26 | RailStaff | January 2012
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Vienna match for Railsport Rail industry plans University Challenge The Railsport Games Great Britain Chess Team took part in a strong Railway International Tournament in Vienna recently. The team took on Czech Railways, who went on to win the tournament, Swiss Railways and Austrian Railways. Eight players and a non-playing captain travelled to Vienna. The team included Graham Bolt and John Bass of Network Rail, Peter Eldridge and Barry Kocan of South West Trains, Tony Lee of CSC, Dave Perrett of Arriva Trains Wales, Alan Giles of Virgin and Trevor Jones who is retired. Nicholas Mahoney of DB Schenker was the nonplaying captain. The match is an annual event, apart from every fourth year, when the European Railway Championships take place, with the next one set for 2012 in Hungary. Railsport GB is keen to recruit additional players. If you want to find out more about Railsport Chess activities, including over the board matches in London, please contact Mike Broad on 020 7904 or 07771 670896 or E mail: mike.broad@networkrail.co.uk
Staff special launched
The rail industry has launched a new scheme designed to attract graduates onto the railway. The scheme - Track and Train - will provide an allround industry experience over 18 months, where graduates will enjoy three, six-month placements: one at Network Rail and two at either a passenger or freight operator or another company within the rail sector. Says Patrick Butcher, Network Rail’s group finance director, responsible for the scheme, ‘We know that there are many smart, talented individuals out there that haven’t had their break yet and as a growing industry we can work together to provide challenging, valuable and paid work experience to kick start their careers. ‘What sets this scheme apart is those involved will work across the rail industry and by linking it all together, develop a fantastic knowledge and understanding of the challenges we all face and the opportunities for the future.’ Graduates already at work in the railway are recommending the scheme. Says Karl Grewar, a graduate working at Network Rail and on secondment to London Travelwatch, ‘Being at university is very different to the workplace so it is vital graduates know how to behave in a business environment. Learn to plan, to multi-task and to prioritise your workload. ‘Any work experience you can get under your belt
and refer to in interviews is well worth it. Get used to the sound of your voice and to speaking in front of people as you’ll be talking to people at all levels. I have been surprised at how many graduates’ communication skills aren’t up to scratch leaving university.’
Record success for Bodmin and Wenford
Direct Rail Services has started trials of a staff train, aimed at reducing traffic congestion at Sellafield. The week day service from Carlisle will be made up of three reserved carriages for Sellafield workers and one additional carriage for members of the public hauled by a class 37. After Sellafield, all carriages will be made available to the
public through to Barrow. In a further development DRS has ordered 15 new diesel locomotives. The Vossloh Espana Eurolight UK locomotives will be based on the Eurolight locomotive and will be built in Spain. The locos have a 3750hp Caterpillar c175 engine and ABB AC traction equipment and a top speed of 100 mph.
Fishguard fanfare The station at Goodwick near Fishguard in Pembrokeshire could reopen as soon as March. Network Rail has now lowered and realigned the track closer to the existing platform at Goodwick. The progress has been welcomed by local rail campaigners. The existing Fishguard station at the ferry terminal is too far outside the town, locals say. Hatti Woakes, secretary of the North Pembrokeshire Transport Forum, says Goodwick station is better and more accessible. ‘The
problem with the station (at Fishguard) is it’s quite far out, at least 10 minutes walk from the town and most people are taken there by car. There is a car park which is expensive, it’s £7 a day. It’s a bit of a disincentive and it’s putting some people off, especially people who live outside of Fishguard.’ Trains have not stopped at Goodwick since 1964. ‘Goodwick is more convenient for many people. It’s going to be very simple because of the funding constraints but people will be
able to park for free and the bus service will stop right outside the gates,’ says Hatti. Services on the line have been increased and railways are experiencing higher levels of passenger ridership. Services at Fishguard have increased from two a day to seven thanks to funding by the Welsh government. Pembrokeshire council owns the station site while the work to reopen it is being funded through the Welsh government’s regional transport plan.
The Bodmin and Wenford Railway has notched up a third successive record-breaking year. Passenger numbers are up and turnover at an all time high. After the last train, the Mince Pie Special, had returned to Bodmin General Station on New Year’s Eve, the BWR had recorded its best ever results in a calendar year. A total of 55,789 passengers marked an increase of 6.6 per cent on 2010 which itself was a record year. Achieving such impressive re-
sults for the second consecutive year is a major milestone for the railway and its staff, the majority of whom are volunteers. The good news marks a fitting finale to its 25th anniversary year. The preserved line started in June 1986. In December 2011 alone, over 5,300 people travelled on the Railway’s Santa by Steam and Mince Pie Specials, 7.9% more than in the same month last year. The 6½-mile line between Bodmin Parkway and Boscarne Junction was originally opened in 1887-88. Passenger
services ceased in January 1967. ‘The success of the 2011 season is a further tribute to all our staff, both paid and volunteer, who have worked extremely hard throughout the year to present a caring and professional image to our visitors. We are all naturally delighted that 2011 has again been our best year ever with a record number of passengers and turnover, and are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported us this year,’ says Richard Jones, General Manager of the BWR.