RailStaff Newspaper May 2012

RailStaff Issue 174 / May 2012

THE MOST POPULAR PUBLICATION IN THE UK RAIL INDUSTRY

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BridgeZone appoints Steve Cordwell

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Devolution part two with Martin Frobisher East Midlands Trains Managing Director David Horne’s view.

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Theresa Villiers backs Rail Industry “We believe that improving our railway is a crucial way to boost growth and strengthen our competitiveness,” says Minister of State for Transport, Theresa Villers.

See page four for more encouraging news.

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A View to a Thrill Entries are now open for photographers around Britain.

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Ballast replacement through switches and crossings The recently overhauled GO4 ballast renewal machine and team carried out trials for Network Rail in February replacing over 25 metres of ballast per hour.

This and a second machine are now available for hire for ballast renewals and track lowering projects nationwide.

Old ballast is removed from the site and replaced with new without the need to remove the track and sleepers.

Whilst the machine is removing the ballast a team of road rail excavators and a permanent way team are working alongside to replace the ballast and to check the track geometry and tamp the ballast.

If you would like to discuss hiring the GO4 for your next project contact us for further details.

David Richardson Plant Hire t. 01228 518 150 e. david.richardson@stobartrail.com Andy Richardson Operations Director t. 01228 882 300 e. andy.richardson@stobartrail.com Liam Martin Rail Freight Director t. 0151 424 6724 e. liam.martin@stobartrail.com

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COMMENT

RailStaff White horse born to run Contact us:

Publisher:

Paul O’Connor

Editor:

Andy Milne

Production and design:

Adam O’Connor

Senior Reporter:

Jonathan Webb

Writer:

Nigel Wordsworth

Track Safety:

Colin Wheeler

Pictures:

Colin Garratt

Advertising:

Asif Ahmed Craig Smith Paul Curtis

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

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

RailStaff is published by RailStaff Publications Limited.

A Rail Media Publication.

Runners around the world are mourning the death of long distance runner, Micah True, aka Caballo Blanco, who died on a brief run earlier this year in Gila National Park, New Mexico.

Micah features in the bestseller, ‘Born to Run’ by Christopher McDougall. Long distance runs in minimal shoes are becoming increasingly popular. Caballo Blanco competed in 100 mile races and regularly ran 20 miles. His death, at 58, from heart failure remains a mystery.

Armchair moralists will shake their head at the folly of sport.

They should take a look at train driver’s daughter, Colette Martin, 17, who plans to compete in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014. Colette is training hard in her home town, Motherwell, in a racing wheelchair. Her father, Chris Martin, and friends are helping.

Colette suffers from spina bifida but is not letting a detail like that stand in the way of her competing up the road in Glasgow in two years time. Colette is one of a number of para-athletes refusing to allow disability to prevent them competing in major sports events around the world.

Micah True was nicknamed Caballo Blanco or White Horse by

the Tarahumara – the running people - of Mexico’s remote Copper Canyons. The Tarahumara run 100s of miles and are thought to possess a running skill once common to all mankind.

Humans can run further than mammals – basically because we can lose heat efficiently in a way a deer can’t. People of all ages can run. The secret is to run on the front of your feet and let the natural arch of your foot take the shock.

Enchanted by the crime-free culture of the Tarahumara Micah True organised a race in the Copper Canyons that pitted top American distance runners against local Tarahumara runners over a 50 mile course. The race now raises resources for the Tarahumara and formed the basis for the book, ‘Born to Run.’ If Micah True shows us what the best runners can do Colette Martin

by example whirrs aside any excuses the rest of us might have.

The real stars of the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics are people like Colette.

Colette Martin demonstrates that whatever fate throws at you it is possible to rise above it. Sport is of inestimable value not only to the charities but to the eternal cause of friendship and peace. Athletes like Colette inspire us all. We wish her every success.

Micah True died sitting by a path too small for a wheeled vehicle. In one of those odd coincides that suggest a divine seal of approval on all this the local county sheriff had to use a horse to bring him down and he sent a white horse, a caballo blanco.

SPECIAL FOCUS

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Colette Martin demonstrates that whatever fate throws at you it is possible to rise above it. Athletes like Colette inspire us all…

Andy Milne, Editor andy@rail-media.com

Health & Safety In July’s RailStaff

The Royal Train

Stations Focus

The biggest asset of any company is its people. Their Health and Safety is therefore paramount. Find out what new Rail Health and Safety initiatives there are and keep in touch with Track Safety with our resident expert, Colin wheeler.

Call Paul Curtis on 01530 56 00 26 or email pc@rail-media.com.

Continuing a tradition which dates back to 1842, the Royal Train remains one of the preferred modes of transport for the Royal Family.

Together with features on the enhancements at Loughborough Station and the Changeover at Chester-le-Street, there is a lot going on regarding stations.

www.railstaff.co.uk

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Improving the railway is crucial to growth Despite the continuing recession and the euro-crisis abroad, the Coalition Government is standing firm behind the rail industry, says Theresa Villiers.

‘The Government is pressing ahead despite the deficit because we believe that improving our railway is a crucial way to boost growth and strengthen our competitiveness.’ The Minister of State for Transport was speaking at the Infrarail exhibition at a conference organised by the rail engineer. She started by welcoming RailStaff’s editorial policy of running good news stories about railways. ‘I do

agree it‘s a fairly novel concept - good news about the rail industry - but there certainly is some around.’

In her speech she stressed the need to give better value for money. ‘By 2019, we want the industry to close the full £3.5 billion efficiency gap identified in the McNulty report.’ Theresa Villiers listed projects including Crossrail, High Speed Two, Thameslink, Reading and Birmingham New Street developments, electrification, better freight routes and plans for the IEP rolling stock as evidence of renewed confidence in railways and the unique role the industry plays.

Pledging continuing support Villiers said, ‘We’ve broken the typical pattern, where rail has often seemed to be among the first casualties when Government spending has to be reined in to restore the public finances to health,’ she said. ‘Thanks to some very difficult decisions on issues such as VAT and welfare reform, we’ve been able to commit £18 billion to rail in the current spending review period.’

She also said the government was adopting a new collaborative approach to change, as well as adopting less prescriptive and longer franchises. The minister re-iterated her call for greater efficiency and value for money. ‘Our blueprint for the future of rail is clear: sustained investment in the rail infrastructure, and a sustained attack on waste and inefficiency; and better services for passengers and a better deal for both the farepayer and taxpayer.’

The railway industry looks set to continue playing a leading role in the resurgent British economy.

Artist’s impression of Birmingham New Street Station.

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www.railstaff.co.uk

NEWS

New business for

Network Rail Network Rail has launched a new business aimed at getting better value for money on infrastructure projects.

The new commercially focussed, regionally based, projects delivery business - Network Rail Infrastructure Projects - has four regional directors and three programme directors responsible for delivery of major renewal and enhancement infrastructure in their area.

Regional directors include: Roger Dickinson - Scotland and the North East; Neil Thompson – Central; Robbie Burns - Wales and Western and Nick Elliott Southern. Programme directors are

Graham Greener, FTN/GSM-R, the upgrading of driver-signaller comms; Jim Crawford, Thameslink and Mark Southwell, Signalling.

They will manage their own profit and loss and will be charged with winning work under a new competitive structure proposed by Network Rail.

Says Simon Kirby, managing director, investment projects, ‘Network Rail is transforming the way it works as a company and taking the lead in driving change through the rail industry. Our commitment is to build not just a bigger and better railway, but a better value railway too.’ He went on, ‘It is clear that capital

investment in infrastructure must be delivered as efficiently as possible, with the best possible value secured for every pound spent.’

To enable open competition for this work, Network Rail Infrastructure Projects will become a separate legal entity next year. It will then be able to bid against other market competitors for some of Network Rail’s capital programme for Control Period 5 (2014-19), as well as for other offnetwork projects.

“Network Rail is transforming the way it works as a company…”

SIMON KIRBY, MANAGING DIRECTOR, INVESTMENT PROJECTS, NETWORK RAIL

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NEWS

Spring Holiday progress Artist’s impression of Blackfriars Bridge with solar panels.

Network Rail and its contractors successfully completed a busy Easter period of engineering works across the whole country, including Olympic critical sites.

Engineers and rail staff worked on 260 projects around the clock progressing £40m of planned works at over 1,000 worksites.

Maintenance teams were out in force working at an additional 2,000 worksites. Highlights include the Thameslink Phase 3 Commissioning Works which saw the completion of work at

Blackfriars with Platform 3 and 4 now ready for use ahead of the May timetable change.

Capacity enhancement work pushed ahead at Finsbury Park with bridge strengthening and track realignment designed to eliminate the bottleneck. On the North London Line, essential for the Olympics, the Easter possession saw 5 of the 6 Solid State Interlocks successfully updated at Upminster.

Work continued on Crossrail with a 94 hour possession at West

Acton. In the Midlands signalling control was successfully transferred from Saltley PSB to the West Midlands Signalling Centre (WMSC) over two commissioning possessions. The first was successfully completed in November 2011 covering the area east of Water Orton, followed by the area west of Water Orton over Easter 2012.

Track remodelling proceeded at Bletchley with the renewal of eight sets of points. New signals and structures were installed and

Murphy joins RIA

New fleet for Keyline

Legendary construction company, J. Murphy and Sons Limited, has joined the Railway Industry Association.

Murphy, a leading contractor in the rail industry, joins 160 member companies in RIA. Established in 1951 by John Murphy, J. Murphy & Sons Limited has developed into a multi-disciplined civil engineering and building contractor with a turnover of £420 million and is positioned as one of the top contractors in the UK. The business was started by John James Murphy who was born in Loughmark, County Kerry in 1913.

As a young man he emigrated to London and built runways for the RAF as well as clearing bomb sites created by the Luftwaffe. After the war he set up on his own branching out into roads and eventually railways. The company continues to be owned and managed by the Murphy family.

6

enabling works successfully undertaken for overhead line work planned for later this year.

Two bridges were successfully reconstructed on the Salisbury Southampton line at Ashfield, near Romsey, and New Road near East Grimstead. These are now higher and will enable wider, taller, international ISO containers to pass safely underneath en route to and from Southampton.

Keyline is pushing ahead with the purchase of 60 new vehicles, predominantly DAF CF75 craneoperated trucks, as part of a fleet replacement programme aimed at better serving the rail industry.

The 26-tonne trucks will be fitted with Atlas 120 radio-controlled cranes. Each vehicle will have a wide range of safety features including white noise reversing

alarm, reversing camera, unbreakable mirrors, fresnel lenses, close proximity mirrors, load security system and vehicle tracking.

They will have an environmental friendly five-minute engine idle cut off. All the vehicles will meet exacting rail industry Health and Safety standards ensuring they are suitable for work at rail sites nationwide. Meanwhile Keyline

vehicles already based in London have undergone an upgrade to achieve full Crossrail compliance.

Says Richard Wade, Rail Sector Manager at Keyline, ‘We are committed to providing the highest levels of supply chain management to ensure we deliver the right products, to the right place, at the right time. This investment in our fleet operation means we will be better placed to meet the needs of specialist contractors, large infrastructure companies and rail organisations in terms of compliance, service levels and logistics support.’ www.railstaff.co.uk

Thameslink role for Ruth Humphrey Ruth Humphrey has been appointed Project Director Depots, for Siemens Rail Systems.

The former TfL manager will be based at Siemens’ Westminster offices. Ruth will have overall responsibility for delivery of the Thameslink depots at Hornsey and Three Bridges. A fluent French speaker Ruth Humphrey started her career in hotel management in France before moving to British Aerospace from whence she joined BR in the South East.

Her career in the railway industry includes directing major projects at Stagecoach Rail and South West Trains. She has also worked for Balfour Beatty Rail and Network Rail. She studied Maths and French at the University of Manchester - Institute of Science and Technology. In her new role Ruth will work in close collaboration with stakeholders, suppliers and contractors and local groups to deliver both depots

“I’m delighted to be able to welcome Ruth to Siemens.”

STEVE SCRIMSHAW, MANAGING DIRECTOR, SIEMENS RAIL SYSTEMS

within tight timescales and budgets.

She will also work closely with recently-appointed Thameslink Rolling Stock Project Programme Director David Miller. Says Ruth, ‘These two depots are critical to

the success of the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project and I am pleased to be joining Siemens at such a pivotal time in the project delivery.

‘Siemens already has extensive depot project management and

Tube record holder promoted

The man who set a new record for track installation over weekend possessions on the London Underground has been promoted to head Bechtel’s rail business.

Amjad Bangash has been appointed managing director, rail at Bechtel. Amjad has been working for Bechtel for twenty years and was recently project 8

director for Bechtel in the United Arab Emirates. In his new role he will report to Mike Adams, President of Bechtel’s civil infrastructure business.

Amjad joined Bechtel in 1992 as a senior engineer at the San Francisco head office, and has worked in the United States, Nigeria, Thailand, and Guyana. In 1995, he went to work on the Kowloon-Canton RC West Rail Project in Hong Kong.

Later he held a senior management role at Bechtel, working for Tube Lines, in charge of the permanent way renewals and station modernisation programme for the major upgrade of the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines. Here he established new records for track installation during weekend engineering slots. In his new role, Amjad will be responsible for expanding Bechtel’s global rail and transit business.

“This is an exciting time for Bechtel’s rail business…”

AMJAD BANGASH, MANAGING DIRECTOR, BECHTEL RAIL

‘This is an exciting time for Bechtel’s rail business as the demand for sustainable transport becomes increasingly important across all continents. I am delighted to have the opportunity to further develop Bechtel’s rail business and to deliver more exciting and challenging projects across the world,’ said Amjad Bangash. Amjad has a Bachelor of Science and doctorate in civil engineering from Washington State University.

build skills and I am looking forward to working closely with my new colleagues across the business to capitalise on these skills for project success.’

Steve Scrimshaw, Managing Director for Siemens Rail Systems in the UK said, ‘I’m delighted to be able to welcome Ruth to Siemens.

Her extensive expertise in delivering complex, high-value rail construction projects, will be invaluable as we forge ahead with this important project.’

Steve joins Crossrail Steve Hails is taking on the job of Health and Safety Director at Crossrail.

Steve Hails joins from Siemens, where he held the post of Global Head of Environment, Health and Safety at Siemens Energy Wind Power. Prior to this he held positions in EEF Northern, Procter and Gamble, Nuclear Electric and the Royal Navy. He holds a degree in Health and Safety from the University of Sunderland.

Says Andy Mitchell, Crossrail’s Programme Director, ‘The scale and complexity of the Crossrail project demands the highest levels of attention to health and safety.

Steve’s technical expertise and leadership credentials will ensure the Target Zero (safety) philosophy drives every action undertaken by Crossrail staff and our delivery partners.’ www.railstaff.co.uk

PEOPLE NEWS

BridgeZone appoints Steve Cordwell Engineering Consultant, BridgeZone Limited, has appointed Steve Cordwell as Business Development Director.

Steve joins from Amey where he was Head of Business Development. The appointment boosts ambitious growth plans for BridgeZone which specialises in difficult access inspections often involving rope access, underwater diving and working in confined spaces.

Says managing director, Paul Marshall, ‘We are delighted to welcome Steve to BridgeZone. He and I have worked well together many times previously to great effect so I know he will be an asset to us in bringing an extra considered dimension to the senior team.’

BridgeZone has operational centres in the South West and Midlands. Steve will be accountable for developing

strategic direction for markets and services and will lead all business development activity in the company.

David Bill joins RIA David Bill has joined the Railway Industry Association as its new International Development Director.

www.railstaff.co.uk

Mr Bill is a civil engineer and has had a successful career with Balfour Beatty where he became International Business Development Director for the Rail Group. More recently he has been a director of Metrail Construction and the Roughton Group.

David started his career in the railway electrification division of Balfour Beatty, where he became the director responsible for a portfolio of international projects and international business development.

Following a period as Divisional Engineering Director he transferred to Hong Kong as General Manager for Rail and Power Transmission.

Subsequent overseas postings have included the Philippines, Dubai and Sweden.

David replaces Tim Gray who, after six successful years at RIA, is moving to a new role in the industry.

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RAIL ALLIANCE NEWS

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

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

Best ever New Infrarail members

We have just taken the time to pause and take stock of Infrarail and how well it worked for us, reports Robert Hopkin of the Rail Alliance.

Judging the worth of shows and exhibitions is both subjective and objective as well as needing to be qualitative and quantitative.

However, sometimes there is just a

‘Delivering Projects through Partnerships’ The forthcoming Westermo seminar highlights the need for, and value of, Collaborative Working …

At Infrarail, we also noted that the quality of enquiries had increased as well as the quantity; so much so that we found it difficult to find time to visit all our members exhibiting in the hall.

So, our profuse apologies to the few members we didn’t get round to see - not least founder members Westermo.

We wanted to find out more about their forthcoming seminar

on Collaborative Business Relationships ‘Delivering Projects Through Partnerships’ at the National Railway Museum in York on 23 May 2012.

This free-to-attend event includes presentations from Neil Carruthers of Network Rail (Head of Contracting Strategy, Investment Projects) and Richard Graham of Balfour Beatty (Head of Strategic Development), as well as other presentations from the following: telent Communications, Daventry Business & Consultancy Services, Firstco and, of course,

gut feeling that it went well.

At Infrarail the footfall on Days 2 and 3 looked similar to years gone by. However we noted that there was a perceptible increase in footfall on the first day. This was confirmed by the organisers, Mack Brooks, who reported an 8% increase on the first day as well as a higher number of returnees on Day 2.

The upshot of all this for the Rail Alliance is that we received our largest number of membership enquiries ever from a single show and are in the process of chasing up the 80+ expressions of interest for membership. Exciting times indeed for the Rail Alliance!

Westermo themselves.

The aim of this year’s Westermo seminar, which builds on their hugely successful seminar held last year at the London Transport Museum, is to look at how partnerships across the supply chain can assist in delivering projects and how this can support meeting the targets outlined in the McNulty ‘Rail Value for Money’ Report. These targets are at the heart of the industry’s strategy for reducing cost and increasing investment, maintaining and improving safety whilst continuing to deliver improved service to the customer.

Places at this seminar are limited, please visit: westermo.co.uk /registration or ring 01489 580585 to reserve your place at this prestigious seminar.

Rail Alliance events Railway Strategies 2012 21st June Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham 10

Macrorail 2012 12th-13th Sept Long Marston

Innotrans 2012 18th-21st Sept Berlin, Germany

KeTech Systems Ltd (Specialists in Communication, Information and Detection Technologies. KeTech Systems work across a range of vertical markets including transport, security, public sector & detection) www.ketech.com Railgrup (Railway Cluster, a leading partnership in the Spanish body, covering 80 companies, involving chemical companies, railway engineering, rolling stock manufacturers, operators, civil & system engineering, interior design, maintenance, tooling, universities, research centres etc) www.railgrup.net Stadler Bussnang AG (The Stadler Rail Group focuses on the sectors of regional & suburban transport, interregional & intercity transport, trams & rack railways as well as small locomotives. Product portfolio includes FLIRT, the low-floor articulated railcar GTW as well as the Regio-Shuttle) www.stadlerrail.com RuggedCom Inc. (UK) (Leading manufacturer of highperformance network equipment for use in harsh environments.

With over 2200 existing customers worldwide, RuggedCom offers a complete range of wired and wireless network equipment to suit the demands of railway companies) www.ruggedcom.com ITTD Consultancy Ltd (ITTD Consultancy Ltd, the UK division of International Transport Training & Development Ltd in Australia, have aided in the development of many existing & new build projects) www.ittd.com.au www.railstaff.co.uk

NEWS

Motherwell backs Colette Colleagues and friends of a ScotRail driver have rallied round to help raise money for a new racing wheelchair for his daughter.

Chris Martin works at Motherwell depot and his daughter, Colette, 17, who suffers from spina bifida, plans to compete in the 2014 Commonwealth Games. ScotRail staff plan to help the young parasportswoman reach her goal by raising funds for a new racing wheelchair costing £4,000.

The teenager launched her fundraising with a sponsored 10k ‘push’ at Strathclyde Park in February - and has received a further boost following a £1,200 donation from ScotRail’s parent company, FirstGroup.

Colette has a proven track record when it comes to athletics. She has already completed the London Marathon, won the 2011 Ignis Asset Management Women’s 10k and been crowned Scottish

Athletics’ Disabled Athlete of the Year in 2010.

Says Colette, ‘I’m really grateful for all of the help from FirstGroup, my dad and his friends at ScotRail.

I’m aiming for a place in the Scottish team for Glasgow 2014, so it’s important that I keep training and competing in events. A new wheelchair means I can keep going and hopefully represent my country.’

Proud father Chris said, ‘The support from the guys at Motherwell and from FirstGroup has been overwhelming. Colette is determined and dedicated needless to say we’re very proud of her.’ Colette’s example has inspired railway staff far and wide.

Says Avril Gill, FirstGroup’s marketing manager, ‘Colette’s determination and ambition is fantastic. We wish her all the best for her Commonwealth Games attempt.

We are often on the look out for opportunities to assist in cases like this one and are delighted to help.’

3 Peaks for Rail Media An intrepid team from the Rail Media Group is training hard for this year’s Railway Children Three Peaks Challenge.

Asif Ahmed, Paul O’Connor, Craig Smith and Paul Curtis plan to summit all three peaks and raise money for the Railway Children charity. This year’s challenge marks

the tenth anniversary of the Three Peaks by Rail. Over 50 teams will travel on a special train between Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis scrambling up the three highest mountains in Britain.

Says Asif, ‘We’re all trying to fit training into an already busy schedule.’ The expedition

Clan Line returns A steam locomotive that was stopped from running on to the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset 46 years ago because it was judged to be too heavy has finally made it.

The 150-ton Southern Railway Merchant Navy class Bulleid Pacific No. 35028 ‘Clan Line’ ran through to Swanage hauling a UK Railtours Special, the Royal Wessex, from London Victoria on 27th April 2012.

Built at Eastleigh in Hampshire in 1948 ‘Clan Line’ hauled a special to Wareham in 1966 where it was decoupled.

Two small Ivatt class tank steam locomotives, No. 41284 and No. 41301, took over the train and hauled it down to Corfe Castle and Swanage. Now thanks to the hard work of the Swanage Railway

Company the locomotive can run straight through. Bridges on the rebuilt Swanage Railway were strengthened during the early 1990s enabling them to bear ‘Merchant Navy’ class steam locomotives.

The driver for Clan Line’s historic visit to Corfe Castle and Swanage was Wayne Thompson of DB Schenker based at Eastleigh while the fireman was Rob Binstead.

Withdrawn by British Railways in July, 1967, ‘Clan Line’ is a Pacific class 4-6-2 locomotive, designed during the Second World War by Oliver Bulleid and now based at the Stewart’s Lane railway depot in London. It has been owned and maintained to main line standards by the Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Society since 1967.

represents a real challenge for Craig Smith who had reconstructive surgery on his left knee last year and he’s battling the odds to get fit for the June mountain outing.

Paul O’Connor plays football and goes running. A young family helps keep his reflexes sharp. Ever genial Paul Curtis is concentrating on building up lung and heart capacity with lots of running and walking.

Team coach Adam O’Connor shepherded the group on a trial run up Snowdon recently. ‘It showed up the amount of work we have to do to achieve a requisite level of fitness,’ says Adam who has

climbed Mount Kilimanjaro as part of the Railway Children expedition.

Adam will be taking part in the Three Peaks Challenge as a Railway Children ambassador. ‘I keep fit by playing hockey and hiking with the scouts,’ says Adam – who also runs in a pair of Vibram five fingers minimalist running shoes.

Says editor Andy Milne, ‘The Railway Children charity has really captured the imagination of the rail industry. We wish the team and all who take part every success.’ To sponsor please go to: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ team/RailMediaTeam

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www.railstaff.co.uk

11

DEVOLUTION. It’s one of the latest buzz-words in railways, but what does it mean?

“The relationship is stronger than it’s ever been… ” MARTIN FROBISHER ROUTE MANAGING DIRECTOR AND MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR, NETWORK RAIL

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Last month, RailStaff talked with Network Rail and the train operator organisation ATOC to find out what Devolution means to them at headquarters level. This month, the focus turns to what is happening in the regions.

A typical route is the East Midlands, which stretches along the midland main line to London.

The obvious train operator is East Midlands Trains, which runs passenger trains along the length of the route. But both Cross Country and First Capital Connect use the route as well, and in fact they move more passengers than East Midlands Trains do. On top of that all the freight operators run through the region, so it is a good example to consider.

Martin Frobisher is Network Rail’s route managing director, and he is based in the bomb-proof blockhouse that is the East Midlands Control Centre in Derby.

How have things changed for him under Devolution?

“It’s a completely new way of working,” he commented. “In the past, we were very functional. There was an operations Director and a Maintenance Director, and they only came together at Chief Executive level. Each managed within their own individual function. Now,

everyone who delivers in the East Midlands sits in the East Midlands there is a different mind set. We are part of one team to deliver to the customer.

“In the past there was a very formal structure, with bodies such as safety councils and so on. Now we interface with the customer all the way down. On the control room floor there is a mixed team from East Midlands Trains and Network Rail. They work so closely together that the only way you can distinguish them is by the colour of the shirt they are wearing!”

That’s not to say that there still aren’t meetings. Network Rail route managing directors regularly meet with their counterparts in the train operating companies. Just who is round the table depends on the route and the train operator.

East Midlands Trains tend to meet with Martin, although they also run over three other routes. Cross Country run through almost every route in Great Britain - they have to meet with eight route managing directors to cover all eventualities.

But most issues are tackled at local level between just a few responsible managers.

“The relationship is stronger than it’s ever been,” commented Martin. “We are working well as a team, and things are looking good for us to beat our current performance targets. Devolution

has helped us to improve and it is the next step on a journey we have been on for some time.”

In the same way that the Derby control centre is staffed jointly with East Midlands Trains, Network Rail operates the West Hampstead facility with First Capital Connect at the southern end of the route. The signallers are Network Rail, the controllers are FCC. Devolution has, in Martin’s words, “provided a lot of clarity” to both grassroots relationships and formal meetings.

“Where we stand now is crystal clear,” he continued. “We can do the right thing because all the budgets are held in one place.”

What about freight?

While most of the discussion has revolved about the passenger train operating companies, freight is important to the route as well. “For freight, this route is really growing,” Martin explained.

“Freight will double by 2015 from the November 2011 level. Much of that will be on the gauge cleared line to Nuneaton, and the Derby to Stoke gauge clearance will go ahead. Then there will be the proposed new freight terminals at Radlett and Kegworth.”

Because of the diverse nature of freight, and freight operators, Martin and his team have regular meetings with Network Rail’s

www.railstaff.co.uk

FEATURE

Devolution in the regions Freight Customer Relations Team under Tim Robinson. Routinely, the relationship is a little more divorced than it is with the TOCs. Freight features largely in East Midlands planning. The £500 million electrification scheme, which will have a payback of £60 million per year, will hopefully be in the July statement of funds available. If it happens, then switching to electric freight locos will reduce leasing, fuel and maintenance costs - as it will for the train operators.

“Looking at local schemes is really exciting,” exclaimed Martin. “For example, there is the possibility of a new station serving East Midlands Airport as part of the Kegworth scheme, and we are relooking at reopening the Matlock

www.railstaff.co.uk

to Buxton line. The business case for that wasn’t right last time, but the situation has changed enough for it at least to be discussed again.”

There are other local improvements too. Corby tunnel had a 20mph permanent speed restriction imposed by British Rail.

Martin’s team fixed the track, and the limit has been raised to 60mph. Flashing yellow signals at Radlett junction have saved freight operators a lot of time. And 15 level crossings are being replaced by footbridges, improving safety and increasing line speeds.

Nigel Wordsworth reports

Horne. In his office across Pride Park from Martin’s control centre, David gave an example of how much things have changed. There was a phone-in recently on Radio Leicester, which gave local people >

Train operator Martin Frobisher is a robust enthusiast for Devolution, as is his opposite number, East Midlands Trains managing director David

David Horne

Martin Frobisher

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FEATURE

“It shows how far things have come when Network Rail are prepared to speak directly to passengers…”

DAVID HORNE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, EAST MIDLANDS TRAINS

14

the opportunity to ask questions, and complain, about their train services,” he recalled. “On the phone-in panel were East Midlands Trains - and Martin Frobisher from Network Rail. It shows how far things have come when Network Rail are that prepared to speak directly to passengers.”

Another benefit of Devolution is the thorny question of compensation, which Network Rail pays out to the train operators when their services are interrupted by both planned maintenance and by infrastructure failures. Now it is regional there are less delays, and more discussion. One of the regularly-used diversionary routes is through Manton, but this required East Midlands Trains to hire-in freight drivers with the necessary route knowledge. Now, all their own drivers have been trained on the route in a programme partlyfunded by Network Rail, so

diversions are easier to organise and also less costly in terms of compensation.

David also remembers the Leicester re-control problem over Christmas. “Because of our relationship, and knowing how important the project was, we were able to accommodate Martin’s request. We arranged some replacement bus services, and everything went ahead to the revised schedule. Under the old system, we would have run out of time while we were still discussing the problem!”

There was also a signalling restriction on the Robin Hood Line between Nottingham and Mansfield. “Double blocking”, when the safety margin for overrunning a signal extends beyond the next signal, was restricting capacity at Basford, affecting train punctuality. The subject was brought up at a meeting with Martin’s team, a modest amount of money was released to improve matters, and

six months later this is now the best performing route in the area.

As David says, the good thing about Devolution is that not only is there a mechanism to discuss such problems, there is also a locally-controlled budget to pay for it. So things happen far more quickly. This is the case in the East Midlands, and David has developed an equally good relationship with the Network Rail team at York - they have recently helped out with the upgrading of the Neville Hill depot at Leeds.

As with everyone that RailStaff spoke with, David Horne is pleased with the way things are going, and optimistic that there is more to come from an ever-closer relationship between Network Rail and its customers.

If you missed the first part of this article, and can’t find a copy of the April issue of RailStaff, read it online at: www.railstaff.co.uk/print-archive/ www.railstaff.co.uk

NEWS

The Royal Train The Queen alights from The Royal Train at Preston. Note the special inward opening doors on The Queen’s Saloon to enable Her Majesty to engage easily with waiting dignitaries.

Colin Garrett reports Continuing a tradition which dates back to 1842, the Royal Train remains one of the preferred modes of transport for the Royal Family much loved by Her Majesty the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales.

The present Royal Train consists of a fleet of nine coaches, seven of which are BR Mark 3s. Two were originally HST prototype coaches.

Not all carriages are used at any given time as different ones have specific purposes so the actual consist will depend on the itinerary of the trip.

Since 1977, when the demands of the Silver Jubilee led to the creation of a single Royal Train, the carriages and locomotives of the Royal Train have been painted Royal Claret. From the 1980s, two diesel locomotives are designated for use by the train. The first of these being a pair of Class 47s which were specially re-numbered and re-named as 47798, ‘Prince William’ and 47799, ‘Prince Harry’.

In 2004, they were replaced by two

Class 67s, 67005 ‘Queen’s Messenger’ and 67006, ‘Royal Sovereign’. A third locomotive, ‘Royal Diamond’, is kept in reserve.

Needs and preferences The facilities on board reflect the needs and preferences of the Royal Family. These include the Queen’s Saloon, which incorporates a lounge plus bedroom and bathroom for both the Queen and her dresser.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Saloon consists of a combined lounge and dining room, a kitchen, a bedroom and shower for the Duke plus a bedroom and bathroom for the Duke’s valet. There is a sleeping car and a saloon for the use of the Prince of Wales and other carriages in the fleet provide staff

sleeping and dining facilities and a generator car.

The Royal Train enables members of the Royal Family to travel overnight and is helpful when the weather is too bad to fly.

Journeys are always organised so as not to interfere with scheduled services. Since the Royal Train was refurbished and upgraded in 1977 it enjoys higher running speeds.

These days the Royal Family also uses scheduled train services for official journeys if appropriate.

When not in use, the carriages for the Royal Train are stabled at Wolverton in the historic railway works. The locomotives are stabled at Toton MPD. The on-train staff are mostly employed full time elsewhere in the railway industry and return to their normal duties at the end of each trip apart from two part time staff who look after the day to day housekeeping on board tending to vacuuming and dusting.

Royal Trains operate in Canada, South Africa and Australia. The popularity of royal trains is not restricted to Britain’s monarchy.

Norway and the Netherlands also have them. The Royal Train continues to make an impressive sight when glimpsed travelling regally along the main line.

(Above) The Royal Family have made several tours of the African continent over the years. The tour of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe and Zambia) in 1953 was typical and here The Royal Train is headed by a pair of Rhodesian Railways Garratts built by Beyer Peacock in Manchester.

(Right) Restored No.6233, ‘Duchess of Sutherland’ became the first steam locomotive in 35 years to haul The Royal Train on 11/06/02.

The train is seen at Bangor. www.railstaff.co.uk

15

idlands: Bescot, West M s, Cardiff be om Co © Robin

Tay Ra il B © Shah ridge at Dusk , baz Ma jeed, D Dundee, Scotl undee and:

Entries are now open for the Take a View Landscape Photographer of the Year Awards 2012.

Crossing train s, Rannoch M oor, Scotland: © Taliesin Co ombes, Cardiff

: umbria duct, C ia V n Ulversto dge, Cumbria Ho © Carl

16

Photographers around Britain are being encouraged to shine a light on the best sights the country has to offer. For the third year running Network Rail is supporting the competition where amateurs and professional photographers can highlight the best pictures of Britain and win a top prize of £10,000. The competition, now in its sixth year, is the idea of renowned landscape photographer, Charlie Waite.

The best images will be displayed at an exhibition at the National Theatre in London. An additional prize will be given for the best

Blaenau Ffestin iog station © Rory Trappe , North Wales

A View to a Thrill photography of Britain’s rail network – the Network Rail ‘Lines in the Landscape’ Special Award.

Last year’s winner was Shahbaz Majeed from Dundee, with a beautiful shot of a train passing over the Tay Bridge at dusk.

Says Tom Kelly, Network Rail’s director, corporate communications, ‘This competition celebrates something very special: the way this country looks in all its different ways, some changing, some not. I am delighted that the railway, which forms such an important backdrop for both the urban and rural landscape in so many places, should be a part of it, and look forward with anticipation to seeing the entries.’

Charlie Waite is keen to encourage more people to enter the railway award. ‘Judging this award is a great pleasure for me as Britain’s railways have always been close to my heart. Network Rail looks after an amazing 20,000 miles of track and owns over 2500 stations and so the photographic opportunities are endless.

‘I will be looking for an image that captures the spirit of today’s railways, be they in the busiest cities or most remote countryside.

Details, urban views and sweeping tracks are all eligible and I am hoping to see many photographs that inspire.’

This year’s winner of the Lines in the Landscape award will win a weekend break and a flight on Network Rail’s inspection helicopter or a ride on the New Measurement Train.

For entry details visit: www.take-a-view.co.uk

www.railstaff.co.uk

NEWS

Apprentices reunion

Double first FirstGroup’s popular graduate trainee scheme attracted a record number of applications this year.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Railway Works Training School in Swindon in 1962.

The school survived until 1993.

Former apprentices headed by John Baker are organising a reunion on 22nd September 2012.

Everyone who worked there is welcome. The reunion will be held at the STEAM museum in Swindon.

Almost all Western Region traction and rolling stock apprentices spent their first year at the Railway Works Training School before going into the works proper or out to the regional depots. First

year apprentices from other Swindon engineering firms including Plessey, Kembrey, Garrards, Square D and Old Town Engineering also trained there.

Organisers Colin Finch and John Baker are expecting a big turn out.

Already 270 RWT men have said they’re coming along. Sadly the school itself at the end of Dean Street was demolished recently.

However the spirit and comradeship of the men who looked after the railway in the west lives on. For more details see www.facebook.com/groups/swindo napprentice/ or email Swindonapprentice@gmail.com

East Coast went M.A.D East Coast has adopted the Railway Children as its corporate charity of choice.

The news comes shortly after East Coast took part in the international children’s charity’s ‘Go M.A.D.’ (Make a Difference) fundraising day in March, when directors and senior managers worked on board trains and raised £13,320.22.

Says East Coast Managing Director Karen Boswell, ‘We’re delighted to have named the Railway Children as our chosen charity following the great fun we

Karen Boswell presents cheque to Haydn Abbot and Terina Keene of The Railway Children.

had raising money by taking part in its Go Mad fundraising day. It is testament to the generosity of our customers that we were able to raise such a fantastic sum in just one day. The money will be used to help homeless children in the UK and around the world.

‘East Coast is proud to be working with the Railway Children and we look forward to helping it raise lots of money and awareness of the fantastic things it is doing to improve the lives of children in the UK and abroad.’

800 hopeful students applied. ‘The number of candidates that have applied has been overwhelming,’ says John Evans, HR director at FirstGroup. ‘10% more graduates applied this year and compared to two years ago we’ve attracted around 65% more candidates.’

FirstGroup graduates undertake a

comprehensive workplace training schedule over two years at various locations within the company’s Bus and Rail divisions. ‘At FirstGroup we are very conscious of the need to invest, train and develop our staff. The transport industry plays a vital role in keeping the economy moving. It is imperative therefore that we attract talented, enthusiastic people to our industry, and in particular FirstGroup,’ says John.

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17

Japanese coup for

Loughborough Stuart Rackley and Nigel Wordsworth report The decision by the Japanese and British Olympic national teams to train at Loughborough University – renowned for its world class sports facilities meant good news for the railway station.

The A60 trunk road to Nottingham crosses the railway at a point about half way along platforms 1 and 2. For well over 100 years this presented no problem to passengers, who safely negotiated the fairly narrow archway to make their way to the southern end of the platforms.

But then “elf and safety” took command and suddenly one day, without prior warning, passengers were stopped from going under the bridge by the presence of a member of staff and the appearance of a sign stating “passengers must not pass this point”. Thereafter, trains had to lock-off the doors of some carriages so that passengers could alight and board from one end only.

In 1993, the never-completed Ivanhoe Line - a project designed to link Nottingham, Loughborough, Leicester, Coalville, Ashby de la Zouch and Burton upon Trent resulted in a new and very short platform (No 3) being constructed on the Up and Down Slow line.

Olympics Now fast forward to June 2009.

Loughborough University and the Japanese Olympic Committee signed an agreement that Japan’s Olympic teams would use the university’s world class facilities for training and final preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Nine months later, in April 2010, the British Olympic Association announced that Loughborough University had been chosen as the 18

training base for the British team ahead of the 2012 Olympics with over 500 athletes being hosted in the town.

Clearly the existing transport infrastructure would not have been able to cope with such an influx, and it is to the credit of Network Rail, East Midlands Trains and the local authority that in June 2010 a series of projects designed to improve passenger facilities at Loughborough Station were announced, all of which were planned to be completed in time for Team GB’s pre-2012 Olympic training at the University.

A complete revamp of the station costing £7 million was planned including a new footbridge and lifts, refurbished platform canopies and resurfacing of platforms.

Importantly Platforms 1 and 2 would be extended northwards to 235 metres, capable of accommodating 10-car Meridian trains and removing the current boarding restrictions related to the A60 road bridge.

With all work scheduled to be completed by Spring 2012 in plenty of time for the Olympics, there was a lot of work to do.

use the up/down Slow line when the Fast lines are closed for engineering work or other operational reasons. It is a small step forward in delivering the 7 day railway which is seen by Network Rail as a key output for a world class railway.

Concurrent with the station upgrade is the completion of the Eastern Gateway project - a £20 million local scheme that has massively improved the appearance and the approach to the station by means of a new road, appropriately named Station Boulevard. Also included in the project is the building of 91 affordable new homes, an office/hotel development and improved access to a local industrial estate.

Straightforward work The station works were reasonably straightforward. A new footbridge with integral lifts was installed to the north of the existing Midland Railway footbridge. This latter item, which is a listed structure, was moved to the Midland Railway Trust at Butterley station.

After being extended and resurfaced, platforms 1 and 2 will accommodate 10-car Meridian sets and Platform 3 will be able to take 7 car formations. The purpose of the extension to platform 3 is to

Two residential streets have been closed to through traffic, considerably improving the quality of life for the residents who previously suffered from traffic at all hours and illegal parking.

Opening On Friday 4 May, the new facilities were opened by Nicky Morgan, MP for Loughborough, as

well as senior representatives from East Midlands Trains, Network Rail and Charnwood Borough Council.

Reflecting on the complexity of the planning arrangements, David Slater, Leader of Charnwood Borough Council, said, ‘What I love about this project is that it demonstrates brilliantly what can be achieved when many agencies, www.railstaff.co.uk

STATIONS

Loughborough station has a particular claim to fame dating back to 1841.

Nicky Morgan MP unveils the plaque at Loughborough station.

each with their own priorities and pressures, come together to achieve a common goal.’

That collaboration also impressed Martin Frobisher, Route Managing Director for Network Rail. ‘The Olympics will be an important time for Loughborough so it was essential these works finished on time. The partnership between the www.railstaff.co.uk

organisations involved has been a great success. The additional works we have completed make that journey easier, through provision of cycle parking, new information screens and better access around the station. It is also a much more worthy gateway to the town with improved facilities and canopies,’ says Martin.

A man named Thomas Cook hit upon the idea of using the Midland Counties Railway to transport a group of about 500 temperance campaigners from Leicester to Loughborough, 11 miles away, for their next quarterly meeting.

So, on the evening of 5 July 1841, the first ever rail excursion took place. Cook arranged for the railway to charge one shilling (5p) for the return journey that also included food.

Cook was paid a share of the fare charged, as the tickets, being a legal contract between railway company and passenger, could not have been issued under his own name.

Following the success of this venture, Cook soon saw how profitable the idea could be on a much larger scale. He organised a trip to Liverpool in August 1845 and realised that if there was something of interest for people to see, they would travel to see it. The rest, as they say, is history.

A plaque to commemorate the event is displayed on the front wall of Loughborough station.

19

Soho coup for Crossrail

Plans for a £1 billion pound redevelopment of Tottenham Court Road by Crossrail will help regenerate Soho creating a new cultural and retail focus for London.

The plans have been given the go ahead by Westminster City Council.

This means the area around Soho Square will be improved. Rental from shops, office and residential accommodation above the stations will contribute to Crossrail’s funding. In addition to the new upgrade of the existing station Crossrail is building a new ticket hall at Dean Street which will provide access to the western end of the Crossrail platforms, almost 25 metres below Soho.

A new theatre to replace the former Astoria Theatre has also been approved. London Underground and Crossrail have gained approval for plans to renew and upgrade the public spaces around the eastern ticket hall and

St Giles area. A new open pedestrian space linking Soho Square and Charing Cross Road will create new views of the Square and of St. Patrick’s Church.

Says Ian Lindsay, Crossrail Land and Property Director, ‘The £1bn redevelopment of Tottenham Court Road station provides a once in a generation opportunity to revitalise the eastern end of Oxford Street. The plans including high-quality offices and shops will enhance the Oxford Street and Charing Cross Road area as a thriving cultural and retail destination.’

A new public piazza around Centrepoint will also be created providing a distinctive new landmark for the West End. The arrival of Crossrail will make Tottenham Court Road a major West End transport hub. 150,000 passengers use Tottenham Court Road station every day. That number is expected to rise to more

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Crossrail will link the West End to Canary Wharf in 12 minutes, Stratford in 13 minutes and

New £11m Station Contractors are now hard at work building the new £11m station at Dalmarnock in Glasgow’s East End. The new station will replace the existing facility on Swanston Street.

Dalmarnock is being redeveloped in time for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. The station will also help boost long-term regeneration of the East End. The Scottish government, local authorities and EU funding are paying for the scheme.

Transport Scotland assumed responsibility for project oversight, on behalf of the partners, in summer 2010 and has awarded an £8.6m contract to Network Rail to deliver the facility. Network Rail is also contributing up to £2.4m to the project.

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STATIONS

Vital lights up Sloane Square Vital Technology has completed the installation of a new energy saving lighting system at Sloane Square station on the London Underground.

The job was completed on time and on budget. Infra red detectors check levels of natural light and boost artificial lighting when needed. The technology saves money and energy. Passengers and staff at Sloane Square will be able to check energy usage on a large monitor in the 144-year-old station’s ticket hall.

Says Arthur O’Donnell, Operations Manager for Vital Technology, ‘London Underground wanted to look at ways of improving energy efficiency, and Sloane Square was chosen as the station for this test project. Vital won the contract to design and install a new lighting system which was both energy efficient and economically viable. This was an opportunity to achieve both of those things as the station’s lighting also needed to be upgraded.’

A PIR (Passive Infra Red) system measures the amount of natural light coming into the station’s two sub-surface platforms. That information is then used to control platform lighting, meaning both a brighter station and reduced energy bills. Staff can override the system through regular switching as required. Specialists expect energy savings of around 50% as well as reduced maintenance costs.

“Vital won the contract to design and install a new lighting system which was both energy efficient and economically viable…”

ARTHUR O’DONNELL, OPERATIONS MANAGER, VITAL TECHNOLOGY www.railstaff.co.uk

Says David Williamson of London Underground, ‘This is part of LU’s carbon-reduction initiative to lower energy use. We’ve never undertaken a project like this on any other station before.We hope that the success of this project can be replicated at other London Underground stations.

‘Vital were chosen as the preferred contractor because of their unique approach and their enthusiasm for change. It was good to work with the Vital team, and they continue to have a strong track record with us.’ Vital Technology is part of the UK-wide Vital Services Group. The contract was awarded by London Underground APD (Asset Performance Directorate).

Sloane Square station was originally opened in 1868. 60% of Sloane Square station is open to natural light on both eastbound and westbound platforms. This station is unusual among LU stations in that a river flows over the platforms. The River Westbourne is carried over the station just below street level in a suspended iron pipe. The river was originally crossed locally by the Knight’s Bridge, after which the fashionable London district is named.

21

STATIONS

Local energy for Earlestown

Future of Sustainable Design

Railway staff and volunteers have been sprucing up historic Earlestown station in Newtonle-Willows, Merseyside.

The clean-up is part of a community project aimed at improving Northern Rail stations between Edge Hill and Glossop.

Known as Route 28, the scheme joins rail industry people and the local community. Staff from Merseytravel, Transport for Greater Manchester, Network Rail and Northern Rail were helped by Malcolm Wood from the Railway Heritage Trust and volunteers to freshen-up Earlestown station with a litter pick.

Says Alan Stilwell, Merseytravel’s Director of Integrated Transport, ‘This is a great example of people actively helping to maintain and improve a local railway station.

The station is often the first thing visitors see when they come to an area and a tidy station demonstrates ownership and respect by the community.’

Mark Barker of Northern Rail agrees. ‘By getting hands on here at Earlestown, we’re encouraging local communities to take ownership of their station, bringing back a real sense of pride which we feel is key in strengthening the transport network in the area. This station has suffered in the past from flytipping and we hope our work here today helps station users see it at its best,’ says Mark.

FOSD 2012 has announced speakers for its Future of Sustainable Design ‘Smart City Hubs’ conference.

Norman Baker, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport; Stewart Wingate, CEO of Gatwick Airport and David Biggs, Director of Property for Network Rail will be speaking at the ExCel London on Friday 25th May 2012.

22

• Way-Finding and Passenger Flow - ‘A question of congestion’ • Maintaining a Safe Environment - ‘Green, lean, clean and much less mean’ • Planning and Design - ‘Building opinions’ • Retail Development - ‘Attention to retail and Hub food’ • Integration and the Multimodal Journey - ‘On Air, On Sea, On Land and Online.’

Stalybridge speeds up “the current track layout… largely unchanged since the end of the First World War…”

Line speeds will be raised through Stalybridge when a major revamp of tracks and signalling is complete.

Alison Carlile, Martyn Davies and Debbie Molloy from Merseytravel.

Now in its third year, FOSD is a one day event focussing on transport hubs. The conference will explore how hubs can work closer together creating shared information systems and better facilities. Now in its third year FOSD offers networking opportunities for companies involved in hub design.

The conference features Smart City Hubs workshops including:

Control of train movements in the area will transfer to Manchester East signalling centre in Edgeley, Stockport. Says Jo Kaye, Network Rail’s route managing director, ‘The current track layout, particularly the junctions at either end of the station, has remained

largely unchanged since the end of the First World War. The new layout will give us greater operational flexibility and will be more reliable. So far as passengers are concerned, that means better train services now, with the prospect of faster and more frequent services in the future.’

The work means that the station will have five platforms in future instead of three, so the existing

numbering will be completely changed. The £20m project will enable electrification work to go ahead when the line from Manchester is electrified in 2016.

The new signalling system will be commissioned and brought into use in early November. www.railstaff.co.uk

Changeover at Chester-le-Street

Chester-le-Street and Eaglescliffe stations, once derelict, are now a thriving independent business, Peter Jackson reports.

Eaglescliffe Station.

Chester-le-Street Station.

Alex Nelson’s eureka moment came to him when he was on the Durham to Newcastle train, stopping at the then defunct Chester-le-Street station.

He recalls that moment in November 1998. ‘The station was all boarded up and derelict and unloved and had this ‘To Let’ sign up.’ He and his partner Steve Robson were running a group travel business, with London being the biggest destination, but many customers wanted to travel by train. He could not meet this demand, as the rail companies would not sell him tickets at less than retail rates.

So they approached train company, Northern Spirit, which was then responsible for the station, with a proposal that they would lease and run Chester-leStreet as an independent station, allowing them to earn commission on the sale of tickets. Northern Spirit agreed, as passengers could 24

still board at Chester-le-Street but their conductors struggled to make all the necessary on-board ticket sales during the nine-minute journey to Newcastle. It also provided the company with a good news story on the reopening of a station. As a result, the company Chester-le-Track was formed to run the station and make a profit from selling tickets to about 250 daily commuters.

An inspired move Chester-le-Track, in those early internet years of the late 1990s, also registered the domain name nationalrail.com. This was a coup that displeased some people. As Nelson says with a chuckle, one senior train operating company executive described him as a pirate for having snapped up the domain name.

It was an inspired move and became the basis for a thriving internet booking business. These

two income streams are interdependent. ‘If we didn’t have the internet side then we wouldn’t earn so much money basically.

Also, a lot of the business that we get through the phone comes through people being on the internet site and ringing up for advice,’ says Nelson, who is a director of Chester-le-Track and also has given himself the rather old-fashioned title of station master.

‘The fact we are a real bricks and mortar station that actually exists gives legitimacy to the website.

People are much happier booking with us on the website than if we were run out of a council house in Barnsley.’

A better deal The business now makes more ticket sales over the internet, which has about 15,000 visitors a day, but, under an industry-wide agreement, makes less

commission on those sales.

Nelson believes Chester-le-Track’s detailed knowledge of fare structures and pricing and the manageable scale of its operation, means it can often get customers a better deal.

‘Other internet sites will guide you towards travelling on specific trains at specific times but on many trains for a day return you don’t need to specify a particular train. If you buy a cheap day return from here to York, for example, you can come back on any train.

Sometimes we break journeys into bits, so for a journey to Birmingham we might sell you a ticket to Derby and then another from Derby to Birmingham where that comes out cheaper. Or we might actually book you to further than you want to go, so again if you want to go to Birmingham we might sell you a ticket to Banbury because that’s cheaper.’ www.railstaff.co.uk

STATIONS

“I took a lot of persuading to do Eaglescliffe, I really did. I knew it might be a good thing to do…”

ALEX NELSON PHOTOGRAPHED ABOVE

Eaglescliffe Station The company struggled at first in the wake of the Hatfield accident and flooding, but Nelson and his team gradually built it up to a point where it had an annual turnover of £1.5m and five employees. In fact, Chester-leTrack became so successful that it took over a second abandoned station at Eaglescliffe, a busier station, at the junction between the Darlington to Middlesbrough service and the Sunderland to York service.

Nelson describes the station as being in the same state as Chester-le-Street 12 years ago derelict and unloved. It was the only stop on Grand Central’s East Coast route which was unstaffed.

Grand Central was keen that it should be manned and a long three-way conversation between the operator, Nelson and Stockton Borough Council was soon underway. www.railstaff.co.uk

It opened only a few weeks ago, after three long and frustrating years of preparation. The renovation costs of £170,000 were met by Stockton Borough Council, with Chester-le-Track assuming the commercial risk of leasing and running the station.

‘I took a lot of persuading to do Eaglescliffe, I really did. I knew it might be a good thing to do and it certainly helped matters along when Stockton Borough Council said they would fund the conversion of the building, which made the decision easier.

Fundamentally when I was deciding whether I wanted to expand, I had to consider that if I didn’t say yes to Eaglescliffe then it would probably still happen and Stockton and Grand Central would probably have found somebody else to do it. They might not have done it as well as my team have done it, but the problem was, I’d be inviting

competition and another independent station operator into my home patch.’

A tripartite lease Eaglescliffe serves 69 trains a day, compared to 22 at Chester-leStreet. At both stations the buildings are owned by Network Rail and there is a tripartite lease between Northern Rail as station facilities operator, Network Rail as the infrastructure owner and Chester-le-Track.

Nelson reckons there are probably about 15 independently run stations in the country, mainly in the Welsh Borders and Lancashire. Eaglescliffe is doing well and Nelson estimates that turnover for the year to March 2013 will be £2.5m. Chester-leStreet has become such a successful operation it attracts even over-the-counter customers from Durham and Tyneside.

He is passionate about the

simple ingredients that go into making a good station and rattles off the customer research. ‘The first thing people want is other people. Not only from an information point of view but from a perceived security point of view. They, particularly women travelling on their own, want to see somebody on the station.

Second is toilets and three is waiting rooms.’

Nelson prides himself that Chester-le-Track not only provides such time-honoured facilities but is also innovative. It was, for example, one of the first businesses outside London to sell Oyster cards and it has already sold several at Eaglescliffe, from where there are four direct trains a day into King’s Cross.

‘I know a lot about the railways and I enjoy working on the railway and I’m sometimes known as the maverick of the East Coast Mainline,’ says Nelson.

25

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www.railstaff.co.uk

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

Celebrating excellence in the Jubilee Year

2012 marks a year of achievement for Britain celebrating the twin blessings of stable governance and athletic excellence.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will be celebrated on the first weekend in June. The London Olympics start on 17 July and last through August. The Paralympics will take place between 29 August and 9 September.

However many medals British athletes win the long term winner is Britain and the railway system that will serve the Games and Her Majesty with equally dedication.

This October the RailStaff Awards 2012 will celebrate the hard work and excellence of Britain’s railway staff. The men and women who deliver the railways round the clock remain the unsung heroes of an industry quietly contributing to the regeneration of an economy badly skewed by political mismanagement and easy credit.

In her speech at Infrarail transport minister, Theresa Villiers said, ‘We believe that improving our railway is a crucial way to boost growth and strengthen our competitiveness.’

In a crucial about turn the political class - this all started with Andrew Adonis - has come to view railways as a positive contributor to the economy, an engine of recovery. As well as their day job railway people can see themselves as the firemen, engineers and signallers of the wealth creating trains that thread our national recovery. Pay scales, bonuses and subsidy remain as controversial in this industry as any other.

However, railway staff need to feel valued and respected.

As the solid foundations of a new economic future are tunnelled away deep beneath London and marked out with theodolite and laser along the route of High Speed Two, the RailStaff Awards 2012 will be celebrating the achievements and professional excellence of all those

involved in the rail industry. The RailStaff Awards 2012 take place on 20th October at the International Conference Centre in Birmingham towards the high point of what will be a busy and challenging year on the railway.

The RailStaff Awards give staff the chance to nominate that special colleague whose contribution has gone almost unnoticed throughout the years. As the Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee the rail industry will be quietly making sure her kingdom is better and more efficiently united than for some years.

As RailStaff goes to press with this issue, we are pleased to announce that RIFAA has just agreed to sponsor the Rail Trainer of the Year at this year’s RailStaff Awards.

Leading role for Rail Alliance The Rail Alliance is delighted to be associated once again with the RailStaff Awards and will be co-sponsoring the 2012 Event.

Its Chief Executive, Colin Flack will be hosting the evening. The Rail Alliance joins Network Rail and London Underground as the high profile supporter of the RailStaff Awards 2012.

Says Colin, ‘We at the Rail Alliance are particularly delighted to have been asked to get involved with and compère the proceedings. The whole exercise underlines our aim to: network, collaborate, innovate, thrive.’

The RailStaff Awards brings together all sub-sectors of the industry in the spirit of collaboration and provides an opportunity to identify and reward individuals and teams for their excellent efforts.

Says Tom O’Connor, managing director of the Rail Media Group, which is staging the RailStaff www.railstaff.co.uk

“The RailStaff Awards provides an opportunity to identify and reward individuals and teams for their excellent efforts…”

COLIN FLACK, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, THE RAIL ALLIANCE

Awards 2012, ‘We are delighted to have the Rail Alliance supporting the RailStaff Awards. The businesses which the Rail Alliance represents are an integral and important part of the rapidly growing new rail industry and we look forward to seeing many of them at the RailStaff Awards – both participating and winning.’

PROUD SPONSORS OF THE RAIL ENGINEER OF THE YEAR 01884 842 942 - www.bridgezoneltd.co.uk 27

Proud sponsor of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the RailStaff Awards

PROUD TO SPONSOR Signal Engineer of the Year

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

www.firstgroup.com 28

www.railstaff.co.uk

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

Network Rail supports RailStaff Awards 2012 Network Rail is supporting this year’s RailStaff Awards at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham.

The RailStaff Awards brings together men and women working in all areas of the industry highlighting a spirit of cooperation, openness and transparency that reflects the core values of Network Rail.

This year’s event is especially relevant as the rail industry plays a leading role in the London 2012 Olympic Games. Most spectators are expected to get to and from the main events by rail.

Engineering works will be largely suspended for the duration of the games. More than 600 Network Rail volunteers will join railway staff at stations to help guide millions of passengers to and from the London Olympics this summer.

Network Rail continues to devolve power to front line

managers, increasing efficiency and driving down coasts. Recently Network Rail has been forming line of route alliances with train operating companies.

Says David Higgins, chief executive, Network Rail, ‘This

marks a new phase in the evolution of Network Rail as we continue to push decision making away from the centre, empowering our front-line managers to run the railway more effectively, and forging closer working

relationships with our customers, the train operators. Network Rail will continue to focus on delivering our obligations to all parties, protecting the interests of all customers whilst maintaining the seamless operation of the whole network.’

The RailStaff Awards is a crossindustry initiative designed to bridge old divisions and rivalries.

Train drivers, route directors, station dispatchers and network operations staff join together to celebrate the courage and professionalism of ordinary staff across the railway.

Says Tom O’Connor, managing director of the Rail Media Group, which is staging the RailStaff Awards, ‘We welcome Network Rail to the RailStaff Awards and thank all staff for their support and encouragement. Network Rail and the hard work of its staff is an integral part of the success story of the modern railway.’

Network Rail isNetwork proud Rail to sponsor is proud the RailStaff awards 2012 to sponsor the RailStaff Awards 2011 It’s the hard work of individuals and teams within our industry that’s helping us build a It’s your hard work – the individuals and teams within our better railway for Britain.

From pioneering industry – that’s helping us build a better railway for Britain. investment and development projects, to From pioneering investment and development projects,services innovations that make everyday to innovations faster, that make everyday services faster, smarter in smarter and safer, we believe and safer, we believe in recognising the excellence that’s recognising the excellence that’s enabling enabling the transformation of our network.

the transformation of our network.

That’s why we’re very proud to once again sponsor this year’s RailStaff Awards.

That’s why we’re very proud to once again

sponsor this year’s RailStaff Awards.

Helping Britain run better

networkrail.co.uk

Helping Britain run better networkrail.co.uk www.railstaff.co.uk % % %

%%%

%%%

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

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

PROUD TO SPONSOR NEWCOMER /GRADUATE OF THE YEAR

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

LPA Group Plc

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

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working together Experts IN support services for infrastructure markets

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www.mcginley.co.uk www.railstaff.co.uk

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

London Underground backs RailStaff Awards London Underground joins Network Rail and the Rail Alliance as overall sponsor of the RailStaff Awards 2012.

This year sees London Underground playing a major role in the London Olympic and Paralympic Games - over 80 per cent of spectators are being encouraged to use trains and public transport to get to and from the games.

London’s Underground is one of the busiest urban rail networks in the world. The Tube carries more than one billion passengers a year, as many as the entire National Rail network. With around three and a half million journeys made each day, on 11 lines serving 270 stations, London Underground is now running more services than ever before on the 148-year-old network.

Says Tom O’Connor, managing director of the Rail Media Group, which is staging the awards, ‘We

www.railstaff.co.uk

are delighted that London Underground is supporting the RailStaff Awards 2012. A rising number of staff on the Underground - and throughout TfL - have been represented at the RailStaff Awards. Their hard work and dedication in what will be a busy year in London provides our newspaper, RailStaff, with a steady stream of good news stories. The Tube has a major role to play in the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and we look forward to encouraging and supporting all staff this summer.’

London Underground aims to combine a reliable train service with the highest standards of customer care. At the same time, its ageing infrastructure is being renewed and replaced. To overcome the legacy of underinvestment, London Underground has embarked on a massive upgrade programme which will deliver extra capacity and keep

pace with rising demand. The level of renewal and refurbishment work is on a scale unseen for more than 60 years. Rail staff on London Underground therefore face a

unique challenge as they seek to deliver the service safely and reliably whilst the biggest rebuilding programme the Underground has ever seen continues day and night.

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Rail Safety Summit 2012 ...Record attendance at this year’s Rail Safety Summit: a policeman, a pilot and an ex-seaman give their views SAFETY COLIN WHEELER colin@rail-media.com

One hundred and sixty attended the Rail Safety Summit on April 19th at Loughborough University.

Ninety separate companies and organisations attended. Whilst the industry is vibrant, healthy and growing, work is uneven and Government imposed austerity initiatives are being felt. As host I suggested a hiccough will be caused by work deferment to accommodate the London Olympic Games. This is affecting us now, and will do afterwards as the industry makes up for lost time.

Thameslink, Crossrail, electrification schemes for more main lines, station works and of course High Speed 2, etc. are all major opportunities in heavy rail.

The extensions of the Nottingham tram system and Manchester Metrolink are underway, and recent political decisions mean that similar schemes elsewhere will no longer need central governmental approval.

Eight questions were asked of the nine speakers. A majority responded that reducing the number of rules and standards would improve safety culture.

There was an equally strong rejection of financially rewarding individuals for safety performances, but an even split over separating near misses and close calls.

Speakers agreed that the Inspectorate being part of the Office of Rail Regulation is a good thing, and “Devolution” by Network Rail down to routes will be beneficial; but the industry in general needs to change its policies on contracting. There was agreement that the industry neither values nor trusts the skills of its trained staff enough and 32

although travelling large distances to work is far from ideal, it is inevitable given the track possession patterns of our rail systems.

Emergency planning First speaker Willie Baker describes himself as an “Emergency Incident Consultant”.

He worked for 33 years as a Senior British Transport Police Officer. He reminded the Conference of a recommendation from the 1989 report into the Clapham Junction Railway Accident, namely “carrying out regular exercises simulating emergency incidents”.

He suggested that planning, preparation and training are not happening as recommended. He has worked in China and the Middle East providing services to the new Dubai Metro and the Saudi Arabian Metro. He expressed his concerns that with over 70% of those in the industry having less than ten years’ experience, there is no independent accreditation of emergency planning skills.

Injury Prevention He was followed by Seamus Scallon, Safety Director UK Rail, FirstGroup. He has thirty years’ senior operational and safety

experience in the industry. He explained the origins of their “Injury Prevention” policy born out of the Chief Executive’s passionate belief that all injuries are preventable and safe behaviours are essential.

This strong lead evolved into the culture where no injury is acceptable and an understanding that every employee “shares the responsibility for preventing harm to colleagues and customers”. The company have an “Injury Prevention Handbook” and use the power of conversation to change behaviours. The number of near miss reports is consistently rising, consequently there is a recorded 18% reduction in injuries and a 43% fall in both one and three day absence accidents.

An Olympic Approach After coffee when delegates visited the trade stands in the main hall, Steve Diksa, Assurance Services Director Bridgeway Consulting asked, “Where are we on the Safety Awards Rostrum”?

He compared our industry to Olympic Medal Winners, some worthy of bronze silver or even gold, but not all.

He expressed the view that COSS (Controller of Site Safety) briefings

were still not good and the words “just sign the form or you won’t get paid” are still prevalent. He suggested that there are lots of communications initiatives around but a lack of industry co-ordination.

He referred to the “War and Peace” weight of most site safety documentation, despite initiatives used to reduce it. He recommended a focus on what is really needed; is it relevant and correct and is it generic/cut and paste? He commented that culture on track is still, “we must get the work done at all costs” resulting in the under reporting of accidents/incidents and a blame culture in middle management.

Network Rail Handbooks are good, but he recommended a reduction in the number of armbands worn and a review of the need for separate Controllers of Site Safety on site. As a principle contractor he wants both Transport for London and Network Rail to work closely together and harmonise their requirements.

He spoke with incredulity highlighting that track safety training has not been updated since it was introduced in 1991! He recommended situational and practical examples be used to test competence rather than set questions.

Annual spend £4.3 Billion Catherine Behan joined London Underground in 1998, and is their Head of Health Safety and the Environment Capital Programmes.

She chose the title “The Road to World Class” and reminded delegates that their programme spending is £4.3 billion each year for 30 years.

Work will include station upgrades, Thameslink and Crossrail, resulting in an unprecedented level of asset changes. “World Class Delivery with Zero Harm” is the aim. Her concerns are the pressures www.railstaff.co.uk

TRACK SAFETY

exerted on track closures, the need to keep London moving, unit cost efficiencies, reliability and managing inconsistences that already exist.

She explained Transport for London (TfL) acts as either Principle Contractor or Client under the CDM (Construction Design and Management Regulations) and some Project Managers need to be reminded when TfL is the client. TfL uses an Annual Health and Safety Improvement Plan and a Project Management Framework to control its programme works.

A “Just Culture” for Network Rail Gareth Llewellyn Director Safety and Sustainable Development Network Rail spoke as a relative newcomer to the industry reminding everyone that Network Rail itself was born out of a background of poor safety performance ten years ago. He said the industry has more regulation than any other, and told us that he has already spoken with 250 safety representatives about his draft “Vision for Safety”. This is to be rolled out in late May. The underlying principles remain as published in RailStaff and are based on the whole supply chain endorsing the principle that “Everyone goes home safe at the end of every day”. He emphasised concern that 20 near misses occur each period on the five and a half thousand level crossings that are user operated. A Safety Campaign begins in May targeting schools near crossings, and by the end of the year risk assessments will be published for all user crossings. He added that, excluding suicides there are 10 fatalities per period due to trespass.

He plans to abolish 100 standards and introduce a small number of Life Saving Rules, and is currently working with trades unions on a “Just Culture” for the future.

Referring to the 80,000 Safe System of Work packs produced each week, he asked why we need them at all, adding that 11-13 years is the average reading age of Network Rail’s employees.

An American Pilot from Georgia The post lunch speaker was Jeff (Odie) Espenship, a loud fast talking American from Georgia. His www.railstaff.co.uk

background is as an American Air Force pilot and later Instructor Pilot. He told of his enthusiasm for flying beginning with moving pictures of accidents, amusing, incredible and serious. He calls himself the President of Target Leadership.

Then he described the circumstances under which his taking a short cut to avoid approaching bad weather when flying with his brother led to another pilot taking the same short cut. The outcome a double fatality crash in which his brother lost his life. Memorable slogans included, “the road to perfection begins with inward reflection, processes are only as good as the operators”, and perhaps most of all “tolerance, over confidence and poor approachability lead to disaster”.

wheel/tyre contact for their braking. Agreement had recently been reached for all such machines to be fitted with direct rail wheel braking. During the last three years there have been 12 reported incidents involving braking problems with 23 enforcement notices imposed.

She spoke of plans to separate the planning of crane lifts from the duties of Crane Controllers and Site Manager’s ignorance of machine hazards. Some exasperation showed through when she spoke of the ways in which rail mounted machines act as magnets, attracting site staff to go near them and of the planning culture for rail sites which all too often comes up with the solution of “chucking in another man”.

Then a Seaman from Liverpool, Belfast

Depot Safety

Steve Enright easily met the challenge of following Jeff. His full job title is Head of Safety and Operational Standards Southern, having spent twelve years in the Merchant Navy before working in safety in the ports of Liverpool and Belfast. Commenting on reading ages of staff he suggested that even those with a reading age of just seven were often excellent at filling in timesheets!

He extolled the virtues of using cartoons and photographs to get a safety message across and stressed the need for leaving room for local items in safety communications.

Communications should aim to work like spiders webs he said.

Speaking of the rail industry he urged the industry to work more closely as safety could be improved if everyone involved worked together.

Christian Fletcher, Director Zonegreen focusses on providing safer working in train maintenance depots. He is responsible for developing equipment to protect their workforce from train

movements. He listed the hazards as train movements, and traction power supplies, both overhead and third rail.

He also highlighted the importance of protecting depot cleaning staff whose first language may not be English, and the risk of injury from the use of manually operated points. Simple devices are now available to operate points remotely and he is passionate about the need for manual derailers to be replaced by powered ones. They then become a safe system used by the appointed Delegated Person.

He surprised many by telling us that manual derailers weigh 25 kilogrammes each and depot train movements during the hours of darkness typically vary between 30 and 40 per night.

Tom O’Connor of Rail Media closed the 2012 Rail Safety Summit at just after 4pm as scheduled, by thanking all the speakers and those who had attended and inviting everyone to attend the 2013 event on the 14th March 2013.

RRVs suck in Orange clad staff Dr Liesel von Metz is an Office of Rail Regulation Inspector leading on track worker and railway construction. Her special interest is Road Rail Vehicles (RRVs). She has been working with Network Rail on their RRV Safety Improvement Programme. She described RRVs as the Swiss Army knives of railway contractors.

Type 9B high-ride RRVs have evolved from construction machines and rely on rail

33

Improved premises Cosalt’s Workwear Division is moving to new improved premises in Stockport, Cheshire.

The move to the new offices enables Cosalt to consolidate its workwear business departments and improve its services to discerning customers in the rail industry.

Says Andy Hart, Marketing Manager, ‘There was a clear need for a more efficient office to improve our services to our customers as well as to improve the working conditions of our staff.

We look forward to welcoming our customers and supply partners to the new home of Cosalt Workwear.

The new location is strategically well positioned and allows for easy access from the motorway network, Manchester airport and Stockport railway station.’

The National Distribution Centre in Barnsley, South Yorkshire is unaffected by the move.

High Speed won Network Rail has retained the contract to maintain and operate High Speed 1 until 2025.

HS1 Ltd, the owners of Britain’s first and only high speed railway signed the new deal with Network Rail following the successful first five years of operation. HS1 and St Pancras International formally opened in 2007. Says Nicola Shaw, chief executive, HS1 Ltd, ‘We conducted an extensive market review and knew that we had alternatives. However, the quality of delivery from Network Rail (CTRL) has been good over the last few

years and this deal offered real benefits to us and to our customers.

We’ve now got a decade of certainty on which to work together to improve the line even further and to welcome more growth.’

HS1 remains among the world’s most reliable railways with an average train delay of between six and eight seconds. Passenger numbers continue to grow year on year. Network Rail operates, maintains and renews the High Speed 1 railway through a whollyowned subsidiary, Network Rail (CTRL).

Centro win for Balfour Beatty An impression of how the Midland Metro will look in Birmingham’s Corporation Street.

Regional transport authority, Centro, has named Balfour Beatty, as the preferred bidder to build the Midland Metro extension through Birmingham’s city centre.

Says Centro chief executive Geoff Inskip, ‘This is a prestigious project in the heart of Birmingham and it demands a construction partner of exactly the pedigree and calibre of 34

Balfour Beatty. We worked with Balfour Beatty last year when they built the Metro bridge for us over Great Charles Street. That was a clear demonstration of their proven track record in delivering projects on budget and on time.’

The extension will provide a fast link between Birmingham’s two major railway stations and deliver more than 3.5 million passengers a

year right into the heart of the city’s shopping district. The new track is part of a wider £127 million project that includes a fleet of 20 new trams for the Midland Metro system, which runs between Birmingham and Wolverhampton.

Says Bill Gifford, regional managing director for Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering, ‘We are delighted to be working with

Centro to help deliver this important scheme for the city. We have built an excellent relationship with Centro which will continue and help ensure the successful delivery of this prestigious scheme.’

The extension will follow a route from the existing stop at St Paul’s via a new Snow Hill stop and then along a £9 million viaduct already built by developer Ballymore. The light railway will then continue down Upper Bull Street, Corporation Street and on to Stephenson Street, stopping outside a new entrance at the rebuilt New Street Station. The extension is scheduled for completion in 2015 with major work starting on the streets in early 2013. The new fleet of trams, which are to be built by Spanish manufacturer CAF, will start running in 2014. www.railstaff.co.uk

NEWS

In the Round Staff and public were able to view the historic foundations for the North Eastern Railway roundhouses in York last month.

The old roundhouses date from 1864 and were used to service steam trains. The site was uncovered by engineers carrying out inspections ahead of building a new operating and training centre on the site.

Says Phil Verster, Network Rail’s route managing director, London North Eastern, ‘This site is a great example of respecting our rail heritage whilst at the same time making exciting plans for our future.

We are working closely with experts to make sure the roundhouses are recorded and looked after.

‘Meanwhile, the plans for operating and training facilities are

being developed to help us to deliver a modern, efficient railway.

They will allow us to maintain York’s position as a proud rail city by retaining jobs here as well as bringing future employment benefits which are vital for economic growth and prosperity.

‘The operating centre is the largest of just 14 proposed centres across Britain and will bring all the

Verona double act launches Blackfriars

Passengers heading into Blackfriars were treated to a taste of Shakespeare and modern day rap on the day Blackfriars South Station opened.

Tonderai Munyevu and Denton Chikura acted scenes from ‘Two Gentleman of Verona’ on First Capital Connect services to the delight of commuters. The pair performed in English and Shona.

The show was a result of a collaboration between Network www.railstaff.co.uk

Rail, First Capital Connect and Shakespeare’s Globe to mark the opening of the first new station to span the River Thames.

Says Laurence Whitbourn, Network Rail project director, Blackfriars, ‘The opening of the South Station has made Blackfriars a cultural gateway bringing people from Brighton and Bedford within easy reach of some of the very best culture that London has to offer.

We wanted to make the daily grind

expertise and technology we need to operate the LNE route from a single location. The investment in modern training facilities will help make sure our rail employees continue to be among the best in the world.

We also hope that the location of the facilities, on the edge of the York Central development site, could act as a catalyst for further investment in the area.’

of the commute a bit more fun and demonstrate the kind of entertainment that is available along the length of South Bank.’

Passengers clearly agreed.

Commuters alighting at Blackfriars South platform were serenaded by hip hop comedy duo, Abandoman, dressed as First Capital Connect staff. The award winning comedians were performing at the Udderbelly Festival, a short distance from the station. They greeted unsuspecting passengers with impromptu Shakespeare-inspired rap.

Says Brighton resident and theatre lover, Charlotte Frost, 24, ‘I stopped to check my train time when station staff approached me asking me if I needed help. I didn’t realise it was Abandoman - they improvised a brilliant song for me on the spot. A great commute in to work this morning.’

Blackfriars has been completely rebuilt by Network Rail to make way for longer trains and more frequent services on the Thameslink route from Bedford to Brighton, through central London.

Over 150,000 passengers are expected to use Blackfriars South Station during summer 2012.

Around 500 jobs will be spread over the two facilities when fully operational. The land identified for development is known as the engineer’s triangle and lies between York station and Holgate bridge.

Art attack Artists and schoolchildren across Merseyside will be able to showcase their work on Merseytravel’s transport network thanks to the Art on the Network Competition 2012.

Merseytravel has been installing public art on the transport system since 2005 as part of the Art on the Network programme.

This year’s competition invites artists to design a travel wallet, with the winning designs being reproduced and sold across Merseyside.

Says Jim Barclay, Merseytravel interim chief executive, ‘Interest in our Public Art programme seems to grow stronger each year. It has caught the public’s imagination and we’ve had a tremendous response over the past three years, so I am looking forward to seeing the ideas that come forward this time.’

Entrants to the competition must live or be professionally based in Merseyside.

35

FEATURE

Signalling

Nigel Wordsworth reports

in the Frame

New framework signalling contracts governing the next ten years will introduce industry stability, improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Three framework contracts have now been decided, for Renewals and Enhancements, ERTMS, and Traffic Management. Between them they cover most of Network Rail’s planned signalling projects for the next decade.

Renewals and Enhancements Framework The first framework contract awarded, and probably the largest, with an estimated total value of £1.5 billion over seven years, was placed in January and split between Signalling Solutions Limited (SSL), Atkins and Invensys respectively. Starting in April and working under a national framework the contractors will deliver signalling replacement and renewal work throughout the network.

36

The framework will allow the contractors to make long-term efficiency savings and these will be passed on to Network Rail. In essence the new framework agreements form the backbone of Network Rail’s programme to modernise and maintain safetycritical railway signalling systems.

Framework agreements are designed to deliver the efficiency savings required across the company’s signalling work over the next seven years through further reductions in unit costs.

Contracts for specific work will be awarded under the three framework agreements. Says Mark Southwell, Network Rail’s Project Director (Signalling), ‘We intend to work in partnership with our suppliers. This will smooth out the peaks and troughs that normally occur in the business, allowing us to plan a more constant workload for our suppliers.’

The framework is split down into eight geographical areas, with

each area having a primary and secondary supplier. Normally, the primary will do all the work in that region, but if it is unable to do a job for any reason, such as lack of capacity, then the secondary contractor will be asked to step in.

The stability created by framework agreements anticipated the recent McNulty report on delivering a better value railway.

Says Southwell, ‘Network Rail knew it had to drive through efficiencies long before McNulty’s report came out, as the regulator had set us a target of delivering a 24% efficiency improvement in the current five-year control period.

The McNulty report highlighted the challenges we face, and focussed thinking on the need to reduce costs, but this programme was already underway, as are other similar projects.’

Signalling Solutions Limited (SSL), Atkins and Invensys will share the work on a geographical basis as shown in the table. > www.railstaff.co.uk

Invensys Rail’s ERTMS solution is proven around the world.

Successfully installed in Turkey, Australia and Spain, it complies with each country’s rules and regulations. Closer to home we have over 15 years’ experience on a variety of complex projects in Norway, such as project remodelling of Holmenkollen metro station. This diverse expertise makes Invensys rail a safe, reliable and efficient choice. On that we give you our word.

Our reputation is assured thanks to the well known rail signalling companies Westinghouse, Dimetronic & Safetran, that together make up Invensys Rail.

Find out how we can help you succeed, visit www.invensysrail.com or call 01249 441441

Invensys Rail puts you ahead of the game

FEATURE

Signalling Solutions The joint venture company of Signalling Solutions (SSL) was formed in 2007. Alstom had been a supplier of signalling technology to the railway industry for years, but in a first attempt at rationalisation Network Rail had suggested that Alstom signalling in the UK should have turnkey capabilities, including installation and testing.

Looking around the market, a best match was found in Balfour Beatty Rail, which at the time was looking for a technology partner in order to maximise the potential of its project management and delivery skills. A joint venture Signalling Solutions Ltd - was formed and is based at Alstom’s Borehamwood plant and Balfour Beatty’s Derby offices.

Says Steve McLaren, Managing Director of SSL, ‘Network Rail was

38

very supportive. Having pushed Alstom to make the change, we then very quickly received a couple of contracts so we could put the combined team into action. The extensive knowledge, experience and capability of both organisations, in terms of technology, design, engineering, project management, installation and testing, form the basis of SSL today.’

With a current annual turnover of £80-90 million, what will the new framework mean to SSL? ‘Security,’ says Steve. ‘The ability to plan a long-term workload and to retain good people. We have reinstated our graduate training programme, and are also taking on apprentices. We are trying to make SSL an attractive business to join and the safest. Did you know we haven’t had a RIDDOR accident for three years?

Framework area

Primary contractor

Secondary contractor

Scotland Central (west) Central (east) Wales & West Great Western (inner) Great Western (outer) Anglia & Kent Sussex & Wessex

Invensys Invensys SSL Invensys SSL SSL Atkins Atkins

SSL SSL Invensys SSL Invensys Invensys SSL Invensys

We also plan to invest in new technologies and tools to do things smarter and even safer. Generic technology R&D will continue to be done by Alstom. Where necessary SSL shall adapt that to the UK market. It is essential to keep introducing new technology into the UK and maintain a healthy portfolio, for our business and most importantly for the benefit of our customers.’

Atkins John Martin is Regional Programme Director for Atkins, and the bid director for the new signalling framework. ‘We don’t have any product of our own,’ he says. ‘That means we are not tied to a product line so we can choose the best. We can drive innovation forward and come up with the best engineering solution to suit the client - it gives us more flexibility.’

Atkins has been delivering major signalling contracts since the 1990s. ‘The three companies involved are the three most successful in the market. Invensys

“We can drive innovation forward and come up with the best engineering solution…”

JOHN MARTIN, PROGRAMME DIRECTOR, ATKINS

is probably the biggest, and SSL has been successful recently due to its Smartlock product. So in terms of market share there probably is no big change,’ says Martin. ‘However, this contract will make us all more efficient. We will be able to cut down on tendering costs, and there will be economies of scale in various areas. Above all there will be stability which will give us the incentive to develop new technologies.’ >

www.railstaff.co.uk

FEATURE

© FOUR BY THREE

Invensys Perhaps the largest of the three suppliers in terms of the UK market, is Invensys. Says William Wilson, Commercial Director, ‘Looking at the split of regions, and the work we know is coming up, we think we have approximately half of the market - that’s our best guess.’

Invensys is a technology company, although it has its own project managers and deputies.

Installation is conducted using agency staff under Invensys direct management. Testing is carried out by a mix of in-house and agency teams.

ERTMS has been installed on the Cambrian Line in Wales and will eventually be rolled out nationally…

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The new framework agreement will give the company the confidence to invest more in R&D. ‘The real benefit to us is stability. It will allow us to enter into longerterm partnership agreements, and pass that stability down the line.

And as most of our products are made in the UK, it will give more security to our British manufacturing workforce.’

McLaren, Martin and Wilson all agree the new framework will stabilise the rail supply industry and secure good efficacy and cost savings. The scene is set for the most dramatic change in railway signalling since the original introduction of semaphore signals on the original metals.

ERTMS Framework The European Rail Traffic Management System is a panEuropean initiative which will eventually replace all lineside signals. Drivers will work from a screen in the cab, which communicates with the control centre by radio. ERTMS has been installed on the Cambrian Line in

Wales and will eventually be rolled out nationally under a second new framework agreement.

The ERTMS framework has been awarded to four concerns; Invensys Rail, Signalling Solutions, Infrasig (a Carillion / Bombardier joint venture) and Ansaldo STS. All have experience in ERTMS installations elsewhere. Ansaldo STS was responsible for converting the Cambrian Line.

Network Rail’s medium-term goal is to install ERTMS on three major routes, the Great Western, the East Coast Main Line and the Midland Mainline. The new framework contract is for a one year period to help define the specification of the ETCS (European Train Control System) component of the system.

At the end of the first phase, likely to be in around 9-12 months time, Network Rail will assess the technical and commercial proposals that each company has put forward and ask a number of them, probably three, to demonstrate their proposals using a test installation on the Hertford Loop. This is a double-track, 24 mile loop off the East Coast Main Line between Stevenage and Alexandra Palace.

Commuter trains will be restricted to a single line over a 5.5 mile stretch, freeing up the other line for use as an ERTMS test track.

Starting in 2013, the chosen firms will be asked to demonstrate their ETCS solutions, one after the other, over a twelve month period.

Main line implementation Following these trials, the best solutions will be chosen to be installed on the Great Western and East Coast Main Line. Says Guy Stratford, Head of Contracts and

Commercial at Network Rail, ‘We will have as much flexibility as possible at this stage. It is possible that one company will be headand-shoulders above the others, but we will have to bear in mind the logistical difficulties of one organisation working on two major projects at once.’

Work is likely to start in 2014, with the Great Western coming on stream first (commencing 2016) followed by the East Coast Main Line (2018) and the Midland Mainline (2020).

Traffic Management Framework The third, and most recent, piece in the jigsaw is the Traffic Management framework. Based at control centres the new systems will control all aspects of the railway’s operations.

When Network Rail first outlined its requirements in 2010, over sixty suppliers from around the world expressed an interest. For nine months, discussions took place with these companies which allowed Network Rail to understand what systems in other countries were able to offer, and to learn best practice.

As a result, the list of potential suppliers has been whittled down to only three. Contracts will be formally awarded next month, but RailStaff understands that the selected suppliers will be Thales, Hitachi and Signalling Solutions.

These companies will be asked to produce a new system working with the Traffic Management Users Group. www.railstaff.co.uk

CAREERS

Opportunities for Railway and Engineering Staff

Manpower

Rail

Recruitment

UK, AUSTRALIA AND ASIA based, Competitive Salaries SWGR is a fast growing Global company that has built a strong reputation on delivering effective manpower services and solutions to the rail industry within the UK, Asia and Australia. Due to our further expansion and continual drive to assist key clients and international partners to deliver a range of new rail infrastructure, renewal and maintenance projects, we are keen to hear from professional individuals who meet the high standards of competency, professionalism and service that our clients require and expect.

UK Based (Rail)

UK & Global (Engineering)

Australia & Asia Based (Rail)

Structures Engineers PTS Trackstaff PTS Scaffolders All Safety Critical Disciplines

Chartered Water & Environmental Engineers M & E Project Managers Mechanical Engineers / Supervisors / Inspectors Civil Engineers / Supervisors / Technicians Electrical Supervisors Civil & Utilities Operatives Mechanical & Civil Tradesmen Groundworkers & Labourers

Senior Planners Engineering Manager Senior Construction Manager Project Manager / Engineers Project Controls Engineer Senior Contracts Engineer Rail Estimators HSE Professionals Commercial Managers

To apply for UK and Engineering positions please send your CV in Word format to admin@sw-gr.com For all Australian and Asia based posts please send your CV in Word format to aus@sw-gr.com

UK WIDE SERVICE CENTRES

www.railstaff.co.uk

www.sw-gr.com

41

Job Opportunities for Rail Staff with CarmichaelUK Rail Division Due to the growing demand from major clients within the railway

Register your CV today online or

infrastructure, CarmichaelUK Rail Division are looking for skilled

via email in word format to:

personnel for Permanent and Contract opportunities.

rail@carmichaeluk.com

We would like to hear from the following for prestigious projects

or call one of our consultants on:

starting in London, South East and South West of England:

+44 (0) 208 522 8888

Engineers

Surveyors

Engineering Managers

Job vacancies posted daily on our site

Planners

Agents

Commercial personnel

Sub Agents

Safety Critical personnel

Project Managers

General Foreman

Works Managers

Site Managers

www.carmichaeluk.com ENGINEERING PERSONNEL RAIL DIVISION

RailwayPeople.com Fast track your career

thousands of great rail jobs... ...awaiting your application.

42

www.railstaff.co.uk

CAREERS

Station Managers & Station Staff for the 2012 Games Want to make a difference?

Do you want to play your part in the world's biggest event?

Docklands Light Railway is assembling a team of station managers who will be responsible for the safety of the crowd passing through the busiest areas in London during the 2012 games.

As a Station Crowd Control Manager (SCCM) you will hold the ultimate responsibility for the safety of thousands of people, managing a large team, liaising with major transport authorities, police and senior management.

There will be five weeks of intensive training to prepare you for this challenge. Excellent pay (starting salary package of ÂŁ15/hour, going up to ÂŁ20/hour).

We are now also recruiting: Train dispatchers / Ticket Office Staff / PTS cleaners / Gateline staff

MATERIALS CONSULTANT DHL Infrastructure (Rail) require a person with extensive knowledge of rail infrastructure parts to assist with the identification of 'aged' / bespoke and extracted parts and repairable equipment within the rail supply chain.

The supply chain is responsible for the return from the field and subsequent storing and utilisation of materials. While we have within the Supply Chain the ability to identify the majority of parts there is always difficulty in identifying some of the older or rarer material, such as PO Relays or rare telecommunications cards.

The person also needs to have a working knowledge of other items within the maintenance supply chain and be able to assist in their identification and suitability for returning back into the supply chain for assistance with extraction of overstocks from the field. DHL require assistance with this on a part-time, ad hoc consultative basis.

Starting date: 28th May 2012

For more information, please contact Ben Garner

To apply to this position and to others please visit

07827 281229 | benjamin.garner@dhl.com

jobs.railcareer.co.uk and apply for the SCCM position.

www.railstaff.co.uk

43

CAREERS

Track Induction Trainer & Assessors South West, with UK Travel

With a reputation for quality service and expert delivery Pendersons Ltd already has an enviable client list, and after an exciting start in 2011 we are experiencing continuing growth in 2012. This success has resulted in our need to recruit additional Trainer & Assessors.

The Role Our immediate requirement is for a Trainer who is already accredited to deliver the Track Induction training; however any additional track safety, permanent way, health and safety or plant training capabilities would be desirable.

Your prime responsibilities will be the design and delivery of training and assessments within your area of expertise, however, as part of a dedicated team of professionals the role is likely to be varied and provides a great opportunity for a dynamic self-starter that wants to join a progressive and exciting team.

Ideally based in the South West, however you will be required to work throughout the UK on a regular basis to meet the needs of our customers.

For this role you will need to be selfmotivated and have experience of working in the railway environment.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced Trainer and Assessor who is already approved to deliver Sentinel courses including track induction.

In return we offer a very attractive remuneration package to the right candidate which will be supported by a strong commitment to staff development.

Applications and Appointment Anyone who wants more information or wishes to apply for this role should contact Steve Bebbington in the HR department.

Steve Bebbington 501 Crewe Road Wheelock Cheshire Cw11 3RX Tel: Email:

01270 761 399 s.bebbington@pendersons.com

We would also be interested to hear from people that may be considering a career move that are approved to deliver On Track Plant training and assessments.

www.pendersons.com

www.trsstaffing.com

Researcher European Rail Project Full time exciting research role for an enthusiastic person with knowledge and experience of the Rail industry preferably at European and UK level.

This person should be passionate about the subject and possess excellent communication skills, excellent copy writing skills, top notch research skills and be happy to be located in our London office either full time or part of the time.

Competitive salary on offer, contact grant.poulton@transporttimes.co.uk or call +44 (0)207 828 3804 for more information.

44

Rail and Infrastructure Vacancies TRS Staffing Solutions are international engineering recruitment specialists.

We recruit for major National and International projects for leading National Rail organisations, main contractors and consultancies. Currently we have vacancies for the following:

Signal Designers, Engineers and Managers

Senior P-Way Design Engineers

UK & Australia - £350/day or £40-60K IRSE license or significant relevant experience

London & Warrington - £350/day or £60-80K Working on major new rail projects & station upgrades

Senior Structural Engineers

HV/LV Electrical Managers

Warrington & York - £35-50K Rail experience including station, bridge and structural designs

London - £45-70K Traction Power, AC/DC or construction experience

Rail Project Renewal Managers

Senior Planning Engineer

UK, UAE, Australia, Far East & Africa - £50-80K Experience on rail & station enhancement project

London, York & Birmingham £320-400/day or £40-55K Rail, LUL or construction experience. P3e/P6 essential

Please send your CV or if you’d prefer to discuss a role in more detail and in confidence, please contact one of our specialist consultants on

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

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

LOOKING TO PROGRESS YOUR CAREER?

RAIL OPPORTUNITIES – UK WIDE

Following a significant growth in multi-disciplinary rail design work, Babcock’s Rail business is looking to fill a number of key positions within our Consultancy organisation. Playing a key role in the further development of our growing and rewarding business, highly motivated and qualified engineers and technicians are required to strengthen our multi-disciplinary team.

Babcock’s Rail business is a leading engineering company within the rail infrastructure market supporting Network Rail and other rail industry customers to provide a safe, reliable and efficient rail network across the UK. By working together with our customers, supply chain and other strategic partners, our focus is on delivering quality engineering projects, championing innovation and introducing new technologies into the rail industry.

Being part of Babcock International Group PLC, the UK’s leading engineering support services organisation with circa £3bn revenues and 27,000 worldwide employees, make us a business that is trusted to deliver.

We are excited by the opportunities that the recent rail industry changes and devolution may bring and are ready to support our customers to achieve the future efficiencies required.

Operating from regional offices in Hamilton, York, Crewe and Birmingham, we are offering competitive rates of pay, comprehensive benefits and excellent development opportunities.

Current vacancies include:

Civils Design Engineers (Birmingham and Hamilton) E&P Principal Electrical Design Engineers (York and Crewe) Senior Electrical Design Engineers (York and Crewe) Electrical Design Engineers (York) Signalling Signalling Design Manager (Crewe) Schemes Development Manager (Birmingham) Signalling Design Verifiers (Crewe and Birmingham) Signalling Designers (Crewe and Birmingham) Assistant Signalling Designers (Crewe and Birmingham) Track Pway Design Engineers (Hamilton and Crewe) Project Surveyors – Topographical (Hamilton)

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THESE POSITIONS, PLEASE VISIT WWW.BABCOCK.CO.UK AND FOLLOW THE CAREERS LINK. CVS SHOULD BE SENT TO RAIL.RECRUITMENT@BABCOCK.CO.UK

babcock.co.uk | Airports | Communications | Defence | Education | Emergency Services | Energy | International | Nuclear | Property | Rail | Training |

Put your career on the fast track From Hitachi Rail Europe’s Head Office in Holborn, London, we are building on a proud history in the rail industry and a global reputation for quality, reliability, innovation, design and technological leadership. As a business we are committed to the long-term development of a strong rail and infrastructure industry in the UK and continental Europe.

Hitachi Rail Europe’s UK rail contract for the Class 395 High Speed trains is now in commercial operation and came into service on the high-speed lines between Kent and London, in December 2009. The Class 465 traction replacement programmes have been successfully delivered and exceeded the contractual service level. In addition, HRE is approaching contract award for the UK’s replacement Intercity Express Programme (IEP) for supply and maintaining of rolling stock.

So, if you’re a dynamic, ambitious rail professional ready for a bigger challenge, working on a variety of high-profile and prestigious projects in various locations in the UK and Europe, delivering the future of rail technology, then join us now.

Project & Engineering Approvals (Homologation) Engineer

Project Engineering Manager

Senior Planner

With experience in producing engineering safety case work (or assessment of such work) and engineering safety management experience (Yellow Book/CENELEC), you’ll work within the Approvals and Safety team in the UK responsible for supporting the Approvals for rolling stock projects in both the UK and European rail market. That means supporting the delivery and approvals in terms of value for money, life cycle cost, environmental performance, energy efficiency.

You will lead and manage the Project Engineering team’s interfaces with all relevant, internal and external, design, manufacturing, operational and maintenance stakeholders. You’ll also manage involvement in all rolling stock design activities, to ensure the requirements of external stakeholders, legislation, maintenance and assembly are captured in the final design of the product.

Experience in all phases of a project, from bid through design, manufacture, test, acceptance, delivery and operational development is essential.

You will develop, maintain and update integrated project delivery programmes for train manufacture, depot construction and maintenance. Experience of, and skilled in the use of Primavera P6 and Microsoft planning products using Critical Path Analysis and Earned Value in a technical environment, is essential.

Project Engineers Electrical/Mechanical/Signalling Interfaces We need experienced Project Engineers to lead customer, stakeholder and supplier interfacing engineering activities. Expertise gained from a rolling stock design/operations environment, in one of electrical, mechanical or signalling is essential. Knowledge and understanding of the European and Railway Group Standards and other railway specific engineering standards is a must. Whilst Chartered Engineer status would be desirable.

Test Manager Reporting to the HRE Test Manager, and working with the Project Manager, you’ll manage the testing programme of the new rolling stock to support introduction into service in accordance with the contract programme.

Ideally a degree qualified IMechE engineer, you’ll have extensive project management and testing experience in railway industry engineering.

RAMS Engineer With experience of UK train approvals process and knowledge of TSI Common Safety Methods, you’ll manage and facilitate the RAMS process on IEP. Working within the systems integration team you’ll be responsible for analyzing and evaluating the RAMS contractual performance requirements and ensuring these performance criteria are achieved for the new train design.

Interior design/Mock-up Manager Leading a customer and stakeholder facing team of co-coordinators responsible for gaining interiors’ approval for a new design of passenger rail vehicles, you’ll effectively manage the Interiors team’s interfaces with

all relevant, internal and external, design, manufacturing, operational and maintenance stakeholders to capture, prioritise and demonstrate compliance with elicited requirements.

Diesel Generator Unit Systems Engineer You’ll lead propulsion system design areas specifically related to the Diesel Generator Unit mechanical, electrical and control interface design and implementation, including verification and acceptance of the supplier led Diesel Generator Unit design. With experience of working with SAE J1939 automotive software protocol, you’ll management the SAE J1939 control interface requirements to Hitachi Traction and ATI equipment.

Training Manager You’ll manage the delivery of training courses, materials, facilities and equipment to Train Operators on a “train the trainer” basis, as well as lead training activities of internal and third party staff. Training provision to include train drivers, guards, other on-board staff, control room personnel and catering logistic supplier.

So, significant experience of core training processes including Training Needs Analysis, Solution design, evaluation and proficiency in technical writing and training design is essential.

Commercial Customer Relationship Manager Reporting to the Head of Commercial and Business Planning, you’ll be a key part of the team developing strong relationships with UK railway industry stakeholders, identifying and developing new business opportunities across Hitachi Rail Europe’s portfolio of products and services. As the primary point of contact and advocate for the customer within HRE, you’ll develop and implement Account Development Plans for nominated accounts, managing and building the overall relationship, protecting existing business and delivering new business opportunities.

Senior Commercial Manager With knowledge of the Railway Industry in the UK and mainland Europe, you’ll be responsible for the provision of commercial support for bids and participate in major contract negotiations, as well as participating in other commercial activities, as part of the team bidding and negotiating major rolling stock contracts across the European railway market.

Bid Manager Reporting to the Head of Commercial and Business Planning you will plan, develop, implement and manage all activities relating to proposal preparation and submission as part of the team bidding for major railway industry

contracts. With previous experience in a similar role, you’ll also co-ordinate internal members and external partners and advisors in order to ensure the successful delivery of bids and to facilitate the subsequent negotiation process.

Lead Commercial Engineer – Europe Reporting to the Head of Commercial and Business Planning, you will be a key part of the team bidding and negotiating major rolling stock contracts along with participating in other commercial activities, supporting opportunities for Hitachi Rail Europe’s entire portfolio of products and services. A qualified engineer, fluent in German, you’ll be the first point of contact for engineering and technical matters relating to bids and business development activity.

Maintenance Fleet Materials Manager Experienced in working in dealing with Railway Traction and Rolling Stock Materials, you’ll lead and direct all materials management activities, ensuring that materials of the required standard are available at the production facility to meet the requirements of the maintenance operation. With experience in managing a Stores environment, you’ll assist in the strategic development and management of the spares supply system and materials planning and scheduling for the respective fleet.

Over the next few months we will be looking to recruit more Engineers and other professionals including Project Quality Engineer, PMO Manager, QA Engineer, Bid Administrator, Document Controller, Technical Librarian, Buyer and Translator.

Our business is built on partnership working with customers, suppliers and Hitachi businesses worldwide. So, whichever role you join us in you must have the confidence and interpersonal skills to liaise effectively at every level, often across international boundaries and different cultures.

For each role we need professionals with the passion and drive to deliver and contribute to the continued success of a high-profile, world-leading brand, so remuneration packages will reflect the skills of high performers and reward success.

The roles will be based at our Head Office and various locations in the UK and Europe, however there will be some international travel and flexible/remote working required.

For more information on all the roles and to apply please visit our website at www.hitachirail-eu.com/careers and click-on the vacancy to proceed with your application.

Closing date: Friday 1st June 2012

NO AGENCIES