RailStaff July/August 2020

RAILSTAFF.CO.UK © PA Images

TRAGEDY AT STONEHAVEN ScotRail HST crashes, killing 3 of the 9 people on board

3

06

CONTENTS JULY/AUGUST 2020 | ISSUE 268 TRAGEDY AT STONEHAVEN | 06

The tragic accident at Stonehaven took place just as RailStaff closed for print, but we analyse what we know so far.

RU OK TODAY? | 16

Organisers of the ‘RUOKToday?’ initiative are planning a major online event on Thursday 12 September 2020, to support travellers who may need comfort or simple encouragement.

EIGHT INCIDENTS THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED | 20

16

Rules are to be obeyed. But, as Colin Wheeler asks in his regular track safety feature, are they all good enough? Are there too many?

Why do track workers decide not to follow them?

20

WHITE ZONE WORKING NOW! | 24

The RAIB’s annual reports look back at accident investigations over the last twelve months and makes some recommendations for the future.

YRP'S WORLD WIDE WEB 'TAKEOVER' | 28

Lockdown has been a strange time, with events cancelled and most people working from home. So why has Young Rail Professionals been busier than ever?

24

28 30

S

T H G I L T O P

FOR 94.

RWARDRE | 56 O F since 19 G MOVIN HTER FUTU ained unchangehdip fee is one A BRIG es have rem d members nt Fun ny pric .

Not ma port Benevole needed s is now n e s ra a T e re Th n inc s, but a that ha

LOCKDOWN ON RAILWAY TRAINING | 30

While lockdown was in place, no one could travel and face-to-face meetings were barred, railway training companies such as Amtrain suddenly had no work to do.

Are your windscreen wipers the best in their class?

If they are that’s great, if they aren’t then contact PSV Wipers by email sales@psvwipers.com or by phone 01905 350500

PSV Wipers have everything you need to improve your wipers from wash jets, wiper blades and wiper arms to full replacement electric motor assemblies including pneumatic to electric conversions.

As the UK’s leading supplier of Rail stainless steel wiper blades, from traditional 460mm (18”) Rail Flat Blades to 1200mm Rail Bridged Blades PSV have consistently improved performance and minimised unscheduled maintenance for depots.

Why not discover the benefits PSV Wipers equipment can bring to your fleet, by contacting our Rail Specialist Paul Curry today.

PSV Wipers Ltd., 18 Kempton Road, Keytec 7 Business Park, Pershore, Worcestershire. WR10 2TA.

Staff

Paul O’Connor

Editor:

Nigel Wordsworth

Production and design:

Adam O’Connor

Matthew Stokes

Track safety:

Colin Wheeler

Advertising:

Asif Ahmed

Craig Smith

NEWS

5

Death on the railway

Contact us: Publisher:

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

Contact email addresses News: news@rail-media.com Track safety: colin@rail-media.com Pictures: pictures@rail-media.com Adverts: adverts@rail-media.com Subscriptions: manda@rail-media.com Contact details RailStaff Publications, Rail Media House, Samson Road, Coalville, Leicestershire, LE67 3FP. Tel: 01530 816 444 Fax: 01530 810 344

© PA Images Web: www.railstaff.co.uk

Like so many others, I was shocked and saddened by the news from Stonehaven.

Email: hello@rail-media.com Printed by PCP Ltd. RailStaff is published by RailStaff Publications Limited A Rail Media Publication

®

© All rights reserved. No part of this magazine can be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of the copyright owners.

© RAIB

Saddened, because three people had lost their lives, two doing their job of work and one trustingly using the railway as a mode of transport.

Shocked, because it is 13 years since this has happened. Then, a Pendolino operated by Virgin Trains came off the railway at high speed over a set of points. It, too, plunged down an embankment. One person died.

So, since 23 February 2007, the railway has been a completely safe mode of transport. The fact that it isn’t, adds to the shock.

As does the sheer violence of the impact.

270 tonnes of train coming off the track at 70mph has a lot of kinetic energy, and when it stops suddenly the result is both spectacular and terrifying.

However, the one adjective I haven’t yet used is surprised. While the railway is as safe as it can be made, although some sensationalists will always use hindsight to say more should have been done, it isn’t – and never can be – 100 per cent safe.

In fact, people are hurt or die on the railway almost every day. In 2019/2020, 306 people died on the railway, not including this accident at Stonehaven and the track worker deaths that were much publicised at the time.

The majority of those, 283, were suicides.

It is a particularly selfish form of suicide – not that all suicides aren’t selfish in some way – but it has a dreadful effect on the railway staff involved. The drivers are possibly the worst affected – they can’t steer out of the way,

can’t brake in time, all they can do is watch through the windscreen.

Station staff who see it happen, and may attempt to prevent it, can be traumatised as well. They, with the drivers, are the unwilling participants in these dramas.

Then there are the clean-up crews. The British Transport Police officers who have to control the scene and try to establish whether the person jumped or was pushed. The track itself has to be cleared by people in full PPE carrying plastic sacks. Then, when the train gets back to the depot, more cleaners in full hazmat suits have to get underneath it and powerwash it off. It can be said that these people at least know what they are letting themselves in for, but it can’t help but have an effect on them.

In addition to suicides, 17 trespassers were killed last year, people who were on the railway when they shouldn’t have been. Graffiti ‘artists’ spray-painting railway infrastructure or drunks taking a short cut. They put themselves at risk.

So, too, may have the six people who died on level crossings. They may have been impatient, or distracted, or just careless.

But the big difference between all of those and the three killed at Stonehaven was that they had entrusted themselves into someone else’s care. The two employees, the driver and conductor, trusted their employer to get them home safely after their shift, while the passenger had entrusted the train operator to get him safely to his destination.

And the railway let them down. nigel@rail-media.com FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF | @RAIL_STAFF | RAILSTAFF.CO.UK

6

NEWS

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

TRAGEDY AT STONEHAVEN

SCOTRAIL HST CRASHES NEAR STONEHAVEN, ABERDEEN, KILLING 3 OF THE 9 PEOPLE ON BOARD

J

ust as RailStaff was closing for press, news came through of the dreadful train crash near Aberdeen.

The cause wasn’t immediately apparent, but information started to come out after a couple of days. In addition, railway experts David Shirres, Malcolm Dobell and David Bickell from sister magazine Rail Engineer pored over video and photos to try and work out what could have happened.

The train involved was the 06:38 from Aberdeen to Glasgow. It was a six-car, four coach (plus a Class 43 power car at each end) ‘HST’ train of the type used by ScotRail for its Inter7City services. They have a seating capacity of around 250.

Only nine people were on board this service – three crew (driver, conductor and an off-duty conductor) and six passengers.

What follows is, of course, under investigation. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch, Office of Rail and Road and British Transport Police will all be involved, along with Network Rail and ScotRail. However, with the help of Rail Engineer, RailStaff has pieced together what could have happened.

SPECULATION The train departed on time and called at Stonehaven as normal. It then continued southwards, past Carmont, until, at around 07:15, it was stopped by a radio message from the signaller at Carmont, who had just received a report from the driver of a train on the Down (northbound) line that a landslip was obstructing the up line between Carmont and Laurencekirk. © PA Images

RAILSTAFF.CO.UK | @RAIL_STAFF | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF

© DC Thomson

After a lengthy wait for further instructions, the driver walked to the rear cab and began to return to Aberdeen, the wrong way up the southbound line, at slow speed.

At Carmont, the train was able to cross over onto the correct northbound line, at which time the driver was able to accelerate up to near normal linespeed – 75mph.

About two miles north of the crossover, the train rounded a corner and encountered a small landslip across the track. It was large enough to derail the leading power car but, by the time that it and a couple of coaches had ploughed through it, the rear power car stayed upright, though also derailed.

The leading power car derailed to the left of the track and continued straight on as the track itself curved gently to the right. This path took it through the parapet of the small bridge over a stream, about 80 metres from the landslip, and then down into the trees beyond. Once it hit the trees, it stopped almost immediately.

At some stage, either when hitting the bridge or when going into the trees, the diesel fuel tank split. This released the fuel which then formed an aerosol with the air and exploded, a phenomenon that had previously been experienced during the accident at Ladbroke Grove in 1999.

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

NEWS

7

Landslip

The hot blast of this fuel/air mixture igniting caused the black smoke seen in various news reports and also engulfed the front of the train.

Due to the high energy involved in the crash, the sudden stopping of the power car broke its coupling with the other coaches. The first coach came to rest on its roof, having rotated to be at right angles to the track. The second coach also overturned onto its roof and came to rest on the first carriage.

The third coach fell off the track altogether and ended up down the bank, while the fourth coach, which remained upright and still coupled to the rear power car, came to rest on top of the first coach. All wheelsets of the rear power car derailed, but it remained upright.

All of the coaches were of one-piece welded steel monocoque construction and remained largely intact, although the one at the bottom of the pile of other coaches distorted somewhat.

In the aftermath of the crash, the off-duty conductor found she had no telephone signal, so she reportedly had to walk a mile to report the accident.

A local witness also called the emergency services.

There are, of course, many unanswered questions, though the on-board forward-facing video and ‘black box’ recorder may answer many of these.

GRAYRIGG There are some similarities with the UK’s last fatal crash, at Grayrigg on 23 February 2007. A nine-car Pendolino unit travelling at 95mph was derailed as it passed over a set of points. It came to rest 320 metres from the points with eight of its vehicles on the side, or at the bottom, of an embankment.

Having hit an OLE structure, the lead vehicle jack-knifed and came to rest side facing backward. Another four vehicles finished on their sides.

There were four crew and at least 105 passengers on board.

© RAIB

One passenger in the lead vehicle was fatally injured, two crew members, including the driver, sustained serious injuries and 58 passengers received minor injuries as a result of being thrown around within the vehicles or being hit by objects.

The big difference is that the Pendolino came to a halt over a distance of about 320 metres, sliding down a grassy bank and only hitting one signal structure as it took around 13 seconds to stop moving. At Stonehaven, the train, travelling only a little

slower, hit the bridge within 80 metres and came to a complete halt in under 150 metres. The deceleration was therefore much higher. Thank goodness there were so few people on the train!

This is all speculation, based purely on photographic evidence. No doubt, this will all come out over the coming months. RailStaff, Rail Engineer and all at Rail Media extend their heartfelt sympathies to all of those involved, particularly those who lost loved ones.

FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF | @RAIL_STAFF | RAILSTAFF.CO.UK

8

NEWS

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

Hull Trains returns HS2 headhouse to look like barn HS2 has published its final design for the Chalfont St Peter vent shaft headhouse – the first of four similar structures that will provide ventilation and emergency access to the high-speed rail line’s 10-mile-long Chiltern tunnel.

Set back from the road, the design of the single-story building takes its inspiration from the style of local barns and other agricultural buildings, allowing it to fit into the surrounding landscape.

The building will be wrapped in a simple grey zinc roof with doors and vent openings picked out in a dark bronze colour to provide contrast. The pre-weathered grey zinc roof will age naturally over time, without loss of robustness or quality, while the whole structure will sit on a simple dark blue brick base.

Below ground level, a 60 metre ventilation shaft will reach down to the twin tunnels below, with fans and other equipment designed to regulate air quality and temperature in the tunnels, remove smoke in

The government has stepped in to provide £8.5 million of financial support to keep services running on the Tyne and Wear Metro while passenger numbers continue to recover.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed the funding which is in addition to an initial £8.6 million of emergency support RAILSTAFF.CO.UK | @RAIL_STAFF | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF

the event of a fire and provide access for the emergency services.

Rohan Perin, HS2’s C1 project client director, said: “Once construction is complete, the headhouse at Chalfont St Peter will be one of very few structures of the Chiltern tunnels that will be visible to residents living nearby. That’s why it’s critical that we get the design right.”

There will be more direct trains from Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire to London after Hull Trains resumes services.

Trains between Beverley and London Kings Cross will be running from Friday 21 August the first time they have done so since Sunday 29 March when services were temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The open access rail operator will initially introduce a limited timetable - it plans to run two services southbound and northbound on Monday to Saturday and three services southbound and northbound on a Sunday.

Hull Trains managing director Louise Cheeseman said: “I am so thrilled to announce a return date for Hull Trains as the numbers of people using rail services has started to increase across the country. By relaunching services in August, we are giving families and friends an opportunity to spend some quality time together.

“We are excited to give people the opportunity to travel safely so they can make the most of the rest of the summer season and the services we plan to introduce on the timetable will give people the best chance to do this.”

Level-crossing safety warning Government support for Tyne and Wear Metro

Network Rail has issued a safety warning to users of level crossings after a family was found taking photographs on the tracks at a level crossing in Hutton between Shenfield and Billericay on the Southend Victoria branch line.

that was announced on 1 May and a further £7.6 million on 26 May. It means that the government has now committed a total of £24.7m for Metro to support its services during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, has welcomed further financial support, and said that the money would help to sustain its services until the end of October.

The government aid is part of the DfT’s programme to help other metro and light rail networks around the country, which totals: • Tyne and Wear Metro £24.7 million • Manchester Metrolink £44 million • Sheffield Supertram £6.8 million • Nottingham Express Transit £12.1 million • West Midlands Metro £ 5.7 million

Instead of crossing over quickly, the family of four, which includes two young children, stopped to take photographs on the tracks at Knights level crossing in Hutton. A train was less than three minutes away.

Trains travel at up to 80mph on this line and the number of train services have increased over the last few weeks, which means the risk is extremely high.

Network Rail’s community safety manager, Becky Crocker, was shocked by the images and has issued a warning to others: “Level crossings are dangerous and, just as you wouldn’t stand in the middle of a busy road to take photographs, nor should you on a level crossing. Trains travel at high speeds and can’t swerve out of the way or stop quickly and you don’t always hear them until it’s too late.”

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

NEWS

9

George Stephenson viaduct to be restored

A 180-year-old viaduct in Todmorden, Lancashire, that was designed by railway pioneer George Stephenson, is undergoing a multi-million-pound restoration to improve passenger journeys and secure its future for generations to come.

The 1840-built Grade II listed Gauxholme viaduct will be grit blasted to its bare metal for structural repairs to take place in a £3.7 million investment project. The important piece of railway heritage, which spans the Rochdale canal, will then be deep cleaned and repainted back to its Victorian splendour.

Taylors bridge, which carries the railway over Rose Bank Road near Todmorden

station, will also be completely reconstructed with two disused sections permanently removed as part of the same investment.

Both projects mean the railway through Todmorden will be entirely closed from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November.

Network Rail scheme project manager Kathryn Berry said: “This work to restore the impressive Gauxholme viaduct and renew Taylor’s bridge is essential to improve passenger journeys through Todmorden.

“We have been working closely with Calderdale Council on our plans and thank passengers, road users and the local community in advance for their patience while we deliver this essential work.”

Crossrail delayed yet again Crossrail’s board has considered the latest update from its leadership team concerning the impact of COVID-19 on progress to complete the Elizabeth line.

This is now in its complex final stages with a comprehensive plan to complete the railway focused on completing the remaining construction and systems integration followed by intensive operational testing.

Physical activity on sites was paused due to COVID-19 and only some of the time that was lost can be recovered. As a result, the opening of the central section between Paddington and Abbey Wood next summer,

as announced earlier this year prior to COVID-19, is not achievable.

Mark Wild, Crosrail chief executive said: “We have a comprehensive plan to complete the railway but existing schedule pressure, along with COVID-19, has impacted the programme and time has been lost. Further work is being undertaken to finalise our detailed recovery plan which re-sequences the remaining work.

“We are striving to commence intensive operational testing for the Elizabeth line, known as Trial Running, at the earliest opportunity. Our focus right now is on completing the remaining infrastructure works so that we can fully test the railway.”

Angel Trains donates £100,000 to Railway Children Train leasing company Angel Trains will be donating £100,000 to its long-standing charity partner, Railway Children, which provides protection and opportunity for street children who have been displaced in India, East Africa and the UK. Of this sum, over £80,000 has been raised following the sale of retired Class 142 Pacer units to heritage railways, community railways and emergency services. The remaining £20,000 will be donated as part of Angel Trains’ continued sponsorship of the charity’s annual Railway Ball, which has been postponed this year.

Announcing the donation, Kevin Tribley, CEO of Angel Trains, said: “Whilst the Pacers have come to the end of their lifecycle on our railways, it’s great to see how they continue to deliver for this fantastic charity.

“We’re delighted to have raised this milestone amount of money and look forward to seeing how it will make a difference to children’s lives across the world at a challenging time.”

The Class 142 Pacer units were built between 1985 and 1987. With some of the units coming to the end of their operation at the end of last year, a selection was offered to a range of heritage and community railways, with all proceeds being donated to Railway Children.

FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF | @RAIL_STAFF | RAILSTAFF.CO.UK

10

PEOPLE

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

Mott MacDonald appoints Mike Brown to shareholder committee Mike Brown MVO, the former Transport Commissioner for London, has been appointed

by Mott MacDonald as an independent member of its shareholders’ committee.

As part of this 20-strong committee, comprised of senior Mott MacDonald employee shareholders, Mike will provide support, oversight and challenge to the executive board. With extensive experience of infrastructure industry leadership, he will also advise on strategies and key issues, endorsing significant decisions and actions.

As Commissioner for Transport for London, Mike was responsible for all public transport in the capital and oversaw one of Europe’s largest and most

complex major investment programmes. Most recently, he led the transport network’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that critical workers were able to get to and from work. He also led the negotiations with Government for emergency funding necessary for the continued operation of services.

Before becoming Commissioner, Mike was managing director of London Underground and London Rail for five years. Prior to this he was managing director of Heathrow Airport.

Mike was recently appointed as the chair of the Restoration & Renewal Delivery Authority for the Houses of Parliament.

This project will see the Palace

of Westminster modernised and made more accessible.

Passionate about the skills agenda, he led the UK Government’s Strategic Transport Apprenticeship Taskforce, which seeks to address challenges by creating new, high quality apprenticeships, improving diversity in the transport sector and working across industry to promote transport careers to young people and their influencers.

Commenting on his appointment, Mike Brown said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Mott MacDonald’s shareholders’ committee of as one of the independent members. The organisation has a unique ownership model with an ethos based on working

marketing director, Alison’s contribution to the growth of the Institution cannot be understated, and this was very much expressed at her retirement last year by David Packer and colleagues, including those from the London Section, of which she was a great part.

Alison remained close to the PWI, lending her skills and deep technical knowledge as PWI technical editor, and attending and supporting events. The news of her sudden decline in health came as a terrible shock to all.

She passed away peacefully at the end of June, at home, with her family beside her. Colleagues say they cannot describe their sadness over this loss, nor the high esteem and affection felt for Alison within the PWI and beyond, but they will endeavour to try. The executive team is organising a heartfelt tribute to her life and career, to be published in the October Journal.

Journal manager Kerrie Illsley, a

very close friend to Alison and her family, is also organising a Memorial Book.

“I have so many cherished memories of Alison, our friendship, mentorship and our giggles together,” said Kerrie. “I’d like to produce a Memorial Book to gift to her family and so I invite anyone who wishes to contribute written and / or photographic memories of Alison to email me at journaleditor@thepwi.org by the end of November 2020.”

Anyone who would like assistance with their contribution should contact Kerrie who will arrange a call back.

All of the PWI executives and board will miss Alison deeply and their thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.

Anyone wishing to mark her passing is asked to make a donation to the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) Support Network, which helped Alison and her family at the end of her life (www. justgiving.com/fundraising/alisonbarbro-stansfield).

OBITUARY Alison Stansfield

It is with great sadness that the Permanent Way Institution has announced the loss of a dear friend and colleague, Alison Stansfield.

A long-time member and supporter of the PWI, Alison was a cornerstone of its community for many years. As PWI’s

PEOPLE MOVES

WITH THOUSANDS OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES UPDATED DAILY, YOUR NEXT CAREER IS A FINGERTIP AWAY. #OURKINDOFRAILWAYPEOPLE

collaboratively with clients across many sectors in a way that really stimulates fresh thinking and adds strategic value. This is especially relevant as a model in the strange times we are living in. I very much look forward to meeting new colleagues across the business in the months ahead and continuing connections with those I already know.”

Mike Haigh, Mott MacDonald executive chair, said: “We’ve known Mike for many years, having worked very closely together on many of London’s recent major projects, and I’m thrilled to be continuing our long association. Mike’s insights, knowledge and passion for infrastructure as a means to improving society, will be invaluable to us, as we seek to enhance the social outcomes of our work and make the communities in which we live and work better. I know our colleagues will be excited by what we will learn from Mike.”

Anna joins Mott MacDonald Mott MacDonald appointed Anna Delvecchio as development director to its transportation business for the UK and Europe.

Anna joined the international engineering consultancy in May this year, bringing with her knowledge and expertise from senior commercial, development and programme management roles in the transport sector.

At Mott MacDonald, she is focussing on external engagement, and supporting the account leadership programme to enhance the company’s profile in the transport sector.

WWW.RAILWAYPEOPLE.COM

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

PEOPLE

11

New UK sales director for Flexicon

Raj Sinha joins SWGR as Group MD

Flexicon, the flexible conduit manufacturer that is part of Atkore International, has appointed Neil Carter as its new UK sales director.

SWGR, a leading supplier of civil, mechanical, electrical, fabrication services and personnel the rail and other industries, has appointed Raj Sinha to be its new group managing director.

He joins from Unistrut UK, also part of Atkore International, where he held the position of national electrical wholesale manager, where he supported and accomplished significant brand growth.

He will now develop and transfer these skills to build on his existing solid relationships with electrical wholesalers, directing the sale of Flexicon’s products, via the UK regional sales team.

Neil commented on his new appointment: “Flexicon products are renowned for their quality and reliability and so I’m proud to be joining the team and helping

to strengthen the brand further here in the UK; offering new enhancements and systems to our valued customers.”

Paul Mildenstein, Flexicon managing director, added: “This organisational change reinforces our strong commitment of service and customer support and Neil is looking forward to meeting and working with Flexicon’s UK customers to support and develop mutual business growth.

We are delighted to welcome him to the team.”

GB Railfreight appoints Tim Hartley as business development director Tim Hartley has been named as the new business development director at GB Railfreight.

Over the last 20 years, Tim has advised on the appointments of many of the most senior leaders in the UK rail industry, including the CEOs of the Rail Delivery Group, the Office of Rail and Road, Crossrail, HS2, and a range of passenger train operating companies, rolling stock companies and manufacturers.

Tim also has experience in providing leadership and organisational consultancy not only in the rail industry but also in the infrastructure and the real estate market. In addition, he has served as board director and trustee of the charity Railway Children for over 10 years. He is a judge for the Rail Business

Awards and a mentor and supporter of the Women in Rail programme.

In his spare time, Tim is very active, having completed the Three Peaks by Rail and the London Marathon. He also coaches and referees rugby union matches.

The appointment confirms GB Railfreight’s commitment to remaining one of the fastest growing transport companies in the country and is a sign of GBRf’s confidence in the resilience of the UK economy.

John Smith, managing director of GB Railfreight, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be welcoming Tim Hartley to the GBRf family. In the weeks and months to come we will continue to consolidate GBRf’s position as one of the fastest growing

DON'T MISS OUT!

The addition of Raj to the SWGR Board will add further strength to the market-leading Glasgowheadquartered business.

Founded by George Nixon in 1988 as SW Global Resourcing, SWGR has developed a strong reputation for innovation and added value across multiple sectors, responding safely and efficiently to customer needs – 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

George said: “We are absolutely delighted that Raj has agreed to join SWGR as both a shareholder and a Board member. With his incredibly strong track record of success in project delivery, and his excellent reputation for growing businesses, Raj’s appointment will be pivotal in helping our fantastic team to achieve our ongoing and ambitious growth aspirations.

“We constantly look for ways to expand and grow and this new chapter for SWGR builds on three-decades of delivering performance through our people,

providing teams and services that have helped innumerable companies and individuals secure their own success.”

Raj Sinha, who was formerly the managing director of SSE Enterprise Rail, is a chartered civil engineer with thirty years of experience in the civil engineering, construction, energy, contracting and rail sectors. He has led on some of the largest and most challenging corporate and private infrastructure rail projects in the UK. Raj said: “I am really pleased to join the SWGR Board. This is a company that has a long and proud history for great operational delivery. I am delighted that I am now able to play a leading role in the continued success of a reputable and premium business that delivers high-calibre operations, people and projects as a single, focused solution to a vast international client base.”

Raj will be based at SWGR’s headquarters which sit on a 130,000sq ft site just on the outskirts of Glasgow city centre.

transport companies and the appointment of Tim sets us on the course to grow our business even further.

“At this time of economic uncertainty, I am pleased GBRf is leading the way to get the economy back on track and I look forward to working with Tim to keep going from strength to strength.”

Tim Hartley replied: “I am delighted to be joining GBRf, a company that I have always known as an outstanding business, delivering innovative, reliable and high-quality services to its customers. GBRf is leading

the way in decarbonisation, sustainability and has a longterm commitment to building collaborative relationship with its customers. It is a brilliant team that I feel privileged to be part of.”

SEE PAGE 35

SUPPORTED BY

GLOBAL

Jobs

12

NEWS

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

Hybrid locos arrive on Snowdon The Snowdon Mountain Railway, which has been carrying visitors up the five-mile line from Llanberis to the top of the highest mountain in Wales and England since 1896, has taken steps to keep the national tourist attraction accessible for many years to come by improving its sustainability.

Two brand new Clayton Equipment hybrid diesel locomotives have arrived on the mountain from Staffordshire, purchased with seven-figure support from HSBC Equipment Finance UK. These eight-tonne battery equipped trains will replace existing diesel locomotives and will be the first mountain hybrid train in the world.

Making an average of 750 journeys a year each locomotive, the updated locomotives will reduce emissions by up to 98 per cent compared to the diesel locomotives.

Heritage Great Britain PLC, the organisation operating the Snowdon Mountain Railway, will continue to operate traditional steam locomotives as part of its service. Its group finance director Peter Johnson-Treherne said: “We’re delighted to bring innovative hybrid technology onto the famous slopes of Snowdon. 2020 has obviously been a difficult period for everybody, especially those within the tourism sector, but we’re confident that this investment will keep us on the right tracks for the future.”

Tyne & Wear Metro passengers help feed those in need Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, ran food bank collection points at Metro stations across the network and at Nexus Travel Shops in North Shields, Gateshead, South Shields, Sunderland and Newcastle.

A total of 360kg of food and toiletries was donated, along with cash donations totalling £592. The food will feed 42 families for a week and the cash raised will provide another 51 essential food packs. It has all been shared between five local food banks, which provide essential support for people who are struggling to make ends meet.

Nexus public affairs manager Lynne Robinson said: “Metro is at the heart of the local communities that it serves, making our stations

Will the railway be reclassified?

Should the railways remain in the private sector? Or are they, effectively, already nationalised after the government’s emergency measures taken as part of its response to Covid-19?

Masterplan for Edinburgh Waverley The Edinburgh Waverley Masterplan, developed by Network Rail, City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government, includes plans for transforming the capital’s main station as part of the Edinburgh Waverley Masterplan.

It envisions a station that is a vital part of the city, with a major new public space on Waverley Bridge providing views of the iconic city skyline. It will be a station that puts people first, providing easy access for all, and creating vital city connections for walking, cycling and public transport.

RAILSTAFF.CO.UK | @RAIL_STAFF | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF

really good locations to collect for local food banks.

“Our thanks go to everyone who donated and supported this initiative. The food will help those most in need in these difficult times.

“I was really touched with the generosity from customers who donated from their own weekly shopping bags because they wanted to help people who needed the food more than they did.

“It was a pleasure to support the food banks, and the feedback we have received has been fantastic.”

The food banks that benefited are: The Bay Food Bank in North Shields, Gateshead Food Bank, the Hospitality and Hope Food Bank in South Tyneside, Sunderland Food Bank and the West End Food Bank in Newcastle.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has joined the debate, stating: “After reviewing their classification against international statistical guidelines, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has concluded that those train operating companies (TOCs) that have entered into emergency measures agreements (EMAs) with the UK and Scottish Governments should be classified to the public sector for statistical purposes.

Under the EMAs, normal franchise mechanisms have been amended, transferring almost all revenue and cost risk to the government. In addition, the TOCs have had restrictions placed on their ability to borrow money and cannot make significant changes

to fares or staffing levels without government agreement. This has led the ONS to conclude that public sector control exists over them and that, in accordance with international statistical guidelines, they should be classified as public non-financial corporations with effect from 1 April 2020. As the EMAs are temporary in nature, the ONS will review the classification status of TOCs again in the future if the EMAs are amended or expire.

Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators, said: “This is a temporary accounting change that reflects the extent of government involvement in running trains during a national emergency. The Covid crisis presents a chance to move towards a new way of running the railway where contracts put customers at the centre and the private sector’s track record of attracting people to travel by train in safety is harnessed to boost the economy, the environment and the public finances.”

LNER and Northern are already in public ownership.

Britain’s Largest Specialist Transport Union

As the Government lifts COVID-19 lockdown restrictions there are warnings of job cuts across the transport sector.

RMT is ready to take on this massive challenge. Transport workers have kept Britain moving during the pandemic. They should not be rewarded with ‎threats to their livelihoods.

You have never needed your union more. If you are not already a remember don’t delay. Join RMT today.

Protecting our members’ interests is our priority

Join us today www.rmt.org.uk

FREEPHONE 0800 376 3706

14

NEWS

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

CPS can take no further action over Belly Mujinga When Belly Mujinga, a ticket office worker with Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) Southern at London Victoria station, died of coronavirus in April after being spat at on the station concourse, her colleagues and her union were up in arms.

Her death of COVID-19 came after an incident in which, on 22 March 2020, Belly and a colleague were on shift at London Victoria.

They were out on the concourse by the ticket office when they were assaulted by a member of the public who spat at them, coughed over them and told them he had the virus.

Belly died on 5 April, aged 47 and leaving an 11-year-old daughter.

Although British Transport Police investigated the incident, and identified and interviewed a man who they believed could help their enquiries, senior detectives concluded that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate that any criminal offences had taken place and that the death of Mrs Mujinga did not occur as a consequence of that incident.

However, BTP invited the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to review the available evidence, so see whether there were any further lines of enquiry that could be made and to evaluate the prospect of meeting the general principle of a successful prosecution.

On 6 August 2020, Suzanne Llewellyn, deputy chief crown prosecutor, said: “At the request of British Transport Police, following their decision to take no further action in this case, the CPS has now independently reviewed the evidence and advised on any further lines of enquiry that might support a prosecution.

“We considered whether charges could be brought in relation to homicide, assault or public order offences.

“As part of this review, we studied enhanced CCTV, forensic materials and witness statements. CCTV and witness evidence was insufficiently clear and consistent to substantiate allegations of deliberate coughing or spitting, meaning no charges can be brought for assault or public order offences.

“Medical tests confirmed the suspect had not been infected with coronavirus, which together with the lack of other evidence rules out any charges in relation to homicide.

“Therefore, after careful consideration and with all lines of enquiry explored, we have advised BTP no further reliable evidence has become available to change their original decision in this case.

“We have met with the family of Ms Mujinga to explain our reasoning, which we know will be disappointing for them. Our deepest sympathies remain with the family.”

RAILSTAFF.CO.UK | @RAIL_STAFF | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF

Perpetuum to become part of Hitachi Rail Hitachi Rail is to acquire Southamptonbased railway technology firm Perpetuum to accelerate its UK digitisation strategy. Its 73 staff will be integrated within Hitachi’s railway business.

Perpetuum’s product utilises wireless condition monitoring to spot faults and have them fixed before they delay passengers’ journeys. In fact, none of the 3,000 carriages that are fitted with Perpetuum sensors have ever had critical components fail in service.

Once they are installed on trains, Perpetuum’s self-powering digital sensors detect on-board vibrations and send back real-time data about the performance of

critical train parts – such as wheel sets, gearboxes, motors or bogies – faster and more accurately than traditional conditionmonitoring approaches.

Andrew Barr, Hitachi Rail group CEO, said: “The inclusion of one of the most exciting, pioneering companies in digital asset management is an exciting development for our global mobility business.

“Perpetuum’s data-driven insights will offer further improvements to the service we provide to our customers – leading to better journeys for passengers. It also supports Hitachi’s growth in the digital technologies space, which is becoming increasingly key to our offering – adding value to support our global customer base.”

£3 billion plan for Arden Cross A development consortium has announced a £3 billion plan to create a sustainable new business, leisure and residential destination and world leading economic hub around HS2’s proposed Birmingham Interchange station.

Arden Cross is a 140-hectare (346-acre) site to the east of the NEC campus and M42 motorway. The developers say it has the potential to boost the regional economy of the Midlands by over a £1 billion, create and support up to 27,000 new jobs, and deliver up to 3,000 new homes and up to six million square feet of commercial development, connected through new public realm and green spaces which retain and enhance the historic landscape features across the site.

With the HS2 Interchange Station as the catalyst to create unprecedented economic growth, Arden Cross Limited has developed

the masterplan in partnership with public sector stakeholders to reflect a shared vision to unlock the site’s full potential.

Located at the very heart of the UK, Arden Cross sits alongside Birmingham Airport, the NEC, Birmingham Business Park and Jaguar Land Rover.

The HS2 route passes through some lovely countryside.

That’s been one area of complaint from naturalists and ecologists, who don’t want a railway interfering with the view.

However, High Speed Two Limited is well aware of its responsibilities and the need to cause the minimum amount of damage and harm as it builds Britain’s essential new railway.

A good example is the need to monitor Skylarks, in order to protect the species at the site of the Chiltern tunnel portal, near the M25 in Buckinghamshire.

Roadbridge, a sub-contractor to Align JV - the main works civils contractor that is delivering the portion of HS2 that includes the Chiltern Tunnel – has successfully adopted thermal drone imaging to monitor Skylarks in order to dramatically

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

increase the accuracy of environmental surveys and enable faster and more effective results for ecologists working on the project.

At twelve metres above ground level, the drone captures approximately a nine square metre area, providing a reduction in search times, and a clear perspective from a 90-degree view of the ground below.

Using a thermal camera, the drone can calibrate to the ground temperature and other objects to lock onto a heat source and identify the bird nests. This includes birds on the nest, eggs on the nest and birds sheltering on the ground.

Exclusion zones are then put on Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings and into the Global Positioning System (GPS) of machinery working on site to let operators know when they are working near exclusion zones, to

NEWS

15

Drones search out Skylarks protect nests and allow works to progress safely.

During the initial trial, which Roadbridge conducted in association with Matt Dutton from Drone Media Productions, five nests were found in three hours of drone survey time using one drone operator and one ecologist, compared to one nest found in 20 hours of

survey time using traditional methods. Traditional surveys require ecologists to observe the Skylarks flying then running to their nest, and to use walking transect surveys to accurately locate them, which can be invasive and sometimes ineffective, resulting in much larger exclusion zones being required.

Mural harks back to pleasure gardens and balloons A new mural on a railway bridge at the corner of New Spring Gardens Walk in Vauxhall pays homage to a balloon record that stood between 1836-1914. Charles Green, a professional balloonist who had made 200 ascents at the time, flew 480 miles from Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens to Nassau, Germany in the balloon Royal Vauxhall.

This new mural is the latest example in a series of historic railway bridges that have been transformed into stunning pieces of art thanks to Network Rail’s unique partnership with community groups, schools, and

people just like you!

artists.

The mural was painted by Nerone, a celebrated street artist and walls bearing his work can be seen in many places including Paris, New York, Bangkok and Marrakesh. He said: “I’ve really enjoyed working in Vauxhall and it has been a great experience despite the difficult weather conditions. Many people were curious to discover the new addition in the neighbourhood and congratulated me while I was painting.

“Compliments are always appreciated and I’m getting ready to paint more art in this amazing borough.”

TBF membership costs just £1 a week and covers the member, their partner and dependent children.

Helping to make a difference 0300 333 2000 www.tbf.org.uk

Transport Benevolent Fund CIO, known as TBF, is a registered charity in England and Wales, 1160901, and Scotland, SC047016.

TBF_Banner_Adverts_18X3_190x50.indd 3

16:40 FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF | @RAIL_STAFF 29/08/2018 | RAILSTAFF.CO.UK

16

NEWS

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

RU OK TODAY? RAILWAY EVENT Organisers of the ‘RUOKToday?’ initiative are planning a major online event on Thursday 12 September 2020, to support travellers who may need comfort or simple encouragement.

The ‘RUOKToday?’ initiative came about from a chance conversation, in June 2015, between T-Inspector Eddie Carlin from the British Transport Police and team manager Matthew Wakely from Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT). They agreed that the large and diverse numbers of passengers travelling through Leicester were a microcosm of the community – and its mental health and wellbeing.

They arranged further discussions, this time including Hayley Bull from Network Rail and service lead Chris Crane from LPT, during which the idea of raising awareness at Leicester station grew. The group agreed that, to have a real impact, this should be a real multi-agency event, supported by Railway Mission chaplaincy, Samaritans and other mental health and wellbeing charities and organisations – and so the idea of ‘RUOKToday?’ was born.

The message would be simple - that a simple kind gesture, for example, a text message, having a chat over coffee or tea, a phone call, just letting someone know you are thinking of them, can be a help.

Centred on Leicester for the last five years, volunteers have been on the East Midlands RAILSTAFF.CO.UK | @RAIL_STAFF | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF

rail network route from Derby to St Pancras asking people “RUOK?” and encouraging them to ask the same question of friends, family and colleagues.

By engaging in a 30-second conversation with people, volunteers aim to encourage people to think about their thoughts and feelings, as well as those of the people they know. It is hoped that this will build personal and social resilience and help people feel they are cared for and valued as an individual.

Now in its sixth year, the Covid-19 situation is forcing organisers to do something different, so they are planning a ‘virtual RUOK’ day. They hope to be able to use the public address systems on the railway to make announcements about RUOK and the

THURSDAY 12SEPTEMBER 2020 importance of asking “RUOK?” However, the main platform for sharing the message will be via social media, using it as a way to get the message across so that people interact safely on the day and not contravene social distancing guidelines.

Roy Bassett, Network Rail - East Midlands route health and wellbeing champion, said “We hope for as many people as possible to follow @RUOK_today on the 12th of September 2020 and retweet the messages and remember that, every day, we should check the wellbeing of those we meet, either in person or via digital means.”

More information visit www.ruoktoday.co.uk or follow us at @RUOK_Today on Twitter.

‘Support on Life’s Journey’ Railway Mission - Supporting Railway People Since 1881 www.railwaymission.org

Your chaplains offer face-to-face year around support, during times of loneliness, stress, depression, bereavement, illness. or distress.

“Emotional and spiritual support in a time of crisis is one of the most valuable things you can give to a person. The Railway Mission provides this help to railway staff, the British Transport Police and the travelling public – taking care of the mental welfare of our railway family both day-to-day and following traumatic incidents.”

Sir Peter Hendy CBE, Chair Newark Rail

Please support your chaplaincy service.

To make a donation, text 'RAIL 5' to 70085 to donate £5.

This costs £5 plus your standard rate message.

Alternatively, you can opt to give any amount up to £20.

Charity number in England and Wales: 1128024 Scotland SC045897

18

NEWS

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

NEWS IN BRIEF Stobart Rail & Civils bought by Bavaria

Stobart Group stated in July that the Rail & Civils business had been impacted by continuing costs on a legacy contract and, given the risks, that it would withdraw from the rail sector.

Now Bavaria, a family holding company that owns majority interests in companies showing clear potential for improvement or facing new challenges, has acquired the shares of Stobart Rail & Civils and will continue to run it on a “business as usual” basis.

Electric forklift brings green benefits

New ticket machines for Wales

As construction of HS2 gets underway, and the company sets out to do so in as sustainable a way as possible, main works civils contractor Skanska Costain Strabag Joint Venture has been trialling the use of an electric forklift on one of its major construction sites in London.

HS2 seeks high-voltage power supply systems

The Eco Telehandler vehicle has been trialled on HS2’s site at West Ruislip and it is estimated that, over a week, it saved over 400 litres of fuel compared to a traditional combustion telehandler.

Manufactured in Italy by Faresin and supplied by plant hire company Flannery, the

New ticket vending machines are being installed by Transport for Wales (TfW) on many of its routes across the Wales and Borders network, and barriers are being reworked to accept smartcards.

Some stations now have ticket retail facilities for the first time.

Others have had their old machines replaced with modern ticket machines that have improved Welsh Language components and raised pictograms for visually impaired customers. New machines have already been installed at nearly 20 stations.

HS2 has started the procurement process for specialist contractors to deliver the high voltage power supply systems.

The winner of this latest rail systems contract – worth an estimated £523 million – will be responsible for the design, manufacture, supply, installation, testing, commissioning and maintenance of approximately 50 traction sub-stations, that will be built alongside the line between London and Crewe, as well as a dedicated HV non-traction power network that will provide power to stations, shafts, portals, depots and railway systems along the route.

Timber rail freight trial

Victa Railfreight will conduct a £195,000 trial, funded by the Scottish Government, to demonstrate that the movement of timber in Scotland by rail is possible as well as efficient.

The trial will run for six weeks and will operate up to three trains a week between Caithness and Inverness, with a capability of moving around 6,000 tonnes of timber. This will take around 250 lorries totalling 55,000 lorry miles away from Scotland’s roads.

HS2's London contractors Empowering Communities

HS2 London contractors have launched a major social legacy programme called Empowering Communities, intended to benefit communities along the final part of the HS2 route into London.

It aims to create jobs for those experiencing worklessness and homelessness, help young people to develop new STEM skills and access apprenticeships, and support community projects.

Working together with local communities, the partner organisations will enable local people to have a say in what the programme delivers for their communities.

TfL finances under review

Two reviews are taking place into the financial state of Transport for London (TfL).

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is undertaking a review of Transport for London’s future financial position and structure.

This was one of the conditions agreed by the Mayor of London and TfL in return for the extraordinary funding and financing they received to keep London’s system running for key workers.

In addition, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced that an independent panel of experts has begun a review of TfL’s long-term future funding and financing options.

RAILSTAFF.CO.UK | @RAIL_STAFF | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF

environmentally friendly electric drive unit provides the same performance as an equivalent conventional model but without the noise and emissions of a combustion engine. It delivers a range of further benefits, including reduced charging times and notable savings in maintenance, when compared to a combustion engine telehandler.

HS2’s air quality lead Andrea Davidson said: “We’ve set ambitious targets for our supply chain to minimise whole life carbon emissions, and Flannery have gone above and beyond these, providing an industry-first in the materials handling equipment sector.”

19

RAILSTAFF AWARDS GOES BACK to 2021 THE EVER-POPULAR RAILSTAFF AWARDS IS THE LATEST CASUALTY OF THE GLOBAL COVID-19 PANDEMIC AS IT IS MOVED FROM NOVEMBER 2020 TO A SIMILAR DATE IN 2021

T

he 2020 RailStaff Awards has been postponed due to continuing uncertainties over the Covid-19 pandemic. The rail industry’s favourite awards event, the only one in the industry to exclusively recognise people, not companies, was due to have taken place at Birmingham NEC on Wednesday 25 November.

With the NHS Nightingale Hospital being decommissioned, the NEC plans to reopen for event business from 1 October. But continuing uncertainty about ‘second spikes’ and local lockdowns, plus the nervousness many people are showing about travelling and getting too close to others, made arranging an evening

event for 1,200 people too risky.

“I am very disappointed to have to postpone this year’s RailStaff Awards,” said Tom O’Connor, managing director of event organiser Rail Media. “Ever since our first one in 2007, RailStaff Awards has been the one event everyone wanted to attend. This would have been the fourteenth – but now we’ll just have to make sure that next year’s is bigger and better than ever!”

The RailStaff Awards has certainly grown over the years. From its early days at Birmingham’s International Conference Centre, the event has been as much a celebration party by the rail industry as a formal awards evening. With finalists not only nominated by their workmates but shortlisted by public vote, it has been the goal of everyone in the industry to both be there and be nominated.

PROUD SUPPORTERS OF THE RAILSTAFF AWARDS

With headline sponsors that have included Network Rail, Transport for London and the Association of Train Operating Companies (now the Rail Delivery Group), it has truly been supported by the industry as a whole.

Categories have been sponsored by train operators, infrastructure contractors, recruitment companies and even charities.

“We aren’t the only event to have these problems,” Tom O’Connor said. “Exhibitions such as InnoTrans, Infrarail and Rail Live, which we started with Network Rail back in 2013, have all had to reschedule for next year. The Railway Ball, other awards evenings and conferences – all have been hit by Coronavirus.

“But we’ll be back next year, and it will then be a two-year celebration, so expect something extraordinary!”

It will certainly allow plenty of time for nominations, and the whisper is there will be some special categories for those who have worked through and helped others during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Make sure it’s in your diary for next year.

The date hasn’t been announced yet, as it is still early days, but if you were to add (in pencil of course) 24 November 2021, you probably wouldn’t be too far out!

FACEBOOK.COM/THERAILSTAFFAWARDS | @RAILSTAFFAWARDS | RAILSTAFFAWARDS.COM

20

TRACK SAFETY

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

REPORT BY COLIN WHEELER

EIGHT INCIDENTS THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED RULES ARE TO BE OBEYED. BUT ARE THEY ALL GOOD ENOUGH? ARE THERE TOO MANY? WHY DO TRACK WORKERS DECIDE NOT TO FOLLOW THEM?

R

ailStaff’s track-safety expert Colin Wheeler once again delves into the depths of the Rail Accident Investigation Branches reports and Network Rail’s safety bulletins. He pulls out eight examples of incidents that should never have occurred – but they did. Errors, missed opportunities and sheer carelessness meant that one worker was badly hurt, but it could have been far worse.

On 26 May 2020, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) published its report of an accident last year at Corby in Northamptonshire, when a passenger train ran into material that had been washed out by flood water from a cutting slope onto the line.

At 15:53 on Thursday 13 June, about a mile north of Corby, the northbound 14:34 London St Pancras to Nottingham HST with eight coaches was travelling at 40 mph when it ran into debris (sandy gravel and soil) on the track.

It had been diverted from its timetabled route due to “an incident near Leicester”. It did not derail. The driver reported the incident and The train trapped near Corby.

RAILSTAFF.CO.UK | @RAIL_STAFF | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF

then discovered more material had been washed down and the rear of his train was also trapped.

All 191 passengers were later transferred to a southbound train, the 13:59 Sheffield to London St Pancras, an HST with six coaches. However, this shorter train was already carrying between 450 and 550 passengers and it also became trapped with rising flood water both in front of it and to its rear.

It took until 23:14 (over seven hours) for passengers to be taken off the train and conveyed to nearby stations at Corby and Kettering. A Temporary Speed Restriction was in place due to the condition of track in Corby Tunnel.

The report says the rescue and evacuation of passengers was significantly delayed, and a factor in this was the lack of equipment for transferring passengers from one train to another.

RAIB’s report says that the cutting slope was not designed for the volume of water that had accumulated at its crest. The source was two adjacent storage ponds that were overfilled due to a blockage beneath a bridge over a brook. It was nearly four weeks since the ponds had last been pumped down. The bank of the pond closest to the railway was a low point and excess water had spilt into the field between the ponds.

Colin Wheeler.

The report states clearly that the “exceptionally heavy rainfall was not a factor in the incident”.

Instead it identifies other underlying causes including “lack of engagement between various parties responsible for the flood management system at this location and the potential for it to cause flooding on the railway”.

Alarms from water level monitoring equipment were not received. A train on the Up line reported at 12:43 that there was standing water between the rails over a 40 metres length, but no sign of water flowing onto the railway. Network Rail’s maintenance team visited site at 13:10 and reported high water levels in the ponds. At 14:15, telemetry equipment monitoring water levels in the aqueduct channels issued an alarm when the 75 per cent threshold level was exceeded. Control Room staff did not receive this message.

During its investigation, RAIB accessed correspondence between British Rail (and later Railtrack), Corby Urban District Council (later Corby Borough) and the steelworks owners dating from the 1960s to the early 2000s. This showed that “engagement between the

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

TRACK SAFETY

21

Paddington fall and injuries

parties was often adversarial, seeking to apportion blame and recover costs”. Network Rail held meetings with the Environment Agency in 2015 to discuss the flooding of the railway. “These meetings did not result in any actions to address the flooding problem.”

SPAD in West Yorkshire

The RAIB website reports a Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD) that happened around 09:54 on the morning of 7 May. The freight train came to a halt 250 metres beyond Croft West junction and damaged a set of points by doing so. The red signal the train passed was at Hare Park Junction.

Following a preliminary examination RAIB has decided to publish a Safety Digest “in the next few weeks”.

The freight train involved in the SPAD at Croft West junction.

OLE struck by scissor lift

At 10:50 am on 9 April a member of Newcastle Central station’s staff reported concerns about the use by painters on Platform 2 of a mobile elevated scissor lift that was close to the overhead line equipment (OLE).

The work was immediately stopped but, as the scissor lift was being lowered, it made contact with the earthed part of the lower cross span wire on one of the OLE structures. A train on Platform 2 was cautioned and maintenance staff checked the OLE before it was returned to service.

Interestingly, the Safety Bulletin discussion points include the following question, “ Have COVID-19 changes made to signing in arrangements due to social distancing reduced the effectiveness of site briefings?”

Although Safety Central’s safety bulletin 20-04 was issued on 1 May, it relates a serious accident that happened last Christmas – it was issued to as “shared learning”.

On Platform 11, a worker fell from a mobile scaffold tower and suffered fractured vertebrae, ribs and collar bone. The work was planned for a day shift but was transferred to night shift without any handover arrangements.

The work team had signed in with the COSS (Controller of Site Safety) who was doing unrelated work. They started work despite having been instructed by the COSS not to do so. No Form C had been issued to confirm OLE isolation and the testers would have been out of the COSS’s line of sight.

The person in charge had not been involved in planning the work, and no one in the group was competent to use the scaffold tower, which had been left at site by a different team three hours earlier and not there for this task.

The tower should have been tagged and labelled as incomplete as it had been disassembled and reassembled multiple times over the course of the day, the last time leaving it incomplete.

FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF | @RAIL_STAFF | RAILSTAFF.CO.UK

22

TRACK SAFETY

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

Wooden pole across the railway

Leighton Buzzard near miss

Safety Bulletin 20-06 was issued on 5 June 2020. It gives no details of the location but reports that “a passenger train recently hit a wooden pole that had fallen onto the line.”

As can be seen in the picture, the rotten pole had fallen across two lines. The main rot was near the base and the removal of the redundant lighting pole had been recommended several times due to its condition.

Surely somebody must be at fault for not removing the pole before it fell?

The bulletin does make the point that “ownership of these assets may not be clear in all cases”.

Hopefully now others will be checked and, where necessary, removed!

Working for a principal contractor, two sub-sponsored contractor’s staff undertook a survey at Leighton Buzzard for de-vegetation work. Their work had been planned and a safe work pack produced. But there had been no agreement for the pair to access the track and carry out their survey.

One crossed over four lines of the open-for-traffic West Coast main line. They then began walking, one in each cess, using cameras to record the vegetation (see picture) with one of them having passed the limited clearance signage of an overbridge.

A passenger train travelling at line speed passed through, causing one trackworker to press himself flat against the abutment to avoid being struck. There was nowhere to stand two metres clear. The train driver was so shaken by the incident that he had to be relieved at the next station. Both Network Rail and the RAIB are investigating.

“The railway is like a family with a distinct culture all its own” are the words used in RAIB’s annual report, as featured on page 24 of this issue. My experiences over decades of employment as a railway civil engineer have convinced me that aptitude, interest (leading to a degree of dedication) and job satisfaction are all important individual traits found in the best staff, whatever their skills.

When groups work together regularly, in a short period of time they evolve their own take on the details of how they work best to do the job easily. The use of their individual expertise and understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses then results in significantly higher productivity and safety.

On-Track plant derailed

Shared Learning bulletin NRL20-06 was issued on 8 June but, surprisingly, relates back to a derailment on 25 November last year.

A Komatsu PC 138 had lifted and was carrying a 20-foot long track panel over a set of points at Worcester Shrub Hill station sidings when it derailed. Baseplates and securing bolts were damaged.

Due to a fault in the machine’s axle control system, the machine was “travelling in an unsafe mode”. The machine operator knew about the fault, which allowed the machine to travel without its rail axles being fully deployed. The bulletin adds that the Crane Controller and “OnTrack Plant Operations Scheme Representative” both failed to notice that the machine was being used in an unsafe mode and that the RCI indicator light was showing the machine was in a non-lifting mode”.

One reason for the delay in publishing this bulletin could have been that those involved failed to follow the correct procedures and actions following the event, so evidence of the cause was not preserved. This hindered the investigation, so the information had to be gained from the data logger download and by carrying out a re-enactment.

© Avanti West Coast

“Possession irregularity”

The details of this incident, which took place at Slochd on the Highland main line, are to be found on Network Rail’s Safety Central website, having been posted on 3 July. On 22 April, a worksite was set up outside the limits of a booked possession!

The planned possession was from Tomatin Loop South to Milburn Junction Inverness. The worksite was correctly specified as being between 94 miles 1,200 yards and 96 miles 500 yards. Planning meetings took place at five and ten weeks before the planned possession but these “failed to reveal that the worksite mileages were not covered”.

Astonishingly, no PICOP (Person In Charge of Possession) meeting was held and neither the PICOP or ES (Engineering Supervisor) realised that the worksite would not be covered by the possession. The bulletin reveals that there was no system check or visual representation of the plan highlighting worksite mileages in the paperwork.

PICOP meetings are both mandatory and of primary importance. I believe the PICOP should always be involved directly in possession planning, given the responsibilities of his or her work.

On the night, a signaller at the Highland workstation in Inverness reported receiving a SPAD (Signal Passed At Danger) alarm on signal HS346 at Slochd Summit. The work group, which had triggered the SPAD alarm, consisted of three individuals, working with a road/rail vehicle and trailer, on the unprotected line!

Communications on the night had failed to uncover the planning error to either the PICOP or ES. I wonder whether or not every other possession that night involved PICOPs who had attended and contributed to possession meetings? Being ingrained in the culture ought to render stressing that they are mandatory irrelevant.

RAILSTAFF.CO.UK | @RAIL_STAFF | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF

Images from the front (left) and rear (right) facing closed circuit television system of a northbound train taken at 16:28, showing the position of the track worker within an area of limited clearance, which is denoted by the sign in the yellow circle.

“Juggling to make ends meet” I note Simon French’s comments about self-employed individuals “juggling jobs to make ends meet”. This results in more accidents and lower productivity.

If a local, skilled team works together regularly and is led by an individual with knowledge and personal skills that are respected by team members, the result will be safer and more productive.

Provided these criteria are satisfied, the details of employment contracts may not be a concern. The worst situation is when working groups from a variety of sources come together for the first time on the night when the job starts. Even a single substitution, perhaps due to illness, may, and probably will, have an adverse effect.

WE’VE GOT THE RAIL INDUSTRY COVERED

26

WAISTCOATS

LEOWORKWEAR.COM /LEO-WORKWEAR

14

POLOS/ T-SHIRTS

12

JACKETS/ SWEATS

QUALITY GARMENTS CONFORMING TO RIS-3279-TOM

6

TROUSERS

13

WOMENS GARMENTS

24

HEALTH+SAFETY

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

REPORT BY COLIN WHEELER

WHITE ZONE WO S

afety expert Colin Wheeler reviews the report and picks up on one suggestion, that the UK adopt the concept of White Zone Working.

He says: “It is time for us to end the dangerous practice of work and inspections of track being done whilst trains are running. Flags, whistles, horns and detonators or their electrical equivalents are not good enough!”

During the year, RAIB received 391 notifications, leading to 51 preliminary ‘examinations of evidence’. These led to 23 full investigations that will be or have been published as reports or safety digests.

In 2019, RAIB published 17 reports and 10 Safety Digests, plus one interim report and an Urgent Safety Advice. Together, these generated 57 recommendations.

Altogether, since RAIB became operational in 2005, it has published 447 investigation reports.

On 21 May, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) published its annual report covering activities between 1 January and 31 December last year.

The report includes a series of summary documents highlighting safety learning from six categories of railway accident that, taken together, are the cause of 40 per cent of RAIB’s investigations.

In writing the report, RAIB’s chief inspector, Simon French, comments: “2019 saw a significant number of investigations involving one or more fatalities.” He adds that four reports were published relating to fatal accidents – three to members of the public and one to a member of staff. Additionally, at the time when the report was published, four further staff fatalities were under investigation.

RAILSTAFF.CO.UK | @RAIL_STAFF | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF

I congratulate Simon French and the RAIB on this year’s report. There are still lots of statistics, graphically presented, but this year the focus is on just six types of railway accident, featuring them as “key learning documents”. This is an improvement. For me, it evokes memories of the format under which I worked when we received annual reports from Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate, signed off by its Chief Inspector, who was usually a retired senior army officer!

FATAL ACCIDENTS

© BTP

Oakwood Farm UWC, 14 May 2015.

© Matt Buck

THE RAIB'S ANNUAL REPORTS LOOK BACK AT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS OVER THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS AND MAKES SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE.

SIX CATEGORIES The six listed accident types are all supported by numbered appendices entitled “Summaries of Learning”. Those featured are: 1. Design and operation of user-worked level crossings and, in particular, how to manage the interface between road vehicle users and the railway. There are 5,800 level crossings in the UK - 1,500 are across public roads. Between 2005 and 2019, RAIB investigated 47 collisions and eight near misses. 34 of these incidents occurred at user-worked crossings.

2. The protection of trackworkers from moving trains. Since 2005, there have been 45 incidents involving track workers – eight resulted in fatalities and 12 in injuries. 22 such incidents have occurred in the last five years.

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

HEALTH+SAFETY

25

ORKING NOW! © GWR/RAIB

Lookout at Watford Junction station, 7 September 2010.

3. The management of risk at the platform/ train or tram interface, in particular, incidents in which people are trapped in train or tram doors and dragged along the platform.

Research indicates that 58 per cent of passengers wrongly believe that doors will always reopen if obstructed.

4. The safety management of abnormal train operating events that put passengers and crew at risk, such as trains becoming stranded between stations. Drivers, signallers and operations controllers “may have little experience of stranding incidents,” the report states, adding: “There is a need for improved planning and enhanced training.”

5. Freight train derailments: “These create the potential for collision with passenger trains and can cause massive damage to infrastructure. Areas for safety learning include vehicle design, condition, uneven loading and track condition.”

6. The safe design, operation and maintenance of on-track plant and trolleys.

Summaries of Learning lists vehicle braking, operator competence, vehicle conversion and trolley/trailer braking systems. The listed incidents between 2009 and last year include seven runaways and two collisions, all resulting in RAIB published reports.

Woman trapped and dragged by a train at Hayes & Harlington station, 25 July 2015.

MARGAM AND TYSELEY

In his comments, the chief inspector remembers the shock we all experienced when two track workers were killed by a train at Margam, Port Talbot, in July last year and the death of the train driver caught between two trains as he walked between them at Tyseley Depot, Birmingham, on 14 December.

Adding a personal note, with which we can all empathise, he recalls attending the site of a fatal accident involving a track worker and the profound effect it had on him. He commented: “The railway is like a family, with a distinct culture all its own, and we all feel deeply the loss of our colleagues. It’s especially traumatic for those who witness such accidents, including work mates and train drivers.”

The Margam detailed investigation is still progressing but, on 5 December, RAIB published an interim report.

SAFER ON LU AND DLR

Forty-four track worker investigations were carried out between 2005 and last year – Simon French stresses the need for planning that is smart and accurate.

He added that railways such as London Underground and Docklands Light Railway already impose strict separation between people and trains. Consequently, neither has ever featured in an RAIB investigation in which track workers were at risk from moving trains.

He also added that some European railways, including France, timetable ‘White Periods’ in the daytime off-peak hours, during which no trains are scheduled to run, enabling safe access for inspection and maintenance.

He acknowledges that parts of our mainline network are heavily trafficked during the daytime, but suggests that, where safe nighttime access is easier, cyclic maintenance tasks should be undertaken.

FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF | @RAIL_STAFF | RAILSTAFF.CO.UK

26

HEALTH+SAFETY

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

REDUCED RELIANCE ON LOOKOUTS The report states that, in Scotland and on the LNE Route of Network Rail, there is a shift away from reliance on lookouts, which is well overdue in my opinion! Simon French acknowledges the importance of observing the track under load and responding to faults.

But he lists: “fundamental requirements that have been highlighted time and again by RAIB’s investigations.”

These include leadership on site, identification of site hazards, provision of concise accurate and relevant information, improving the clarity of voice communication and reducing reliance on the vigilance of individual workers to warn of approaching trains.

He also advocates a greater use of technology to control access to the railway infrastructure, provide warnings of approaching trains and in protecting possession limits.

The report tactfully describes the introduction of Network Rail’s “Planning and Delivery of Safe Work” with “specially selected safe-work leaders” as having yet to be achieved. It adds that, in the latest edition of Network Rail’s 019 standard, the creation of the Person-in-Charge role is not adequately addressed.

The report reminds us of the track worker who died after being hit by a train at Stoats Nest, some eight months before the Margam fatalities. Simon French says that the track worker was working on a zero-hours contract and highlights the pressure on individuals trying to “juggle multiple jobs to make ends meet”. He suggests that the effects of patterns of employment on fatigue and fitness to work are significant.

RAILSTAFF.CO.UK | @RAIL_STAFF | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF

Following prosecution by the Office of Rail and Road and conviction in Nottingham Crown Court under the Health and Safety at Work Act for “failing to ensure that two of its workers were sufficiently rested to work and travel safely”, fines were imposed on their employer.

Two track staff died in a road accident on their way home from overnight work, as described in my April article in Railstaff. In a virtual court hearing on 13 May, their employer, was fined £450,000 plus £300,000 costs.

NO MORE LAMPS AND DETONATORS! I was delighted to read that the RAIB has queried the “continuing requirement for people to go on track to place and remove red lamps and explosive detonators”.

I recall, from my track working life, experiencing atrocious conditions one winter when a lone trackworker was struggling to put such “protection” in Stranded train near Corby, 14 June 2019.

place in freezing temperatures with limited visibility due to falling sleet not very far from Shap summit!

The report lists near-misses and fatalities resulting from the need to place and remove “protection” at Reading in 2007, North London in 2017 and Peterborough more recently.

Simon French’s conclusion is that “there needs to be a culture which absolutely rejects risk taking as a means of getting the job done”.

STRANDED BETWEEN STATIONS Under the section headed “Management of stranded trains and passenger selfdetrainment” the report highlights the importance of “decisive action in the early stages of an incident” and the need for an “overarching control and command strategy”.

It states that several recent investigations have focussed on the circumstances that led to passengers getting out and walking along the tracks whilst the adjacent conductor rail was still live! © BTP

SAFE WORK?

FINE FOR FATIGUE FATALITIES

Since 2005, RAIB has investigated sixteen events when objects, including bags, a pushchair, dog leads, hands and arms, have become trapped in closed and locked train or tram doors. A recurrent theme is the mistaken assumption that door control systems will always detect the presence of something trapped. They don’t!

I recall writing about a number of these and have seen passengers stretching out hands and arms in attempts to get closing doors to re-open.

ON-TRACK PLANT This part of the report states simply that there have been too many incidents of machines running away downhill. Investigation of an incident at Bradford found fault with the machine operator’s actions, and badly maintained brakes failed to hold the machine on a 1 in 46 gradient.

At Cholmondeston, in Cheshire, a road-rail vehicle (RRV) ran into a stationary personnel carrier, resulting in a staff member suffering a life-changing injury. The report is critical of the conversion of what they describe as a road lorry, which had to travel long distances in reverse with unaltered driving controls, leaving the driver to turn around to try and see where he was going over the top of the ballast being carried.

The report says this was a case of “inadequate consideration of the practical aspects of using such a machine on the railway”.

UNSAFE SOFTWARE Under this heading RAIB’s report describes the potentially dangerous disappearance of temporary speed restriction details from storage in the signalling system software of the Cambrian lines.

It also refers to the disruption on 9 August last year, when problems on the National Grid led to a dropping of the frequency of the Overhead Line supply to below 49 Hz for just 16 seconds. As a consequence, 57 Class 700 trains operating north of London locked out their traction power systems and became stranded with reduced lighting and no air conditioning.

Although 27 were recovered by using a simple reset process, the other 30 (that had been updated using a software patch) had to await manual restoration by a technician using a laptop to connect into the train network and restore their power systems.

This reaction to the reduced supply was as designed but had not been specified by the client.

CROYDON TRAM TRAGEDY The report acknowledges the progress made in implementing its recommendations following the Sandilands Junction tragedy on Croydon Trams. However, Simon French points out that research has not yet identified a practicable way of improving the containment of passengers by the windows on the existing tram fleet. RAIB has agreed with the Office of Rail and Road that more needs to be done for future tram builds.

27

In the report’s concluding remarks, Simon French praises the dedication and professionalism of his team of inspectors and those who support them, and acknowledges the support provided by both the British Transport Police and the Office of Rail and Road.

Lookout holds flag to protect worker on track. His warning horn is around his neck.

WHAT NOW NEEDS TO BE DONE - WHITE ZONE WORKING

© RAIB

When travelling in reverse with a full load, the driver can see nothing, Cholmondeston, 19 September 2018.

HEALTH+SAFETY

© Network Rail/Twitter

TRAPPED IN LOCKED DOORS

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

Now is a moment of opportunity, due to the reduced number of services running, to make a start.

The use of previously installed and remotely activated track circuit operating devices as replacement for flags/limit boards and detonators for all possession working needs to becomes standard practice as soon as possible.

Re-signalling and remodelling schemes should only be accepted by the Office of Rail and Road if they provide signalling controlled “white zone” access for planned and unplanned inspection and work on track.

Arrangements should also be adopted for routine maintenance work and inspections only being carried out during the “white zone”, when trains are not running. Future timetables need to include “white zone” provision.

Prioritisation of this conversion should be based on risk and, consequently, should begin with main routes in and around our major cities and on main lines. Those who argue that to do so would add unacceptable costs to railway operations should be reminded of the cost and anguish that results from each and every fatality!

Simon French says in the annual report that “the railway is like a family with a distinct culture all its own”. This needs to be reflected, by the introduction of legislation if necessary, in the employment conditions of all those who work to inspect, maintain, operate, renew railway infrastructure and service and repair trains.

FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF | @RAIL_STAFF | RAILSTAFF.CO.UK

28

YOUNG RAIL PROFESSIONALS

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

S L A N IO S S E F O R P L AI D WIDE YOUNG RW ORL YRP'S ' R E V O E K A WEB 'T RANGE TIME, T S A N E E B S A H N LOCKDOW LED AND MOST L E C N A C S T N E V E WITH HOME. SO WHY M O R F G IN K R O W PEOPLE ALS BEEN N IO S S E F O R P IL A R HAS YOUNG ?

BUSIER THAN EVER

W

hile the country may be in lockdown, there has never been a busier time for YRP! Across the regions, it has been running webinars, discussion panels and even a virtual pub social – all online. With topics ranging from ‘Levelling up the North’ to ‘Mental Health’ – a particularly relevant topic during this stressful time – there has been something for everyone.

Over the last few months, our Networking and Development team and our fantastic regional committees have been squirreling away to deliver a programme of webinars to the YRP community covering an impressive array of topics.

These kicked-off in May, when YRP North East (spearheaded by Oliver Craig) welcomed David Horne (LNER), Maggie Simpson (Rail Freight Group) and Tim Wood (Transport for the North - TfN) to discuss the current status of the UK rail industry and future visions.

After a flying start, YRP North East zealously maintained momentum, delivering both an excellent discussion on two topics – levelling up the North with rail programmes (in partnership with Network Rail and TfN), and a look at the industry through a freight lens, with insights from John Smith (GB Railfreight) and Lee Armstrong (Associated British Ports).

Snapshot of YRP webinars May - July 2020.

RAILSTAFF.CO.UK | @RAIL_STAFF | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF

Not wanting to be left behind, other YRP regions were soon hot on their heels. YRP North West partnered up with Women in Rail and Robin Davis (at the time, head of new trains at TransPennine Express) to discover more about TPE’s introduction of the NOVA fleet.

For YRP East Midlands, decarbonisation within the rail industry was the focus of their discussions with David Clarke (RIA). YRP London and South East collaborated with the Safety and Reliability Society on a lunchtime seminar about RSSB’s work stimulating crossindustry initiatives and projects, maximising data, and promoting innovation. They also got together with Ali Parandeh (Hack Partners) for a wonderful introductory workshop on Artificial Intelligence in the rail industry, as well as hosting separate webinars on ‘Human Factors in Rail’, ‘Disrupting Disruption’ and ‘Digital Innovation and Customer Experience’.

YRP Scotland enthusiastically secured time with Alex Hynes (Scotland’s Railways), for a talk on Scotland’s rail industry - touching upon Alex’s role, current and future projects and prospective challenges, particularly in light of Covid-19. Meanwhile, YRP West Midlands welcomed Peter Harbottle (Atkins), to discuss the future of railway signalling systems, and partnered with Women in Rail to hear from Alex Burrows (BCRRE) on decarbonisation, digitalisation and de-coding Covid-19.

Collaborations also took place between YRP regions. YRP East Midlands and YRP West Midlands combined forces to talk

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

YOUNG RAIL PROFESSIONALS

29

ONLINE FUN In between all that learning, YRP kept its feet on the ground with some online fun. YRP London and South East established a virtual pub, meeting every couple of weeks for a drink and a chinwag, while the YRP national committee dressed in their ‘finest’ to fundraise for Railway Children.

And we have to mention the quiz night in June, in partnership with the Railway Benefit Fund, hosted by Pete Waterman – despite a few technical glitches, the evening was a great laugh and a great success!

SPOTLIGHT SUCCESS In parallel, some of our YRP members took centre stage through a series of ‘working from home’ profiles, focusing on how they adapted to the change in working environment brought about by Covid-19. Big thanks go to Ben Ellis, James Hill, Simon Kendler, Martyn Ross, George Chilcott, Caitlin Braysford, Nilhil Pillai and Jacob Cooper for contributing, and Fi Westcough and Rachael Thompson for coordinating!

Our spotlight is now shifting to rail careers. This series will launch online in early September and will feature career insights from across the YRP community. To contribute a profile, please email rachael.thompson@youngrailpro.com.

Ben Ellis (YRP North West) working through lockdown as a key worker. about mental health with Wendy McCristal (The Mental Wealth Company) and our Northern YRP committees teamed up to deliver an inspiring series of insights featuring Anna-Jane Hunter, Nina Lockwood, Raj Basi, Gavin Thomas, Louise Shaw, Lucy Prior, Juergen Maier and Finbarr Dowling.

YRP’s national initiatives stole some of the limelight too. Our heritage railway engagement lead, Matthew Teller, delivered a fantastic webinar discussing the impact of Covid-19 on heritage railways, with speakers Paul Lewin (Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways), Michael Whitehouse (Vintage Trains) and Jonnie Pay (Spa Valley Railway), and our networking and development lead, Jacob Cooper, coordinated a popular session with Andrew Haines (Network Rail), exploring Andrew’s career to date, his views on rail evolution (and the next generation’s role in this) and the key challenges facing the railway, including potential mitigations/ solutions.

Snapshot of YRP webinars May - July 2020.

Ali Parandeh (Hack Partners) leading an introductory workshop for YRP on Artificial Intelligence in the rail industry.

LOOKING FORWARD

Last issue, we enthused about the launch of our new website (www.youngrailpro.com) and, if you haven’t done so already, we encourage you to sign-up as a YRP member – there’s no age limit and it’s totally free. You’ll benefit from YRP event updates straight to your inbox and access to our virtual community groups and discussions boards. It’s a great way to connect to peers, develop your knowledge and make new friends.

Over the coming months, YRP will continue to nurture its webinar programme, so keep an eye on our website and LinkedIn. Rather excitingly, you can check out the ‘Webinar’ page on our website to tune into recordings of most of our past online events.

Rail Week 2020 (5-11 October) is also fast approaching.

This year we’re encouraging contributors and collaborators to bring the railway to kitchens and living rooms across the UK by placing fresh emphasis on technology – virtual depot tours, webinars, downloadable activities, engineering insights, Q&As, games, educational videos… Think virtual. Think online.

Think live or pre-recorded. Think outside the box.

We’re busy collating the programme and need your help.

If you or your organisation already has plans and need to publicise your events on the Rail Week website, or want to get involved, contact our YRP Rail Week lead, Isabella Lawson, by emailing railweek-enquiries@youngrailpro.com.

More info next time!

FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF | @RAIL_STAFF | RAILSTAFF.CO.UK

30

TRAINING

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

LOCKDOWN ON RAILWAY TRAINING

WHILE LOCKDOWN WAS IN PLACE, NO ONE COULD TRAVEL AND FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS WERE BARRED, RAILWAY TRAINING COMPANIES SUDDENLY HAD NO WORK TO DO

W

ith no immediate work, and unsure when normality would return, rail training organisations, typically small, privately-owned companies, had a real challenge to face. One of those was Midlandsbased Amtrain…

The Covid-19 epidemic has affected a huge number of people in a number of ways.

Tragically, many of those have been in the worst way.

But workers have also been furloughed, asked to work from home, and even been made redundant. Students and schoolchildren have been sent home, home schooled or, in some cases, ignored. Shops and restaurants have been closed, as have tourist attractions.

Public transport has been severely curtailed.

The rail training industry was amongst those badly hit. People couldn’t travel, and weren’t allowed to gather, so were unable to attend courses. Although training by Zoom was considered, how do you train people to fix detonators, experience the sheer noise and bulk of a train passing just two metres away, and learn to watch behind you at all times, on Zoom?

RAILSTAFF.CO.UK | @RAIL_STAFF | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF

A GOOD EXAMPLE Typical of the companies affected is Amtrain.

A family-owned and run company, it operates out of premises at Fradley, between Lichfield and Burton-on-Trent in the Midlands, with a satellite operation at Hoo Junction in North Kent.

Duncan McKenna has been one of the trainers at Amtrain since 2014. He explained that, in the early days of the epidemic, the company’s staff was put to work on a number of jobs that needed doing. As well as simple things like painting the premises, the short length of track outside the building that was used for training was extended.

The eight-metre length of plain track, and a separate set of points, was turned into a 40-metre length with the points integrated. A level-crossing half-barrier has been installed.

“We wanted lockdown to actually give us some benefit for the future,” Duncan explained.

“The new track layout will help us with our track induction courses, and we can now have installed a level crossing on site.”

Of course, even 40 metres of track won’t give trainees the experience of being around moving trains – Amtrain uses sidings at Lichfield Trent Valley for that. However, it will allow students to change rails, change sleepers and hand-tamp ballast in a completely safe and controlled environment.

The site at Hoo Junction, incidentally, has a 100-metre-long pair of tracks as well as a RRAP (road-rail access point) and switches, so Amtrain can offer track induction courses there too. Both venues have a suite of five training rooms.

Two events then hit the company hard.

The make-work tidying up and rework of the training track came to an end, and Network Rail extended all its track workers’ competencies, so no training was required apart from for new starters, of which there were very few.

Amtrain therefore furloughed all 14 of its staff, apart from the managing director.

However, the trainers didn’t just sit at home and prune their roses. Most of them went back on track, refreshing their knowledge, regaining their experience of life on the ‘real’ railway. Once again, lockdown would prove useful in the long term.

RETURN TO WORK

A couple of months later, as demand started to pick up, the trainers began to come back from furlough. Training was now allowed, but with restrictions. It had to be face-to-face, training by Zoom wasn’t allowed, and so, obviously, social distancing had to be observed.

Training rooms that could seat 10 were now only used for five. Extra cleaning took place before and after sessions. There was a oneway system around both sites – Hoo Junction had reopened as well – and everyone was given the opinion to wear gloves and masks.

Then there were the little things. Instead of everyone signing the register, they each now had their own. And their own pen.

Amtrain introduced another new product – Covid19 testing. It purchased the kit, its staff had the necessary training, and it can now test its own staff, its trainees and even third-party workers, with results available in fifteen minutes.

Duncan explained that it needs one drop of blood, which is then transferred onto a glass slide. He has become adept at keeping his arms straight and as much distance between himself and the ‘patient’ (or victim!) as possible, while taking the sample. But it gives both staff and trainees reassurance, and it is another service that Amtrain can offer to its customers.

With Network Rail continuing to extend staff competencies, primarily to keep its workforce intact as having them retrained and recertified could be a problem right now, the demand for retraining is still slow. New starters still need PTS (personal track safety) cards, and workers still need upskilling, giving them qualifications they didn’t have before – the level crossing is coming in useful for this. However, Duncan feels it will be some time before things are back to normal.

There may be a sudden surge when Network Rail stops extending certifications – at some stage there may be the double whammy of extended certificates running out at the same time as un-extended ones, but that’s in the future.

For now, Duncan and his colleagues can only train those that need it, keep things moving, and hope normality returns soon. But will it?

Railway Training from Industry Experts

COVID SECURE TRAINING CENTRES IN STAFFORDSHIRE AND KENT

POPULAR COURSES > Controller of Site Safety Re-Cert with PTS Re-Cert

> Machine Controller /Crane Controller Assessment Theory

> COSS to SWL 1 Conversion

> Machine Controller /Crane Controller Assessment Practical

> DCCR (Direct Current Conductor Rail)

> MC/CC Initial

> Drug and Alcohol Screening

> On Track Plant

> E-Learning

> Possession Support

> Engineer Supervisor Intial

> Protection Controller

> ES To SWL 2 Conversion Course

> PTS AC Practical Day

> Individual Working Alone Initial with PTS Re-Cert

> PTS AC/DCCR Recert

> Level Crossing Attendant Initial

> Safe System of Work Planner COSS/IWA Conversion

> Lookout Initial

> Safe System of Work Planner Re-Cert

> Lookout Re-Cert

> Small Tools

For more information, please call us on 01283 792 633 or email info@amtrain.co.uk

www.amtrain.co.uk

32

COMPANY FOCUS

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

TRANSPORT BENEVOLENT FUND CIO MOVING FORWARD FOR A

BRIGHTER FUTURE

NOT MANY PRICES HAVE REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE 1994. THE TRANSPORT BENEVOLENT FUND MEMBERSHIP FEE IS ONE THAT HAS, BUT AN INCREASE IS NOW NEEDED

T

he inevitable rise in costs, year-on-year, and the change in modern family dynamics have both put the fund under pressure in recent times. As a result, the TBF’s trustees have agreed to increase its membership fee by 25p.

Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on the public transport industry and workers across many sectors have been on the front line throughout the pandemic. They have helped to transport vitally important NHS staff, carers and other key workers to ensure that they reach their destinations.

By doing so, they have exposed themselves to the risk of the virus, and many of them have suffered as a result, with some paying the ultimate price.

Even before we were all dealing with the terrible effect of Covid-19, it is a sad fact that, in modern Britain, there are cases of need, hardship, and distress amongst those working within the public transport industry.

Physical and emotional illness can lead to many weeks off work, with consequent loss of earnings, and, whilst nothing can compensate a bereaved family for the loss of a loved one, the Transport Benevolent Fund CIO - TBF - is always ready to help in times of need and uncertainty.

RAILSTAFF.CO.UK | @RAIL_STAFF | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF

FROM SIMPLE BEGINNINGS The fund’s roots go back to the First World War, when the Train, Omnibus, and Tramway Group of London passenger transport companies set up the TOT Mutual Aid Fund to support the dependants of employees serving with the armed forces.

Subscriptions were paid voluntarily, and matched penny-for-penny by the participating firms. It meant that the service pay of workers could be supplemented, so that their families would not suffer undue hardship whilst they were away fighting.

The charity evolved over succeeding years, becoming the Train, Omnibus, and Tramway Benevolent Fund in 1923, the London Transport Benevolent Fund in 1933, the TBF in 1996 and TBF CIO in 2015 (2016 in Scotland). By that time, it had spread its activities far beyond the capital.

WHAT DOES TBF OFFER? TBF offers people working in the public transport sector in Great Britain, who find themselves in need, hardship, and distress, a wide range of health, welfare, and financial benefits.

John Sheehy, TBF chief executive officer, explained: “TBF is different and makes a difference. Membership is far reaching and helps a great many people on a day-to-day basis. Each family member is considered separately, and benefits paid are not cumulative for the whole family.

Monies granted are for the beneficiary to keep, it is not a loan. There are no different levels of membership – the flat-rate weekly fee gives the member and their family access to the extensive range of benefits.”

A small weekly fee covers membership for the prime member, their partner and dependent children. It is usually paid by payroll deduction, but can be paid directly from the member’s bank account by standing order if payroll deduction is not an option.

The only criterion for membership is that the member is working within the industry on the day they join. There is no bar for those suffering from pre-existing conditions, no requirement for a medical, and no age limit for joining. When members retire from work, they may be able to obtain free membership if they have contributed long enough. Individuals can even continue with their membership if they leave the industry.

A not-for-profit membership charity, TBF embraces everybody engaged in the industry and related services, including bus and coach operators, all major rail operators and their infrastructure and maintenance companies, ferry operators, the airline industry and licenced taxis.

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

TBF BENEFITS INCLUDE

COMPANY FOCUS

33

Medical benefits • Medical consultations, scans and tests where the NHS is unable to deliver within an acceptable time frame; • Medical equipment not available from the state; • Convalescence and recuperation.

Complementary and alternative therapies

• Chiropractic and osteopathy treatments, physiotherapy, acupuncture, homeopathy, reflexology, chiropody and podiatry, and many more.

Financial help

• Cash grants to help cover short-term hardship when a member is off sick, usually for two weeks or more; • Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs).

CIO d n u F t n e l nevo ilStaff Awards e B t r o p s n a Tr or of the Ra s proud spon

Advice and bereavement

• Debt advice; • Legal assistance (although employment-related matters and costs related to property conveyancing are not included); • Bereavement grants if the member or their partner unexpectedly passes away (before State pension age) or on the death of a dependent child.

In recent years, a significant number of employers, having recognised the benefit of TBF membership for their employees, have entered into a partnership with TBF and are now meeting the cost of membership as part of their employment package.

Employers recognise the importance of work-life balance and offering support to staff if the need should arise. The health and wellbeing of their workforce is an extremely important factor in keeping staff-turnover to a minimum.

HOW DOES TBF WORK?

TBF chairman, Chris Sullivan, and Station Staff of the Year 2019 winner, Aaron Koduah at the RailStaff Awards.

TBF is a registered charity in England and Wales (1160901) and in Scotland (SC047016).

The fund is governed by a board of trustees, most of whom work in the transport industry, and they decide on all benefits awarded.

Patrons include leading figures in the major transport groups and the trades unions.

The weekly subscription is not the fund’s only source of revenue. Individuals and companies make donations from time to time, and money is raised through charitable events. Gift Aid donations represent another income stream - the weekly subscription qualifies for Gift Aid if paid through the payroll system or standing orders, as do bequests.

Monies donated or bequeathed in a person’s will in favour of TBF for a specific cause can be ‘ring-fenced’ in a memorial fund to help members, and sometimes nonmembers, if they are affected by a specific

condition or incident. For example, the Arthur and Rose Hollingsworth Memorial is used in helping public transport employees (or their dependants) who have been closely associated with a fatal incident at work.

Help in such a situation is not restricted to TBF members. The trustees are currently considering two new memorials to help workers in both the bus and rail sectors who have been affected by the coronavirus. Monies will be raised from the Run for the Bus campaign and the proceeds from the charity raffle, of which TBF has been the main beneficiary in recent years, at the annual RailStaff Awards.

With its head office in London, TBF has expanded steadily in recent years, thanks, in part, to the activities of nine local organisers who visit key sites across England, Scotland, and Wales, recruiting new members. The fund does not pay commission, which means more of its money goes to assist those members in need.

FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF | @RAIL_STAFF | RAILSTAFF.CO.UK

34

COMPANY FOCUS

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

MEMBERSHIP FEE TBF has over 68,000 members and, during the past 12 months, has paid £2.9 million in benefits to its members.

“The current weekly membership fee is just £1 and this has not gone up since 1994, when it was increased from 80p,” John Sheehy commented. “Keeping the fee so low for so long is, in part, thanks to the help of well-managed investments, the growth in the number of members year-on-year, and generous donations.

“We’ve continued to operate and support our members through recent economically-difficult times without an increase,” he continues.

“We kept it at £1 throughout the 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath, and we’ve been assisting members during the current pandemic crisis.”

Maintaining the weekly fee at £1 is, alas, no longer sustainable, and a rise will be implemented in the spring of next year, but it is a remarkably modest one, given the benefits provided. All members will be contacted personally, nearer the time.

“It was not an easy decision to make, but, after lengthy discussions with TBF’s board of trustees, it has been agreed that the membership fee will be raised by 25p a week to £1.25 from 1 April 2021,” Sheehy explained.

TBF patron Sir Peter Hendy CBE (pictured below), chairman of Network Rail and a long-standing supporter of the fund, said: “The transport industry is a family. At the heart of this family is the Transport Benevolent Fund CIO, providing care and support when our members and their dependants need it most.

Medical Consultations, Scans and Tests

Medical Equipment

Convalescence and Recuperation

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Cash Grants

Prescription Prepayment Certificates (PPCs)

Welfare and Debt Counselling

Legal Advice

Bereavement Grants

not-unreasonable rise and that TBF members will understand why we have had to do this.

“On the positive side, the small rise will allow TBF to offer increased benefits as well as cover the shortfall. £1.25 per week equates to less than 20p per day, and that’s great value-for-money when compared with the cost of your daily latte, cappuccino or flat white, for instance.

“In an attempt to reduce running costs and help to keep the membership fee rise to a minimum, the trustees have also approved the implementation of a fully-digital computer-system upgrade. This will be achieved by utilising the existing IT budget allocation.”

IMPROVED ADMINISTRATION

“For the first time in nearly 30 years, we’re asking you to contribute a little more, at a time when we’re awarding more in benefits and demand for our services is higher than ever.

“I’m immensely proud to be a patron of TBF, and it’s vital we’re able to continue supporting members in times of hardship and distress”.

VALUE FOR MONEY It still represents remarkable value-for-money. One of the TBF trustees, Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire managing director Rob Jones, said: “Everyone involved with TBF is enormously proud of the fact that we have been able to continue to offer such an extensive range of benefits while keeping the fee at just £1 a week for so many years. So, the trustees have agonised over this major decision.

“Unfortunately, it has been clear for some time that further monies would be required due to the inevitable rise in costs year-on-year. Our postal budget alone is around £44,000 annually.

“Modern living arrangements have brought about a change in family dynamics, which have also put the fund under pressure, with an increased need for benefits. We feel that an extra 25p a week is a RAILSTAFF.CO.UK | @RAIL_STAFF | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF

This new IT system will include the launch of an online portal giving members instant access to their record with the fund. It will include past claims, current employment details held and will give them the ability to update personal information. All data will be stored as per the provisions of the Data Protection Act 2018 and under the guidelines of current GDPR legislation, as it is now.

Eventually, members will be able to submit online claims and requests and view statements of available funds.

Current office practices at TBF have evolved over the past 97 years and there is no debate that modernisation of the system is overdue. At the moment, all fund payments are still being made by cheque, which is, of course, expensive and administratively burdensome. What is more, paper consumption in the form of stationery is huge and does the environment no favours.

So, a planned introduction of a state-of-the-art, electronic payment system will reduce expenditure, improve efficiency, and boost the fund’s green credentials.

The moderate rise in the weekly fee looks set to result in even more valuable benefits that can be shared by all members as the economy emerges from lockdown.

“TBF is all about helping people,” Rob Jones enthused, “people in the public transport industry, and the future for the fund and its members is extremely exciting.”

RAILSTAFF JULY/AUGUST 2020

CAREERS

35

DELIVERING QUALITY RECRUITMENT SOLUTIONS FOR THE RAIL INDUSTRY Signalling Project Manager

Document Controller – Rail

Location: Bristol Salary: £ Negotiable Type: Permanent

Location: Milton Keynes Salary: £ Negotiable Type: Contract

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Signalling Project Manager to oversee the delivery of various exciting projects. In this role you will

be working on some of the largest re-signalling projects in the UK.

+44 (0)1483 361061

An outstanding opportunity for a document controller with a good rail background. You will deliver rail engineering document control for engineering works associated with several rail projects.

info@advance-trs.com

Signalling Project Engineer Location: London Salary: £ Negotiable Type: Permanent This is an excellent opportunity for a Signalling Project Engineer to join an office with a great working ethos, work with some of the latest signalling equipment on the market and be part of a growing team.

advance-trs.com

way People.com At the heart of UK rail…

RailwayPeople.com is the largest dedicated rail job site in the UK. With thousands of job opportunities updated daily, your next career is a fingertip away.

Visit RailwayPeople.com to find your next role today.

Tel: +44 (0)1530 816 450

@railwaypeople

FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF | @RAIL_STAFF | RAILSTAFF.CO.UK

Serious planning TRS offers a complete project management service that takes you all the way from plan to plant.

Grounded in our unrivalled industry knowledge and expertise, we can save time, protect budget and improve quality on your next project – helping you get the job done safer and better than ever before.

Call 01962 711642 for more or go online. totalrailsolutions.co.uk