotional support service for 52

anyone in the UK and Ireland. The service is available 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. Volunteers offer support by responding to phone calls, emails and letters.

Alternatively people can drop in to a branch to have a face to face meeting. Across the UK you can call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 for the price of a local call. In the Republic of Ireland call 1850 60 90 90.

Trainer of the Year is sponsored by RIFAA Established in 1997, RIFAA Ltd is committed to continuing its long established objectives of promoting all forms of first aid provision within the rail industry.

RIFAA Ltd has partnership arrangements with many organisations to provide cost www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

possible while training but knew exactly where to draw the line.

She has been like a mother to the training group and I feel she deserves the appreciation from all the hard work she puts in.’

Saranjeet Gill agrees. ‘I have never had a better teacher than Pauline before. I was very impressed with her devotion to each student. Pauline would always make sure everyone was okay. She would make every student feel as if they were a star student giving a big boost to their confidence. She has never stopped believing in me. Thank you.’

Pauline has been responsible for training more than 60% of Heathrow Express customer service professionals.

Tracy Bartle of East Coast Amanda Steele says she was struggling with changes at work and trying to find her feet in a new role. ‘I was really at a low point when an always smiling Tracy walked by and I decided to ask for her help. Tracy took me

effective First Aid, Fire, Manual Handling, IOSH Safety and other Health and Safety training.

Training is delivered by top professionals in their respective field of expertise.

RIFAA Ltd supports and encourages rail staff with the provision of volunteer classes around the country, as well as the free access ‘Save a Life’ community first aid courses for both rail staff and their families.

www.railstaffawards.com

Highly Commended Pauline Paterson of Heathrow Express Says colleague, Shabaan Khan, ‘Pauline is a fantastic trainer. She adapts her training style to suit each individual and keeps the group focused. Every day I was trained by Pauline I was fully engaged as she makes training come to life.

Also she allowed my training group to have as much fun as

under her wing and signed me up for some development courses.

One of the courses was with Tracy and it was the best course I had ever been on.’

Amanda still uses the notes she took on the course. ‘Tracy followed up with me afterwards and I didn’t think of her as my trainer but more of a mentor.’

Many colleagues have benefited from the courses run by Tracy who shines in her training and development role at East Coast.

‘Tracy loves her job. Really loves it and she is so passionate about what she does,’ says Amanda.

‘She has fun doing it and is a bundle of energy. It’s contagious like a wild fire. When she walks into the room she brings sparkle.

‘I don’t know much about what she did before East Coast but I can’t imagine Learning and Development without her. She’s changed my life. Under her encouragement I did some work and personality tests which helped me move mountains with my team.’

Gavin Lambley has won this year’s Train Driver of the Year Award.

Gavin works for First Capital Connect. Train Driver of the Year is sponsored by East Coast.

Gavin Lambley has been commended for a number of incidents and for regularly going above and beyond the call of duty.

Early in the morning on Tuesday 11 October 2011, Gavin noticed a fire by the railway line between King’s Cross and Finsbury Park.

He knew that it had huge potential to spread and cause major damage to the rail infrastructure and put people’s lives in danger.

He immediately reported the fire and requested the fire brigade. He then proceeded to start putting the fire out with his onboard fire extinguishers. Gavin worked hard to keep the fire under control until the fire brigade and other support arrived on-site, keeping all parties informed of the situation. His actions helped ensure that the incident was dealt with as quickly as possible.

54

Gavin Lambley wins Train Driver of the Year Bravery, dedication and professionalism Gavin has a habit of going above and beyond his role and quickly responding to difficult, safetycritical situations, displaying bravery, dedication and professionalism.

Typically two years ago Gavin was driving a train between Shepreth and Foxton on the Baldock-Cambridge line when he realised the overhead power supply line was faulty. He stopped the train thus preventing further damage to the overhead equipment.

The train was damaged and Gavin kept passengers informed and walked through the train to reassure them. However several foolhardy travellers had left the train and started walking up the tracks. Gavin took immediate action contacting the signaller and placing emergency protection on the adjacent line which was open

to rail traffic.

‘We are very glad that he is on our team! He is very worthy of recognition,’ said a spokesperson for First Capital Connect.

Says Tom O’Connor, managing director of the Rail Media Group, ‘Gavin’s prompt and professional action has saved lives and equipment in the past. His further attention to individual passengers marks him out as a great ambassador for rail. This award is richly deserved.’

First Capital Connect operates trains between London, Brighton, Bedford, Peterborough, Cambridge and King’s Lynn carrying 150,000 people every day. Currently £6billion is being invested to

transform the network with new and longer trains, better stations and more frequent services.

Train Driver of the Year is sponsored by East Coast Says East Coast Managing Director Karen Boswell, ‘Driving a train is a great responsibility and, in supporting the RailStaff Awards, we can reward and recognise those drivers who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to customer service and the safety of rail passengers.’

East Coast is a subsidiary of Directly Operated Railways Limited, which is owned by the Department for Transport. The company began operating train

www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

services on the East Coast Main Line in November 2009.

Its long-distance, cross-border train services run along routes totalling 936 miles, linking London King’s Cross with Eastern England, Lincolnshire, Humberside, Yorkshire, the North East of England and Scotland, carrying 18.9 million passengers a year.

East Coast, which is headquartered in York, employs 2,800 staff in a wide range of customer service, operational, retail and support roles across the route. The company also operates three engineering and maintenance depots at Bounds Green in London, Craigentinny in Edinburgh and Clayhills in Aberdeen.

Highly Commended John Aplin of Northern Rail John Aplin, a Northern Rail driver based at Blackpool, started on the railway in London as a signal box lad in 1964 and ten years later qualified as a driver.

Simon Godfrey takes up the story, ‘Over time he has come to be regarded as a father figure to the drivers at Blackpool North as he has either trained or passed them out on rules at some time in his long career.

‘John moved to Blackpool in the summer of 1988 and has been based there ever since. He genuinely has the best interests of the railway and especially his team at Blackpool in everything he works to achieve. John has had a number of positions at Blackpool from driver standards manager to www.railstaffawards.com

driver manager and instructor.

‘As a driver of many years experience John is always willing to help out drivers whether they are new and learning or have already qualified and are looking for help and advice. John is always prepared to help passengers and does this in a professional way with customer service skills that are second to none: nothing is ever too much trouble when John is helping someone.

John has worked hard over the years trying to bring new work into the depot. He was instrumental in Blackpool drivers operating the DalesRail service that runs on the Settle-Carlisle line on Sundays via Blackburn, helping to train other drivers over the route.

Bob Healey of SouthWest Trains Bob Healey tackled a fire on board a train seconds before it reached the fuel tank. Says colleague Chris Norris, ‘On the 10th December 2011 driver Bob Healey was working 1L14 the 05.44 Salisbury to London Waterloo service, between Farnborough and Brookwood stations when he was made aware of a fire on his train.

‘Bob slowed his train down. The underside of the coach became engulfed in flames. He stopped the train and placed an emergency call to the signaller. He and the guard helped detrain the passengers. ‘The intensity of the fire was so severe that the floor inside the coach was warping with the intensity of the heat. Bob decided to operate the secondary

fire extinguishers and proceeded to isolate the fuel.

This move was exceptionally courageous of Bob as the fuel within the tank was bubbling with the high temperature and could have exploded at any time. Bob managed to get close enough to isolate the fuel and thus cut the

fire off at its source.

As a result of this courageous act Bob suffered from smoke inhalation and required oxygen at the scene from the paramedics.

Without doubt if Bob had not acted in the way he did this incident would have ended in tragedy,’ says Chris.

55

Cheryle Cowell wins Rail Person of the Year award Cheryle Cowell of Heathrow Express has won this year’s Rail Person of the Year award at the RailStaff Awards 2012.

Cheryle is a train driver with Heathrow Express and is originally from Brisbane in Australia. The Rail Person of the Year is sponsored by Network Rail.

Cheryle Cowell helped sort out the problems of a fellow driver whose mother was very ill at home in Brazil. Fellow driver Glauco Hugentobler Ayres had to take considerable time off work to look after his mother, sadly terminally ill with cancer.

After using up his compassionate leave allowance Glauco arranged to take more time off and pay the company back by working his days off. Glauco faced working 70 days to catch up.

However, unbeknown to him Cheryle Cowell organised a secret roster of drivers to make up the time.

Says Glauco ‘On Christmas day 2011, I received a letter inside a Christmas card, from my colleagues to tell me they secretly worked the vast majority of these days…just under my nose! I broke down and cried.

A great human being ‘Cheryle was the brains behind the whole thing. I remain forever grateful to my wonderful friends at work, who each worked a day for me. I love them all. And especially Cheryle for organising it all…Not only is she a great train driver but she is a great human being with a great heart! Thank you all.’

Tassaddaq Noor agrees, ‘She went out of her way, to help a fellow staff member who’s life had just turned upside down, and she wanted nothing back in return.’

Cheryle is a popular figure at Heathrow Express.

Says colleague Martin Molloy, ‘When I first started with

Heathrow Express working on the trains I was nervous and unsure about certain things. Cheryle saw that I was new and immediately made me feel welcome and involved. Even now after being with the company for over two years, Cheryle continues to be helpful, take an interest in my career and offer support and assistance without hesitation. I find her totally approachable and feel comfortable asking her questions relating to the job.’

Says Cheryle, ‘I am completely humbled by this. When I set out to get drivers to work the days I never expected anything in return. This award is not just for me but for every driver who worked.’

Says Andy Milne, editor, RailStaff, ‘This is one of the best stories told this year. Drivers are often viewed as loners, people with considerable strength of character and self sufficient in the cab. In fact 56

Cheryle Cowell and her colleagues give a glimpse here of a camaraderie that would be the envy of many. Their big hearted support for Glauco inspires us all.’

Heathrow Express operates fast and frequent services between Heathrow Airport and London Paddington.

The Rail Person of the Year is sponsored by Network Rail Network Rail operates and maintains the rail network, delivering improved standards of safety, reliability and efficiency. A dynamic investment programme is enhancing and modernising the network and is among the most ambitious ever seen.

People are key to the railway’s success and it is their commitment that enables millions of others to travel across Britain by rail. Says a spokesperson, ‘We are www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

passionate about developing the potential of our people and rewarding those who show determination, respect, teamwork and pride in all that they do.’

Highly Commended Tony Paul of East Coast Jon Healey says, ‘Tony Paul is a Train Driver based at Newcastle.

Tony has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of his colleagues,

by actively running the North East Railway Staff Welfare Association and promoting adult learning in his role as Union Learning Representative.

Tony has worked hard to forge a culture of learning and self development, throughout the Newcastle depot. He has supported and encouraged his fellow colleagues and given much of his own time to ensure

that others are able to better themselves.

This year over 50 qualifications in English and Maths have been attained by staff at Newcastle. A collective learning fund has been organised to help future learners.

A calendar has also been produced to raise money for ‘The Railway Children’ charity.’ Adds Jon, ‘Endlessly enthusiastic and committed to the task at hand, Tony has pushed learning and self development at Newcastle forward to a new height.’

Lee Clinton of telent Phil DeSilva praised Lee Clinton who has been with telent for over 21 years. ‘In 2011 during the early hours of Sunday 6th November a number of telecoms cables essential to the operational railway were damaged during construction work at City Thameslink Station. telent received a call at 03.00 from the Network Rail Thameslink Project requesting urgent assistance. Lee Clinton and the telent telecoms team responded to the call and within

30 minutes were on site to assess the damage. Lee found three main telecoms cables carrying over 200 operational telephone circuits damaged beyond repair.’

With no records available detailing where the cables were routed the job was a real Mission Impossible especially as the Network Rail team needed these cables reconnected and operational by 06.00 Monday morning.

Phil goes on, ‘Lee, using his significant telecoms experience and expertise, formulated a plan to correlate and test each of the damaged circuits. Working in cold, dark and damp tunnel conditions. Lee and the team worked throughout the day repairing and reconnecting the badly damaged circuits including repairs and re-mounting of a badly damaged equipment case.

Eventually all circuits were restored by 1900 that evening.

Without Lee’s expertise and cool head the railway would not have reopened on time causing significant delays to passengers.’

Network Rail isNetwork proud Rail to sponsor is proud the RailStaff awards 2012 to sponsor the RailStaff Awards 2011 It’s the hard work of individuals and teams within our industry that’s helping us build a It’s your hard work – the individuals and teams within our better railway for Britain.

From pioneering industry – that’s helping us build a better railway for Britain. investment and development projects, to From pioneering investment and development projects,services innovations that make everyday to innovations faster, that make everyday services faster, smarter in smarter and safer, we believe and safer, we believe in recognising the excellence that’s recognising the excellence that’s enabling enabling the transformation of our network.

the transformation of our network.

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

That’s why we’re very proud to once again

sponsor this year’s RailStaff Awards.

Helping Britain run better

networkrail.co.uk

Helping Britain run better networkrail.co.uk www.railstaffawards.com % % %

%%%

%%%

57

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

See all photos and videos of the night are at www.railstaffawards.com

58

www.railstaffawards.com

NEWS

© GRAHAM HOBBS

Take a View A picture by Graham Hobbs of the 08:30 service from Hamworthy speeding through Holes Bay at Poole, Dorset (above), has won the Network Rail Lines in the Landscape award as part of the Take a View Landscape Photographer of the Year competition.

The small, wrecked rowing boat rests in the foreground, juxtaposing the old with the new beside a timeless expanse of open water. The stunning image by Graham Hobbs, himself from Dorset, was chosen by Charlie Waite, renowned landscape photographer and founder of the competition.

Mr Hobbs beat more than 500 entries from across Britain. He wins the chance to take some

photograph is a worthy winner as it captures what the Lines in the Landscape award is all about. The railway is an integral part of our landscape and our lives.

‘It is only one part of this stunning scene but the speed of the train is juxtaposed delightfully with the stillness of the water and the boat wreck. Congratulations to Graham and to all those commended in this year’s competition.’

Says Charlie Waite, ‘The winning Lines in the Landscape photograph and indeed many of the entries in this category, remind me so completely of the extensive and expanding railway network that serves Britain.

Graham’s picture is a deserving winner and perhaps we may

aerial pictures with a flight in Network Rail’s engineering inspection helicopter or its New Measurement Train, a converted high speed train used to capture geotechnical track data.

Says Graham, ‘That’s really thrilling news. The competition has become a showcase of really high quality British outdoor photography and my ambition each year is no more than to try to make an image good enough to get into the book, a considerable achievement in itself. To be told you’re an award winner – and what an exciting prize - is the best possible news to cheer up a gloomy autumn day.’

Tom Kelly, Network Rail’s director of corporate communications said, ‘This

reflect for a moment that this train would not have been empty but would have been carrying people to their homes or workplaces as do so many thousands of trains that run daily. Our railways allow us to look out at many a fine landscape and, whilst it is easy to take our railway network for granted, without it our nation would be so much the poorer and of that there can be no doubt.’

This is the third year that Network Rail has supported the competition where amateurs and professional photographers highlight the very best imagery of Britain’s rural and urban scenery.

Once again, the best images will be displayed at a free exhibition at the National Theatre in London from 12 November.

www.railstaff.co.uk

© DAVID BREEN

© MARK VOCE

Over the rooftops of Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Energetic ‘Toon’, Newcastle upon Tyne.

59

How to improve safety, save money, paper And gain the commitment of those on track at the same time SAFETY Colin Wheeler colin@rail-media.com

My memory is long enough for me to remember when engineers used slide rules and mechanical/electrical calculating machines. We generated far less paperwork than we do today and for the sake of safety, cost, time and accountability I believe it is time for us to review and look to reduce the “essential paperwork” we now accept as necessary.

PICOP or paper responsibility?

The current Network Rail Safety Central website includes IGS Bulletin 268 dated 26th October.

This refers to a recent incident but unfortunately fails to give us the details that would bring the potential dangers home to readers.

The instruction refers to the “Line Clear” verification process used in areas controlled by axle counter signalling. It emphasises the importance of the filling in of a VMF (Vehicle Management Form) recording movements from and into possessions with the COSS, ES, PICOP, (Controller of Site Safety, Engineering Supervisor, Person in Charge of Possession) and Signallers all having input before being scrutinised by the PICOP when restoring track to traffic.

The Bulletin says, “in a recent incident, track would have been handed back clear and safe to run but for a call from a tamper operator with a tamper standing on the line - invisible to the

60

signaller as Engineering Possession Reminders were in use”.

It calls for paper versions of the VMF to be used not the electronic versions in future! If there were no forms surely the PICOP would feel bound to ensure all work groups were clear by obtaining assurances or even walking through?

Paperwork too detailed!

I am indebted to the reader who told me of a formal inquiry that identifies numerous defects in the setting up of a safe system of work. The COSS record gives one name as COSS but another was added later. Only the relevant month is given on the form with no specific date.

The authorisation of the COSS pack is blank, the COSS declaration unsigned, and Green Zone working arrangements are shown, although the work areas were within two metres of running edge. Is it just possible that being a practical person, the real COSS gave up on the task of checking everything in detail and instead accepted what he was given, in the knowledge that he could safely organise the work without relying on the paperwork?

Or maybe he was motivated to take risks and work within two metres of the running edge without suitable lookout protection to get the job done? My reader believes it is the latter!

Only the paperwork those on site want If the paperwork is worth having then those doing the work of

PICOP, COSS and ES will want it, and surely ought to be involved in compiling it? They will then own it and make sure it includes what they need and nothing more.

Mandating its compilation by others increases the tendency for those on site to look for “better” ways of getting the job done. The

assumption being that the person in the office doesn’t really understand what it’s like on site!

“Human Factors” is the depersonalising phrase that tends to be used. I prefer to think of it in more intimate terms. Knowing the people you are leading and managing is all important; as is an

www.railstaff.co.uk

TRACK SAFETY

understanding of their hopes, fears and motivations at work.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) recently published their report into a near miss on a level crossing at Four Lane Ends, near Burscough Bridge in Lancashire on Friday September 28th.

The barriers are hand operated from the Signal Box, kept in the down position and are raised to let vehicles across. They were in the raised position when the road vehicle and a train travelling at 60 mph were involved in a near miss due to “human error”. RAIB are focussing their attentions on the current design of crossing. Was the cause just a mistake or as I suspect, were there other reasons?

The cost of paperwork Still more paperwork is on the way for the lawyers and even those working on our railway.

December 12th will see the arrival of rule book updates.

Consequently, the NCCA (National Competency Control Agency) has sent out notification to training organisations telling them that they must now purchase new Track Safety Training and Assessment packs at £500 plus VAT each (or £75 less for members of the Association of Railway Training Providers).

Do we need the revised rules and are they significant enough to warrant the replacement of the existing track safety training and assessment packs rather than the issuing of cheaper updates?

What will be the cost of issuing the Rule Book amendments and changing the training plans and assessments? Who will be most affected, those working on the railway or those involved in the assurance records after things go wrong?

Tandem Lifting – RRV TV The Safety Central website features a Tandem Lifting video described as the First Episode of RRV TV! It demonstrates the process to be followed when lifting with two road-rail vehicles (RRVs). A Lift Planner is briefed and a site visit arranged.

Track gradient, cant, lifting points, line-side hazards and obstructions are taken into account. It emphasises that the choice of plant rests with the www.railstaff.co.uk

planner who should choose suitable plant after discussion with the plant hirer, rather than by price! Will that really happen?

The compilation of a step-bystep Safe System of Work and a Crane Controller’s Brief comes next, with the latter being discussed with the Crane Controller. This late involvement of the Crane Controller concerns me. The video stresses that only the Planner may change the arrangements.

For me the credibility fell short when a track scene showed a track patroller waiting for permission to walk past the load until the machines had been brought to a standstill. However, I welcome the advertised availability of Tandem Lifting Guides for what can be a hazardous job. But planning the work in that detail without involving the Crane Controller from the outset is surely a wrong principle?

Close Call System controlled by principle contractors Network Rail’s Safety Central website claims “the Close Call System gets even better from 29th October”. The Close Call System started back in June last year, but from 1st August this year membership of it has been mandated on all Principal Contractors registered with Network Rail.

Presumably this was done to ensure a flow of close call reports to satisfy the regulatory authorities. A design group including the principal contractors’ Infrastructure Safety Liaison Group, Railway Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), IBM and Network Rail developed the new system.

RSSB is offering “super user training lasting just one day”. A pdf is available to explain the details and the website www.closecallsystem will host the reports. The intentions are good.

However, I am concerned for all who work for organisations that are not registered Principal Contractors.

Their reporting route must now be through the relevant principal contractor. How often will such reports be altered or even supressed to ensure that only the

subcontractor or agency staff are shown up as culprits? If an inquiry follows an incident will all relevant employers be represented on the panel or just the principal contractor?

The real danger is of even more suppression of information due to commercial pressures.

When will track safety start to improve?

Last month I posed the question, “When will we begin to see an overall improvement in safety culture and performance”. I support the simplification indicated by Network Rail’s Life Saving Rules and welcome the support which I believe is to come from railway trades unions on this initiative.

I again question the need for a Rule Book. Without it, would we need regular re-issue of Track Safety Training plans and assessment tools? We have over the years amassed more and more rules and procedures and with them a mountain of paperwork.

I recall suggesting that every site

needed a rail mounted wheelbarrow merely for transporting the paperwork!

Saving money and paper too!

Surely the time must now have come when a serious attempt is made to not only reduce the paper but more importantly give back the responsibilities to those who spend their working lives on site doing the work?

In the early days of the old Track Safety Strategy Group they relied on a group of hands on supervisors to accept or reject safety improvement ideas and more importantly come up with their own sensibly unprofessional initiatives. It worked. Track staff respected and accepted their safety initiatives.

Our objective should be to win respect for the skills, abilities and motivation of track staff. Get that right and safety culture and performance will at last improve, administration and legal costs will fall and far less paper will be wasted!

CALL R O TODAYEFLIST IC R P A ORE AND MIL S. A T DE It’s quick to fit, easy to use and comfortable too.

The QuickBandTM armband system from Safeaid is very versatile and effective.

We offer a full range of Track safety identification inserts that swop in and out with ease.

CALL FOR YOUR

FREE

TRIAL TODAY *

TM

The QuickBand armband with interchangeable inserts.

Inserts can also be made to order.

023 9225 4442 safeaidsupplies.com *Offer applies to companies only. Please contact us for more details.

61

Work begins on Stratford Parkway Light roof ahead Chorley’s railway station will look brighter and lighter thanks to a new canopy.

Network Rail is taking off the old gull-wing structures, which will be replaced with a modern, lightweight aluminium framework supporting polycarbonate (plastic) glazing panels on the existing columns. The new panels will flood the platforms and subway stair wells with natural light complementing the modernised ticket office and concourse.

Says Jo Kaye, Network Rail’s route managing director, ‘Using the

An official ceremony was held recently to mark the start of building work on the new Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway station.

Leaders from Warwickshire County Council marked the

occasion by putting the first spade in the ground to commence construction. Buckingham Group has been appointed as the contractor to build the station, which is set to open seven months ahead of schedule, in May 2013.

The station is part of the Stratford-upon-Avon Local Sustainable Transport Project. The new station is being built at Bishopton, near the M40, next to an existing park-and-ride facility.

existing steel support columns has a number of benefits. We don’t have to buy new columns or dig new foundations, which saves time and reduces the overall cost of the project. More importantly, as most of the work will be carried out overnight when trains aren’t running, there will be virtually no disruption for passengers.’

Designed by Network Rail’s inhouse building design group, the canopies will be similar to those used last year to cover platform 4 at Blackburn station, pictured above.

Cameron opens Charlbury

R SE , R & s, S nde Fr , a Q Te il O , L ail T, S ub rgr anc ch p ig Fr ta wa ou po n er ht ei ti ys n n o a R g on a d d en log tio ai ht, s, nd , n C ts y, S Su U s l, om , T R ,H R & b k po ec ail S ail T, wa an n h O EQ F r S t y d e n p R C nts olo er , L eig atio ol om , gy at ig ht n T l eo in p e , R io ht , S pl g on ch a ns R a & , n i e S st , R to ent ol l O HS il, ru o ck s, og pe E R nt ctu llin an Te y, ra Q, s, r g d ch Ra tio Li S C n i I e, n g il nfr Pe toc om olo l O s, E as op k p g pe H il ven tru le an one y, R rat d B t i n c , N us s, I tu Ro Co ts ail o ew in n re lli m , T O s es fra , P ng p ec p il , R s, R str eo St one hn In ail a u pl oc n ol an du Bu il E ctu e, R k a ts, ie st si v re o n Te g s, R ry N ne ent , P llin d C e s C om ai ew s, s, I op g S om O p l In s, Ra nfr le, to pe an d R il a R ck ra ie us ai Ev str ol l Tr tin s, try B en uc lin R g u t t a s, in g C ai Ne sin s, ur R O om l I w e In e, n s s f P a p il il er pa du , R s, R ras ,R P at n st a t r a r i i h ail oje ing es, ry l B il E N u Sp N ct R C v s e ge ee ew s, T om ail ws ine , H d R s, ra pa In , R ss N ig a Ra in n du a , ew h il il O ie s il s, Sp , R Pr pe s, R try B a r o ch H ee il a a N j is eri d N ec tin il I ew ou e N tag Ra ew ts, g C nd n e e il s, Tr o us d d, ws , H , R Ra ain mp U Fr , H ig ai il n h l N P O an a s, der nc eri Sp ew ro per j S g hi ta e s e a & ub rou se ge, ed , R cts t w R N T, n H a ,T St ays d, F ew ig ail, il P r h ig a s ht tio an ra , H Sp Ra roj d n i il , S ns U ch eri eed l N F & , S nd is ta e R r e g il eig T, S ubw erg N e, ai ,R h l H e , R i t ta a ro w E ail , S tio ys un s, gh Q an d H S n F & , , s e p r s, Lig eig T, S , Su d U Fra rit nd n ag H h h b t a t c w S t il EQ Ra , S tio ay erg hi se O il & ns s r , ol per Lig , R T, , S an oun og a ht ail Sta ub d U d, y ti w Te , R on Ra Fre tio ay nd ch ai s, H il, ig ns s er a l d h , C nol Op SE Ra t, Su nd il S b om o Q e U w to p gy, rat , L Fr & T a ys ck on R io ig ei , S e a n h g le an nt il O s, t R ht, tat H , R d s, io S a p ur ol Co Te er SE il, & e, lin mp ch ati Q, Ra T, n as Peo g S on ol ons Lig il F tr p to en og , H ht re l v u e c ts y, R

Taking a break from more onerous affairs of state Prime Minister David Cameron stopped off to open Charlbury Station car park following the completion of £470,000 works.

Mr Cameron was welcomed by Charlbury Primary School Choir singing Train of the Future, before unveiling a plaque to mark the official opening of the new cark park. The Cotswold Line through Charlbury was doubled last year.

As part of the doubling Charlbury gained a new platform, waiting room and footbridge.

s

News addict?

62

www.railstaff.co.uk

STATIONS

New station for Wokingham Wokingham is to have a new station with better shops, waiting areas and information displays.

A new footbridge will link both platforms and provide step free access from the main station entrance. A new access road will be built and a new interchange will provide improved links with other public transport. The improvements

Never too late to talk

our stations better and more attractive places for passengers. Once complete, Wokingham will be a modern and fit for purpose station which will serve the town for many years to come.’

To complement the station improvements, additional services are planned between Wokingham and London Waterloo from summer 2014.

Young people adopt station A group of youngsters has adopted Fishguard and Goodwick, the newest station in Wales.

The station was officially adopted by Fishguard-based ‘POINT’ which offers a range of activities for young people aged 11 to 25. These include sports and recreation, training and skills development, cooking and healthy eating, personal development and challenges such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.

Speaking at the station, Sue Mackie, general manager of ‘POINT’ said, ‘It is a great opportunity for the young people

to provide a service to the rest of the community. It will help us to promote more sustainable travel within the youth club and explore more options for using the train.

‘We are looking forward to helping to promote the use of the train to the wider community through leaflets and flyers. The adoption scheme will act as an on-going project, which can be used to promote the role of young people within their community.’

Geraint Morgan, community affairs manager for Arriva Trains Wales, welcomed the move. ‘We are grateful to the group for their commitment in adopting Wales’ newest station. As the gateway to

“It is a great opportunity for the young people to provide a service to the rest of the community…”

SUE MACKIE, GENERAL MANAGER, ‘POINT’ the National Coastal Path and the town, the station is often the first impression visitors will have of the town. With the support of ‘POINT’ and by acting as an extra pair of eyes and ears for us, we can ensure the station meets the high standards expected by regular passengers and visitors to the area,’ said Geraint.

ve uc e, k s, , S R nt tu R a T Ra EQ ai l, s, re ol nd ec il l h , R In P in C n O , L ig ai f p o o g e r m l e h l o R Ev ast pl Sto po og rat y, io ai e ru e, c n us l B nts ct Ro k a en Ra tr us , I ur lli nd ts, il O n e n y i T s, N nes fra , Pe g S Co ec R ew s, st o to mp hn p m ail s, Ra ru le ck o n pa In R il ct , an en a n E u R pe ie dus il B ve re, oll d C ra s, R tr u nt Pe in o Tr tin a y N sin s, op g S i I e t l l ai g I ew ss nf e, oc l P n O Com nd s, , R ras Ro u p r p s R ai tr ll N oje era an try ail l E uc i ew ct ti ie N B v tu s n s e u en r ee s, R , Tr g C , R ws sin ts es , I d a a o ai , ge Ra il P in mp l In Ra s, n , H il, ro Op an d il B Ra ie us u i R je e H gh ai cts rat s, try sin er S l N , in R e N ita pe e Tr g C ail Ne ew g ed w ai w I o s, n e m n s hi s, H , H Ra Ra O p du se e ig il, il pe an str r ro Ne ita h S Ra Pr rat ies un w ge pe il oje in , R s e N c g , de d, F , H Hi d R ew ts Co rg ra er gh a s, , T m w ro nc ita S il, R rai p R ai n ay u n h ge e a l io s a d, ise , H ed il Pr ns nd F N ig R Ne o j r e h a T, , Su Un anc ws S il, ws St bw de h , H pe Ra , R il ati a rg ise er ed il F on ys ro N it R Ne r a a R eig s, an un ew ge il, ai h Su d d, s, , H R U l t H F i a H , R , S bw n de ran eri gh SE a a & il y r c ta S ra Q, Fr T, S s a gro his ge ti Li ei ta nd u e , H o g n g N ai ns ht ht tio Un d, e l O , H R , S ns de Fr ws a , , a r S no pe E il, & T Su gr nc lo rat Q, Ra , S bw ou h ts gy io Li il ta a nd , T , R ns gh F ti ys , e t re on a F a , nd ch il HS Ra igh s, nd no O E i U l t S C ll om log per Q, , R , S ubw in & L a a y a t g p , T i ig il y Pe St one Ra on ht Fr , S op oc nt il O s, H Ra eig ta uc le k s h S i tu , R an , Te per E l, R t, Q S d nt re, ol C ch ati , L ail s, Pe lin om no on ig F l s I g h r ai nfr opl S pon ogy , H t R l E a e, to S , e a B v str R ck nt Ra EQ us en u ol a s, il , in ts ctu lin nd Te O L w es , I re g C c p s, s, nf , St om hn era P r o R R a ai a a e c p ol l I il il str op k a on ogy l u B E n m d u v ct e, nd ent , pa us si en ur Ro C s, t T e n t n l o ti ie ry ess s, I , P lin mp ng s, N , n g e o R o O C Ra ew ai fra pl Sto n pe om il s, l st e c ra p In Ra Ev ru , R k ct o l ra ti an d e i n u l u l n i

Railway stations across Melbourne, Australia, are to start displaying posters encouraging people to seek help if they are experiencing depression, anxiety or suicidal thoughts.

The move is part of the trackSAFE campaign aimed at reducing the number of fatalities on Australian railways. Kate Carnell, of beyondblue, which is backing the scheme, welcomed the initiative, saying the campaign aims to remind people that if they need to talk they can turn to someone they trust or simply pick up the phone anytime.

at the station are being delivered by the Network Rail and South West Trains Alliance.

Says Tim Shoveller, who heads the alliance, ‘The new station in Wokingham will make a huge difference to the thousands of passengers who use the railway in the town every day. As well as providing a safe and reliable train service, we want to improve facilities and make

Keep up to date at:

www.railstaff.co.uk

63

Skyfall for Flying Scotsman The National Railway Museum has appointed railway engineering consultancy firm, First Class Partnerships, to provide independent advice on how best to progress the delayed Flying Scotsman restoration project.

The NRM has also set up a working group to look at the future restoration and running of the museum’s heritage locomotives.

The NRM acquired the locomotive in 2004 and set out to restore it.

However its condition was worse than at first thought and costs have escalated.

The museum’s outgoing director, Steve Davies, and incoming acting director, Paul Kirkman, both remain committed to the restoration. Work on the loco started in January 2006 and was scheduled to last one year and cost around £750,000. The cost of the overhaul has risen to around £2.7

million and it is not yet complete.

The report cites several reasons for the delay and increased cost.

These include the absence of a detailed investigation either when it was purchased in April 2004 or soon after. This would have highlighted that it was in a much worse state of repair than was believed and identified the serious structural defects that were only recently found.

As a result, a restoration project that was always going to have been complex and taken many years was given an unrealistically short timeframe and budget at the outset. Other major challenges have been faced relating to the project management and engineering expertise.

The report says that the heritage railway engineering sector is ‘a cottage industry’, subject to disruptions caused by staff

changes and illness. There have also been conflicts between the need to balance the requirements of the refurbishment programme with the museum’s commitment to enable the locomotive to be seen and enjoyed by the public.

First Class Partnerships can be expected to provide the strategy for a clear and effective way forward. Says Steve Davies, Director of the National Railway Museum, ‘I welcome the report along with its findings and recommendations. The National Railway Museum remains

Balloons return to Blackpool

Checkmate at Kasierbahnof

The new Bombardier built Flexity trams in Blackpool are proving such a success with passengers that heritage ‘balloon’ trams are being pressed into service to help ease overcrowding on the network.

Local people and tourists have flocked to use the recently modernised tramway. A number of modified ‘balloon’ trams were retained for just such an eventuality. Blackpool Transport says passenger figures are above expectations. © JONATHAN WEBB

64

absolutely committed to the restoration of this iconic locomotive and to seeing it running once again on the British mainline.

‘Paul Kirkman, who joined as Acting Director on 5 November, will use the recommendations to guide the final stages of the restoration.’

In 2004, the National Railway Museum bought Flying Scotsman for £2.3 million. The report was written by Bob Meanley, Chief Engineer at Vintage Trains, Birmingham, assisted by Professor Roger Kemp of Lancaster University.

Railsport GB’s railway chess players, Graham Bolt, Tim Turner and Railsport Champion Richard Cowan of Network Rail, Peter Eldridge of First Capital Connect and Alan Giles of Virgin Trains teamed up with European colleagues and grand masters to take part in the Trans-EuropaSchach-Express international rapid chess tournament at the historic Kaiserbahnhof in Potsdam.

Organised by Deutsche Bahn AG with the German Chess Federation and the Emanuel Lasker Society the quick-match play offs took place on 13th and 14th October.

Contestants from Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the

United Kingdom and Germany took part.

An international team was put together by the Emanuel Lasker Society, representing Emanuel Lasker, the German-Jewish World Champion record holder. Each country was represented by a titled player, three juniors and five railway employees.

Competing for Russia was the legendary Anatoly Karpov; for Poland Dariusz Swiercz; Czech Republic, Vlastimil Hort; Austria, Stefan Kindermann; Switzerland, Oliver Kurmann; Holland, Jan Timman; Germany, Dr Robert Hubner; the Emanuel Lasker Society, Elisabeth Pahtz and United Kingdom, Nigel Short.

Britain also fielded juniors Alan

Merry, William Foo and Chantelle Foster and railway employees Graham Bolt, Tim Turner, Richard Cowan, Peter Eldridge and Alan Giles. Excellent performances by Nigel, William and Peter saw them winning prizes for coming in the top three of their respective boards while Alan Merry came a very creditable 12th out of 75 in a separate 13 round blitz tournament.

The UK team finished 8th out of 9 but everyone who took part agreed it was an excellent tournament. ‘The best chess tournament I’ve ever been to,’ were words overheard on several occasions. All the team thanked the organisers and sponsors of the tournament, especially chief arbiter, Klaus Deventer.

‘On a personal note, the hosts looked after us remarkably well. It was a fantastic tournament in an amazing location and they looked after us so well it was untrue,’ said Alan Giles. www.railstaff.co.uk

Staff support Poppy Day Former London Underground driver, Bob Lawrence, will be leading 48 men and women from the London Transport Old Comrades Association on the Remembrance Day parade.

This year marks the 89th year of the London Transport Old Comrades Association who will continue the tradition of marching alongside the armed forces and laying a wreath at the Cenotaph in the annual Remembrance Sunday parade on 11 November.

Bob Lawrence served in the Territorial Army as a driver with the Army’s Royal Corp’s 215 Squadron, in Grays, Essex. He retired in 2007 as an Emergency Planning Manager.

Elsewhere railway companies have been keen to assist the Royal British Legion Appeal. Poppy sellers have been out at stations up and down the network. In a recorded announcement actress Barbara Windsor has been encouraging

passengers in London and the south east to donate to the appeal.

First Capital Connect has given the Royal British Legion free access to stations to fundraise for this year’s appeal. Managing Director Neal Lawson said railway stations were important locations for the appeal with the busiest able to realise up to £2,500 each.

‘Our Armed Forces make an enormous sacrifice for this country and to be able to play an important part in the vital fundraising campaign on their behalf is an honour.

‘It’s a decision welcomed by all our staff, many of whom have said that, of all the charity collections that take place at our stations through the year, the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal is one of those they feel most passionate about,’ said Neal.

East Midlands Trains is helping to support the Royal British Legion’s 2012 Poppy Appeal. Stagecoach

© SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

NEWS

‘They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.’

Supertram will be displaying poppies attached to each one of its trams.

SouthWest Trains, like many other train companies, allowed uniformed Armed Forces personnel to travel for free on its services for London Poppy Day held on 1st November.

Remembrance Day is traditionally held on the 11th November with a two minute silence at 1100 hrs. The

time marks the hour the guns fell silent on 11th November 1918 after an armistice was agreed to end the fighting.

The railway industry enjoys close links with the army, navy and air force, many of whose members joined the railway after competing their military service. Laurence Binyon’s Ode of remembrance is usually recited at Remembrance Day.

Howling success Gary Barbour (42), who works at FirstGroup’s headquarters in Aberdeen, recently completed the WolfTrek Challenge and helped raise £4,000 for the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) charity.

Gary joined a team of five for the annual event, which comprises a 45-mile hike between Forres on the Moray Coast and the Cairngorm Mountains in the Eastern Highlands.

The team set off at 5pm passing through some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery and continuing into the night using head torches to light the way. At 8am after 15 hours of non-stop walking over arduous tracks and www.railstaff.co.uk

trails, Gary and the team finished at the foot of the Cairngorm Mountains.

Says Gary, ‘As we were walking into the small hours of Saturday morning we began to realise the severity of the challenge and had to club together as a team to motivate each other.

‘It was easily the most challenging physical event I have done - my feet were so badly blistered that I found it hard to walk for a few days after. Men’s Fitness magazine lists the WolfTrek on its nine things that everyone must do list. I would recommend the event for those seeking a challenge combined with stunning scenery.’

65

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway resumes service After raising £1 million and rebuilding two collapsed embankments, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway resumed full service on 30th October and ran a special train along its route from Toddington to Cheltenham.

The special marked the return of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway to one piece after nearly three years of serious disruption. Embankment collapses, first at Gotherington in March 2010 and then just north of Winchcombe station in January 2011, effectively cut the railway in half. Local people and staff rallied round to raise the money.

Says Malcolm Temple, chairman of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, ‘This really is the culmination of such a huge effort. The railway’s volunteers have taken these major problems in their stride.

We have raised a seven-figure sum to pay for the repairs and we

have dealt with serious geological challenges in rebuilding these embankments.

‘Some said that it was an impossible task but our volunteer staff are made of stern stuff and weren’t going to let this stop

them operating a railway that is held in deep affection by thousands of people. Today is a shining example of how so many people can focus on achieving the seemingly impossible.

‘Today is a real triumph and the

sheer joy was clear in the hundreds of beaming faces who came to celebrate the occasion.

The sun beamed down to help make this one of the most special experiences any of us have had the privilege to enjoy.’

Hopwood welcomes East – West link On the level A no nonsense campaign to improve safety by closing pedestrian operated railway crossings has resulted in the 600th crossing closure since 2009.

The plan is part of Network Rail’s £130m investment programme aimed at improving safety and reducing risk where track or path meets the railway. The majority of closures involving user-worked crossings are mostly private crossings and are not public rights of way.

While situated in rural areas, many cross busy main lines. The barriers or gates need to be operated by the person crossing and warning measures include miniature warning lights, signs or telephones.

In many cases an alternative access for the user is either available or has 66

been provided to secure closure.

Around 125 footpath crossings have also been closed.

Says Martin Gallagher, head of level crossings at Network Rail, ‘Every crossing that we close removes the risk of a vehicle or person being struck by a train at these locations and improves safety for everyone on the railway. We’ve closed around 100 in the last year and aim to close 750 in total by Spring 2014 so there is much more work to do.

Closing a level crossing is not always an easy process, and we often need the support of land owners, local authorities and users. I look to their continued support as we look to improve safety and modernise the rail network for the future.’

Mark Hopwood, managing director, First Great Western, has welcomed the decision to include the western section of the East West Rail link in the Government’s strategy for transport, announced this summer by erstwhile transport secretary, Justine Greening.

A special train took representatives from the East West Rail Consortium, Department for Transport (DfT), Network Rail and partners to view part of the EWR route on 12th October. Much of the route, which once linked Cambridge and Oxford still exists.

The Bletchley-Bicester stretch was used for freight.

Necessary development work is currently being carried out to ensure the target re-opening is met by 2017. Speaking at the East West Rail Consortium event to celebrate the announcement, Mark Hopwood said, ‘Re-opening of the

East West route provides some really exciting opportunities for First Great Western Customers.

‘It opens up the potential to not just link Oxford and Milton Keynes but to develop other links from places like Bristol and Reading. We look forward to working with our partners to develop the line and the possible train service options.

This is fantastic news for the towns and cities that the East West Rail will serve.’

Greening confirmed funding for the project and electrification of the Oxford to Bedford part of the route. ‘EWR will provide an electric link between the electrified Great Western, West Coast and Midland main lines. This further investment in the project upgrades it to form a key part of the new ‘Electric Spine’ passenger and freight route between the South Coast, the East Midlands and Yorkshire,’ she said. www.railstaff.co.uk

NEWS

Cab Ride for Brothers Two young brothers won a train ride with a difference when they joined the driver of a c2c train in the cab.

Connor Young 8, and his 5-yearold brother Cameron won the ride in their school raffle. The boys are from Shoeburyness and are keen students at Hinguar Primary School.

Driver Geoff Powell of c2c, who organised the prize said, ‘It’s always a pleasure to do something like this and it’s nice to be able to help Hinguar School. It was really great to see how much the boys enjoyed their special trip.’

Among the best performing train companies in Europe – outstripping continental counterparts for reliability – the boys joined the train as part of much anticipated celebrations to mark Connor’s eighth birthday.

and their mother Kelly Wall.

Says their mother, Kelly Wall, ‘They absolutely loved the trip.

They were really interested in everything you get to see from the

Pretty in pink Rail engineers at Bury-based Rowe Hankins recently dressed in pink to raise money and awareness of the Breast Cancer Campaign.

Rail safety engineers and colleagues raised £300 on the ‘Wear It Pink’ day. Although the national event took place on Friday 26th October, Rowe Hankins held theirs a day early to ensure that the organiser, Nicki Piper, could enjoy both the fun of the day and still make a pre-planned trip to London to watch her much loved American Football team at Wembley.

Says Nicki, ‘It is amazing how all

www.railstaff.co.uk

No hiccups for booze ban

Connor Young (left), Cameron Young

driver’s window, especially when we were passing the tube trains.

They boys were buzzing afterwards.’

Defying the doomsayers, ScotRail’s nightime ban on booze on trains has proved a surprising success.

Only five people have been reported to the procurator fiscal since it was introduced three months ago. Says Steve Montgomery, ScotRail’s managing director, ‘The ban has been working well, which is partly down to the softly, softly approach we have adopted, but also we shouldn’t underestimate the contribution of the travelling public.

‘There are fewer people turning up to stations who are not in a fit state to travel due to alcohol and we’re not seeing a lot of alcohol on trains.’ The ban lasts from 9pm and 10am. Happily the ban does not include the ScotRail-operated Caledonian Sleeper.

StreetGames for railway the team entered into the spirit of the day and also gave so generously of their time and money for such a good cause.’ The workplace at Rowe Hankins was awash with pink as all of the staff participated in some way and contributed to the fundraising. The fun included a fancy dress competition called ‘Pretty in Pink’, a pink cupcake sale and a raffle.

Staff at Rowe Hankins are dedicated to supporting cancer charities with Macmillans as one of its nominated charities. They raised money in 2011 by walking to the summit of Snowdon.

More than 20 young people in South Wales have volunteered to help save lives on the railways.

StreetGames has joined forces with Network Rail to educate young people in Wales about the dangers associated with the rail network.

Says Tracey Young, Network Rail’s community safety manager, ‘We are building on StreetGames’ goal of delivering sport to the doorsteps of young people in disadvantaged communities. The StreetGames volunteers will work with local community and young people’s groups to establish new sporting projects across five districts in Wales with high levels of crime and anti-social behaviour around the railways: Newport, Splott (Cardiff), St Fagans (Cardiff), Pencoed (Bridgend) and Gowerton (Swansea).

The partnership with Network Rail will include financial investment, which will pay for training, sports equipment, educational resources and

coaching fees in these areas.’

The enterprise will eventually see 50 new young volunteers from the local communities, trained in how to deliver doorstep sport. 30 British Transport Police officers will receive tuition on the benefits of door-step sport as well.

Tracey Young added, ‘We see this partnership with StreetGames as a vital step to keeping more young people safe and away from dangerous situations connected with the railway. The concept is modelled on previous awardwinning projects in Bristol where new sporting activities have been shown to dramatically reduce the amount of reported incidents in the target areas.’

StreetGames is an awardwinning national sports charity launched in 2007. It is a national partner of Sport England. It is funded by Sport England, Coca Cola Great Britain, The Cooperative, as well as Network Rail and the Welsh Assembly Government.

67

Healthcare

Importance of dental health for wellbeing and maintaining a healthy heart © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

diseases; and more are being developed.

Saliva, like blood, can be used to detect and measure many compounds in the body. Saliva collection has the advantage of being non-invasive.

Saliva can be used to detect antibodies against viruses such as HIV and hepatitis, as well as antibodies against bacteria like Helicobacter pylori, which causes stomach ulcers. It could potentially replace blood testing for diagnosis and monitoring of diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and many infectious diseases.

A Dental check-up may be especially important if:

It’s not just your teeth we are looking at. A visit to your Dentist could save your life! Your mouth health is essential to your overall health and wellbeing. The early identification of oral disease may contribute to the early diagnosis and treatment for a number of more serious diseases.

A healthy mouth means more than healthy teeth and gums but your throat, the tongue, the lips, the salivary glands, the chewing muscles and the jaw. A thorough oral examination can detect signs of nutritional deficiencies as well as a number of systemic diseases, including infections, immune disorders, injuries and some cancers.

More and more studies indicate that the health of the teeth and gums can affect the health of the whole body, and inflamed gums (periodontitis) can especially negatively affect the health of the body. The chronic inflammation weakens the immune system, and is an increased risk of diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, lung diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, HIV, and complications during pregnancy.

68

Therefore, treating inflammation may not only help manage gum diseases but may also help your return to health quicker.

Gum disease is caused by poor oral hygiene or improper brushing technique itself is a bacterial plaque that eventually attacks the gums. The onset of infection often remains undetected because it causes no pain. The trouble usually begins with bleeding gums, swelling of the gums and bad breath. In extreme cases, it will form gum pockets, bone shrinkage and loss of the tooth.

Gum disease is linked to: • Heart Disease. Recent studies point to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke in people with gum infections; the risk increases with the severity of the oral infection.

• Diabetes: Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death in the UK. The association between diabetes and gum disease is well documented. As diabetic patients have a compromised ability to respond to infections, they are at greater risk from gum disease.

Gum disease also makes it more

difficult for diabetics to stabilise their blood glucose levels. For these reasons, good daily oral hygiene and early detection of gum disease are essential for the diabetic patient.

• HIV/AIDS: Mouth lesions and other oral conditions may be the first sign of HIV infection.

• Pregnancy: Gum disease has been linked to premature births and under-weight babies.

Researchers estimate that as many as 18 percent of the premature low-weight infants born in the United States each year may be attributed to oral disease.

Also, due to hormonal changes during pregnancy the gums react differently to the bacteria found in plaque, increasing susceptibility to gum inflammation and disease during pregnancy.

• Osteoporosis: Signs of osteoporosis, can also be detected through oral examinations and dental xrays.

Saliva as a Diagnostic Tool New diagnostic tests using saliva are available to detect drug abuse, hormonal changes, and specific

• Your gums bleed when you brush or floss.

• Have heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease or osteoporosis.

• Are thinking of becoming pregnant.

• Have a family member with gum disease. Research suggests that the bacteria that causes gum disease can pass through saliva.

This means the common contact of saliva in families puts children and couples at risk for contracting the gum disease of another family member.

• Have an ulcer or irritation in your mouth that does not get better within two weeks.

A healthy mouth allow us to speak and smile; sigh and kiss; smell, taste, touch, chew and swallow; and convey our feelings and emotions through facial expressions. Protect it and visit your dentist regularly.

Dr James Goolnik BDS MSc James Goolnik advises Express Medicals on dental wellbeing and is one of a team of fabulous dentists at Bow Lane Dental. He is also working with the charity Dentaid to help build a dental clinic in Cambodia from the proceeds of his best selling book BRUSH. He is a recent past president of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, a regular writer and lecturer. He has twice been voted the most influential person in UK dentistry.

For more information call 020 7500 6900 or visit our website www.expressmedicals.co.uk. You can view James Goolnik’s practice at www.bowlanddental.com. www.railstaff.co.uk

SIR WILLIAM MCALPINE INVITES ENTRIES FOR THE FIRST (AND PROBABLY ONLY)

FAWLEY HILL STEAM AND VINTAGE WEEKEND Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th May 2013 The event will celebrate the Centenary of Fawley’s resident Hudswell Clarke 060 Saddle Tank Engine No 31.

This will be a celebration of all forms of transport: from BICYCLES to PLANES and MACHINERY: from HORSE-DRAWN PLOUGHS to PLOUGHING ENGINES to JCB’S

She has worked for Sir William’s family all her life and for the past 48 years has been happily pulling wagon loads of visitors up the steepest standard gauge gradient in the world at Fawley Hill.

and, being Fawley Hill, (animal sanctuary) there will be ANIMALS too.

CHARITIES

ATTEND

At the simplest level: we envisage charities hosting hospitality areas - to which they will sell tickets: to include entry of course. Obviously they can do more than this if they wish. This works well and gives everyone a slice of the cake.

If you are interested in attending, please email estate@fawleyhill.co.uk ANY COMPANY WISHING TO SPONSOR ANY PART OF THE EVENT IS URGED TO CONTACT FAWLEY HILL.

FAWLEY HILL

Fawley Hill, Fawley, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 6JA | 01491 571373 | estate@fawleyhill.com

Who is the best...

Recruitment Company?

Training Company?

HR Team?

HR Manager?

Help us find the best: Awards for Companies: Best Executive Search company in Rail Best Labour Supply Agency Best Rail Professional Recruitment company Best Training Organisation

Awards for Teams:

RailwayPeople

HR, RECRUITMENT & SKILLS AWARDS 8th December 2012 The ICC, Birmingham

Best Training Team HR Team of the Year

Awards for Campaigns: Best New Entrant Programme / Campaign Best People Strategy (Resourcing, Skills, HR) Best Recruitment Campaign

Awards for Individuals: HR Manager / Director of the Year Outstanding Contribution to the Rail Industry Trainer of the Year

Nomination is free and only takes a minute online...

Recruiter of the Year

www.railhrawards.com

CAREERS

MAKING TOMORROW A BETTER PLACE

Is your career on the right track?

If you are looking to join a first class rail organisation with genuine opportunities for career progression, then read on.

As Carillion Rail continues to grow and successfully secures rail project works from different sector clients, there is a need to grow our professional rail teams to ensure we maintain our history of successful delivery.

We are looking for Rail experienced staff to join us and our project teams across various UK locations including London, Home Counties, Midlands, the North West and Scotland.

We are especially looking for candidates for the following roles within Power, OHL and Track:

OHL Project Engineers

Power Design Engineers

Contract Responsible Engineers

OHL Design Engineers

Power Engineering Managers

Contractor Engineering Managers

OHL Engineering Managers

Permanent Way Project Engineers

Construction Managers

OHL / Power Design Group Managers

Senior Engineers

Site Managers

Signalling Project Engineers

Senior Project Engineers

Senior Supervisors

Signalling Design Engineers

Project Managers

Supervisors

Signalling Engineering Managers

Senior Project Managers

Carillion offers competitive salaries and an excellent benefits package with opportunities for training and development for successful candidates.

If you are interested in joining us and leading the Rail industry forward then please apply by emailing your CV to jessica.duncan@carillionplc.com quoting the job title/s you are interested in.

Visit www.carillionplc.com/careers

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

We are not taking enquiries from agencies at this time.

www.trsstaffing.com Business Development Manager

Rail and Infrastructure Vacancies

A Business Development Manager is required to promote the PLA aluminothermic welding technology and associated plant equipment within the UK and offer technical support to our existing customers.

TRS Staffing Solutions are international engineering recruitment specialists.

We recruit for major National and International projects for leading National Rail organisations, main contractors and consultancies. Currently we have vacancies for the following:

We are looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic and proactive individual with a can do attitude, able to work on their own initiative and as part of a team.

Senior P-Way Design Engineers

Principal Civil/Structural Engineers (CRE)

London/Warrington/Birmingham £350/day or £40 - 70K Working on major new rail projects & station upgrades

London/Birmingham/Warrington & York - £50 - 60K or £350 - £450/day Rail experience including station, platform & bridge designs

Skills necessary: Previous experience in Aluminothermic welding!

Computer literate!

Safety Case Specialist

Senior Planning Engineers

London/South East - £40 - 60K Experience on rail & infrastructure projects

London, York & Birmingham £320 - 450/day or £55K Rail & construction experience

The position is home based with extensive travelling.

Senior Electrical Design Engineer

We offer an attractive package.

London + UK wide - £45 - 70K or £400 - £550/day HV, Traction Power, AC/DC or construction experience

Signal Designers & Senior Signal Designers

Experience in training would be an advantage.

This is a challenging opportunity for the right candidate and you will be joining a dynamic team and a world class group.

Please send your CV and cover letter by email to baptiste.destailleurs@railtech-uk.com or to the following postal address:

London/UK wide - £400/day or £40 - 60K IRSE license, RRI & SSI Design

Baptiste Destailleurs

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

RAILTECH UK Ltd, Catesby Park, Kings Norton, Birmingham B38 8SE

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

www.railtech-uk.com www.railstaff.co.uk

Rail, Infrastructure & Construction 71

CAREERS

Job opportunities on prestigious projects in London, South East and South West Due to the growing demand from major clients within the railway infrastructure, CarmichaelUK are looking for skilled personnel with current NWR competencies for Permanent and Contract opportunities.

We would like to hear from the following for prestigious projects starting in London, South East and South West England: Site & Senior Engineers

Survey Assistants

Junior Engineers

Surveyors

Senior Technical Officers

Sub Agents / Agents

Project Managers

General Foreman

Supervisors

Register your CV today online or via email in Word format to: rail@carmichaeluk.com Call one of our consultants on: +44 (0) 208 522 8888 Job vacancies posted daily on our website

www.carmichaeluk.com

72

www.railstaff.co.uk

ON THE MOVE... services to our valued customers.

Electro-Motive Diesel Limited (EMDL) is a leading maintenance service and parts distribution provider for both the Rail and PMI industries in the UK and Europe.

Rehabilitation and Modernisation and contract

A subsidiary of Electro-Motive Diesel Inc, the only diesel-electric locomotive manufacturer to have produced more than 70,000 engines, we pride ourselves on working closely with our customers and offering Commissioning, Warranty, Modifications, after-market spare parts warehousing and distribution, Component Rebuild, Technical Support,

one priority. We value our staff and invest

Heavy Maintenance Team Leader

Supervisor

Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire £28,500 per year + Shift allowance.

Peterborough £30,500 per year + Shift Allowance

To coach, mentor and lead the team creating a culture of continuous improvement to increase safety and efficiency.

Proactively monitor and review the customer’s locomotive fleet to identify improvement opportunities to maximize reliability and minimise downtime.

To deliver engineering services to ElectroMotive customers, primarily locomotive maintenance to ensure fleet reliability.

Proven track record of working effectively with Diesels engineering technology, associated systems and controls.

Proven track record of working effectively with Diesels engineering technology, associated systems and controls.

To coach, mentor and lead the team creating a culture of continuous improvement increasing safety and efficiency.

Ability to work on locomotives in railway sidings, depots and operational sites.

Lead, encourage, train and support others in order for them to meet their objectives.

Focus and drive to achieve targets, budgets and results.

BTEC National Certificate / ONC in Engineering or European equivalent.

maintenance to the highest possible standard.

Across all of our work the Health and Safety of our staff and our customer's staff is our number heavily in their competence and professional development.

Setting industry standards for service excellence, our warehouse facilities and highly skilled engineers provide a wide range of post-delivery

Mechanical Fitter Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire £24,000 per year + Shift allowance.

Operative

To deliver high quality production services (repair, overhaul, and modifications) in a safe and efficient manner.

Use appropriate tooling in a safe and efficient manner.

Ability to operate required equipment in a safe and responsible manner.

Hold relevant City and Guilds, Awarding Body Consortium (ABC), EMTA Awards Ltd, SVQs, Technical Certificates or equivalent.

www.emdiesels.com

With recent major project wins in UK Rail we can offer you great opportunities for career development.

equipment management and maintenance

BTEC National Certificate / ONC in Engineering or European equivalent.

Carry out mechanical bench fitting tasks and locomotive mechanical tasks.

Due to continued growth within our business we have opportunities for high quality, experienced rail locomotive engineers. Based in our Staffordshire and Cambridgeshire locations, you will join a team of engineers providing quality services to our many valued customers.

Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire £16,750 per year + Shift allowance.

Locomotive Service Technician (2 Vacancies) Locomotive Technician (4 Vacancies) Peterborough, March and Stoke on Trent £27,500 per year + Shift allowance.

BTEC National Certificate / ONC in Engineering or European equivalent.

The start date for these vacancies is January 2013.

To apply, please email your CV to recruitmentemdl@emdiesels.com

Carry out basic engineering tasks as directed by the Team Leader.

The facilities will operate 24/7 and may require the employees to work shifts and weekends.

Ability to operate required equipment in a safe and responsible manner.

Electro-Motive Diesels Limited is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Minimum NVQ Level 2 in an Engineering Related Discipline.

Please note the company operates a strict drugs and alcohol policy.

CAREERS

RailwayPeople.com Fast track your career

over 2,000 live jobs

...awaiting your application. www.railstaff.co.uk

74