RailStaff November 2013

RailStaff Issue 192 / November 2013

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Birmingham Metro Powers Ahead

Kate joins Greater Anglia

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Railway staff celebrate Poppy Day TfL and Network Rail have teamed up to support London Poppy Day.

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The first of the new tracks that will bring trams to the streets of Birmingham city centre have been laid at Colmore Gate in Bull Street. The ÂŁ127 million extension of the Midland Metro will link Snow Hill with New Street station. The project also includes a new fleet of new trams.

Continued on PAGE 4

Training Matters Focus The battle to train motivated people is gathering pace.

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COMMENT

RailStaff Speaking out takes courage 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 Rail Media House, Samson Road, Coalville, Leicestershire, LE67 3FP. Tel: 01530 816 444 Fax: 01530 810 344 Web: www.railstaff.co.uk Email: hello@rail-media.com Printed by Pensord.

RailStaff is published by RailStaff Publications Limited.

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A Rail Media Publication.

The saying ‘Fortune Favours the Bold’ dates back to ancient Greece and is also mentioned in Virgil’s Aeneid.

It is the motto of the Yorkshire Regiment. In a risk averse culture, where misfortune is always someone else’s fault, boldness has attracted a bad name. To be bold might be understood to be irresponsible, foolhardy and unsafe.

However it is as essential for soldiers and romantics as it is for supporters of the rail industry.

Despite winning a House of Commons vote on High Speed Two the Coalition Government is struggling to keep the project on course. Hand wringing analysts claim it will prove too expensive.

Others argue no one will be able to afford to use it anyway. As we argue elsewhere in this issue HS2 is essential for the future stability and prosperity of the UK. We also report on Maia Rees - a passenger on a train in the West Country - being bold enough to reach out for the man who complimented her on her way home by train. FGW staff and local journalists have enthusiastically joined the search.

Maia’s quote, ‘I know that this is a long shot, but I have come to

SPECIAL FOCUS

HS2 is essential for the future stability and prosperity of the UK

realise over the last year that you have to take chances in life,’ has wider lessons for those who seek to disrupt HS2.

On the face of it, building a high speed railway in a recession might seem foolhardy. Levering in billions of pounds of tax payers money whilst desperately trying to control public spending may smack of irresponsibility.

High speed rail is a gamble as all plans for the future are a gamble.

Incredibly if it all works out the courageous men and women who took a chance and drove it through parliament will in the main be

long gone.

However, the railway industry and its supporters are in this for the long haul. Many of the apprentices we feature in this issue will work on HS2 and its successors - 3 and 4 - hopefully to the West Country.

Speaking out takes courage.

However the rewards are worth the risk. Our position on HS2 is resolute: Take the risk, be bold. We wish all our apprentices and trainees and Maia Rees every success in their search for personal and professional fulfilment.

Fortune favours the bold.

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Rail Freight In December’s RailStaff

Landscape win for David Cation

Better access for Leeds station

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 call us today on 01530 816 440 or email freight@rail-media.com.

A stunning picture of a steam train crossing the Forth Bridge is winner in the Lines in the Landscape Award.

A new £16 million scheme at Leeds station will create a new entrance on the southern side of the station.

www.railstaff.co.uk

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As railway staff set about installing new tram tracks in Birmingham city centre on Bonfire Night, linking Snow Hill and New Street, the first of a fleet of new trams was under test.

The new £40 million Urbos 3 tram fleet will run between Birmingham and Wolverhampton.

The first tram arrived from CAF in Spain in October.

Says Roger Horton of Centro, the local PTE, ‘Trams are very much a transport mode of the future and this is a significant and symbolic moment for the Metro extension.

In the year that sees the 60th anniversary of the last tram running in Birmingham we are seeing the first tracks go in for a new 21st century system.

‘These first tracks are another sign of the progress the scheme is making and people can see that the return of trams, with all the economic benefits they will bring,

Underground freight locos named Two freight locos have been named after Harry Beck, the designer of the original Tube map and Transport for London Commissioner, Sir Peter Hendy CBE. The GBRf locomotives were unveiled at London Victoria station

by Sir Peter and Harry Beck’s biographer, Ken Garland. The namings form part of the London Underground’s 150th year anniversary celebrations.

The two new liveries were

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© JONATHAN WEBB

Track Bonus for Birmingham

is that much closer.’ Balfour Beatty is building the extension which is scheduled to open in 2015. It will run from Snow Hill through Bull Street, Corporation Street and

Stephenson Street, terminating outside New Street station.

To keep disruption to a minimum the tracks are not being laid sequentially but at a number

created by London Transport Museum’s in-house design team.

The freight locos are already back at work on Crossrail and the renewal of the London Underground infrastructure on the Metropolitan, District and Hammersmith and City lines.

Says John Smith, Managing Director of GBRf, ‘Quietly, behind the scenes, rail freight continues to play a pivotal role in the success of the Capital’s operations – clearing the tracks for commuter trains and working on the construction of major infrastructure projects, such as Crossrail, that will define the future of the transport network.’

The Harry Beck locomotive number is 66721 and Sir Peter Hendy 66718.

York venue for Women in Rail Women in Rail held its first development workshop in York recently.

Karen Boswell, Managing Director of East Coast Main Line and Malcolm Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Angel Trains headlined the event. 90 people attended the inaugural conference.

Women In Rail is an industrywide movement working to further the involvement and success of women in the rail industry. Women represent approximately 17.8% of today’s rail industry workforce.

Says Adeline Ginn, chair of the Women in Rail Group, ‘We’re delighted that this inaugural workshop had so much interest and that 90 women from all backgrounds and levels within the rail industry chose to participate.

‘Having the support of Karen Boswell and Malcolm Brown was

of different work sites across the city. Each work site is no longer than 50 metres in length.The new fleet of trams will start running next year.

essential in helping women feel comfortable about talking about their lack of self-confidence. All the feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive which is very encouraging and we have been asked to repeat the event next year for the benefit of the women who were unable to attend.

‘Giving women the tools to overcome any lack of selfconfidence is crucial in helping them realise their full career potential. This includes taking progressive steps to get out of their comfort zone, be assured in their skills and abilities and reframe anxiety as excitement. This will of course be helped with regular feedback from a trusted source and support such as a manager or mentor.’ www.railstaff.co.uk

NEWS

Return of the Good Shepherd After a launch ceremony on site, work is expected to start shortly on Hitachi Rail Europe’s new Intercity Express Trains factory at Newton Aycliffe in County Durham.

150 jobs will be created during the construction phase of the facility. When the factory is in full production 730 people will be directly employed by Hitachi Rail Europe. The plant will be built by Shepherd Construction – which operates from local offices in Darlington.

Says Shepherd’s chief executive, Mark Perkins, ‘We are delighted to have been awarded the contract to build this landmark development in the northeast, which will have a momentous effect on the prosperity of the region, as the biggest investment into the area for more than 20 years.

‘Shepherd invested a vast amount of time and research carefully gathering insight into Hitachi’s specific requirements before proposing exactly how we would deliver such a large and complex scheme.’

Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin visited the site with Business Secretary, Vince Cable. The pair took the opportunity to

announce the creation of a new Rail Industry Supply Chain Forum.

‘The creation of the Rail Supply Chain Forum will ensure we are working in partnership with industry in line with our Industrial Strategy, so British businesses are better able to win work both here and abroad.’ The forum will be chaired by Terence Watson, UK president of Alstom.

The first IEP trains will start operating in Wales and the South West by 2017 and along the East Coast a year later. Once the full fleet is operational in 2020 they will provide a step change in speed, reliability comfort and more seats for passengers.

Says Patrick McLoughlin, ‘The Intercity Express Programme is part of the government’s commitment to investing in our nation’s infrastructure. Once they are on the network they will slash journey times, boost capacity to many of our cities in the South West and up the East Coast to Scotland.

‘Building these new trains is supporting jobs and manufacturing across the UK. Like our plans for a national high speed rail network, these new faster trains will help stimulate economic growth by improving connections between our major cities.’ Newcastle based Nomad Digital will supply the new trains onboard servers.

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NEWS

It’s a steel A new deal with Network Rail will see Tata Steel’s Scunthorpe plant supply around 140,000 tons of rail per year - about 95% of the total required.

ArcelorMittal and VoestAlpine are also part of the five year deal, which will supply a variety of rail types in a bid to keep pace with Network Rail’s rolling programme of improvements. Says Henrik Adam, chief commercial officer of Tata Steel, ‘This is fantastic news. I am delighted the rail network in Britain will continue to be made and maintained with our UK rail.’

The Network Rail deal will account for around 5% of the annual steel output from Tata Steel’s Scunthorpe site and will include some of the latest, harderwearing high performance rail. A sure-fire supply line is essential.

Says Patrick Butcher, Network Rail’s group finance director, ‘We are renewing and enhancing more and more of Britain’s railway over the

Freight Alliance Launched Britain’s five main rail freight companies and Network Rail have formed the Rail Freight Alliance.

The formation is backed by the expanded Rail Delivery Group. The five Rail Freight Operating Companies are DB Schenker Rail UK, Freightliner Group, GB Railfreight, Direct Rail Services and Colas Rail. Objectives include cutting costs, making better use of the rail network and developing a sustainable charging framework for freight.

Rail freight has grown by 60% since privatisation in 1996 and is forecast to double by 2043.

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next five years and it’s crucial that we have a trusted and secure supply chain to help us achieve that safely and efficiently.’ Rail supplied

by Network Rail’s contractors will range from the common CEN60 and CEN 56 types, to conductor rail and old-style bullhead.

Landscape win for David Cation A stunning picture of a steam train crossing the Forth Bridge has won the Network Rail-sponsored Lines in the Landscape Award at this year’s Take a View’s Landscape Photographer of the Year competition.

David Cation, an amateur photographer from Glasgow, won the award, leading a field of 500.

Says David, ‘The Forth Bridge had

recently been repainted and I timed this visit to North Queensferry to coincide with the crossing of a steam train. I was drawn to the finesse of the details within the massive structure and chose the gap in the bracing to frame the locomotive.

The rail network presents the photographer with a vast array of photographic opportunities

throughout the country as is demonstrated by the quality of the images entered in previous competitions. The Take a View competition is one that I have followed since its launch and has been a huge source of inspiration for my landscape work, so to win this award has given me a huge sense of achievement.’

Competition founder and renowned landscape photographer Charlie Waite selected the winning picture. ‘You can almost hear the clatter of the train as it passes through this cat’s cradle of brilliant Victorian engineering,’ says Charlie.

‘Ten other entries to the Lines in the Landscape Award have also been commended by Charlie Waite and will have their image printed in the series seven coffee table book showcasing around 150 of the best entries and all the category winners, including the overall Landscape Photographer of the Year 2013. www.railstaff.co.uk

Famous five for Spencer Rail Samantha Wadsworth has joined Spencer Rail as Programme Director for the Wessex Package 7 platform lengthening programme. She previously worked for Network Rail.

Tom Kerins re-joins Spencer Rail as Programme Director for the £15m Gravesend blockade. Tom has just returned from a spell in Australia. He is also the Programme Director for East Kent Phase 2.

Neil Owen has joined the West London Lines team as Project Director. He previously worked for Network Rail Asset Management. Paul Ritchie has joined as Operations Director for Signalling and Telecoms – and brings with him 25 years of national and international experience in both electrical and mechanical engineering.

Martin Oates has joined as Operations Director for the platform lengthening programme West London Lines and will oversee a project at Purley. He was most recently a Senior Project Manager on the £100m Three Bridges depot, working for Siemens and the Department for Transport (DfT).

Says Raj Sinha, Managing Director of Spencer Rail, ‘We’d like to welcome all new starters to the team. They will support our existing team and are in turn supported by colleagues from across our wider group of companies.

We’re confident that the new additions will build on the already strong teams we have in place to ensure we continue to focus all our energies on delivering safe, efficient and innovative projects on behalf of all our clients.’

Martin Oates.

Paul Ritchie.

Neil Owen.

Tom Kerins.

Creative for Eurostar

Men at work

Christopher Jenner takes up the newly created role of Creative Director at Eurostar. The job will emphasise the importance of creative design in new and existing projects across Eurostar’s business.

Jenner’s arrival coincides with Eurostar’s planned investment of £700 million in a new fleet. The appointment recognises the important role physical design plays in delivering top quality transport. Says Nick Mercer, Commercial Director, Eurostar, ‘The success of our business rests on the strength of our product and we have a long history of breaking the mould to bring our customers the very best travel experience. All aspects of the Eurostar physical environment work together to bring our brand to life and our travellers demand and deserve the

Peter Koning has been appointed to lead Network Rail Consulting in Australia and New Zealand. Based in Sydney, New South Wales, Peter joins NRC from AECOM Australia, where he was director in charge of rail operations, asset management and rail reform.

Peter has been directly involved in some of Australia’s most important rail programmes, including the recent East Coast high-speed rail study. Koning has a strong background in rail operations, strategic planning and system regulation, having previously worked for British Rail and Network Rail.

Peter joined British Rail at Ipswich in 1979.

He read for a BA degree in Transport at Portsmouth University and an MSc in Transport and Distribution at Salford. He has worked on the Crossrail project, the

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very best. We have some exciting projects in the pipeline which will continue this tradition of innovation and excellence.’

In his work Christopher Jenner combines both heritage and tradition with a sense of the contemporary. Born in South Africa, he graduated from Cape Town and lived in Paris, Tel Aviv and Hong Kong before settling in London. Jenner was awarded ‘British Breakthrough Talent’ for 2012 by FX magazine.

Channel Tunnel Rail Link and was previously Deputy Director European Affairs at Railtrack.

A productive almost six year stint at AECOM saw him involved with Portuguese High Speed Rail, Rail Baltica - connecting Estonia and Poland and the Bulgarian Transport Plan. Koning also worked on the Felixstowe - Nuneaton upgrade project. Latterly at AECOM in Australia he has worked on the North West Rail Link, Sydney as Shadow Rail Operator and at the Sydney Light Rail Program Phase 2 as well as the Cross River Rail Project in Brisbane. www.railstaff.co.uk

PEOPLE NEWS

Engineering director job for Kate Marjoribanks

Greater Anglia has appointed Kate Marjoribanks as Engineering Director.

Kate will head up a team of 500 staff. She is a railway engineer with 20 years’ experience and has worked all over the network and in Australia and Europe. Most recently she was Engineering Director for

Chiltern Railways.

Kate holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Edinburgh University and is a full member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. She describes her shop floor training in her profile at IMechE. ‘I joined BR as Engineering Management Trainee (EMT) after finishing a four year Mechanical Engineering degree at Edinburgh University. I was initially allocated to one of the Roscos which was sold soon after as part of privatisation becoming Angel Train Contracts.

‘During my time as an EMT I worked on the shop floor at Craigentinny for a few months having small hands was helpful for changing top brushes on HST traction motors - spent six months at Slade Green on shiny new

electric trains, Class 465 and 466 EMUs still under warranty.’

Kate worked on various projects for Angel including the rehabilitation of the out-of-use 507/508 vehicles at Merseyrail. ‘We found one at Kineton with a tree growing in the side!’ Training and on the job placements were quite intense. ‘I worked out that in my first 18 months on the railway, I lived in 14 different places.’

Kate also worked at North London Railways as a Senior Technical Officer (STO) at Bletchley looking after 323s, heritage DMUs and 313 DV EMUs and the 321 workhorses.

Then she rejoined Angel as a Maintenance Engineer and worked with Great Western and later ScotRail and Springburn, then First North Western.

‘During my time at Angel I

achieved Chartered Status and became a full member of the IMechE.’ In 2000 Kate went to work for Interfleet Technology in Sydney, Australia just before the Sydney Olympics. She stayed 4½ years also working on projects in new Zealand and South Africa. Back in Europe her Interfleet role took her to Denmark, Sweden and the USA. Then followed a two year stint as Head of Fleet Production at SWT, responsible for the Class 455 and 458 fleets at Wimbledon and Clapham depots, plus maintenance and train care operations at Strawberry Hill depot and Waterloo. She was appointed as Engineering Director of Chiltern Railways in 2009. Originally from Scotland, Kate now lives in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, and is recently married.

Holbrow joins Resourcing Solutions

Team AMCO

Tom Holbrow has joined Resourcing Solutions as Group Business Development Director.

The move signals a new phase for specialist recruiter Resourcing Solutions as it consolidates its presence in the rail and power sectors. Tom joins Resourcing Solutions from Balfour Beatty, where he was responsible for regional business development in the Construction Services division.

Tom oversaw the implementation of the business strategy and secured new business for the Balfour Beatty Regional Civil Engineering and Mansell companies. He has worked for a number of manufacturers, M&E

Mark Peters has joined AMCO Rail as Contracts Director. Mr Peters previously worked for Birse Rail.

Peters, based in Bristol, has worked in Wales and the West Country for 15 years. Recently the top team at AMCO Rail has been strengthened by the addition of Mike Parker as Contracts Director in the South and Phil Bubb as national Business Development Director.

Says AMCO Rail’s Managing Director Andries Liebenberg, ‘Mark, Mike and Phil bring to AMCO nearly 50 years of experience in the UK rail industry. They are all well known across the rail market and their appointments significantly strengthen AMCO’s senior management team.

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contractors and large main contracting organisations.

He originally served an apprenticeship as an electrical engineer. For the last 13 years, Tom has operated in a business development environment.

2013 has been a busy year for Resourcing Solutions. In the last 12 months alone the company has increased its headcount by over 20% bringing the total number of employees to 82. This includes the addition of a UK-based built environment recruitment team, additional resources in the rail team and a growing international team based in Dubai.

Says Richard Lawrance, CEO, ‘Despite difficult economic times

in recent years, our business is continuing to grow year on year.

The need for experts in our sectors is never more important with infrastructure projects on the up and our clients continue to turn to us to find that expertise.

‘Recent recruitment assignments have included providing a wide range of specialists - from safety critical staff for work on the Olympic Park to project directors for rail projects in the Far East. We want to continue this success and with his industry experience and leadership skills, I am delighted to welcome Tom on board.’

Resourcing Solutions has offices in Reading, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Middlesex and Dubai.

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RAIL ALLIANCE NEWS

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

Testing Times at Rail Alliance

HiTech Rail We are delighted to report that the £2.3m programme, being run by Rail Alliance and the University of Birmingham, to support companies based in the West Midlands is well under way and the first companies to benefit from it will be revealed shortly.

Although this programme, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is specifically aimed at companies in the West Midlands

region, we are able, in part through the use of the EIT Testing Voucher Scheme, to offer much the same level of support to companies from all over the UK. For those of you who are in the West Midlands and who are looking to get some help developing concept demonstrators please contact us on info@railalliance.co.uk

Railway Interiors conference We are pleased to announce that this conference which was scheduled for October is now going ahead, in partnership with Coventry University and Rail Media Group, in early March 2014.

There is a great deal of activity in this area and we are looking forward to creating an exciting event. Anyone interested in exhibiting, sponsoring or speaking at the conference should email info@railalliance.co.uk and put Railway Interiors 2014 in the title. We are waiting for you!

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

Although the EIT Testing Voucher Scheme is just eight weeks old, we have had a tremendous take up and have been hosting a wide variety of trials work, reports Colin Flack, chief executive of the Rail Alliance.

So far we have run four open house sessions and have been delighted to welcome over 60 people from over 40 companies to see what is on offer at Long Marston in support of their business and product development plans.

At the time of going to press we have completed 20 days of trials for five companies.

We have a further 18 enquiries on the go and expect another 15-20 days activity before Christmas! The trialling has ranged from acoustic bearing monitoring, to pressure relief valves, trackside structures to bogie monitoring systems.

The support scheme is open to SMEs and Academia, but we are of course open to all comers who may not fit the scheme’s entry requirements. See www.futurerailway.org/eit for details. If you are interested in testing, trialling, demonstrations or even training, give us a call, or email to railtest@railalliance.co.uk We only have about 35 days of testing vouchers left to offer this year, so book your place now!

New Members Charcroft Electronics Ltd (Charcroft Electronics Ltd is a specialist, CECC/BS approved distributor of AC/DC power supplies, DC/DC converters, passive, interconnect & electromechanical components.

They are also a CECC approved manufacturer of commercial & CECC released passive components.) www.charcroft.com

tusp Ltd (Project delivery organisation with the skills & experience to run your entire project as a managed service or supply carefully selected specialist resources such as Project Directors, Project Engineers, P6 Planners, Project Managers, Risk Managers, Environmental Managers, Commercial Managers & Project Control to name a few.) www.tusp.co.uk

Rainford Solutions (Top quality manufacturer of bespoke & standard electronic equipment enclosures, cabinets, 19” racks & cable management systems.) www.rainfordgroup.com

LPT-IT (LPT-IT is a Danish company specialising in developing and providing effective software solutions. LPT-IT provide VIAS: a PIS(public information system) which runs both on Linux and Windows platforms.) www.vias-lpt.com

UK Tram Ltd (UK Tram speaks as a single voice for the Tram, Light Rail, Metro, Ultra Light Rail, Heritage Tramways & other Guided Systems in the UK, Ireland & the Isle of Man.)

www.railstaff.co.uk

NEWS

Better access for Leeds A new £16 million scheme at Leeds station that will create a new entrance on the southern side of the station has been signed off by transport minister Baroness Kramer.

The scheme consists of an enclosed structure over the River Aire that incorporates lifts, escalators and stairs allowing passengers access from the current western footbridge within the station to ground level either side of the river. The proposals also

Smart staff Thanks to staff hard work, the age of the e-ticket moved nearer this month as Southern Railways unveiled its new smartcard.

Says Rail Minister Baroness Kramer, ‘This programme could not have happened without Government investment but I also want to pay tribute to the hard work of staff in Southern and Transport for London and their suppliers, their can-do attitude

include CCTV, lighting, help points, ticket machines, passenger information screens, ticket barriers, cycle parking and measures to improve pedestrian access in the immediate surrounding area.

The Leeds Station Southern Entrance scheme was one of the schemes given funding approval in 2011 as part of the Spending Review process. The work will be delivered by Carillion.

and spirit of partnership.’

Southern’s smartcard can be used by point-to-point season ticket holders to travel to and from East Croydon, Clapham Junction and London Victoria from Southern stations south of Gatwick Airport. In the months ahead, other products including Travelcards and single and return tickets to London Terminals will be introduced.

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Corporal Kemp launches Poppy Express A soldier who ran 100 miles after recovering from being shot in the ankle in Afghanistan has helped launch Hertfordshire’s Poppy Appeal at Welwyn Garden City station.

Local hero Corporal Matthew Kemp stepped aboard the First Capital Connect’s special Poppy Express. ‘Every Poppy helps,’ Corporal Kemp told journalists.

Unit 321418 bears a permanent Royal British Legion nameplate and bright red poppy vinyls.

The train will act as a reminder that the Legion is working tirelessly every day to provide vital welfare care to those, serving, ex serving military personnel and their families.

Says Keith Jipps, FCC’s Customer Service Director, ‘We’re honoured that one of our trains now bears the poppy symbol. The Poppy

Appeal is quite simply the one charitable cause that everyone in this country should support. The Royal British Legion is not just there to help older veterans; every day it gives vital support to today’s members of the armed forces and their families.’

Corporal Kemp, 27, from Hemel Hempstead, was shot in the ankle in Afghanistan in 2010. Recovery took a year. During that time the Royal British Legion were able to offer support and advice. Matthew Kemp ran 100 miles from the monument in Stafford to Hemel Hempstead and helped to raise £20,000 for the Hertfordshire Poppy Appeal, along with a group of friends and colleagues.

‘I am delighted to launch this year’s Hertfordshire Poppy Appeal in support of all our Armed Forces community. Every donation

received for a poppy will make a real difference to the lives of Armed Forces families. I know first hand the difference the Legion can make.

‘When I was injured the Legion was able to provide guidance and support straight away and without them life would have been even more of a struggle. They literally got

Railway staff celebrate Poppy Day Staff at TfL and Network Rail have teamed up to support London Poppy Day, part of the Royal British Legion’s national Poppy Appeal.

Lots of poppies will be decorating the transport network with a Metropolitan and a Circle line train wrapped in a special poppy design. Network Rail will also be displaying a giant poppy on the roof funnel of the western concourse at King’s Cross station.

As a mark of respect for the sacrifices made

by London’s service men and women, past and present, poppies will also be displayed on all London Underground trains, DLR trains, trams and Overground units. Buskers at Leicester Square, Waterloo, Angel, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Bank and Monument and Euston will play to raise funds directly for London Poppy Day. Says Transport Commissioner, Sir Peter Hendy CBE, ‘We’re really proud to be supporting London Poppy Day again as our London Transport Old Comrades celebrate their 90th year. Some of them will be coming out of retirement to make announcements at some central London stations to encourage people to donate to the Appeal.’

On London Poppy Day, 7th November, London Transport Old Comrades, retired service men and women, will be making 12

announcements at up to five stations encouraging passengers to give generously.

There will also be more than 2,000 volunteers collecting at 70 Tube and mainline rail stations on the day. Announcements will also be made at all stations with volunteers to encourage donations.

me back on my feet,’ he said.

The Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Lady Verulam, unveiled the Poppy Express plaque.

Every poppy helps raise the £1.6 million needed by the Legion each week to deliver practical help and advice to Armed Forces community.

Old comrades This year marks the 90th 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 10th November.

Bob Lawrence, a former Territorial Army driver and retired London Underground Emergency Planning Manager, will be leading 48 men and women from the London Transport Old Comrades on the Remembrance Sunday march.

Bob served in the Territorial Army for three years from 1974 to 1977. He served with the Army’s Royal Corps of Transport as a driver with 215 Squadron, Grays, Essex.

Bob joined London Underground in 1974 as a train guard before taking on other roles including driver and Duty Train Manager. Mr Lawrence retired in 2007 as an Emergency Planning Manager. He was also heavily involved in London Underground’s response to the London bombings in July 2005 and assisted with the recovery of the service.

Says Bob, ‘I’m privileged to be leading the London Transport Old Comrades march again this year. So many people made sacrifices in arms conflicts and it is fantastic that we are still able to honour those sacrifices. Remembrance Sunday is always a poignant day as we remember those that made such a huge sacrifice. It also allows us to make time to remember those who are currently in service around the world.’ www.railstaff.co.uk

NEWS

War Memorial Returns The historic war memorial at King’s Cross station has been reinstated at a special service held on Sunday 27th October ahead of Remembrance Day. Placed in temporary storage during the £550m redevelopment of King’s Cross station, which was recently completed, the newly designed memorial by Network Rail aims to echo the eleven soldiers depicted by John Singer Sargent’s well-known 1919 painting ‘Gassed’.

Eleven marble tablets list the names of the fallen inside new individual steel frames. The memorial was first erected in 1920 by the Great Northern Railway in memory of employees who fell in World War One. It was further dedicated to employees of the London and North Eastern Railway who lost their lives in World War Two.

www.railstaff.co.uk

Dedicated service Veteran groups and railwayemployed reservists were joined by representatives from The Royal British Legion, Western Front Association, St John Ambulance and Network Rail to take part in the dedicated service at King’s Cross platform 0.

The Right Reverend Nigel

McCulloch, National Chaplain of the Royal British Legion, and Jeff Potter and Humphrey Gillott, Railway Mission chaplains for King’s Cross, officiated.

Speaking at the service, Robin Gisby, Network Rail managing director of network operations, said, ‘Today’s service is dedicated to the unveiling of the re-instated

King’s Cross memorial as we look ahead to London Poppy Day, an occasion Network Rail continues to support.

‘The memorial is ingrained in the heritage of King’s Cross and now the station has a new-look following its recent redevelopment, it is only fitting that the reintroduced memorial has been brought up to date to reflect its surroundings whilst staying true to its historic roots.’

Traditionally Remembrance Day marks the time the guns fell silent on the Western Front at 11.00 on 11th November 1918. The Armistice had been signed at five that morning. The peace treaty concluding hostilities was signed at Versailles in June 1919.

Remembrance Day this year will be marked on Sunday 10 November 2013. The Royal British Legion raises funds for exservicemen and their families.

13

NEWS

ScotRail hero to head REPTA Railway veteran, Willie Dickson, 64, has been appointed president of REPTA – the Railway Employees and Public Transport Association.

The ScotRail driver, who lives in Grangemouth and has worked in the railway for more than three decades, has been a member of REPTA since 1980. Willie, who is based at Glasgow Queen Street station, went to his first national REPTA AGM in 1989 and has attended every one since then.

‘Being appointed president of REPTA is not only an honour for me, but for my family too. I hope to uphold the good name of REPTA and promote the benefits of becoming a member,’ says Willie.

In 2010, Willie was named Frontline Employee of the Year for his part in securing the safety of 60 passengers following the Falls of Cruachan derailment. Willie was at the controls of his train on the West Highland Line in June 2010 when he unexpectedly came upon

two huge rocks on the GlasgowOban line.

He applied the emergency brakes, stayed at the controls until the train came to a rest – and helped safely evacuate the train on a 50-foot high embankment over

Get your career on the right track with SWGR as your primary sponsor.

the A85. REPTA has been running as a not-for-profit benefits organisation for more than 120 years. The association represents its membership - active and retired - in the railway and public transport industry.

Manpower

Oldham Rochdale anniversary The Oldham - Rochdale line celebrates its 150th anniversary this month. The line first opened on 2 November 1863 and operated as a heavy rail line until it closed in October 2009 for conversion to light rail.

A commemorative plaque was unveiled by local leaders. The line has gone from strength to strength since its conversion to a light railway.

Figures taken in the first year since its re-opening in June 2012 show an increase in passenger numbers, from 1,236,524 rail journeys between October 2008 and October 2009 to over 2,500,000 Metrolink journeys between October 2012 and October 2013.

Rail

Recruitment

Do you work on the Network Rail Managed Infrastructure (NRMI) and have you nominated a Primary Sponsor?

SWGR are one of the UK’s leading manpower suppliers to the Rail Industry, with service centres located throughout the UK in Glasgow, Carlisle, Derby and Rochester.

Due to existing secured and on-going contracts, we are looking for experienced and competent personnel to join our teams throughout the UK as Primary Sponsored.

The disciplines and competencies that we require are PICOPS/Possession Support, E/S, C/C, COSS, OPS, Strap Men, L/O, TRK IND T/Men, OLEC All Grades and Isolation Staff.

We operate a Competence Management System that will flag the training and assessments required for you to maintain and develop your skills and competencies.

For more information contact us via: Phone: 0844 692 0692 | Email: admin@sw-gr.com

UK WIDE SERVICE CENTRES 14

|

Or visit: www.sw-gr.com

www.sw-gr.com www.railstaff.co.uk

Leptospirosis is a serious and sometimes fatal bacterial infection transmitted from animals (commonly rats) to humans, through contact with contaminated urine, water or soil.

The bacteria can enter the body through cuts and scrapes, mouth or eyes and may even pass through unbroken skin.

Prevention is better than cure, make sure you: • • •

Cover all cuts and broken skin with waterproof plasters Wash your hands before eating, drinking and smoking Go to your GP and request a blood test if you have persistent flu-like symptoms or severe headaches.

Watch Atkins’ safety video to find out more

Plan Design Enable

NEWS

Vital move for Morson The Morson Group has acquired part of Vital Services Group Limited from its Joint Administrators at Deloitte.

Says Dan Smith at Deloitte’s Reorganisation Services practice, ‘The Group has suffered recently from cash flow pressures. The sale of the trade and assets of these companies minimises disruption in the continued delivery of these essential services to the rail industry and secures jobs.’

Morson has over 40 offices worldwide and is headquartered in Manchester, UK. Says Ged Mason, CEO of Morson Group, ‘We are delighted that Vital Human Resources Limited will join the Morson Group of companies and that we have safeguarded thousands of jobs.

Vital have an extremely strong brand within the rail, power and infrastructure markets, particularly in skilled blue collar disciplines, and as such Morson and Vital are

extremely well placed for future growth. A large percentage of Vital’s staff have been with the company for many years and will provide experience and knowledge in their roles.

‘We look forward to developing our market share and offering to our clients and contractors extended services and coverage as part of the enhanced Morson Group. Vitals’ initiatives to invest in creating the skills of tomorrow are critical for the success of the many infrastructure projects within the country. We would like to welcome our Vital colleagues to the Group, and look forward a prosperous and exciting future.’

“…we have safeguarded thousands of jobs.”

GED MASON, CEO, MORSON GROUP

Group therapy The rail industry has moved a step closer together as the Rail Delivery Group absorbed ATOC taking on responsibility for policy and communications on behalf of rail industry leadership.

ATOC Ltd will continue to run National Rail Enquiries, the Rail Settlement Plan and Staff Travel – priv tickets and passes. Michael Roberts, chief executive of ATOC, takes over as director general of the RDG, succeeding Graham Smith who has stepped down from the role. The idea is to get the rail industry speaking with one voice. Rail chiefs have become alarmed at the strident opposition to high speed rail projects in the country as well as expensive and lengthy hold ups to routine railway planning applications.

Says RDG chair Tim O’Toole, ‘Britain’s railways have been transformed over the past 20

Bridgeway acquisition of KJB Consulting

years, delivering record levels of growth and performance. Greater coordination among the train operators, freight companies and Network Rail is the next logical step for the industry to evolve to the next stage of capability.

‘The combination of ATOC resources with Network Rail will provide clear, unified leadership for the industry and ensure it is best placed to build on its unmatched record of success.’ The RDG brings together the owners of Britain’s train companies, rail freight companies and Network Rail.

“Together we will work to expand the level of services that we provide …”

PINO DE ROSA, MANAGING DIRECTOR, BRIDGEWAY CONSULTING

Bridgeway Consulting Ltd has acquired KJB Consulting (UK) Ltd. Ken Buttle, the previous owner of KJB Consulting, has been retained

by Bridgeway as a Specialist HSQE Consultant.

16

Mr Buttle will manage the transition of his clients to Bridgeway. Says Pino de Rosa Managing Director at Bridgeway, ‘I am delighted that we have been able to reach agreement with Ken

and KJB Consulting(UK) Ltd. ‘His clients will be warmly welcomed by us at Bridgeway and with Ken’s continuing involvement and professionalism we look forward to adding value to their

activities. This move is very timely and complements similar HSQE services already provided by us.

Together we will work to expand the level of services that we provide.’

Bridgeway provides similar HSQE services to KJB Consulting. Health Safety Quality and Environment is an increasingly important field which Bridgeway is keen to develop.

Says Ken Buttle, ‘In selecting Bridgeway, I am confident that the level of service provided will be maintained and clients will see great benefit in developing the relationship with a company of the quality of Bridgeway and in particular the wide range of HSQE services they can offer.’ www.railstaff.co.uk

Rail Team of the year 2012

Nationwide Track Renewals and Plant Hire in CP5 As a Rail Freight, Rail Freight Interchange and Railway Station Operator, Stobart Rail understand the demands of Network Rail customers.

Stobart Rail Engineering know how crucial it is to make the most of any track access afforded by TOCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and FOCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outside the Rules of the Route.

Our highly experienced award winning permanent way teams have a proven track record and are able to deliver Plain Line

Track Renewals or S & C works including gauging, reballasting and associated civils handing back the track on time.

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

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

Andrew Sumner Rail Contracts Manager t. 01228 882 300 e. andrew.sumner@stobartrail.com Gary Newton Estimating Manager t. 01228 882 300 e. gary.newton@stobartrail.com Dave Richardson Plant Manager t. 01228 882 300 e. david.richardson@stobartrail.com

stobartrail.com

Ahead of the curve The battle to train motivated people to take forward the expansion of the rail industry is gathering pace.

The government has decided to strengthen the apprenticeship scheme - adding value for apprentices and giving employers greater input. Once again the rail industry is ahead of the curve on this.

Concerned at having enough people to deliver the new railways of the next generation, companies the length and breadth of Britain have been taking on apprentices as these pages demonstrate.

Training is provided by skilled professionals often working out on site backed up by rigorous instruction in the classroom.

Similarly the rail industry is keen

to recruit and retrain men and women from other professions.

One company makes a point of hiring former service personnel.

Others hire middle aged folk becalmed in a stagnant career and keen to reflect the rejuvenating challenge of an old industry made new.

However the rail industry makes heavy demands on its staff.

Training is a constant. New skills need to be mastered and in what

is a safety intense environment, setting skills that help us stay safe and look after colleagues and public alike are constantly honed.

It is to the credit of the companies we discuss in this feature that they go much further than legislative guidelines stipulate. There is no substitute for studying alongside men and women who have invested in a career in the railway; no finer testament to the enduring appeal

of an industry that powered Britain’s industrial revolution and is now the dynamo of our economic recovery.

As the great projects unfold Crossrail, High Speed 2, Great Western Electrification, the Northern Hub and the Borders Railways - our instructors and their charges are already hard at work vouchsafing a bold and bright future for the country we serve.

On-the-job training for South Wales Apprentices After an initial year’s training twelve new apprentices are now out working for Network Rail Wales.

Says Mark Langman, Network Rail’s route managing director, ‘Our experienced engineers will further the apprentices on-thejob training, teaching these new recruits all they need to know to become valuable members of the Network Rail team.

‘They can be proud to be part of a company which helps move millions of people and thousands of tonnes of freight every day.’

Says Jon Seegolun, an overhead line apprentice from Cardiff, ‘I really want to progress within the rail industry and the apprenticeship scheme is a great way to gain experience and learn about the railway at the same time.

‘I have worked on track before as a labourer and was always interested in what Network Rail was doing. I am now training to work on the electrification 18

programme and am very excited about my future. I would definitely recommend the scheme to anyone who was considering applying.’

The first year of the awardwinning three-year scheme is spent at Europe’s largest engineering training facility at HMS Sultan in Hampshire. There apprentices specialise in either track, signalling, telecoms or electrification and plant.

During their second and third years apprentices work on the rail network’s front line, gaining vital experience as they train to become maintenance technicians. Throughout this time they regularly return to HMS Sultan for further courses and training to add to the experience gained on the rail network.

Since 2005, Network Rail has trained 1050 apprentices across Britain through the three year scheme with a further 600 currently still in training. www.railstaff.co.uk

TRAINING

© SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Autumn rush for Safeline

Autumn is proving a busy time for Safeline Training.

Says Martine McCrossan, Marketing and New Business manager who joined the Essexbased company in September, ‘We are expanding First Aid training and have recently set up a defibrillator in our Essex Medical Testing centre.’

A defibrillator delivers an electric shock to the heart when someone is having a cardiac arrest. Siting them in high density areas like railway stations and depots helps save lives.

Treatment for cardiac arrest complements a wide portfolio of courses Safeline delivers on emergency first aid.

Training and assessments Safeline Training Limited was set up in 2009 to provide high-quality training and assessments for the rail industry. Operating from premises in South Woodham Ferrers in Essex, Safeline has fully equipped training rooms. The centre has good connections with major rail and road routes offering easy access for learners and visitors.

Safeline provides training and work place assessments for safety critical staff working on the national rail infrastructure. ‘We also provide HSE Approved courses for Emergency First Aid and First Aid at Work,’ says Martine.

Safeline was originally established to provide training and assessment services to parent company, RTG Rail Services.

However Safeline also offers training and assessments to clients throughout the rail industry. Over the last few years Safeline has expanded its client base.

Interestingly the majority of new business comes from

recommendation.

Training staff at Safeline take pride in the quality of service and customer care they offer and the excellent reputation they enjoy within the industry. Safeline’s training team continues to provide support for learners with railway related issues, even after the course has finished.

Safeline is a member of the Association of Rail Training Providers (ARTP), and the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering (NSARE).

“We are expanding First Aid training and have recently set up a defibrillator in our Essex Medical training centre…”

MARTINE MCCROSSAN, MARKETING MANAGER, SAFELINE TRAINING

Graduation Day As work quickens on expanding and upgrading London’s railways more graduates are being recruited to augment the skill base. Crossrail and Transport for London have taken on 140 new graduate trainees.

Applications for the 2014 schemes have now opened and a similar number of graduates are expected

www.railstaff.co.uk

to be recruited next year. The Crossrail Graduate Scheme will see graduates working alongside project management teams, contractors and designers delivering Europe’s biggest civil and railway engineering project. Successful applicants will join a two-year programme.

Says London’s Transport Commissioner, Sir Peter Hendy CBE, ‘Our transport network is currently moving a record number of passengers each year, and to upgrade and improve the services we deliver, we need highly skilled staff.

‘Our graduate trainees will have the opportunity to work on different projects across our organisation to give them a real sense of what it takes to support 27 million journeys every day. I started as a graduate trainee in 1975 so I know that we can offer a long and fulfilling career with world class training.’

Crossrail will be recruiting graduates from a range of engineering and commercial disciplines.

Providing high quality training and assessment to the rail industry.

Safeline Training is licensed to carry out training and assessment for the following disciplines; PTS Initial & Recert DCCR Initial Lookout Initial & Recert IWA Initial & Recert COSS OLP/CRP Initial & Recert PC Initial ES Initial & Recert Authorised Person Nominated Person HSE Approved Emergency First Aid at Work For more information or to find out what courses we are currently running, call us or visit our website.

Safeline Training Ltd 69-71 Haltwhistle Road South Woodham Ferrers Essex CM3 5ZA tel: 01245 426 042 info@safelinetraining.co.uk

www.safelinetraining.co.uk

19

Safety training essential for Canal Tunnels

Martin Barlow, Carillion’s Senior Construction Manager on the Canal Tunnels project at Thameslink has praised the work of young apprentices Ashley Edwards, 18, Jason Platford, 17 and Jake Caddie, 17.

‘The most important quality I look for in trainees is good time keeping and taking a real interest in what you are doing - and these lads have consistently demonstrated those qualities in abundance,’ says Martin.

The Canal Tunnels project is due to be completed by May 2015. The twin 650 metre-long tunnels underneath Regent’s Canal connect the East Coast Mainline with the Midland Mainline at St Pancras. Specialist teams and apprentices have been hard at work fitting out the tunnels.

Carillion has made safety its first priority throughout the complex 20

engineering project. Canal Tunnels, near St Pancras Station, forms part of Carillion’s £120 million Key Output 2 contract with Thameslink. Safety training is of paramount importance.

Says Paul Treadwell, Carillion Site Foreman, ‘The health and safety message is hugely important. Whether it’s about Slips, Trips and Falls or encouraging Don’t Walk By reporting you really need to make the guys listen to get it across.

‘People learn in different ways so for me it’s about balancing the need for good discipline with making everyone feel looked after and listened to. This is why you need to give the team brief yourself and really get to know the individuals in your team - when they are having a good day or a bad day..

‘It’s also really important to follow up the morning brief with updates after the breaks at 10:00am and 2:00pm so that we can factor any changes to the weather, for example, or new plant movements.’

Commitment to safe working Paul is particularly proud of the progress of apprentices at Canal Tunnels and the way they have understood and accepted the commitment to safe working.

Ashley Edwards, Jason Platford and Jake Caddie have been on site for the past six months and are on course to secure full time positions this November.

Constant vigilance They all agree that while the work can be hard and challenging, the clear and organised focus on health and safety and briefings on all the site works is reassuring to them and their families.

The site is close to trains running into St Pancras, the High Speed 1 line and the East Coast Mainline to and from Kings Cross. Initiatives such as compulsory daily morning briefs for everyone on site delivered by the Senior Construction Manager, regular Point of Work Risk Assessments (POWRA), My Space Champions, Safety Action Group (SAG) and a

Lifeguards campaign - developed by the workforce itself to encourage Don’t Walk By reporting - ensures constant vigilance and full participation across the workforce.

Safety Stand Downs, Tool Box Talks and Weekly Don’t Walk By conferences are held to share best practice, update risk assessments and address all concerns.

Says Mark Walker, Carillion Project Manager for Thameslink Canal Tunnels, ‘We are working in a heavily congested area of London with adjacent lines open all around us and trains passing through regularly. There are also live electric overhead lines to manage, which means safety has to be embedded at every stage of the operation and enforced rigorously.

‘Encouraging the team on site to be vigilant and to constantly report possible dangers is also vital - and if people see their ideas or concerns being acted on and deliver results they are far more likely to engage with the safety drive.’ www.railstaff.co.uk

TRAINING

Attaining competency – a two-way process The recent introduction of New Sentinel has identified the myriad of competences and combination of competences that can now be held by rail workers.

Coupled with the knowledge and experience which must be acquired to attain these competences, there is often quite a complicated process for retention of competences.

Maintaining a working knowledge of all these requirements is one of the key responsibilities of the railway trainer.

Sharing best practice Trainers have realised that there is a lot to be gained by sharing best practice with other trainers, from which the Association of Railway Training Providers was born.

The association was created during a previous period of significant change and has continued to provide a forum and support to trainers, not only in Track Safety, but also the technical

competences which we are all required to maintain.

New processes and material The communication is two way Network Rail benefits through working with ARTP members to identify the issues faced by front line staff through a channel of communication from the training room to the decision making people within Network Rail.

ARTP members gain from the information provided by Network Rail during the development of new processes and material and are able to contribute to ensure any product is fit for purpose.

Although the ARTP was initially developed primarily to cover Track Safety, the association now caters for all forms of technical training with Special Interest Groups on Plant and Electrification and groups to cover Permanent Way and ERTMS in early stages of formation. Additional members

are always welcome so if you are interested please contact us via the website below.

Shared knowledge One of the benefits of membership has been evident during the introduction of New Sentinel with ARTP members liaising with each other and providing information on how to resolve issues from the transition from NCCA records.

This shared knowledge was then used to help sponsors who were also having problems with the new system - assistance which removed the need to phone the helpline.

The sharing of knowledge can also be seen via the ARTP website which includes safety information and technical updates which trainers can utilise whilst delivering training to ensure that the latest information is being shared with delegates.

If you would like any further information about the role of ARTP or if you are interested in becoming a member then please visit our website at www.artp.co.uk

Following the inaugural NSARE/RTAS Rail Training Inspections which are aligned with OFSTED standards, Bridgeway Consulting Ltd have been named the UK’s only Outstanding “Large” Track Safety Training Provider and is ranked the Number 1 rail training provider in the whole UK. We have capabilities to deliver the following for you nationally: • Sentinel Rail Track Safety Training / Assessments • Small Plant & Equipment • Permanent Way Training • Authorised and Nominated Persons – OHL • Conductor Rail / Isolations • Machine & Crane Controller • Rail Train Operator Company Operations Training • Key Railway Principles • PASMA Scaffold Training • Health and Safety Training

Contact: w www.bridgeway-consulting.co.uk e training@bridgeway-consulting.co.uk t 0115 919 1111

www.railstaff.co.uk

We are also able to deliver a managed competence management service that is tailored to your needs: • Management, Scheduling and delivery of Rail • Training, Mentoring and Assessments • Training Needs Analysis • Pre / Post Rail Training Advice and Support • Rulebook Management

21

David Cameron Encourages Apprentices

David Cameron has been encouraging apprentices on a visit to Carillion in Wolverhampton.

Carillion says it is the largest single employer of construction apprentices in the UK, training around 10 per cent of the construction sector’s apprentices through a national network of 13 construction training centres located across the country. The Prime Minister hosted a question and answer session with around 180 members of staff.

Says Carillion Chief Executive, Richard Howson, ‘We were

delighted to welcome the Prime Minister to Carillion. We know that a strong apprenticeship system is key to encouraging economic growth by providing ourselves, our supply chain and the construction sector as a whole, with highly-trained individuals with up to date skills as well as providing an important career path for young people.’

“We were delighted to welcome the Prime Minister to Carillion. We know that a strong apprenticeship system is key…”

RICHARD HOWSON, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CARILLION

Changing places Houghton International has teamed up with South West Trains to create an apprentice exchange programme.

SWT apprentices visit Houghton International’s facilities in Newcastle upon Tyne. In return Houghton International apprentices travel down to SWT’s depot in Bournemouth. On a recent visit they were able to inspect traction motors in situ and obtain an understanding of the issues and challenges faced by a train operator.

Says Rob Hulson, Apprentice and Competency Manager at South West Trains, ‘If only everyone were as keen and professional in their approach to apprenticeships as those from Houghton International that came to us.

They were impeccably behaved, polite, friendly and above all interested.

‘One of the highlights was whilst inspecting some traction motors in situ one of the Houghton International apprentices realised it was one that he had previously worked on. It’s great to see two fantastic companies working together in this way and I hope it is the start of a long and beneficial relationship for South West Trains and Houghton International but also for the apprentices, as these individuals are our future.’

Engineering recognition for Atkins apprentices Rail apprentices at Atkins can now achieve Engineering Technician (EngTech) status. The scheme, which is run by Atkins’ Rail Communications Systems, has been formally recognised by the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Says Philip Parker, head of design for Atkins’ RCS business, ‘Our scheme is designed to provide apprentices with the technical skills and knowledge they need for a successful career in the rail industry so we are thrilled that it has gained IET approval.

‘This recognition shows that the training we provide our apprentices with is of such a high calibre that they can use the qualifications they gain as full competence evidence for EngTech professional registration which provides them with more opportunities.

‘Since gaining IET approval five of our apprentices have received EngTech status. I’d like to congratulate James Winson, Andre Blackwood, Sean Doherty, Chris Bailey and Alex Sammut on this important milestone.’

John Beattie, IET technical training advisor emphasised the importance of the scheme: ‘IET approval is only awarded to organisations that can demonstrate they provide the high quality learning and training experience for their 22

employees, enabling them to go forward to EngTech registration.

‘This achievement will help Atkins demonstrate the professionalism of their workforce and help the individuals on the scheme meet their personal goals and ambitions,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Atkins has welcomed one of the

largest intakes of young people in its 75 year history, with more than 400 graduates and apprentices joining its business. The 330 graduates and 75 apprentices will fulfil a wide variety of roles, from engineers, environmentalists and management consultants to scientists and planners. www.railstaff.co.uk

TRAINING

Legion Edge for Linbrooke Linbrooke Services has been putting most of its staff through an ambitious in-house first aid, trauma and recovery course.

The Sheffield-based company hired former Foreign Legion paratrooper and Royal Army Medical Corps specialist, John Byrne to run the course. The object is to ensure Linbrooke staff have the requisite skills and confidence

to help prolong life in an emergency situation, especially when working in remote areas.

Getting access to remote parts of the railway is always a challenge. It becomes life threatening when a medical team cannot get in to evacuate the injured. Often darkness and distance further delay first responders and paramedics. The programme is designed to increase the chances of survival of anyone injured or hurt out on the infrastructure.

Military Linbrooke Services deliver turnkey design build and maintenance of telecommunications, power and signalling services to the world’s leading railway systems including Network Rail, TfGM (Manchester Metrolink) and Nexus. Over 60% of Linbrooke staff have served in the military. The managing director, Lee Hallam, is a former Royal Marine.

Linbrooke makes a virtue of recruiting former services personnel.

Training takes places on the real railway - albeit non-operational sidings - in all weathers. Training methods and styles used are similar to those in the Armed Forces.

Resources include liquid latex (blood) and laceration blood pumps to simulate blood loss and teach staff how to control bleeding.

Star of the show is Resuscitation Annie, a dummy on which course delegates practice CPR. Further training is given on stretcher bearing.

An essential part of army endurance training, this enables staff to assist paramedics with carrying stretcher and patient to the nearest access point, evacuation and safety. To add extra realism actors apply special effect injuries and prosthetics.

Course delegates undertake roleplay scenarios under the spirited direction of Mr Byrne. Gone are the days of ‘March or Die.’ Thanks to John Byrne and Lee Hallam it is more a case of ‘Train Hard, Fight Easy.’ Staff feed back has been good and the course will be expanded to include OHLE next year.

We deliver market leading, turnkey network engineering telecomms, power and signalling solutions to the world’s leading businesses including Network Rail, TfGM (Manchester Metrolink) and Nexus. We have an enviable reputation spanning over 30 years, gained working on some of the world’s most technologically advanced communication networks.

Our services include development and design, installation testing and commissioning supported by asset maintenance and management services. Our services are deployed both nationally and globally, 24/7. Our expertise is deployed across fixed networks and wireless applications in all industry sectors including, rail, utilities, oil and gas, highways, MoD and local government authorities.

Linbrooke Services Ltd Sheffield 35a Business Park Churchill Way Chapeltown S35 2PY

If you would like to enquire about booking your staff on our next first aid, trauma and recovery course please get in touch.

For information please visit: www.linbrooke.co.uk www.railstaff.co.uk

t: 0114 232 8290 m: 07551 170646 e: tony.gaunt@linbrooke.co.uk 23

A-Plant launches new Electrician Apprenticeships

A-Plant has launched a new Electrical Installation (Buildings & Structures) Apprenticeship and has already recruited five apprentices.

The new recruits beat off stiff competition from 400 applicants and were welcomed by A-Plant’s Director of Accommodation, Ian Needham, at A-Plant’s training centre in Nottingham.

Says A-Plant’s Head of Training Bob Harper, ‘We are very excited with this addition to our apprenticeship portfolio. It truly expands our ability to bring new entrants into the business, through a recognised apprenticeship training programme.

‘We are working tirelessly to identify areas within our business where the addition of an apprentice stream would massively benefit recruitment and succession planning.’

A-Plant will be working with training provider BEST, to help apprentices achieve a Level 3 Diploma in Electro Technical 24

Bob Harper, Head of Training; Ruairi Cassidy; Daniel O’Connell; Ashley Parkinson; Ian Needham, Director of Accomodation; Joseph Lee; Stephen Keys; Grainne Patterson, Talent and Development Manager; Lynne Stafford, BEST Training Adviser.

Technology during the four-year course. Through BEST, five colleges have been identified across the UK for apprentices to attend on a day release basis.

The apprentice programme is made up of both theory and practical units, with the theory units assessed through assignments, written papers and multiple choice tests in college, including inspecting, testing and commissioning electrical systems, terminating and connecting cables.

Practical units are assessed in the workplace and evidence collected by an assessor in a number of different ways; mainly through observation which will be gained at five of A-Plant’s Accommodation Service Centres based at Stockton-on-Tees, Newark, Manchester, Ossett and Basildon.

Says BEST Training Adviser, Lynne Stafford, ‘We are delighted

to be a part of this new venture to employ Electrical Installation Apprentices. All five apprentices are keen and enthusiastic to be starting their apprenticeship.

A BEST Training Adviser will be assigned to each apprentice. Their role is to manage and co-ordinate the apprentice training programme from start to completion. The Training Advisers will liaise with the colleges and assessors to gather feedback to ensure the apprenticeship runs smoothly and on target. The progress of each apprentice will be fed back to their manager at 12weekly intervals via progress reviews.’

New apprentice, Daniel O’Connell, 17, will be attending Barking and Dagenham College whilst gaining his practical experience with A-Plant’s Basildon Service Centre. Daniel is enthusiastic about the scheme.

‘I am extremely thrilled to have

gained a place on this apprentice scheme. My future now looks positive and it’s great to know that I have both secure employment and a regular wage whilst learning skills which will enable me to have a career for the rest of my life.’

A-Plant currently employs 101 apprentices all working in its Plant Maintenance, Customers Service, and Driver Apprentice schemes.

A-Plant apprenticeships are one of the most sought after programmes in the industry and the company received over 1200 applications for this year’s intake.

The programme has an impressive retention rate of over 80% compared to the industry’s 66%. This year 15 third-year apprentices have completed their training and progressed into roles within the company such as fitters, rental managers and drivers all working in the hire company’s service centres across the UK. www.railstaff.co.uk

TRAINING

SETEC Plugging the skills gap Advances in signalling technology and a general shift from the antique mechanical to the ultramodern digital systems poses a challenge for classically-trained engineers.

Network Rail is building a host of Railway Operational Centres (ROCs) to take over from 800 existing signal boxes up and down the country. The new technology will bring with it improved efficiency and capacity.

The keyboard and mouse is fast supplanting hammer and spanner.

Craig King, managing director of training provider SETEC, believes this is opening up huge opportunities for trainers.

As well as setting up academies to cultivate the next generation, training companies are spending more time teaching experienced S&T engineers how to use the new technology to bridge the skills shortfall the migration to new technology is exposing.

Real investment Prior to setting up his own specialist training company, Craig, an experienced railway signalling engineer, was the managing director of a large Plc-owned rail training provider.

‘There are a lot more opportunities now than there have been in probably the last five years,’ says Craig.

‘Currently there is a huge amount of investment in the industry, much more than we’ve seen before and it’s real investment now. We’ve all seen the headlines telling of so many billions being committed and now we’re actually seeing that work come through. This means the amount of change in terms of new technology coming in is exposing the massive shortage of skilled signalling engineers that can competently carry out resignalling projects.

‘A lot of what I’m doing now is teaching the new electronic control systems to engineers and www.railstaff.co.uk

technicians. Some of these individuals have come from traditional mechanical signalling technology, so their skills are completely the opposite to what’s required. Some of these guys have been using hammers and spanners and we’re now giving them keyboards and a mouse and they’re finding that quite a challenge.

However, most of them take it up and run with it and we are putting together a whole range of different training events to facilitate a blended learning approach. Young people coming in to the industry who are more computer literate does help, but we have to ensure that they gain the underlying signalling principles.’

A regular flow of infrastructure investment announcements points to the rail industry’s resurgence.

Money is being ploughed into such a variety of projects that the demand for skills covers all the key infrastructure disciplines, including electrification, signalling and track engineering. With IEP, Crossrail and HS2 to come there are also major rolling stock programmes on the horizon.

Says Craig, ‘We are now on the rise rather than on the decline. I think we’ve probably had a holding pattern for a period of time and some companies have gone out of business in that holding pattern.

Now is the time to build for the future and we at SETEC are embracing the challenge.’

At this year’s RailStaff Awards, SETEC sponsored the Trainer/Training Team of the Year Award - a category recognising the industry’s outstanding educators.

The 2013 title went to Merseyrail’s Learning and Development Team.

In such a safety-critical industry like rail, quality training is essential.

Says Craig, ‘Hands on practical engaging training is what people want.They don’t want to be lectured to and certainly as an industry we are utilising new technology not only on our railways but also in the classrooms, using a blend of computer simulation, electronic media and hands on practical work.

‘I think it’s all about a good attitude and a focus on the delegates. What they need to do is

give what every individual in that group needs.

‘It shouldn’t just be reading PowerPoint slides, it shouldn’t be talking at people, it should actually be engaging the group and engaging the individuals in all parts of their brain and senses, so that it’s actually something that they enjoy, it’s a worthwhile experience and they’ll look forward to a training course. It’s trainers who can make it something to look forward to.’

RAILWAY SIGNAL ENGINEERING TRAINING AND CONSULTANCY

ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC ENGINEERS

craig.king@setecltd.co.uk | 07748 32 88 31 25

TfL backs New University College

TfL has also donated a former London Underground carriage to give students hands-on engineering experience within their own school grounds as TfL seeks out the next generation of engineers to continue the upgrade and improvement of London’s transport network.

To give students a further boost, the University of Greenwich has pledged to give an undergraduate place to all applicants from the UTC who meet their entry criteria.

© ASIF AHMED

Career and job opportunities

The Royal Greenwich University Technical College has officially opened its doors in a special ceremony conducted by HRH the Duke of York.

The college, set up by Transport for London the Royal Borough of Greenwich and construction company, Wates Group, aims to equip more young people with engineering skills now in short supply for the railway and construction industry.

Says Asif Ahmed, sales director of RailwayPeople.com, who joined Prince Andrew and Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, at the event, ‘Everyone acknowledges the need for more skilled engineers in railways.

‘Here we have a fantastic new college aimed at progressing 1418-year-olds through stem subjects to give a solid foundation in core engineering, technical, construction and design courses leading to GCSEs, A levels and vocational qualifications.

‘The skills and knowledge supported by apprenticeships, along with on the job training opportunities in industry are vital if we want to attract the next generation of rail engineers to deliver mega projects such as CrossRail, HS2, and beyond. It’s an investment that will reap a real return for our industry and the country as a whole.’

Students at the Royal Greenwich UTC will be working in an environment which has £1.5m worth of industry standard technical equipment to help them develop the skills and techniques they will need for future careers. TfL, Wates Group and Greenwich have helped develop the curriculum and provided industry experts to train and mentor the students.

Over £10 million has been invested in the Royal Greenwich UTC campus, with industrystandard facilities including topof-the-range computer aided design workshops, specialised engineering project zones and a graphics and art studio.

An on-site apprenticeship centre allows students to meet potential employers to discuss their career and job opportunities, and after-school clubs in architecture, robotics and digital animation give students an insight into other careers open to them.

The intake for the 2013/14 academic year was 150 pupils in Year 10 and 150 in Year 12 in September 2013. When it reaches full capacity, the college will accommodate a total of 600 students.

up, they think their life is over and all they can do is stay at home being cared for, but I would recommend this scheme to them.

‘I have now been at TfL for over a year and during this time I’ve got to work on projects like the London 2012 Games which was a fantastic experience. I still have

physiotherapy for my injury and have to see my consultant, but that doesn’t stop me from doing my job effectively.

It is about putting yourself on the line and the self-belief that you are capable. I now feel very integrated in my job and into the transport industry.’

Asif added, ‘Collectively we all need to work together to make Rail the number one career choice for all aspiring engineers. I hope that we see many more similar colleges open around the UK.’

Technical equipment

Rail work for Servicemen TfL is creating 30 paid work placements to help ex-Armed Forces members.

The aim of the scheme is to help those who may be wounded, injured or sick back into employment. Many people leaving the services often have skills that are readily adaptable to the railways.

A pilot scheme saw four exservicemen take up six-month work placements between 2010 and 2012. Three out of the four ended up with permanent positions at TfL or its suppliers.

Following the success of the trial a wider rollout of 30 six month 26

placements will see people working in engineering, planning, project management and operational roles.

Mark Mayungu took part in the pilot in 2012. He was an engineer in the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm for five years. Following a traffic accident where he broke his neck, he retired from the Navy. Mark joined the scheme and is now a Senior Traffic Engineer at TfL. ‘I was very lucky because 80 per cent of people who suffer my injury do not make a full recovery.

I met a lot of people with engineering skills during my time in rehab. Many of them have given

www.railstaff.co.uk

TRAINING

Signalling mentorship programme launched by advance-TRS The signalling recruitment team at advance-TRS has proposed a new mentorship programme.

Managers at advance-TRS hope the Signalling Mentorship Programme will see between 60 and 100 Testing Engineers achieve fully qualified IRSE Licence tester status within 12 months.

Says Daniel Forth-Rumley, Recruitment Consultant at advance-TRS, ‘It struck me that a vast amount of engineers have completed the testing courses, but still struggle to get the required mentorship opportunity to step up their testing grades.’

Daniel went on, ‘When approached, the majority of engineers jumped at the opportunity to join a programme offering consistent mentorship and employment, in return for the commitment to work critical bank holiday periods.’

Whilst signalling is just one of the key areas of concern, Network

Rail’s openness to invest and support possible solutions is welcome news. It is however essential that this message runs deeper than the senior management.

It remains a continual frustration for many of the principal contractors around the country that supply chain Testers in Charge (TIC) and Test & Commissioning Managers are reluctant to approve signal test plans that contain IRSE Licensed test engineers who are listed as working under mentorship. It is a

vicious circle and without the empowerment to use these aspiring trainee testers to gain the essential mentorship required, the problem will only magnify.

Alongside the High Speed Two project, Great Western electrification and Crossrail, Europe's biggest construction project, there will be major work taking place to implement new signalling technology as the industry progresses an ambitious programme to replace most of the current line side signals with incab technology.

Signalling is a critical discipline within the rail industry and with an ageing work force signalling delivery has a daunting challenge ahead. For example the Christmas commissioning period often shows up the critical shortfall of signal test engineers. With eight weeks to go rail chiefs remain concerned.

Andy Ridout, managing director of advance-TRS feels it is imperative to fill this skills shortage. Network Rail and its principal contractors are to be commended and encouraged as they work towards increased graduate and skilled recruitment programmes as well as investing in training, conversion programmes and mentorship schemes.

To hear more about the testing mentorship programme or simply to share your view on the issue faced within the rail recruitment sector, email advance-TRS at info@advance-trs.com or contact Andy Ridout on 01483 361061.

www.railstaff.co.uk

27

MANAGEMENT BY COMPUTER OUTPUTS DOESN’T WORK AND NEVER WILL! “Since 2005 the RAIB has investigated 18 accidents involving trackworkers, five were fatal; a further eight resulted in serious injuries” SAFETY Colin Wheeler colin@rail-media.com

This challenging statement is in the recently published Rail Accident Investigation Branch RAIB) report into the accident at Saxilby near Lincoln that resulted in the death of Scott Jobson on 4th December 2012.

He was the Controller of Site Safety (COSS) on that day. I wrote about this in both December 2012 and January this year. The report from the RAIB was issued on October 29th.

On site were five workers hired from Sky Blue who were all selfemployed individuals, although Sky Blue is part of the Carillion Group of companies. The COSS was hired by Amey Colas to lead the team carrying out ballast packing using reciprocating hammers following the installation of new way-beams at Sykes Bridge and rectifying track faults including twists.

SAXILBY Diagram based upon witness evidence showing position of the COSS at the time of the accident.

28

No paperwork and no briefing A Carillion Supervisor was present to monitor the works. After being diverted to nearby Bronston to carry out a survey the group returned to Sykes Bridge area. The COSS contacted the Signaller requesting a line blockage of the Down Line at Saxilby.

The Signaller advised that another COSS was already working nearby and it was agreed that he would act as Protection Controller for both gangs. Two blockages of the Down Line were agreed. Line Speed is limited to 50 mph in this area between Lincoln and Gainsborough.

A Site Warden was not appointed, a Safe System of Work (SSOW) form was not filled in and no briefing took place. When it became necessary to pack the sixfoot rail the COSS apparently took up a position from where he could look out for those working in the six-foot (see Diagram from the report) although such working is not permitted by the Rule Book.

The train driver subsequently told RAIB that the COSS was stood between the two tracks but stepped back towards the open line as he approached.

Two earlier incidents It was a near freezing day, the COSS knew that line blockages were difficult to get, and neither his SkyBlue colleagues nor the Carillion Supervisor challenged the safety of his method of working.

The work was noisy and the COSS would have been interested in getting the job done. The accident happened just six minutes after the start of the line blockage when a two car Class 142 Diesel unit struck the COSS causing fatal injuries.

The report notes that the COSS had failed to complete SSOW forms on previous occasions.

SkyBlue had taken no action after two incidents involving the same COSS during the previous two months. The report also refers to the trauma suffered by others involved in the Saxilby fatality.

Senior managers unaware The full report on another accident to a track worker at Bulwell, near Nottingham leaving him seriously injured has also just been released.

An Off-Track Inspector with ten years’ experience (two of them at Inspector level) he was familiar with the area. At 9-25 on August 6th last year he was undertaking a line-side vegetation inspection. He was using a “pre-planned system of work” but according to the report this was “unsuitable for the location and task being undertaken.”

The investigation found that the planner was unfamiliar with the location and that it was normal practice for the off-track section to plan and use the least protective system of work when undertaking inspections. The report notes that “senior managers were unaware that this had occurred” as they were provided with “inaccurate safety monitoring data”.

Train knocked him off his feet The investigation found that being unfamiliar with the location the Planner had wrongly assumed the “red zone working prohibited area” referred to the station platform area.

The inspection was to be done with the supervisor working as an “Individual Working Alone” (IWA) staying a minimum of two metres from the rail running edge. Where the cess was obstructed he reverted to working red zone as an IWA. At 0931 a train struck him a glancing blow knocking him off his feet. Further down the track the train driver stopped and inspected his train with the senior conductor.

They wrongly concluded that he had not been hit and after consulting the signaller it was agreed that they would continue their journey.

The CCTV recording of the www.railstaff.co.uk

TRACK SAFETY

SAXILBY - Diagram based upon witness evidence showing the areas of the first and second line

SAXILBY - Diagram based upon witness evidence showing the final positions of trackmen: hammer

blockage and positions of: the hammer operators (pink); staff using shovels (blue); the COSS’s original

operators (pink) working in the cess, four foot and six foot area on the down line; staff using their

position (green); and location during the secong line blockage (orange).

shovels (blue); the COSS’s original position (green); and location prior to the accident (orange).

accident indicated that the supervisor was no further than 70 cm from the rail when he was hit.

The report suggests that his bump hat may have limited his injuries.

He realised the seriousness of his injuries but was unable to summon help. Despite his condition he managed to walk back to the station platform from where an ambulance was called.

85% Red Zone working recorded as 29%!

The investigation found written evidence that off track inspectors are sometimes arriving on site to find that agreed line blockages were no longer available or would only be granted for a shorter period than needed. Consequently preplanned line blockages were seen as undesirable.

Inspectors took the view that since they were familiar with the area they could decide to reject unsuitable SSOW’s and use their own judgement on to how best to work safely. The result was “a significant difference between the usage of Red Zone working by Off Track Supervisors as recorded on the computer system ELLIPSE and reality”.

The extent of the misleading computer record is staggering.

According to ELLIPSE 71% of the work was done using Green Zones but in reality 85% was carried out in Red Zones using lookouts.

Turning up unannounced Unusually I have received comments on these two published RAIB reports before writing about www.railstaff.co.uk

them. One, a retired rail safety specialist says, “The disregard for track workers safety continues and will probably do so until someone is held accountable and loses their job”.

I don’t disagree, but I have even more sympathy with the other comment - “it is time we went back to the days when an HMRI (Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate) Inspector turned up unannounced in the middle of nowhere and sometimes in the early hours just to see what was really going on”.

Arguably this would not be necessary if managers, including senior ones did their jobs as they should.

team morale will rise and they will do a good job.

We need fewer safety bean counters and databases. The rail industry must change its focus to valuing and trusting skilled staff more than we do.

Finally my thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of

Get out more it’s good for safety Gathering statistics and filling in tick boxes is best done by random sampling. Time spent by managers and directors walking the job, unexpectedly checking on how work is being done and listening to people should be their first priority.

The collection and inputting of results onto a database is of limited use; and useless if it is inaccurate!

“Top down, command and control management” has been blamed for both the NHS hospital problems at Stafford and now Colchester. I believe the problems we have in railways are similar.

We need to mature to a regime of benevolent autocratic but listening management with personal responsibility and accountability. If staff know you support what they do, and are committed to safety,

the track worker in his 20’s who whilst working lineside near Stafford, suffered serious burns from the overhead line equipment and was taken to the Major Trauma Unit of Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

The RAIB has launched an investigation.

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CHARITY

Open Day success Staff at the Siemens train maintenance depot in Northam, Southampton raised £2,640 for those suffering with motor neurone disease by opening up the TMD for a behind-the-scenes Open Day. Over 1,700 local residents and rail enthusiasts turned up. Says Steve Walker, South West Trains Fleet Director at Siemens, ‘We really had a fantastic day with perfect weather adding to the atmosphere on site. It was great to see so many local people take the time to come and join us, raising

money for this hugely worthwhile charity in the process.

I’d like to thank everyone who volunteered their time and made an effort to contribute in some way, with particular thanks to the Swanage Railway for loaning us our star attraction – a Drummond M7 steam engine.’

Visitors were able to look under a train, sit in a driver’s cab, see a rerailing exercise and watch a train wheelset removed for maintenance. Cheerful Siemens staff hosted stalls and organised a special steam train ride on the day

to raise money for the local branch of the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association. South West Trains arranged a free shuttle bus service to and from the depot.

Partnership approach The open day on 12th October also celebrated the 10th anniversary of the opening of the depot and the partnership approach developed by Siemens and the South West Trains and Network Rail Alliance. Including

Macmillan support

London to Paris Cycle Ride

© SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Generous passengers and staff at East Midlands Trains have raised almost £6,000 for the Macmillan Cancer Support charity after the train operator took part in the World’s Biggest Coffee morning in September.

Cake sales complemented collections at stations and on trains. Says Steve Loane, Area Fundraising Manager for Macmillan Cancer Support, ‘A really massive thank you to all the East Midlands Trains passengers and staff for raising such a fantastic amount.’

Rebecca Vandyke, who works for First Capital Connect in the control centre at King’s Cross, has completed a 235 mile bike ride from London to Paris.

Rebecca helped raise money for the Stroke Association. Rebecca, 30, who is from St Albans, started her ride alongside 13 other participants in Twickenham and finished at the Eiffel Tower in Paris three days later. ‘It was the biggest cycle ride I have ever done and I am delighted to have raised money 30

the money raised on the day, over £5,600 has been donated to the MND Association.

Recently 19 employees took part in a London to Southampton cycle ride to raise money for the charity. MND was selected for support by local Siemens staff following the diagnosis of one of their colleagues with the progressive disease. SWT’s 172strong fleet of Siemens Desiro Class 444 and 450 trains are based at Northam.

for such a fantastic cause. Completing the ride was a huge personal challenge of mine.

‘I rode as part of a small group of riders, and it was emotional to listen to some of the stories behind why the others were participating.’ Rebecca plans to do more fundraising challenges for the Stroke Association in the near future. First Capital Connect (FCC) is donating £500 to the Stroke Association. www.railstaff.co.uk

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NEWS

For sale - one careful owner One of the most distinctive structures around the railway network is the humble signal box.

They are everywhere, and all seem to be made to the same design.

In fact, they are nearly all different - designed by a host of different manufacturers and placed, sometimes shoehorned, into varying locations.

They have their origins in simple platforms, placed near signallers’ huts so that they could get a better view of ‘their’ junction. The glasssided structures we know so well first appeared in the 1850s as signallers, and more importantly their newly-developed interlockings, needed protection from the weather.

Today, there are less than 500. As signalling technology has become more sophisticated, signalling areas have been combined, first into the power boxes of the 1960s and now into the ROCs - Regional Control Centres. Eventually there will be 12 of these monsters, and the reign of the signal box will be over.

But what should be done with them? A number are listed and have to be preserved - either in their original location or moved to a heritage railway. English Heritage has produced an interesting publication - Railway Signal Boxes, A Review by John Morris. You can find it online.

10,000, all over the country

Many, however, are not listed. A lot have already gone - demolished to save the cost of upkeep or to free up the land for another use.

Some are now museums, tea

Soon, every junction, station and level crossing had its own signal box. By 1948 there were 10,000 of them - all over the country.

Queen’s Award for Severn Valley Railway Volunteers Volunteers at the Severn Valley Railway, many of whom work for the rail industry, have been recognised with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

SVR deputy chairman Alan Longdon was presented with the award by the Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire and Shropshire at Kidderminster station on 21st October 2013. The 16 mile long preserved line connects Bridgnorth with Kidderminster and opened in 1862 when it was part of a 40 mile route between Hartlebury and Shrewsbury.

32

Lovingly converted by enthusiasts

shops or even holiday homes, lovingly converted by enthusiasts.

There are websites about signal boxes, with details of their architecture and construction.

Photos abound - grainy black and white ones taken when they were new and colour ones that always, somehow, look a bit seedier.

Buy one?

You can even buy one. Network Rail’s own website page on “Britain’s Signalling Heritage” includes the intriguing sentence: “If you are interested in acquiring a particular signal box please contact our asset disposal team by email.”

Fancy a new garden shed?

Bradley heads FT Transformers Richard Bradley has been appointed managing director of FT Transformers.

Richard, winner of this year’s Signalling and Telecommunications Engineer of the Year at the RailStaff Awards 2013, heads a growing team of rail electrical specialists at FT Transformers. Together with the team Richard Bradley designed and built the new Class II zero inrush transformer – zero inrush is the huge upsurge in current when a transformer is first switched on. The equipment is now in wide use on the rail network.

Before joining FT Transformers Richard worked for Bromsgrove Winding Services for 10 years as purchasing manager. At BWS Richard also became involved in design and sales. Before BWS he had trained as an apprentice at Birmingham Transformers.

Originally from Selly Oak in Birmingham Richard was educated at Bournville Secondary School and Matthew Bolton College where he gained an HNC in Business and Finance. He also studied Electrical Installation at Smethwick College and Test and Inspection (Electrics) at Stourbridge College.

A fully qualified swimming coach Richard enjoys swimming and playing squash and football. He is married to Lisa and the couple have a son, Evan aged 4.

The family live in Redditch.

Says Bob Wright, chairman of FT Transformers,

‘Richard has done pioneering work on zero inrush transformers which is now directly benefiting the rail industry and the people we serve. We are a tight focused team at FT Transformers and his enthusiasm and inspired technical expertise will be given full reign in his new role. I wish Richard every success.’

FT Transformers was founded in 1937 by a former radio engineer, Harry Forrest. FT Transformers supplied transformers to the London Underground ahead of the 2012 Olympics. Long experience has seen the company developing a transformer for the first cardiograph machine, helping with Frank Whittle’s pioneering development of the jet engine and supplying electronic equipment for the Barcelona Olympics.

www.railstaff.co.uk

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NEWS

Former King’s Cross drivers Alfred Smith, a sprightly 92 year old, and Walter Blazey. Walter broke his arm when he was a fireman on an A4 by catching it on the tender’s water scoop handle as he took on water.

Crewe-based London Midland driver Bob Fletcher was amongst around 80 former A4 crew members who gathered at the National Railway Museum on October 26 to be reunited with the six surviving A4 locomotives.

60008 Dwight D Eisenhower and 60010 Dominion of Canada will leave the UK next spring. The two A4s are on temporary loan to the NRM from the USA and Canada as part of the 75th anniversary celebrations to mark Mallard’s record breaking run on July 3rd 1938.

© JONATHAN WEBB

Drivers Reunited

4468 Mallard

There were also representatives from all major sheds including London Kings Cross ‘Top Shed,’ Edinburgh Haymarket, York, Doncaster, Gateshead, Peterborough, Carlisle, and Newton Heath (Manchester) where Mallard travelled through on its 50th anniversary.

Says Senior Curator of Railway Vehicles Anthony Coulls, ‘Given that many of the people that got in touch as a result of July’s Mallard 75 celebrations are well beyond retirement age we were amazed that so many could join us to form a special Great Gathering of former A4 crew.

‘It was one of the biggest get-togethers of steam loco crew in recent times and the museum and our visitors really enjoyed hearing about their colourful experiences of working as scheduled crew on the East Coast Mainline. The memories were certainly flowing and our drivers and firemen really enjoyed reliving their youth.’.

© JONATHAN WEBB

© JONATHAN WEBB

© JONATHAN WEBB

50th anniversary

gathered at the museum to pay homage to the Mallard’s record in its big anniversary year and meet up with footplate colleagues.

The autumn spectacular is the final time that Mallard will be meeting its five surviving sisters inside the York museum’s Great Hall. Other crew attending included George Purnell from Leeds who worked as a fireman for driver Tommy Bray and fired Mallard on that historic day in 1938 when it set an unsurpassed world speed record. He described travelling at speed on an A4 as ‘exhilarating.’

Mr Purnell also recalled how he left the railway in 1954 after realising he would never become a driver before steam was phased out and had no intention of driving diesels.

Familiar faces included the drivers who appeared on the TV coverage of the 3rd July anniversary including 92 year old Alf Smith from Essex, who was identified as a young man in one of the museum’s uncaptioned archive photos of Kings Cross workers.

Bob recalled how, as a child, he would spend hours in a field next to the line at Tamworth watching trains speed past and how in 1988, when he was based at Saltley depot, he had his hand on the regulator as 4468 Mallard made its way from Birmingham to Derby, passing the same spot.

Such was the competition at Saltley depot to drive steam specials that Bob laughs as he says, ‘The roster sheet frequently had holes in from the pen nib where names had been crossed out and replaced, with the drivers all vying for a turn on the footplate.’

Another A4 Bob has had the privilege of driving is Sir Nigel Gresley, which is still frequently seen on the main line. Now Bob drives Class 350s between Birmingham and Liverpool.

Nearly 20,000 people came to visit the opening weekend of the museum’s Autumn Great Gathering. Former crew members drove and fired Mallard. More than 75 former crew

(Left) Bob Fletcher – Saltley driver and steam star. (Centre) Former Doncaster fireman George Purnell was a fireman to driver Tommy Bray, the fireman on Mallard’s record breaking run in July 1938, and recalled how he left the railway in 1954 after realising he would never become a driver before steam was phased out and had no intention of driving diesels. (Right) Shed Master.

34

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Tyne and Wear Metro is launching a campaign aimed at stopping passengers obstructing train doors.

Says train driver, Chris Wray, ‘People obstruct the doors every day - I’ve had at least two or three incidents during my five-hour shift just now. I once saw a train with a walking stick stuck in the doors. People know they shouldn’t do it, because we tell them, but they still do.

‘It’s very frustrating as a driver to see it happening again and again.

It’s dangerous, makes us late and can cause problems with the doors, which means we have to take trains out of service - and that’s an inconvenience to passengers.’

The new campaign uses a specially commissioned animation called ‘Use your brain near a train.’

The satirical film features cartoon characters who receive a range of injuries as a result of obstructing train doors.

‘The campaign came about after a Rail Accident Investigation Branch report into an incident at Jarrow Metro station last year recommended better awareness training for the public. A woman’s arm became trapped in the doors of a train. She was dragged a short distance along the platform, as passengers on board raised the alarm and alerted the driver, who stopped the train.

‘Last year there were three incidents of people being trapped in train doors, but a survey carried out by two of DB Regio Tyne and Wear’s train drivers as part of the RAIB investigation show there are at least 20,000 incidents of passengers deliberately obstructing the doors on trains each year.

‘There have been 80 incidents of trains being delayed because of people holding doors open, since April. Passengers who are caught obstructing the doors face a fine of

Maine Chance Rail staff safety was the focus of a two-week operation by British Transport Police over the Halloween - Guy Fawkes Night extravaganza.

Operation Maine saw a concerted BTP attempt to combat verbal and physical assaults on rail staff encountered during this eventful period. The fortnight long initiative started on 28th October and ran for two weeks.

Says Superintendent Phil Wilkinson, ‘We know that this is an exciting time for the travelling public with Halloweenthemed parties and firework displays happening all over the country, and we aren’t trying to spoil the fun. What we are doing is reminding passengers to respect the rail staff who help you get to your parties and displays, safely.

‘Train guards, conductors, revenue staff, station staff and 36

© CHRIS MCKENNA

Mind the doors – again

Obstructing the doors is dangerous.

up to £1,000 and there have been two people prosecuted in the last 18 months.

Says Sharon Kelly, a director at DB Regio Tyne and Wear, ‘We introduced platform announcements and put posters up on train doors to remind passengers that they shouldn’t

BTP’s Operation Maine aims to safeguard railway staff.

even drivers, who are on the front line, are faced with abuse every day, simply for carrying out their role in keeping the railway running. In previous years, we have seen incidents where fireworks have been set off in stations, thrown at trains and conductors, causing injuries.

‘We do not want to see a repeat of this, which is why officers will be out in force over this two week period reassuring staff and passengers and deterring this type

of mindless criminality.’

Easy availability of fireworks, darker evenings, and cheap alcohol are all thought to contribute. Others believe darker forces are to blame. However the BTP remains resolute. ‘BTP takes a hard-line approach against those who assault staff, and, working closely with the rail industry partnership, we’re determined to provide a safe working environment for all,’ adds Superintendent Wilkinson.

obstruct the doors, but it doesn’t seem to have worked, because people are still doing it.

‘It’s madness really. You wouldn’t stick your hand in the door of a bus that was about to leave a bus stop, would you? But that’s just what people are doing on the Metro.’

Slip sliding away Darrell Beard couldn’t help keeping his eye on the clock as a railway man of 50 years standing.

Just before retiring Mr Beard, who works at Stroud station, rode the footplate up to London. The train arrived 14 minutes late. ‘It was because when he went from here he was slipping and sliding on the wet rails,’ said ever loyal Darrell Beard.

The cab ride was a farewell gift from drivers and bosses at First Great Western.

Mr Beard joined BR straight from school aged 15 and has worked at Stroud station ever since apart from a nine year spell in the shunting yard at Gloucester between 1967 and 1976. Mr Beard worked as a ticket seller, platform dispatcher and even found time to tend the 16 hanging baskets and 16 flower filled tubs that won praise from Stroud in Bloom. In winter he shovelled snow and provided exemplary customer service. ‘If it needed doing, I did it,’ said Mr Beard. www.railstaff.co.uk

NEWS

Tram team sign up

Just before the train reached Westbury the man opposite Maia Rees stood up and prepared to leave the train.

As he did so he suddenly turned, leaned forward and whispered, ‘By the way you’re beautiful…’ Maia was so surprised she said nothing.

The man alighted from the train and Maia 44, from Bruton sped on her way.

Now she has contacted local media in a bid to track the man down because, she says, she’d like to thank him. ‘He was very handsome, and over the course of the journey he kept glancing at me and I glanced back,’ says Maia. ‘I know that this is a long shot, but I have come to realise over the last year that you have to take chances in life and you only live once,’ she adds.

‘I would love to track down the gentleman in question even if it

Ticket inspectors are now being taken on by Edinburgh Trams.

Over 50 new Ticketing Services Assistants will join the rest of the staff ahead of the launch of services next May. Around 130 staff in total will work in a variety of different roles within Edinburgh Trams once the service goes live.

Earlier this year 1336 people applied for 57 tram driver and controller positions. The controversial scheme has proved popular with people who want to work on the new railway.

Says Lesley Hinds, the city’s Transport Convener, ‘Understandably there has been a focus on the role that tram drivers will play in the launch of the new service and we were overwhelmed at the amount of interest in these positions.’

www.railstaff.co.uk

© SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Beautiful game

just to say a huge thank you for making an otherwise tricky day 100 per cent better and raising my self esteem. It really made my day, and I know it sounds cheesy but there was definitely a connection there. You never know what could happen.’

The man was thought to be wearing a rugby scarf and could have been to see the Bath rugby game, rail officials believe.

Undaunted Maia wants to press on.

When the train pulled off he waved at her. If you can help contact the Shepton Mallet Journal.

37

NEWS

More trains for Wiltshire An improved Trans Wilts rail service between Westbury and Swindon, with additional trains running through Trowbridge, Melksham and Chippenham, could be in action by Christmas.

Local council leaders have backed the scheme and a detailed contract is being drawn up with First Great Western. The new timetable drawn up by FGW will see six additional trains a day in each direction from Monday to Saturday with an additional four trains on Sundays throughout the year.

The subsidised Trans Wilts service forms part of Wiltshire Council’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund project. Funding for the project comes from a Department for Transport (DfT) grant and will support the improved service for three years.

Says First Great Western Managing Director Mark Hopwood, ‘First Great Western has worked

“We are delighted with this decision, which will enable us to provide an extra six trains a day in each direction…”

MARK HOPWOOD, MANAGING DIRECTOR, FIRST GREAT WESTERN

Railway Heritage Trust reaches £100 Million Mark Sir William McAlpine, Chairman of the Railway Heritage Trust, handed over a cheque for £150,000 to the London Borough of Southwark in October marking completion of the restoration of the Abbey Street under bridge in Bermondsey.

The cheque means that the Trust has now sponsored work to the

value of over £100 million since it started in 1985. The Railway Heritage Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee. It aims to encourage the conservation and enhancement of historic railway buildings and structures. The Trust awards grants to a value of some £2 million a year.

hard with Wiltshire Council and the Trans Wilts Community Rail Partnership to secure these additional services.

‘We are delighted with today’s decision, which will enable us to provide an extra six trains a day in each direction. This is great news for passengers, allowing both commuters and leisure travellers a good value alternative to taking the car.’

38

Return of the 321 Ahead of a comprehensive fleet overhaul, Eversholt Rail has unveiled a Class 321 train with two different interiors – metro and suburban.

Staff at Wabtec’s Doncaster plant have also installed a new look first class compartment with leather seats and power sockets on unit 321448, the spruced up show-train.

Passengers on the Greater Anglia

network, where the 321 will go into service, will be able to evaluate and offer feedback on the new design.

Eversholt hopes to demonstrate that a high specification refurbishment of older rolling stock is not only significantly cheaper than purchasing new trains, but can offer passengers a comfortable, smart, new-look train that will meet their approval. The

© JONATHAN WEBB

© JONATHAN WEBB

Overnight tram tests on the Metrolink line to Rochdale town centre get underway this month.

Trams slipped through Rochdale under cover of darkness with a police escort. Overnight test trams travelled along the new route as far as Milnrow.

Says Andrew Fender, Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, ‘This is a crucial stage in getting Metrolink up-andrunning to Rochdale town centre as we start an extensive programme of testing on this onstreet route.

‘We know people are really looking forward to having trams run through the town centre.

While there’s still a lot of work to do, including extensive driver training on the route, I look forward to seeing passenger services up and running as soon as possible.’

© JONATHAN WEBB

Rochdale night riders test line

project cost for the demonstrator class 321 is put at over £4 million.

321448 will go from Doncaster to Ilford depot in November before entering passenger service for a 12 month period in December. Work on refurbishing the entire fleet of 94 sets will commence in 2015 and should be completed by 2019. Eversholt Rail recently completed its upgrade of the Class 320 fleet used by ScotRail. www.railstaff.co.uk

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History Channel for High Speed Two Andy Milne considers the real reason we should back HS2 world affairs.

In keeping with public opinion the UK plans to draw down its role in Afghanistan. Troop numbers overall are being reduced by 20% as a result of the recession.

Expensive and inconclusive foreign adventures look increasingly unlikely.

Closer to home the continuing Euro crisis makes a referendum on withdrawal from the European Union after the next election all but inevitable. A consequent vote to leave the EU will further confirm British insularity.

Isolation Britain’s growing isolation makes it doubly imperative to increase commerce and industry. The UK cannot survive as a two tone backwater loitering up country from London’s prosperous city state.

Conversely for the midasmetropolis to survive, London needs better connections with the rest of the country. Good communications have always been key to Britain’s success.

The invading Romans built a network of High Speed military

highways to Dover, York and Chester - and Exeter. Even today trains on HS1 are named for the legionnaires’ favoured weapon of despatch – the javelin.

If the idea was to speed the legions on their way the effect was to open up the ingenuity of the greatest trading nation ever known. Tongue in cheek though that might appear it is the creation of reliable communication links that sped the British on their way.

Maritime supremacy might have started as a race against Dutch hegemony - cross channel links were as controversial then as they are now - but it led to the creation of a navy capable of protecting trading ships globally.

Good communications World trade and an expanding empire stimulated the Industrial Revolution. This really came of age with the arrival of the railway.

Lines were put down almost every where.

Good communications are an important element for any functioning, successful state. For a country determined to strengthen its economy after disappointment

abroad, they are essential.

With Britain’s motorway network and radial railways so often clogged to suffocation, high speed rail will cut a welcome swathe through the under brush of congestion with all the panache of a Roman legion hacking north up Ermine Street.

The immediate economic effect of the new high speed rail network will be to free up capacity for more freight trains linking Felixstowe, London and Southampton with Birmingham, Manchester and the great industrial heartlands of the north and Scotland. HS2 will be the catalyst for new business.

If foreign affairs dictate the new imperatives of a stronger economy domestic dynamics are no less urgent.

The effect of the London commercial phenomena is to

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The debate over High Speed Two goes right to the heart of the quandary the UK finds herself in 13 years in to the new millennium.

The project is of far greater significance than stopwatch psychology or getting a seat on the 7.24 from Leighton Buzzard might imply. HS2 needs to be seen in its wider historical context for its value to be appreciated.

The main significance of the headline event in British foreign affairs this summer passed almost unnoticed by the wider public. In August parliament voted against military intervention in Syria.

Most people chuckled at David Cameron’s embarrassment. The PM may have regretted recalling his fellow parliamentarians to debate intervention but in the long run he knew he had to carry the country with him. The message from post-Olympian Brits was plain enough - keep out of foreign entanglements.

Historically the Syrian Vote will be seen as a turning point. The parliamentary defeat for Cameron marked the departure of the British from the centre stage of

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FEATURE

create a feverish city state overheating in its congested tarmac ringed basin. For London to grow and command the strategic heights of an emerging e-barrierfree world economy it needs to be better connected to the undercultivated hinterlands from which it draws its strength. Best of all it will further profit by oxygenating its energies the length and breadth of the land.

Wealth creation

What other head of state could get away with apparently parachuting into the arena with James Bond? You don’t stop being cool in your 80s in Great Britain, that’s for sure.

The UK will continue to be a winner and an exemplar if we, the people, believe it can be. The Olympics were a testament of confidence. Seen in this light HS2 is not a whimsical idea of a minute saved here and there but the continuing hard concrete and steel foundation of future success.

If we shy away from high speed rail we turn our back collectively on a future that beckons brighter, peaceful and more successful than the past. The great days for the British lie not in our history books but beyond the yet unmilled ribbons of rail leading to a future of prosperity, equality and peace.

Back High Speed Two. Do something positive for your country’s future. Argue for it on social media and in the press and on radio phone-ins - fight with growing confidence on the air.

Write to your MP. Shout about it for it is in all our interests that it is built and used by future generations to whom we owe a duty of care and vision.

“The net effect of HS2 will be to make Britain a stronger, better proposition in commerce and economics…”

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For the last 30 years successive governments of both complexions have tried hand wringing social engineering schemes designed to narrow the gap between the north and south.

High speed rail does not so much cry ‘mind the gap’ as close it altogether. The effect of high speed rail links in other countries is to

unite provincial cities with capitals in quickening waltz of wealth creation.

The net effect of HS2 will be to make Britain a stronger, better proposition in commerce and economics. However the last point concerns a coy national psychology.

Last year Britain came third in the medal tally at the London Olympics. Perhaps an even more dramatic achievement was the success of the Paralympics Games and the effect it had on the prospects of the people it emancipated.

The UK carried this off with confidence and humour. It provided a lesson to the rest of the world that everyone is worth more than they think and that the dignity of the individual is our abiding moral value.

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41

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www.railstaff.co.uk

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

www.anderselite.com/rail-jobs

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

General Foreman - Nights - £60k package + overtime, Central London

Senior S&T Engineering Lead - £market beating + benefits, Yorkshire

Required to drive Civils works across the night shift on a major Rail project.

Shifts run 6pm - 6am Mon - Fri. Responsible for managing 4 Foremen

A unique opportunity for an experienced individual to spearhead the development of an S&T division within an entrepreneurial environment.

To be considered for this role, you will

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

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

Contact: Jon Sheridan | 0113 242 0303 | jon.sheridan@anderselite.com

Commercial Director - £on application + excellent benefits, Central London

General Foreman - £competitive + benefits, National

Privately owned and growing Principal Contractor requires a Commercial Director to successfully manage a portfolio of rail projects in the South

Multiple opportunities throughout the UK for self-motivated individuals with passion and drive to deliver projects on time and to the necessary quality whilst

Call us today: Leeds Tel: 0113 242 0303

and up to 100 men.

Major Civils project exp required along with SMSTS, CSCS Card as a minimum.

East. Must have a demonstrable track record in the industry. Ideally educated to degree level or equivalent and Chartered.

be THE expert in your market, ideally Chartered and be experienced across Design & Construct projects. Fantastic opportunity for an individual being held back in the corporate world.

exceeding client expectations. Must be able to manage and motivate site teams.

PTS, SMSTS, First Aid required as well as willingness to travel and lodge.

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

Contact: rob.hobdell@anderselite.com or jon.sheridan@anderselite.com

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

OHL Design Lead - £above market rate + benefits, Yorkshire

Several Project Managers required to work on projects throughout the South East. This role will offer autonomy in a non-process driven environment with a forward thinking

Seeking an ambitious individual with detailed knowledge and experience of the Overhead line and Distribution market to lead on engineering issues & support project teams through GRIP

London Tel: 020 7743 7500 contactus@anderselite.com

business that is projecting fantastic growth. Seeking individuals educated to degree level or equivalent with extensive Civils delivery experience in the rail sector.

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

stages to completion. Opportunity to recruit and build a team in your own vision. Must have extensive experience and contacts within the sector.

Contact: Jon Sheridan | 0113 242 0303 | jon.sheridan@anderselite.com

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

www.trsstaffing.com

Rail and Infrastructure Vacancies 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:

Senior Quantity Surveyor NEC contract experience required London, Swindon & Wales £35 - 60K or £300 - 400/day Rail, Airport & Utilities with a Civils background

Electrical Engineers London/Manchester/Birmingham £35 - 60K or £350 - 500/day Working on major new projects

Rail Project Managers (CRE), Site Agent & Sub-Agents Regional- £35 - 55K or £250 - 400/day Experience on rail Civils works – Bridge refurbishments, embankments and Earthworks

Telecoms Project Engineers and Managers London - £250 - 350/day or £35 - 55K Mainline Rail Project Experience

P6 Planners

Drainage Engineers

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

London, North West & South West £35 - 55K or £250 - 350/day Civils, Track and Rail drainage experience ideally.

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

Resource Coordinator/Manager A permanent position based in Stafford with immediate start.

Package negotiable for a suitable candidate with relevant rail recruitment background.

P-Way and Civil’s Staff Long term project in the Stafford area.

P-Way and Civil’s Staff of all competence required including: PTS Gangs and Safety Critical, CSCS / PTS Groundworkers, Bricklayers, Joiners, Concrete finishers and Steel fixers.

To apply...

Please email your CV to m.davenport@isslabour.co.uk or contact Matt on 01785 336 620 for more information.

www.isslabour.co.uk

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

Rail, Infrastructure & Construction www.railstaff.co.uk

Professional Services • Labour Supply • Minor Works • Track Lighting • Safety Barrier Fencing 46

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

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

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

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

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

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