RailStaff - Issue 276 | November-December 2021

NOV-DEC 2021 | ISSUE 276

RBF: A HELPING HAND THROUGH UNUSUAL TIMES

RailStaff spoke to Railway Benefit Fund's Ryan Morgan to discuss the ongoing impact of Covid-19 and the pressures of the festive season.

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CONTENTS

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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 276

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RAIL INDUSTRY CELEBRATES SAMARITANS CHRISTMAS STARS | 20

20

This Christmas, Samaritans volunteers will respond to more than 250,000 calls for help. How can we support them?

REINSTATING THE 'PEAKS AND DALES LINE' | 22

MEMRAP’s Stephen Chaytow discusses its campaign to restore and upgrade ‘the Peaks and Dales’ heritage railway.

THE QUALITIES OF A WORLD-BEATING RAILWAY | 26

22

Colin Wheeler discusses recent incidents and asks how the UK’s railway can become a leader in safety and service.

YOUNG RAIL PROFESSIONALS: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH | 36

YPR’s George Chilcott considers the challenge of tempting travellers away from the domestic aviation industry.

STRUCTURES EXAMINATION ACADEMY | 38

Civil engineering consultancy XEIAD has opened a training academy to boost the numbers of inspection engineers.

36 42

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T H G I L T O P

ND 4 ING HAAL TIMES | 3tm P L E as H s A U ri : S h F C U RB UGH UN es and c n g a n n li fi gg , ed THRO u’re stru squeez . If yo 9 has Covid-1 to the pressure s d . only ad can help the RBF

KEEP MELBOURNE MOVING WITH MTM | 42

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0300 333 2000 help@tbf.org.uk www.tbf.org.uk Transport Benevolent Fund CIO, known as TBF, is a registered charity in England and Wales, 1160901, and Scotland, SC047016.

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RAILSTAFF NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021

NEWS

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MAKING THE BEST OF IT ALL

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Colin Wheeler

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October had not yet come to a close when news arrived of the collision in Salisbury which sadly left 15 passengers hurt and a driver with life-changing injuries. To date the RAIB’s investigation has revealed that wheel slide was likely to blame. Colin Wheeler discusses this further in his regular safety review on page 26.

In mid-November the Government released its Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) to mixed reviews.

The plan outlines how major rail projects will be delivered in the near future and is an effort to accelerate improvements to the network by up to 10 years.

However, the scrapping of the Leeds leg of HS2 has not been well received and industry figures are concerned about the plan’s impact on the benefits of the high-speed project.

George Chilcott comments further in his Young Rail Professionals update on page 36.

Many in the North of England felt betrayed by the plan. The Board of Transport for the North has expressed its disappointment and said the plans, as proposed, breach the commitments previously made on Northern Powerhouse Rail. The Government has promised that the upgrade of existing infrastructure will ‘level’ up Northern towns and cities more quickly than HS2. Either way, we won’t see the results for quite some time.

More recently, December has not been a good month for news about Covid-19. At the time of writing, Boris Johnson remains in office but his reluctance to swiftly condemn stories of a party at No 10 has impacted the Government’s authority to impose further Covid restrictions.

In the face of Omicron, this could be bad news indeed. One can only hope that

everyone sticks to the use of face masks and gets vaccinated, and that the health of rail staff on the frontlines is not compromised.

That said, the threat of further lockdowns is also a concern. The financial health of the industry and those who work within it was severely affected by the economic squeeze that resulted last time around. Those impacted may find support from the Railway Benefit Fund (RBF) and I speak to a member of their team on page 34.

But it's Christmas, and we're on the brink of a new year. Can we find some light in these stories?

We can take some comfort from the fact that more people were not injured in the Salisbury collision – due in part to what South Western Railway describes as the “impeccable” and “valiant” actions of the injured driver who put his passengers first.

The £96 billion investment promised by the IRP will go a long way to improving our ageing rail network and, if the Government is committed to levelling up, the updates to Northern infrastructure could well bring benefits and create jobs.

The reaction to violations of Covid rules at the governmental level, displays to us the importance with which the public has treated these measures so far and the sense of fairness that runs throughout the country.

Finally, the selfless actions of those who work for and support charities such as the RBF and Samaritans (see page 20) shows us the humanity that is often missed by the news reports.

RailStaff wishes you all a very happy and relaxing holiday. To those who will be working, stay safe.

Here’s to a positive and prosperous 2022.

Matt@rail-media.com FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF | @RAIL_STAFF | RAILSTAFF.CO.UK

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NEWS

RAILSTAFF NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021

Hitachi-Alstom win HS2 train contracts

© Hitachi Rail

HS2 Ltd has confirmed that a HitachiAlstom joint venture has been awarded the contracts to build Britain’s next generation of high-speed trains at their factories in Derby and County Durham. The deal is set to support 2,500 jobs across the UK. The £2 billion contracts will see the joint venture design, build, and maintain a fleet of 54 state-of-the-art high-speed trains that will operate on HS2.

Building on the latest technology from the Japanese Shinkansen ‘bullet train’ and European high-speed network, they will be some of the fastest, quietest, and most energy efficient high-speed trains operating anywhere in the world.

Alstom’s Managing Director, UK & Ireland, Nick Crossfield said: “HS2 is a once-in-ageneration opportunity to transform Britain by building a sustainable transport system fit for the 21st Century. I am delighted that Alstom’s joint venture with Hitachi Rail has been selected to develop, build, and maintain in Britain the next generation of high-speed trains.”

The design, manufacture, assembly, and testing of the new trains will be shared between Hitachi Rail and Alstom.

Andrew Barr, Group CEO, Hitachi Rail said: “We are excited to be pioneering the next generation of high-speed rail in the UK as part of our joint venture with Alstom. This Britishbuilt bullet train will be the fastest in Europe, and I am proud of the role that Hitachi will

Most-struck rail bridges In November, Network Rail revealed the most-struck railway bridges in the country as it relaunched its ‘Wise Up, Size Up’ campaign, reminding lorry drivers and haulage operators to take better care by knowing the height of their vehicles and choosing suitable routes before they head out on journeys.

The warning comes as more newly qualified lorry drivers are expected on Britain’s roads this year to meet supply chain demands and fill the estimated 100,000 driver shortfall.

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The Coddenham Road bridge on the B1078 has the unflattering title of the most bashed bridge in Britain. Located in Needham Market, Suffolk, the bridge was struck 19 times last year, amounting to £41,331 in unnecessary train delay and cancellation costs. The other “big hitters” on the list in the Anglia region include Stuntney Road in Ely (4), Ipswich Road bridge in Manningtree (8) and Abbey Farm in Thetford (20).

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said: “Bridge strikes cause unnecessary delays, costs and safety issues for road and rail users. We’ve done a lot of work with partners across the industry to tackle this problem and it’s encouraging to see numbers on the decline.

We urge drivers to properly plan their routes, know the height of their vehicles and look out for road signs warning of oncoming bridges.

Those who don’t are at risk of losing their driver’s and operator’s licences, and Network Rail looks to recover the entire repair and delay costs from the driver’s employer.”

play in helping to improve mobility in the UK through this project.”

The first train is expected to roll off the production line around 2027. Following a rigorous process of testing and commissioning, the first passengers are expected to be carried between 2029 and 2033.

Historic signal box restored A Grade II listed signal box on one of the country’s most picturesque rail routes has been refurbished to improve future journeys for passengers and freight.

The signal box in Garsdale on the Settle and Carlisle railway line has been upgraded as part of a £500,000 Great North Rail Project investment. The 111-year-old signal box’s structural timbers, outside cladding and electronics have been repaired. It also has a new roof and windows.

Rachel Slater, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: “We take great care to maintain heritage structures on the railway and the Settle to Carlisle railway line is no exception.

The historic signal box in Garsdale has been restored to its former glory as part of the Great North Rail Project investment. This will secure future journeys for passengers and freight on this iconic north west route.”

Tony Baxter, regional director at Northern, added: “The refurbishment of Garsdale signal box is an important investment in railway infrastructure. Not only will it protect a historic asset, but it will mean that today’s railway continues to be able to operate.

The Garsdale improvements follow a major £2.1 million investment to upgrade the worldfamous Ribblehead Viaduct on the same railway line earlier this year.

RAILSTAFF NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021

NEWS

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Public sees rail as green but hesitant to ditch cars

Endangered dormice get dedicated crossing A Network Rail survey has revealed that two-thirds of the British public see the railway as a green mode of transport, however 73% of those surveyed primarily use cars for their journeys.

Despite volatile fuel prices and rail’s significantly lower carbon emissions, Network Rail found that people need further convincing to travel on trains rather than cars.

However, using the train for leisure travel is on the rise.

The survey was carried out as part of the industry-wide ‘We Mean Green’ campaign which aims to encourage travellers into making greener travel choices. Two thousand people across the country were surveyed ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, and were asked a wide range of questions about their travel habits.

Of the 2,000 people surveyed, 67% said they would consider using the train instead of a car for a day out with friends or family, and 55% would also consider using the train for

travel to a big music or sports event. The rise in leisure travel re-affirms the major impact Covid-19 has had on shifting passenger travel patterns with many still working from home.

“Rail is the greenest form of public transport there is,” said Tim Shoveller, managing director for Network Rail’s North West & Central region. “We want to encourage as many people as possible to make the shift from car to train more regularly, particularly for long-distance travel – not just for the planet, but for reliability, comfort and safety.”

Passenger numbers have increased by 19% in the past two months, helped by incentives such as the introduction of flexible season tickets. Total passenger numbers are now at around 65% of pre-Covid-19 levels, and commuters are steadily returning.

Network Rail has committed to reduce its own operational carbon emissions by 25% by 2024 as part of its pledge to become Net Zero by 2050 in line with government policy.

Another commitment is to do more to protect and conserve wildlife habitats on its land.

The new ‘dormouse bridge’ will be the first of its kind on the railway when it’s built next summer on the Furness line in Lancashire.

Wild hazel dormice have declined by a staggering 51% since 2000. This project aims to tackle that decline by establishing new dormouse populations in Lancashire but the selected sites are currently separated by the rail route in Morecambe Bay. The new mouse-sized climbing frame over tracks will connect populations, encouraging them to find food, look for a new mate or find better nesting sites in the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The £80,000 conservation project is being part funded by Network Rail with the remainder of the money coming from donations to People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES). It involves fitting a 12-metrelong, shielded tree-top structure to provide protection from predators on the side of an existing railway overbridge.

© Matthew Troke © Clare Pengelly/Animex

© Jokerbee12

Engineers are building a tiny railway crossing for wild hazel dormice in a bid to save the endangered species from extinction.

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NEWS

RAILSTAFF NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021

Loram UK and Network Rail in wagon repurposing deal

The rail and rolling stock maintenance specialist, Loram UK, has announced a multi-million-pound deal with Network Rail to repurpose at least 250 side tipper ballast wagons.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities London Bridge station is marking International Day of Persons with Disabilities with an installation celebrating neurodiversity.

The installation features special ‘umbrella’ art which will also be displayed at Victoria and Waterloo.

Stations will also be lit up in purple symbolising the new positive narrative about the contribution of disabled people in the workforce and the wider community, including at Network Rail.

The ‘umbrella’ theme installation will be one of 20 neurodiversity umbrella installations across the UK, with hundreds of brightly coloured umbrellas suspended above the streets and public spaces.

Flash-mob dancers are performing at Victoria, London Bridge, and Waterloo stations and station staff are handing out 3,000 packets of sunflower seeds. It’s all part of the Umbrella Project which celebrates the gifts, talents, and employability of those who are neurodiverse. It forms a wider education project to celebrate neurodiversity, raise awareness and challenge stigma and discrimination.

Lucy McAuliffe, Stations Director, Network Rail, said: “At Network Rail we are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for our people and passengers and are committed to improving access and inclusion. We are delighted to partner with the ADHD foundation on this unique installation at London Bridge, to promote and celebrate neurodiversity with hundreds of brightly coloured umbrellas, an uplifting and atmospheric display which will enhance the station environment.”

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The work will involve removing the tipper element of the wagons to create reusable and more versatile non-tipping static containers.

Loram UK and Network Rail have worked together on maintenance and infrastructure programmes before, and Andrew Watson, Loram UK’s International Business Development Director, said the programme would further strengthen that relationship.

“The availability of wagons generally is an issue so to be able to repurpose 250 provides much greater flexibility for Network Rail,” he said. “It’s a project we’re very excited to be involved in and allows us to expand our horizons.

“We are always looking at diversifying and this allows us to not only carry out the work, but manage the logistics regards collecting the wagons, the processes around the repurposing and sending them back to Network Rail.”

The two-year repurposing programme will be carried out in Derby, where Loram has its UK base, and will help secure around 35 jobs for the duration, along with 20 others across the supply chain.

The design of the new ballast boxes, integration and modifications are being carried out by global testing and certification company TUV Rheinland Risktec Solutions, which has a UK base on Pride Park in Derby.

Laura May, Business Development Manager, said: “We are especially excited about this project because of the local, collaborative opportunity it presents working with Loram, who are a stone’s throw away from our offices in Derby.

“We support the mission behind the project of repurposing the wagons and improving the renewal of the infrastructure of our railway.

People of all levels of skillset will be utilised in supporting this project from our apprentice to our principle consultant, so there is great opportunity across the board.”

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RAILSTAFF NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021

Alstom and Eversholt sign hydrogen train agreement Alstom and Eversholt Rail have announced a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at delivering the UK’s first ever brand-new hydrogen train fleet.

The two companies have agreed to work together, sharing technical and commercial information necessary for Alstom to design, build, commission and support a fleet of ten three-car hydrogen multiple units (HMUs).

These will be built by Alstom in Britain. The new HMU fleet will be based on the latest evolution of the Alstom Aventra platform and the intention is that final contracts for the fleet will be signed in early 2022.

Alstom and Eversholt Rail are committed to taking a leading role in supporting the UK and Scotland Government ambitions to decarbonise its rail sector by 2040, and the Scottish Government’s objective of doing so by 2035.

Nick Crossfield, Alstom’s Managing Director for UK & Ireland said: “COP26 is a reminder of just how urgent the need to decarbonise our world is. Rail is already the lowest emission transport mode, but we can do even more, and I am delighted that we have concluded this agreement with our friends at Eversholt Rail which will lead to Britain’s first ever fleet of new hydrogen trains.”

Alstom and Eversholt Rail have previously worked together on a hydrogen rolling stock solution for the UK rail sector, through the proposed conversion of an existing Electric Multiple Unit to hydrogen power – the ‘Breeze’ project. Both companies now believe that there is a market for a fleet of new trains for use by train operators across Britain.

The depth of knowledge and experience gained from the Breeze project, together with stakeholder feedback on future fleet strategies, has been invaluable in shaping the

product planning.

Building on Alstom’s expertise, the Aventra single-deck train has been developed for the requirements of mainline train operations, from high-capacity metro systems to intercity services. Designed to be the fastest, smartest, and most economical platform in modern rail, Aventra trains are modular, from carriage length to interior layout and design. They can easily be modified for different customer requirements, while retaining core benefits such as a lightweight carbody and low lifecycle costs.

Mary Kenny, CEO of Eversholt Rail said: “It is important that we start sooner rather than later to decarbonise UK Rail if we are to meet the 2050 ‘net-zero’ target. Hydrogen propulsion will play an important role, and this project with Alstom will demonstrate how the private sector can work together to make a difference.”

Nexus makes Tyne and Wear Metro staff more visible With passengers returning to the Tyne and Wear Metro in growing numbers, more frontline teams are being moved onto stations and trains to care for customers and provide a fresh new look.

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Nexus, the public body which owns and operates Metro, has made changes which means more trained teams are on duty, particularly in the evenings when demand for staff peaks.

Metro’s customer service advisors have been given new uniforms and will have two distinct tasks. Roving customer support teams will wear blue jackets and provide a mobile presence across Metro when it is needed most.

These teams will provide an increased presence on unstaffed sections of the network and will be highly focused on reducing fare evasion and anti-social behaviour. They will work with police and other stakeholders to educate youths about safety and travelling responsibly, while also completing customer service duties as and when they arise.

The Metro currently has the highest customer numbers in the country, with 80% ridership compared to pre-pandemic levels and customer satisfaction at a seven-year high.

Metro Operations Director, John Alexander, said: “Our customers said they wanted to see more staff on duty across the Metro network and we are delivering that. We now have more people than ever before working in frontline roles.

“The changes we are making allow us to put more staff at stations and on trains, right across the day and night, to provide customer support and deal more effectively with issues of fare evasion and anti-social behaviour. It means we have staff at stations for longer, with ticket gates in use over the entire operational day.”

The changes free up more resources to tackle anti-social behaviour and fare evasion.

There will be an increase in customer support teams patrolling on board trains and more frequently at outlying stations which are unstaffed. The staff have new equipment to support them in these roles, including body-worn CCTV cameras and new two-way radios.

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NEWS

RAILSTAFF NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021

NEWS IN BRIEF Vaccination station A new COVID-19 vaccination centre has opened at Birmingham New Street station to provide a convenient location in the city centre for people to have their vaccinations.

Network Rail has joined forces with the local NHS vaccination team in Birmingham and Solihull, and the Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, to open the vaccination centre in one of the station’s empty shop units.

Situated directly opposite station reception in the former HEMA store, the clinic will be open daily between 8am and 9pm for walk-in and booked appointments.

Ballast all the way The last section of slab track on the line between London St Pancras and Kentish Town is being upgraded over the festive period to bring a more modern railway and boost reliability for passengers.

Between the early hours of Christmas Day and before the first service on Wednesday 5 January 2022, engineers will remove the older track − installed in 1979 − which has reinforced concrete slab underneath it. New ballasted track will then be installed with stones and sleepers to support it.

Cool runnings Tesco and Direct Rail Services (DRS) have partnered to introduce a new service to Britain’s railways.

The new service will be the first time Tesco has used refrigerated rail freight in the UK, distributing chilled goods from Tilbury to Coatbridge by low CO2 rail twice a day, seven days a week.

Over the next couple of weeks this new service will transport hundreds of different products, including festive favourites just in time for Christmas dinner.

Tesco is increasing its use of rail freight as part of its efforts to meet its commitment to net zero emissions in its own operations by 2035.

Magical Merseyrail tour Merseyrail passengers have been revealed as the most satisfied in the UK following a survey conducted by independent travel watchdog Transport Focus.

The survey, which was completed by passengers over the last 12 weeks, showed that Merseyrail passengers had a 95% per cent satisfaction rate with the rail operators’ services, coming joint top in the country alongside c2c.

Merseyrail also came top in satisfaction with punctuality and frequency, and satisfaction with frequency of trains. The Liverpool City Region rail operator also scored high in terms of value for money − coming third in the whole country.

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Network Rail showcases IT careers for minority ethnic candidates Network Rail has launched a competition to highlight the Information Technology careers available at the organisation, and in the wider rail industry, to young people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

It is hoped that the competition will encourage more young people from minority ethnic backgrounds to consider a career in IT, STEM areas more widely, and in the rail industry – all of which are currently underrepresented by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic employees.

At Network Rail, just under 10% (9.38%) of employees are from such backgrounds and it is working to create a more inclusive and diverse workforce. Its Race Matters initiative has set a target to reach 13% by the end of the current Control Period in 2024, with a particular focus on leadership positions.

The competition challenges young people to use their creative and technical skills to invent something new or innovative. They will be asked to think about how their idea would be used, what its purpose would be, who would use it, how to make it safe and secure, and how technology would bring it to life.

Prizes include IT equipment, including brand new laptops, work experience days, and mentoring from IT professionals. One

Network Rail’s diversity and inclusion strategy

Building a more diverse, open and inclusive organisation

overall winner will be invited to apply with a recommendation for Network Rail’s IT Apprenticeship scheme. No places on the scheme can be guaranteed, but they will receive support from a mentor throughout the application process.

Maureen Parris, Network Rail’s enterprise architect, said: “We know that people from minority ethnic backgrounds are underrepresented in our business, and in STEM fields such as IT. We hope this competition will encourage more young people from those backgrounds to consider IT in the railway as an exciting and worthwhile career. I’m really looking forward to seeing the submissions, and I’m sure we’ll get lots of creative and innovative ideas.”

To enter, candidates must be between 16-18 years of age. In partnership with their school or college, candidates should email their submission to DiverseIT@networkrail.co.uk.

All entries must include your name, email address, postal address (including postcode), and telephone number. Entries must be submitted by 31 December 2021.

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RAILSTAFF NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021

Balfour Beatty VINCI, the construction partner of HS2 for the West Midlands, has opened the doors to a new training academy.

Based on the Bordesley Green campus of South and City College, the Balfour Beatty VINCI Skills Academy is a new partnership venture with the college. The Academy is open to everyone, not just those attending South and City College Birmingham.

The Academy will upskill local people who are out of work or looking for a career change, giving them the entry-level skills they need to secure a broad range of jobs on the West Midlands section of Britain’s new railway.

The Skills Academy, the first in the region dedicated to providing training in readiness for jobs on Britain’s new railway, will play an important role in helping HS2 to plug the local skills gap. In its recent report Building the Skills to Deliver HS2 – Phase One and 2a, HS2 Ltd forecast that it will support over 34,000 jobs at peak construction, including over 2,000 new apprentice starts.

“HS2 is creating thousands of training and employment opportunities for people right

Balfour Beatty VINCI opens training academy across the region now and into the next decade,” said Rebecca Young, Skills and Employment Strategy Manager at HS2 Ltd. “The Skills Academy will help to ensure that HS2 leaves a lasting skills legacy, and that local people are given every opportunity to be part of this once in a lifetime project that is already transforming the region and supporting its economic recovery from the pandemic.”

It is expected that the construction of HS2

will generate a constant labour demand of around 10,000 jobs in the West Midlands, from now until 2027/28. The findings of HS2’s latest report carefully examine the type of jobs it expects will be needed and measures this against local labour availability.

For more information about the Balfour Beatty VINCI Skills Academy and the training courses available visit www.sccb.ac.uk

© Totajla

Career Opportunities at Arc Infrastructure in Australia

Arc Infrastructure is on the lookout for skilled engineers to help manage and operate its thousands of kilometres of rail infrastructure.

Operating the only freight rail network in the southern half of Western Australia, Arc Infrastructure vital to businesses in the region and is crucial to connecting the western and eastern states of Australia.

This year, the company has continued major works on a key segment of West Australia’s grain rail network. This comes as part of a seven-year upgrade program that will see $54 million invested in the Midland Railway (MR) line, running from Midland to Geraldton. The MR upgrade

program runs from 2020–2027 and this year has seen Stage 2 of the works carried out, resulting in a $17 million investment.

In November, another of Arc Infrastructure’s projects earned them the Freight Rail Excellence Award at the Australasian Rail Industry Awards 2021. The award was won for delivery of the Hampton Intermodal Terminal (Hampton IMT) in just 98 days.

Arc provides a range of health and wellbeing initiatives including fitness challenges and annual skin checks, and employees often take part in volunteering, team sports activities, and team building days to get to know each other better and build strong relationships.

The company currently has

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opportunities available for track engineers, signal technicians, project supervisors, signaller network controllers, maintenance planners and more. If you’re

open to the opportunity of a lifetime, visit www.arcinfra.com/ careers.

Please see advert on page 51. © Beyond Images

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Volunteers serve festive feast Autism friendly guide Network Rail, in partnership with the National Autistic Society, has produced a guide to help autistic people confidently and independently travel by train.

The online guide shows the sights and sounds passengers could expect to experience when using the railway. It covers every stage of a journey, from purchasing tickets, to getting to the right platform, to finding a seat on the train. It has links to examples of sounds that could be heard at a busy station and photographs of everything from common signs, departure boards, and uniformed staff to ask for help. It also offers advice on how to get to a station and what to bring.

“After conversations with the National Autistic Society it became clear that we could do more to help prepare autistic people for travelling by train,” said Susan Holden, Network Rail’s stations customer experience manager. “Stations can be noisy and busy places, and although our staff are very well trained to provide assistance, and to recognise when people may need extra help, we also realise that some people may be put off travelling as they simply don’t know what to expect.”

The idea of the guide is that it will take passengers through every step of a journey, with clear information, pictures and sounds, so they can familiarise themselves before setting off.

“We’ve had invaluable input from NAS,” said Susan, “and we’re confident it should really help anyone who’s anxious or unsure about train travel. More and more people are returning to the railway as we emerge from the pandemic and we hope this guide is an extra step to helping all our passengers feel safe and comfortable.”

On 13 December a team of volunteers from Network Rail, train operator MTR and the British Transport Police (BTP) joined forces to cook a traditional Christmas dinner for people experiencing homelessness and hardship in Reading, Berkshire. Tuck shop donations collected at Network Rail’s Swindon office ensured that the volunteers could serve the festive feast.

The meal, featuring Christmas classics like pigs in blankets, turkey, and cranberry sauce, was held at the Queens Arms pub on Great Knollys Street, not far from Reading station. The pub, run by local charity New Beginnings, is home to a number of services, including a shelter, an all-night café, an afterschool club that provides meals, clothing, and support for parents, as well as a community fridge where people can collect free food

in times of need.

Kimberley Carter, Community Safety Manager for Network Rail, who organised the meal said: “As many of us look forward to spending Christmas with our families, for those who face a lonely and tough winter, the festive season can be particularly hard.

“Providing a hot meal and safe place can make a real difference to those who find themselves on the streets at Christmas. Being able to support those in need in Reading has been a really positive collaboration between the rail industry and New Beginnings, who provide services that are absolutely vital.

“Our company-wide Routes out of Homelessness campaign highlights just how important events like this can be to our communities and I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to support such a worthwhile cause.”

Rail to lead decarbonisation November saw RSSB’s sustainability team kick off a series of thought pieces to coincide with the United Nations climate change conference, COP26.

In the first piece, RSSB explained how it’s time to properly realise rail’s low carbon credentials and exploit them as part of a decarbonised, sustainable transport system.

The recent petrol and diesel supply issues have revealed how unprepared road transport is, according to rail body RSSB. For all cars and vans to go electric by 2050, Britain would need 210,000 public chargers, as well as 3,500 rapid chargers near motorways.

There are not yet any batteries that work for long distance HGVs, and overhead electrified ‘e-highways’ are at a very early trial stage. Air and shipping present even bigger challenges.

The publication of the Government’s Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener, made sure the commitment to a ‘sustained, long-term programme of investment’ in rail electrification, battery and hydrogen trains is reinforced. But the media attention on the plan for roads shows just how far other modes are playing catch up.

According to RSSB, rail will still need to become a more obvious mode of choice to get the full benefits of decarbonisation. This means being responsive to fundamental changes in the world of work, and greener ways of living, all of which will require modernised ticketing, more capacity, and making it cleaner and greener to reach the station.

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Next generation of train drivers sign up to TfW apprenticeship scheme Transport for Wales (TfW) has become the first train operator in the UK to offer an accredited NVQ level 3 qualification in train driver operations as part of its apprenticeship.

It hopes to have more than 100 apprentices signed-up by the end of the year and aims to recruit around 100 every year over the next five years.

Adam Bagwell, Operations Training Manager at TfW, said: “I am absolutely proud and delighted we are now able to offer a recognised level 3 qualification and apprenticeship for train drivers for the very first time in Wales.

“This has been a long time coming and the hard work from our training team in partnership with the Rail Delivery Group’s

(RDG) train driver academy, Coleg y Cymoedd and the national Trade Union for Train Drivers, ASLEF, has now come to fruition.

“The train driver’s role is a professional, highly skilled job and our drivers deserve the recognition for their hard work through training in the form of this qualification. It shows we are

committed to provide the best possible training to our drivers in Wales and the borders.”

The first eight drivers to join the apprenticeship are Kevin Whitlock, Drew Bradley, Robyn Williams, Richard Lee Hext, Joel David Hier, Rhys William, Stephen Edward Jones and Michael Davies.

Communication with passengers suffers through pandemic Rail operators found it more difficult to notify passengers of engineering works this year, an independent transport watchdog has found.

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Transport Focus studied two projects between February and June. These focused on works on the West Coast Main Line (WCML), including at Euston, and Bristol East Junction.

TfW has invested heavily in its training facilities including new train and platform simulators and all its driver trainers have recently started or completed an NVQ level 3 qualification in learning and development.

Mick Whelan, general secretary of ASLEF, the train drivers’ union, said: “We are thrilled the first ever accredited qualification in train driving, in Wales, is finally in place. It’s a great step forward for training, for train drivers, for the railway, and for Wales.”

Before Covid, rail operators had largely kept passengers informed at stations or on board trains, as well as when they bought tickets online. However, with lockdowns and the reduction in passenger numbers, it became more challenging warning of disruption to future journeys. Fewer people using train operator apps, websites, and social media made these approaches less effective too.

The findings overall suggest that passengers need information on engineering works to be related to their journey; spread in a variety of ways to have the best possible coverage; and available to them when needed, especially when researching a trip or buying a ticket.

“Passengers tell us that they want accurate, honest information about delays and disruption, whether planned or unplanned, said Anthony Smith, Chief Executive of Transport Focus.

“Rail operators need to use all channels at their disposal to reach travellers. The dates and the impact of any works must be prominent in communications to help people plan their travel appropriately.”

Recommendations to rail operators include: (i) giving as much notice as possible ahead of planned works; (ii) carrying out engineering works when they will cause the least disruption to passengers wherever possible; and (iii) offering a rail alternative for passengers when a line is closed.

Despite the disruption to passengers’ journeys, many still recognised that the works were essential and would provide long-term benefits.

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WORLD-CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY ON DISPLAY

LINES IN THE LANDSCAPE WINNER MALCOLM BLENKEY.

Network Rail is unveiling the nation’s most breath-taking landscapes from this year’s prestigious Landscape Photographer of the Year competition, in a free exhibition that will tour Britain’s biggest and busiest stations.

Until 9 January 2022, visitors to London Bridge station can explore a diverse range of stunning compositions, from verdant country footpaths to majestic riverside retreats. Following its residency at London Bridge, the exhibition will visit a number of stations including Leeds, Birmingham New Street, Manchester Piccadilly and Edinburgh Waverley.

The exhibition includes the 2021 winner of the Network Rail supported ‘Lines in the Landscape’ category, which aims to find the photography that best captures the spirit of today’s railway as it relates to the landscape around it. Photographed by Malcolm Blenkey, the winning image is a beautifully composed shot of a steam engine travelling along the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Inverness-shire.

Commenting on his win, Malcolm said: “I am absolutely delighted to have won this year’s Lines in the Landscape category. As a passionate photographer, it’s an honour to receive this recognition particularly as the standard and talent in the competition is so high. Set in the West Highlands, Glenfinnan Viaduct is a really special location to capture.”

The Landscape Photographer of the Year competition is now in its 14th year and is open to professionals and amateurs, showcasing exquisite images of landscapes and cityscapes from around the UK. There are four categories, plus a youth competition for under-18s, with winners sharing a prize fund worth £20,000, and a top prize of £10,000.

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£50m Carstairs contract awarded Siemens Mobility Limited has been awarded a contract worth £50 million by Network Rail to deliver the next stages of the signalling element of the Carstairs remodelling project.

As a major junction on the West Coast Main Line (WCML), where the lines from London Euston and Edinburgh to Glasgow Central merge, the remodelling will improve reliability, operational resilience and flexibility, and encourage more passengers and freight operators to use the railway in Scotland.

Siemens Mobility will be installing its Trackguard WTS signalling system, which will enable line speed to be increased through the junction and a temporary speed restriction on the WCML to be removed.

The remodelling will also introduce a stationbypass line, so that journey times can be further improved and, in some circumstances, enable fast trains to pass slower ones.

Space to hold longer freight trains - up to 775 metres - will also be provided, giving freight operators greater flexibility to run more services.

The project will enable more flexibility through the area and reduce the impact on services in the event of disruption, or when maintenance is required. Work is now underway on the detailed scheme design, with final commissioning due to take place with a three-stage blockade between 23 April and 2 June 2023.

TRS installs defibrillators to save lives The rail service provider Total Rail Solutions (TRS) has installed 10 defibrillators into a selection of its Road Rail Vehicle (RRV) fleet and Welfare Units.

The company recognises that operatives on the rail network are, in many cases, working some distance from site access points. Should they fall ill with a heart condition that requires resuscitation, the chance of survival is greatly increased if a defibrillator can be quickly mobilised and utilised.

Heart disease accounts for 25% of all deaths in the UK − a person dies of heart disease every three minutes. Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease and is the most common cause of heart attack. It was the single biggest killer of both men and women worldwide in 2019.

Around 1.4 million people are alive today in the UK having survived a heart attack.

If a defibrillator is administered within the first three to five minutes of an arrest, the likelihood of survival is as high as 74%.

Paul Bateman, CEO of Total Rail Solutions, said: “This is an important issue for our people and the people working on the rail and infrastructure projects we work on. My

father suffered a heart attack, thankfully a passing off-duty paramedic administered a defibrillator and saved his life. So, I truly understand why this is the right thing to do for the business, our people and their families”.

In addition to the new units being positioned into the TRS fleet, the company has previously installed defibrillators in its various plant yards. The TRS field teams will all receive training on how to use the units.

In addition, when the units are opened, clear, calm and concise commentary from the unit talks the user through the process.

The final step will be to register the devices on the British Heart Foundation ‘Circuit’ so units can be easily located, should there be the need. Paul concluded “The best return on investment is that we never have to use any of the units we have purchased. However, should an episode occur, we are prepared with a plan that could save a life”.

Tree survey boosts Wales railway safety and biodiversity Network Rail Wales & Borders is carrying out its biggest ever tree survey to identify and safely remove as many hazardous trees alongside the railway as possible. The task, which began in summer 2020, is expected to take around two years to complete and involves the inspection of almost 1,000 miles of track.

The main concern of Network Rail’s environmental specialists is the presence of ‘ash dieback’: a fungal disease that scientists predict will threaten up to 80% of the species. A Europe-wide problem, the fungus prevents water and nutrients from flowing throughout ash trees and causes the tree to slowly die.

To help prevent the spread of ash dieback, Network Rail tree surgeons will work to remove only the infected ash trees, allowing the genetically resistant ones to flourish and repopulate the species; less competition means more light and space for the healthy trees to grow.

To maintain and increase biodiversity, the teams will leave the trunks of the removed trees to become homes for roosting bats and more than 62 species of lichen; three of which are endangered.

Network Rail is also looking at replanting schemes on their land to establish native species with ‘high-habitat value’ and aim to match the number of trees removed.

“Our top priority is safety, so removing these trees succumbing to ash dieback is crucial in order to protect the line, our passengers and staff,” said Asset Engineer, Mitchell Pether, at Network Rail.

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“We also want to minimise disruption for passengers and freight users while maintaining our green corridor, so this isn’t just about cutting down every lineside tree, it’s a targeted and proactive approach that will protect the line and increase biodiversity.”

Natural Resources Wales is in support of the survey being carried out

by Network Rail. Andrew Wright, Specialist Advisor at Natural Resources Wales, said: “Ash Dieback is one of the most significant tree diseases to affect the Welsh landscape, ash trees affected by this disease potentially pose a significant health and safety risk and we understand the measures taken

by Network Rail to reduce the risks and welcome any work to recover lost biodiversity.”

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RAIL INDUSTRY CELEBRATES

SAMARITANS CHRISTMAS STARS AROUND 1,500 SAMARITANS VOLUNTEERS ACROSS THE NATION ARE EXPECTED TO ANSWER CALLS FOR HELP ON CHRISTMAS DAY, AS NEW DATA REVEALS FAMILY CALLER CONCERNS ARE ON THE RISE.

A

s the nation prepares to travel to spend time with loved ones this festive season, new figures from Samaritans reveal that caller concerns about family have risen for the fifth year in a row.

So far throughout 2021, family worries have made up 34% of emotional support contacts with the charity across the UK and Republic of Ireland – a 26% increase (7 percentage points) over the past five years. Mental health/ illness remains the top overall concern at 46%, with isolation and loneliness ranking third at 28%, and relationship problems at 24%.

CHRISTMAS STAR

INDUSTRY SUPPORT Now, the rail industry is supporting the charity with its latest Christmas campaign to ensure volunteers are on-hand to provide emotional support throughout the festive season, which can be a particularly difficult time. This Christmas, Samaritans volunteers will respond to more than 250,000 calls for help.

As part of the rail industry’s suicide prevention programme and Network Rail’s partnership with the charity, rail companies and staff are being encouraged to nominate

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and celebrate their own Christmas stars – from those who have saved lives on the railway to those who have raised vital funds for the charity this year. Train operators are also encouraged to promote the campaign across social media and station screens over the festive month.

One rail industry worker who can call themselves a Samaritans Christmas Star is Bessie, a heavy haul shunt driver for Freightliner. Bessie was the charity’s top fundraiser for Samarathon in July this year, walking over 106 miles and raising £5,864 to help Samaritans be there for anyone struggling to cope.

“For every person that sponsored me I wrote their name on a piece of rail ballast and put it in a backpack which I carried everywhere with me,” says Bessie. “I had 121 pieces and it weighed over 7lbs. I thought it would be a nice message to show how I’ll always be there to pick them up and carry them, just as Samaritans does.

“In the rail industry, we can also help Samaritans by looking out for passengers and each other. Christmas time can be a very busy and hard time for some people. I always try to be extra vigilant and talk to people that might need help. But I think we should remember to take time for ourselves too. There’s always a pressure to think of others and get everyone the best presents – but we can make a difference in small ways like supporting small businesses or donating to charity.”

Bessie is encouraging rail staff to ‘Be A Samaritans Christmas Star’ this season by making a donation or helping Samaritans volunteers be there for others by fundraising

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for the charity like her. By donating as little as £5, it will help Samaritans keep its helpline running 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE “Whilst many look forward to the Christmas period, at Samaritans we know this time of year can actually be a huge challenge for some people,” says Julie Bentley, Samaritans’ CEO. ”Our amazing volunteers will, as they do every hour of every day, be giving their time this Christmas to anyone who needs support.

I think that is a pretty special gift to give. I’m so proud of the work Samaritans does, and I know what a huge difference the service makes to people’s lives.

So, for anyone who is struggling this Christmas time, Samaritans is

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here for them, for free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

Samarians has worked in partnership with the rail industry and British Transport Police (BTP) to reduce suicides on the railway for over 10 years. The charity has trained over 23,000 rail and BTP staff to look out for passengers and make conversation if they feel someone might need help.

Louise McNally, Suicide and Trespass Prevention Lead at Network Rail says “With Christmas just around the corner, it’s more important than ever that we continue to look out for each other and ourselves. For anyone going through a tough time, Samaritans and its team of volunteers are on-hand to provide round the clock support through the festive season and beyond.”

Anyone can contact Samaritans free any time from any phone (even a mobile without credit) on 116 123. This number won’t show up on your phone bill. You can also email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org To help Samaritans listening volunteers be there for people in their darkest times, visit Samaritans.org/donate-christmas FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF | @RAIL_STAFF | RAILSTAFF.CO.UK

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T

he former ‘Peak Line’ was closed in 1968 by Barbara Castle, having delivered East Midlands to North-West connectivity for 101 years.

Though not a Beeching closure recommendation, that infamous report set the scene for rails’ rapid decline in the 1960s.

With motorways and cars in their ascendency, the sun seemed to be setting on rail as a 19th century technology. Yet, after closure, nothing replaced the Peak Line’s direct connectivity. As a result, today’s road and rail journeys are far slower than the best non-stop time of 75 minutes by train between Derby and Manchester available 60 years ago.

© Matt Gibson

22

RE IN S TAT I

'PEAKS AN

Post closure, 13 miles of track was lifted and ownership gradually changed, with eight miles transferred to the Peak Park Joint Planning Board for £1 in the early 1980s. With an undertaking that the alignment would be protected for rail’s return, the curtain was raised on Monsal Trail aspirations. However, even the last feasibility study (Scott Wilson, 2004) did not prioritise trail reprovisioning as, with its tunnels still closed, a strenuous climb over and around ‘gaps’ along the route limited usage.

MONSAL TRAIL SUCCESS The re-opening of those tunnels in 2011, funded by the Department for Transport (DfT), was therefore a significant milestone, and visitor numbers increased along this newlylevel trail despite poor visitor accessibility to all but road users. As the Monsal Trail became a successful multi-user affair, especially in peak tourist season, official commitment to rail reinstatement faded, despite that 30-year-old undertaking. Indeed, claimed pre-Covid levels of 300,000 annual users have risen further through the pandemic’s staycation effect.

Re-provisioning the trail is therefore an important aspect of this reinstatement, an opportunity to create a unique, integrated and more sustainable ‘rail plus trail’ experience.

Fortunately, the campaign believes it can now deliver a suitable replacement trail to complement the rebranded ‘Peaks and Dales Line’. © Brett Charlton

Former railway station at the Peak District village of Millers Dale is now a popular resting spot for cyclists on the Monsal Trail - a transformation of the railway line into a cycle and walking path through Derbyshire.

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NG T HE

ND DALES LINE' © MEMRAP/Peaks and Dales Railway

STEPHEN CHAYTOW OF THE MANCHESTER AND EAST MIDLANDS RAIL ACTION PARTNERSHIP (MEMRAP) DISCUSSES THE GROUP'S CAMPAIGN TO RESTORE AND UPGRADE 'THE PEAKS AND DALES RAILWAY'.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC CASE

The decades after closure saw various reopening attempts, culminating in Derbyshire County Council’s support for the Scott Wilson study. However, restricted scoping and overly cautious projections led to Derbyshire and the East Midlands losing out, as success of the seemingly-less-likely Borders Rail project showed. Study assumptions and projections were flawed, and the report ignored any effects from not bringing back the line.

Campaign research revealed a silent, continuing economic slide as anticipation evaporated, evidenced by Office of National Statistics data from 2002 onwards. Relative economic decline in central Derbyshire is highlighted by two district councils now sitting close to the bottom of Gross Value Added tables − the ONS productivity measure for comparing all 382 UK districts.

Central Derbyshire’s unimproved fixed-link

infrastructure is a significant contributor and, with residents dependent on cars, the area’s appeal diminished for access and inward investment.

Angst about the trail has concealed a pressing socio-economic case, rated ‘strong’ by the DfT in 2020. For example, the Peaks and Dales’ catchment between Leicester, Derby, and Manchester supports seven million people − nine million when benefits for Sheffield and Hope Valley are realised through reopening.

Network Rail rated this the leading freight prospect in round three of Restoring Your Railway. Chief among freight beneficiaries would be three quarry operators in the Peak Forest and Buxton area, moving 12 million tonnes of aggregates by rail annually, with scope for further modal shift off inadequate and busy Derbyshire roads. Reinstatement also brings the opportunity to realise Peak Rail’s 40year vision, with heritage services connecting Matlock and Buxton.

RESPECTFUL REINSTATEMENT Of course, the greatest post-Covid opportunity for this reinstatement is from an expanding domestic leisure sector. Ninety percent of pre-Covid National Park visitor volumes (13.25 million annually) arrived by car, which the chair of the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) has called “unsustainable”. However, with the PDNPA’s website stating that 20 million live within one hour’s drive, further growth could be accommodated by rail’s return, without additional road congestion. MEMRAP’s recent carbon study, partnered with University of Nottingham, highlighted rail’s sustainability, suggesting that with modal shift of 48%, FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF | @RAIL_STAFF | RAILSTAFF.CO.UK

© MEMRAP/Peaks and Dales Railway

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Cheedale.

The campaign’s BTT associates surveyed an equivalent and possibly more appealing replacement route for the Monsal Trail. One of the disadvantages of the current route is that it starts and finishes in the middle of nowhere, connecting little of note in between.

The reprovisioned route brings desired enhancement, intersecting all proposed stations and connecting settlements en route.

One example benefits schoolchildren in Ashford, who gain a traffic-free cycle route to school in Bakewell. Discussions about these proposals have commenced with the PDNPA.

BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN

MONSAL TRAIL RE-PROVISIONING The campaign then refocused to develop its environmentally-led perspective, appropriate for rail reinstatement through a National Park, helped by three important collaborations, one with the Buxton Town Team (BTT) and two with the University of Nottingham RAILSTAFF.CO.UK | @RAIL_STAFF | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF

EMISSIONS REDUCTION Government statute obliges the UK to attain net zero emissions by 2050, so the campaign scoped a further collaborative project with the University of Nottingham. Working at PhD level, the project considered the modal shift and carbon reduction implications for the National Park and created a model to assess the extent to which net zero might be reached for the PDNP through reinstatement.

To reflect reality on the ground, the PDNPA area was increased to include the Peak Forest quarries and the market town of Buxton. Results have been most promising. The model shows that, with an achievable modal shift covering visitor traffic and freight, the government’s net zero target can be achieved within the required © MEMRAP/Peaks and Dales Railway

road-based visitor traffic to the Peak District National Park (PDNP) could be halved.

In this context, in June 2020 a now unsupportive Derbyshire County Council (DCC) and PDNPA wrote to the campaign’s promoter, Peaks and Dales Railway Ltd, seeking consideration of both economic and environmental implications. This request helped to shape campaigning plans, striving to be respectful of reinstatement requirements for this former alignment, through a National Park.

The proposed reinstatement aligns well with the popular Restoring Your Railway aim of reconnecting communities left isolated by Beeching. There is potential for transforming the area’s appeal through enhanced connectivity for Central Derbyshire and its 150,000 population (38,000 in the National Park itself). Matlock and Bakewell would be within commuting reach of Manchester to access jobs, education, and leisure. In the other direction, Buxton residents could again access Derby and Nottingham.

Underpinned by further analysis of that 2004 study, with its flawed projections and economic case, the campaign has built on the socio-economic benefits of reinstatement, already rated “strong” by the Restoring Your Railway assessment panel chaired by Minister of State for Transport, Chris Heaton-Harris. In a subsequent detailed communication with DCC and PDNPA, the economic case was fully set out and the campaign now believes that its evidence shows such a compelling socio-economic case as to leave reinstatement sceptics with no remaining rational basis for complaint, in relation to socio-economic considerations.

To help reverse a long-term trend of biodiversity loss, parliament aims to legislate for future development to progress together with related biodiversity net gain. To evaluate this for the Peaks and Dales Line, the campaign collaborated with the University of Nottingham.

This Masters-level project firstly assessed the status of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) along the route, and then explored ways of improving these by creating a Nature Recovery Network, augmenting further the integrated ‘rail plus trail’ approach.

This project − which helped earn the post-graduate a distinction for her Masters − showed that the reinstatement could both create a ‘protected reserve’ along the rail corridor, and be significantly extended through reprovisioning the Monsal Trail, thus upgrading Wye Valley biodiversity, in alignment with the PDNPA’s own biodiversity action plan.

Ambergate.

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© Thomas Chan

timescales. The associated congestion reduction across PDNP roads would be an additional and, for residents in particular, welcome bonus.

RESTORING YOUR RAILWAY ROUND THREE The campaign’s innovative bid to the DfT in March 2021 proposed combining reinstatement of the Peaks and Dales Line with the operation of the Hope Valley Line to create, in effect, an integrated, four-track, east-west crossing of the South Pennines, mirroring original Northern Powerhouse Rail proposals for the North Pennines. This would allow segregation of current, often conflicted, mixed traffic flows, with southbound aggregates traffic rerouted via the Peaks and Dales Line, freeing up the Dore South curve and Hope Valley Line.

In addition to improving sustainable access to the PDNP, the proposal would enable new, direct, fast services from Leicester and Derby, flighted behind upgraded fast Sheffield services via the Hope Valley, towards Manchester.

However, the Peaks and Dales Line was not

among the winners of £50,000 funding from the DfT/RYR Ideas Fund. While disappointing, the process was highly competitive and 75 other bids were also not successful. Despite this, the acceleration of both proposal and case development has been hugely beneficial and the campaign continues to go from strength to strength, supported by nearly 20,000 signatories to the associated petition to reopen the line, and an encouraging clutch of MPs, councillors, local authorities, and key stakeholders.

NEXT STEPS The campaign team continues to engage with key stakeholders, aiming to secure the funding to develop the Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) as the next step. To be included by Network Rail in its pipeline of development projects, the Peaks and Dale Line SOBC must be acceptable to the DfT, Network Rail, and Great British Railways as it mobilises.

These will be the first steps towards returning this significant and strategic rail link, connecting the East Midlands and North-West.

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TRACK SAFETY

RAILSTAFF NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021

REPORT BY COLIN WHEELER

THE QUALITIES OF A

WORLD-BEATING RA IN THE FINAL ISSUE OF 2021, COLIN WHEELER LOOKS AT THE LATEST RAIL SAFETY INCIDENTS INCLUDING NOVEMBER'S COLLISION AT SALISBURY, THE DANGERS OF ABANDONED HALF TROLLIES, AND THE DERAILMENT OF A FREIGHT TRAIN AT SHEFFIELD STATION

P

eople skills, knowledge, motivation. The use of railway engineering and operational judgement. These are the qualities I believe are needed to make the services and safety of our future railways − the Great British Railways – the best in the world. Recent reports of accidents, incidents, and near misses indicate the size of the task, but it will be worthwhile.

Unfortunately, while we await an announcement about the appointment of Simon French’s successor as Chief Inspector for the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), the organisation’s workload has been substantially increased by recent events.

Salisbury passenger trains collide

On 3 November, Anna Witherington, on behalf of the RAIB gave an update on the causes of the collision between two in-service passenger trains that occurred on 31 October.

At around 18:45 that evening, the 17:20 South Western passenger train from London Waterloo to Honiton collided with the side of the 17:08 Great Western passenger service from Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads at Salisbury Tunnel Junction. The junction is near Salisbury in the immediate approach to Fisherton Tunnel. The South Western train was using the junction to join the Down Main from the Down Dean line as the Great Western train approached the junction from the Basingstoke direction.

to derail. Both trains continued for some distance into Fisherton Tunnel. The RAIB’s preliminary investigation established that the South Western train driver had braked on the approach to signal SY 31 and, 12 seconds later, made an emergency brake application. A second emergency brake was applied by the Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) but the train still passed the signal and reached the junction where the collision occurred.

The On Train Data Recorder analysis showed that wheel slide occurred “almost certainly as a result of low adhesion between train wheels and the rails.” Doubtless we will learn more when the RAIB has completed its investigation.

Low wheel/rail adhesion

Injuries at Grosmont

The collision impact caused the front two coaches of the South Western train and the rear two coaches of the Great Western train

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On 21 September there was a 10mph collision on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway at Grosmont Station. It happened

around 10:32 when a Class 20 diesel locomotive ran into the back of a passenger train. Five passengers suffered minor injuries and there was some damage to the train.

Following a preliminary examination, the RAIB has decided that they will publish a Safety Digest.

Another UWC incident

On 18 September − soon after I reported on the mid-August incident at Kisby on 19 August − there was a near miss on Forestry User Worked Crossing (UWC) between Thetford and Brandon in rural Norfolk. This occurred in the early morning at about 06:05 when two cars were involved in a near miss with a passenger train. Again, following their preliminary examination the RAIB has decided to issue a Safety Digest. Local press reports have suggested that the level crossing itself may have been faulty.

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AILWAY Colin Wheeler.

Passenger train crashes into buffer stop This accident at Enfield Town station involved 75 passengers though fortunately only two required treatment for minor injuries.

It occurred at 08:21 on the morning of 12 October when a passenger train ran into the platform two buffer stop and ended up in a raised position, balanced on top of the buffer stop, which was also detached by the impact. On 25 October the RAIB announced that its investigation will “seek to identify the sequence of events leading to the collision,” as well as the “facts influencing the driver’s actions, the training, supervision and management of drivers by Arriva Rail London, design and configuration of the buffer stops, and the assessment and risk control of terminal platform overruns at Enfield Town Station”.

of trains”. The website item adds that “this was the second occasion in recent weeks that a trolley has been left behind after work and then missed by the “clear of line verification arrangements”. Once upon a time the PICOPs actually walked through to check for themselves!

Derailment of freight train carrying cement powder

The RAIB report on this accident that occurred on 11 November 2020 was published on 5 October this year. The RAIB’s 50-page report is titled “07/2021 Freight Train Derailment at Sheffield Station”. Its contents are both relevant and significant in railway operating, and the responsibilities and competencies needed for track engineering inspections, maintenance and renewals. It is

recommended reading for those designing the future track inspection and maintenance organisation of Great British Railways.

This incident saw 16 of the freight train’s 34 wagons derailed at the north end of Sheffield Station. The train was travelling from Hope in Derbyshire to Dewsbury in West Yorkshire.

The wagons were loaded with cement powder carried in PCA tank wagons, hauled by a Class 66 locomotive. PCA cement tank wagons have two axles, a wheelbase of 4.88 metres, and weigh 13 tonnes when empty and 51 tonnes when loaded.

The train had been “coasting” through the station at just 12mph when the derailment happened. A number of the wagons were damaged and there was also significant damage to the track. This resulted in the partial closure of the station.

Half trolley struck at speed

At 06:10 on 21 October, a Great Western train struck a half link trolley at Challow, between Didcot and Swindon, at a speed of around 100mph. Thankfully there were no injuries, but the train was damaged and ended up with the trolley wedged beneath it.

One hundred and thirty-five passengers were stranded, and the Down Main line was closed for three and a half hours. Network Rail’s Safety Advice comments that “the trolley had been left behind after the work”.

The Controller of Site Safety (COSS) had signed out with the Engineering Supervisor by telephone and the worksite was then handed back by the Person in Charge of Possession (PICOP) as “Safe for the passage FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF | @RAIL_STAFF | RAILSTAFF.CO.UK

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A probable factor The RAIB found that there had been no dynamic measurement of track geometry for 15 months and states that this was “a probable factor” in the derailment. Network Rail uses a single multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) to measure dynamic geometry and was scheduled to do so at Sheffield every three months. However, no recording runs had been made since November 2019. They also found that of the 19 threemonthly runs only five delivered data on the Down Through line. The RAIB report also observes that “the format of dynamic geometry data output from the MPV track recording vehicle makes it difficult for it to be analysed by maintenance staff”.

The leading right-hand wheel of the 12th wagon had dropped between the two running rails which were too far apart due to gauge widening. The train was stopped when the signaller saw a number of equipment failures on a display screen and alerted the driver.

Track screws broken

The report says that a number of track screws had broken “several weeks or perhaps months before the derailment.”

These had not been identified by Network Rail’s maintenance and inspection activities, despite being a “location with a potentially high risk of derailment”. The RAIB found that “Network Rail’s guidance for identifying such risk had not been applied”.

The report clearly states that the train driver did not contribute to the derailment. The track maintenance engineer (TME) had worked on the railway for 12 years, six of them as assistant TME at Sheffield and was appointed as acting TME just five months before the derailment. The Sheffield Infrastructure Maintenance Engineer (IME) had 29-years’ experience with six of these as TME at Sheffield. His appointment as acting IME was also made just five months before the derailment.

The derailment occurred between the crossing and switch rail of 4062 points. The lefthand wheel then climbed over the left-hand rail because the outer face of the right-hand rail was constrained as the gauge tightened approaching the switch toes of 4062 points. When the derailed wagon 12 reached the points of 4068A it did not follow the diverging right-hand route but attempted the straight route into the shunt neck siding, causing it to fall onto its side and wagon 11 etc to derail.

There were no injuries, but the north end of the station remained

partially closed for five days. There was damage to both wheels and couplings on wagon 11 and wagons 13 to 26. Wagon 12’s suspension was severely damaged and largely detached. Its tank was ruptured, resulting in cement powder being spilt onto the tracks.

Causes of the derailment

The RAIB found that the derailment occurred due to: (i) multiple track screws securing the rail baseplates to the bearers had failed prior to the derailment; (ii) failed track screws had not been identified by the inspection regime; (iii) there was no additional mitigation at 4062 points as they had not been identified as a highrisk location; and (iv) the design of 4062 points did not include a check rail on the sub-200 metre radius curve between the crossing and switch heel.

Visual inspections, shuffle and gauge widening

The RAIB found that in the weeks before the derailment all “Basic Visual Inspections” had been carried out weekly and in daylight hours by track patrollers and defects had been identified, although on the last four record sheets no defects had been recorded. The record for 7 October noted “baseplate shuffle at the heel of 4062 points” and a review of earlier records found a note of shuffle back on 5 June 2019.

The requirement is for threemonthly supervisor’s inspections and two-yearly engineer’s inspections. During their investigation RAIB inspectors were told that there were “long standing issues with gaining access to some of the lines at Sheffield Station to perform routine inspections and maintenance.” In September 2020 the gauge at the point of derailment was 13mm wider than that measured a year earlier.

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Recommendations The RAIB recommendations relate to: (i) improved management of derailment risk at high-risk locations; (ii) improved implementation of safety critical track maintenance activities; (iii) alignment of standards and practice for the use of check rails; and (iv) improving the ability of track maintenance staff to detect changes in track geometry.

In the preface to the reports published by the RAIB they state that “it is inappropriate that RAIB reports should be used to assign fault or blame or determine liability since neither the investigation nor the process has been undertaken for that purpose”.

However, Network Rail and the Office of Rail and Road, (and, in the longer term, those who will design the management organisation for Great British Railways) would do well to review their plans having studied this report by the RAIB. The questions I am left with after studying it include: • Is it good practice to fill vacancies by stepping up a number of safety responsible engineers and inspection staff rather than promoting them to other areas to widen their experience and bring a fresh pair of eyes to bear?

• Do local inspection staff have the delegated power and authority to close the railway when they have track safety concerns and if not, why not?

• Where maintenance or renewal work has to be deferred or delayed, and track conditions deteriorate, do the local TME and IME have the authority to apply speed or axle weight restrictions or close the railway for safety’s sake and without retribution?

• Surely, if the standard requires inspections and dynamic measurement runs every three months, missing more than one should result in line closure?

You may gather that I consider this report to be as far reaching as any I have read. The lessons from it should be remembered when the organisation of Great British Railways is being developed. Perhaps the most important attributes for a safer railway are the commitment and team spirit aimed at always doing the best for the railway.

Whatever the organisation is, there will inevitably be potential conflict between commercial, operating and infrastructure engineering people. But, at the end of the day, local infrastructure engineering staff backed by their professional engineers must take responsibility for the safety of the line and be prepared to stop traffic when running trains becomes unsafe.

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INCLUSIVITY SUSTAINABILITY

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RAILSTAFF NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021

REPORT BY COLIN WHEELER

LRSSB UNDER REVI THE PROGRESS OF THE LIGHT RAIL SAFETY AND STANDARDS BOARD (LRSSB) IS UNDER SCRUTINY AND ITS ORGANISATION, MEMBERSHIP, AND OBJECTIVES HAVE BEEN QUESTIONED.

T

he term Light Rail dates back to 1896. It was coined when legislation was passed by Parliament allowing local agreement to the construction and operation of rail-guided transport using lighter equipment, and operating at lower speeds than heavy rail. Tramways have a more specific definition being rail-guided but operating using a significant element of street running.

The existing Birmingham-based Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB) was set up in 2018 following publication of the (RAIB) Rail Accident Investigation Board’s report of the Sandilands Croydon Tram accident in 2016 (Report number 18/2017). Its founding was triggered by a recommendation made in that report, but there was some delay before funding was secured.

The recommendation called for “the development of a new body to enable more effective UK wide cooperation on matters relating to safety and the development of common standards and good practice guidance.” The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) adds that it must now question the degree of progress on this and the other recommendations. It has been suggested that the name of the organisation, membership, and objectives should be updated.

There is an obvious comparison to be

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drawn with the Rail Safety and Standards Board which has earned the respect of the heavy rail industry, but the diverse nature and number of light rail developments over the years makes the work of LRSSB more difficult.

A LIGHT TOUCH REVIEW Responding to an invitation from the directors of LRSSB, the ORR launched a review of its operations as a part of its role as the “statutory regulator and enforcing authority for railways and tramways” and the “custodian of recommendation 1 from

the RAIB report”. The review is intended to “consider what has been delivered by the LRSSB, the impact of funding on their work and whether in its current form it enables LRSSB to grow and fully commit to the terms of reference.”

On 18 October, ORR published the “Terms of Reference” for its review. ORR has said it will conduct a “light touch review” aimed at assessing the delivery of the RAIB

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© LindaMore

IEW

recommendations. It has also said that “a comprehensive review could be conducted once the LRSSB has matured, and its funding has long term security”.

RAIB RECOMMENDATIONS One recommendation refers to the “use of technology such as automatic braking and systems to monitor driver awareness”.

The second called for “a systematic review of operational risks and control measures associated with the design, maintenance and operation of tramways”. The third recommended “suitable measures to automatically reduce tram speeds if trams approach higher risk locations at speeds which could result in derailment or overturning”.

Recommendation four calls for research into systems capable of “reliably detecting driver attention state and initiating appropriate automatic responses if a low level of alertness is identified”. Number five mandates that “owners, operators and infrastructure managers should review

signage, lighting and other visual information available and required by drivers on the approach to high-risk locations such as tight curves.” The sixth calls for “a review of research to identify ways of improving the passenger containment provided by tram windows and doors”.

A COMBINED ORGANISATION? The adequacy of funding is under review. It would also be good to see more information about the development of a “Tram Accident and Incident Reporting Database” for sharing information, and how it may best assist RIDDOR reporting of accidents and the reporting of incidents as well as the implementation of appropriate research.

The parallels with the work of LRSSB’s big brother RSSB need to be taken into account as does the restricted membership of the Light Rail Group. Maybe Light Rail should be an integral part of RSSB with its own identity?

This could benefit them both and clear the way for a combined organisation.

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FUL L S T E A M AHE AD T O

SUSTAINABILI GOING FURTHER AND FASTER ON SUSTAINABILITY IS KEY TO UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF THE RAILWAY

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ith world leaders having just met at COP26, we would hope no-one would argue with the statement that climate change is high on everyone’s agenda. However, there will always be different views about how sustainability improvements should be delivered. RSSB is prepared for this, with in-house expertise on sustainability topics, ready to serve members and help them with their own sustainability challenges.

RSSB is leading the development of the first industry-wide approach to sustainability, by collaborating with the rail industry and Government. Directly supporting the delivery of the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail, the Sustainable Rail Strategy, co-created by industry sustainability experts led by RSSB, will set out options and choices to inform development of Great British Railways’ Whole Industry Strategic Plan (WISP).

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

The Sustainable Rail Strategy will provide clear goals for the rail industry, converting what the Government has set out in policy and what society expects a major industry like ours to be doing in this space. However, a strategy and goals are useless without driving action on the ground. It’s crucial that we identify what needs to be done, what we prioritise, and how much funding is needed.

Driving further improvements in areas such as decarbonisation, air quality, biodiversity, and social sustainability, both efficiently and safely.

The industry is already working towards this by introducing new technology, increasing resilience to climate change, and considering the wider social benefits of connecting national and local communities. But more work is needed to ensure we are able to maintain our position ahead of other modes.

As well as investment in the right assets, we need colleagues running the railway to be better informed so they can do the right thing.

That’s why our work going forward to support our members will be less about the ‘what’ and

more about the ‘how’. How should procurement teams make better decisions when it comes to goods and services to deliver a more sustainable railway? Similarly, colleagues in finance teams will need to understand how they can build investment business cases that account not just for the financial, but the environmental and social capitals using the Accounting for Sustainability approach.

SHARP FOCUS

© Bradley Caslin

2050 may seem a long way away, but when you consider the work that needs to be done, it’s not. That’s why RSSB is taking rail sustainability so seriously. Focusing our expertise and resources to support the rail industry, as it moves at pace to better understand the barriers to improving environmental and social sustainability, and to develop safe, efficient, and innovative solutions.

And our members are just as committed.

This autumn, RSSB launched a detailed air quality monitoring programme at railway sites across the network and will be shortly releasing a tool developed to help our members measure the social value of their operations. Our work on the Sustainable Rail Strategy continues.

If you would like to know more about RSSB’s efforts in this area, or are interested in the services we provide to members, please get in touch at: customer-portal.rssb.co.uk or visit www.rssb.co.uk/sustainability

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FEATURE

RAILSTAFF NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021

REPORT BY MATT ATKINS

RBF: A HELPING HAND THROUGH UNUSUAL TIMES RAILSTAFF SPOKE TO RAILWAY BENEFIT FUND'S RYAN MORGAN TO DISCUSS THE ONGOING IMPACT OF COVID-19 AND THE PRESSURES OF THE FESTIVE SEASON.

A

round one in every ten working people struggles financially and 15% of households are currently under financial stress. If these numbers sound bad enough, remember they’ve been kept in check by low interest rates which have now begun to rise. The Covid-19 pandemic has hit rail workers hard and, with Christmas racing towards us, greater numbers will feel the pinch. Thankfully, the Railway Benefit Fund (RBF) is committed to supporting current, retired, and former railway employees in financial distress.

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© Mladen Zivkovic

Formed in 1858, the charity offers practical help and wide-ranging advice, as well as financial grants to help those facing hardship.

Their grants are non-repayable and can help towards a range of everyday expenses including rent, mortgage arrears, energy bills, and more. The RBF adopts a holistic system of support and all applicants are offered a check of their benefit entitlements and government support, along with referrals and signposting to other services that can help. Some of these services are funded through the RBF and others are provided externally.

In the past two years, RBF has been busier than ever and that situation that looks set to continue for some time. RBF'S Services Manager, Ryan Morgan, has been with the organisation since 2019. He responds to

requests for help and advice and handles applications for financial support. “We receive on average around 10 phone calls every day that can cover any issue whatsoever,” he says.

“The only thing we don’t help with are nonpriority debts like credit cards and care home costs, but for anything else we’ll talk callers through their options and provide whatever support we can.”

OUT OF THE BLUE When Covid-19 came crashing into our lives, the national lockdown decimated jobs and made many people prisoners in their own homes. Whether you lived alone or with others, the experience was extreme and, while it once looked like the end was in sight, the uncertainty of the Omicron variant means further lockdowns can’t be ruled out.

Throughout the pandemic, RBF has supported rail staff who struggled with their finances and well-being. While the Covid outbreak has tested the whole nation, rail workers had a particularly rough ride, often placing their health at risk in public-facing roles, all while working reduced hours. “Staff in the rail industry have felt the impact of Covid-19 hard,” says Ryan. “The majority weren’t furloughed, but they did lose a lot of their overtime income.”

The charity saw a huge increase in demand for its services as the Covid outbreak gained steam. It saw a 60% increase in requests for financial assistance and Ryan’s team dealt with an unprecedented volume of cases.

As railway workers struggled to cover the basic costs of living, entire households faced extremely difficult financial situations, and this was further aggravated by the demands that home-schooling placed on families. Again, RBF stepped up to offer its support.

“Back in January and February 2021 we had a limited time fund,” Ryan says. “It was

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aimed at families who were having to provide home-schooling but didn’t have the means to purchase the equipment this required. We provided funds specifically for items such as laptops, tablets and printers so that children would have the correct equipment and could continue their education.”

WIDER CONSEQUENCES The effects of lockdown weren’t entirely financial. During the pandemic, cases of domestic abuse have soared. People who already lived with physical or emotional violence were virtually locked-in with their abusers and the pressure cooker of life under lockdown saw countless new cases arise. The RBF did what it could to help people at risk escape their circumstances.

“We’ve helped quite a lot of domestic abuse survivors get themselves out of their situations and back on their feet,” says Ryan.

“We’ve provided funds for a first month of rent, household bills, and even transport. In one case, the funds we provided went towards a vehicle. The individual was unable to use public transport for safety reasons and used part of the grant we provided to buy a car so she could continue working.”

DELAYED IMPACTS As the pandemic rumbles on its impacts are still felt by rail industry staff. “The requests for support we’re receiving are still largely Covid-related,” says Ryan. “With railway workers on reduced shifts or not getting their Sunday hours, many are struggling to pay their rent or their mortgage. Some people still aren’t quite sure how they’re going to make it to the end of the month for food.”

Ryan also believes it will take some time for the situation to stabilise. For many in

the industry, financial problems that were manageable during the early days of the pandemic have deteriorated over time and are now becoming overwhelming.

“I think we are really beginning to see the effects now,” he says. “For example, I’ve recently been working with someone who fell behind on their mortgage at the start of Covid.

That has now progressed to the point where they are at risk of losing their house. We’re able to help by providing our maximum grant, which will hopefully be enough for them to avoid eviction. While the Covid situation is easing elsewhere, the effects of lockdown are still being carried over for a lot of our beneficiaries.”

THE FESTIVE SEASON While we continue to deal with Covid, we’re also hurtling toward the Christmas season which, while giving most of us a chance to relax and gather with loved ones, also presents financial challenges. The expense of the season can tip those on the brink of problem debt over the edge as they try to provide a Christmas to remember. The period is always especially busy for RBF which rolls out seasonspecific initiatives to help alleviate the financial burden.

“We’re always busy during the Christmas period,” Ryan says. “We regularly see people who are not able to cover food costs and we provide emergency funds, specifically targeting beneficiaries through the Children’s Fund. Our usual grant scheme is always open, yearround, with a particular focus on debt. Many people get into debt around Christmas and, as well as providing grants, we also help to try to avoid that. We have a referral scheme with Manchester’s Citizen Advice who can provide benefit checks and budgeting advice. We also have a budgeting calculator on our website,

which we would encourage all people to use, so they understand what they can and can’t afford this Christmas.”

“Anyone who has received help from us this year, and who has children at home, is also eligible for a £40 Argos gift voucher. We send these out at the end of the year, just before Christmas. This isn’t a crisis-led grant, it’s for beneficiaries who’ve come to us during the year so we can help provide their children with a nice Christmas. These vouchers will be provided for around 200 children this year and that’s because most of the requests we’ve seen for help during Covid have been child centred. Families with small children have really been affected.”

GET IN TOUCH If you are facing financial distress, or any life event made more difficult by your finances, RBF can help. Their monetary grants and access to expert advice can help you overcome tough situations which may impact your financial, family, mental and physical well-being. The team can be contacted by phone or email and online at www.railwaybenefitfund.org.uk/ contact-us.

Conversely, if you’d like to help make a difference to people’s lives, then contact the team. RBF would not be able to support their beneficiaries in the railway industry without the aid of generous donors and fundraisers. There are many ways in which you can assist and help raise valuable funds. To find out how you can help, visit www.railwaybenefitfund.org.uk/howyou-can-help.

This Christmas, RBF are aiming to raise £40,000, which will allow them to support 130 more families with their Children’s Fund.

Donate to support their Christmas Children’s Appeal here: www.justgiving.com/campaign/ rbfchristmas.

For advice and support contact | Email: support@railwaybenefitfund.org.uk | Phone: 0345 241 2885

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S L A N IO S S E F O R P L YOUNG RAI ITY N U T R O P P O AN H T W O R G R FO

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ost and reliability are key to attracting passengers and encouraging modal shift as the domestic and international travel markets recover − a challenge we are ready to take on.

In the last edition of RailStaff I continued a series of editorials which voice the views of my peers − young professionals in rail, the future leaders of our industry. It followed an article looking at the changes to working habits caused by the pandemic with a review of the ‘people and culture’ elements of the emerging Great British Railways.

It is clear that international travel is not helping to end the global Coronavirus pandemic, especially when virulent and highly transmissible variants emerge. Constantly changing travel rules have made the majority of holidaymakers think twice about going abroad and the international travel market is struggling to adapt.

As we well know, domestic public transport has also suffered from a suppression in demand, although the recent 70% pre-Covid passenger numbers suggest that people are returning to their old commuting habits and leisure passengers are taking advantage of cheap advance fares to get around and beat the interminable traffic jams. The international travel market will recover similarly, it is just a matter of time.

The truth is that it is not just the pandemic which threatens the decline of international and domestic air travel. The current overreliance on cheap air travel provides the rail industry with a huge opportunity for market growth both domestically and internationally; sustainable growth which could go a long way to meeting the UK’s carbon agenda. The public is more self-aware than ever and more

George Chilcott.

conscious of the decisions they take and the impact that we all have on the environment.

I’ve discussed this opportunity with fellow young rail professionals and considered how domestic public transport, especially rail, is different to air.

Where most international travel provides for the leisure market, © ake1150sb

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rail provides an essential social and economic service which can be efficiently complemented by off-peak leisure journeys. Where international air travel uses unsustainable technology, rail provides a low-carbon method of carriage − ranging from fully renewable-sourced electric journeys to diesel powered freight which utilises efficiency of scale. Where international air travel requires users to drive for miles to reach international hubs, rail can provide endto-end connections using the extensive existing networks to supplement the international routes.

The national rail network was never designed for longdistance travel. It was designed piecemeal to connect the biggest economic hubs as they developed, and the rest of the network sprawled out of the nodes and mainlines. Investing in the infrastructure to support international rail travel, with new high-speed links between long-distance destinations and services which carry passengers from all over the

UK to Europe and beyond will release capacity on the existing UK network.

That capacity can bring benefits such as better service performance, more freight and more frequent passenger services. This is why we are so frustrated and disappointed with the Government’s recent decision to chop off the Eastern Leg of HS2. Why, when there is so much market potential and such a desperate global need to transform the long-distance and international transport offering, are we cancelling a third of the only new railway line being built in Britain?

HS1 is a good example of the sort of forward-thinking we desperately need on HS2. HS1

was built with no prior market for international rail travel; is a railway which bypasses the existing local network (creating the aforementioned capacity benefits); and is a railway which has a much higher performance record for which domestic and international passengers are prepared to pay a premium. Post-pandemic, HS1 will be booming – and HS2 will one day feed that market.

International air travel is outrageously cheap. The lack of infrastructure required for the majority of a flight means operations and maintenance overheads are a fraction of the railways’. Air passengers are happy to travel in uncomfortable conditions if the price is low enough and, therefore, the

RAILSTAFF NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021

airlines benefit from economies of scale and driving costs as low as possible. However, cheapness is a function of two things – perception of the service and actual cost.

Clearly, reducing the costs of the industry and protecting passengers from soaring fare increases will make railway journeys more attractive, but the industry must be innovative to extract that additional premium from the market. Passengers will pay more to travel responsibly and more comfortably, and the industry has to build on its green credentials.

Long-distance passengers are less worried about short delays than commuters – no one I know has cared when a

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flight lands 10 minutes later than planned. Nor do they care if their flight leaves at an awkward time and that there is only one flight to choose from per day. The railways need to redefine longdistance services to meet the expectations of the market. This may mean ensuring redundancy in critical routes and planning timetable space to protect the most valuable services. Reliability is always going to be a challenge with railways, but the future data-driven maintenance and operations approach will be key to reducing failures and keeping passengers up-to-date with the latest information.

I and my Young Rail Professional colleagues are some way from being able to influence public policy and we can only hope that the Government eventually reverses its short-sighted decision on HS2.

However, we do know that cost and reliability are key to attracting passengers and encouraging modal shift as the domestic and international travel markets recover − a challenge we are ready to take on.

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TRAINING

RAILSTAFF NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021

STRUCTURES

EXAMINATION ACADEMY

XEIAD STEPS UP TO TACKLE A SHORTAGE OF INSPECTION ENGINEERS BY LAUNCHING ITS OWN TRAINING PROGRAMME

T

he rail industry needs you! With a dwindling number of active rail engineers, projects across the UK could be under threat as the industry as a whole lacks competent resources. The trend is particularly pronounced among inspection engineers, especially those trained for difficult access. To help manage this shortfall, the specialist civil engineering consultancy XEIAD has established its own training academy. If you’re unfazed by heights, deep water, or small spaces, read on.

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The company has been involved with the Rail industry since its inception and is currently delivering examinations on multiple routes on over 15,000 structures per annum. Although XEIAD works as a tier one supplier to Network Rail, it also supports the wider engineering services community working for many other tier one suppliers, especially when it comes to difficult access.

XEIAD was involved with the refurbishment of the Kilsby tunnel shafts in 2018, providing the pre-inspection works for AmcoGiffen, and carried out

© Four by Three

Founded in 2003, XEIAD has extensive experience in providing engineering consultancy services to asset owners and managers. It is one of the leaders in the UK at providing a comprehensive range of services using rope access, diving, and confined spaces skills.

The company also uses Remotely Operated Aerial Vehicles (ROAVs) to complement inspections, where appropriate. XEIAD’s teams have exceptional experience of inspecting structures such as bridges, culverts, retaining walls, tunnels and shafts, and the company works across a wide range of industry sectors.

HIGH-PROFILE CLIENTS

investigative works on the Grade II listed Tintern Wireworks Bridge this year, prior to repairs. Aside from offering services to the Rail industry, XEIAD also enjoys long term relationships with the likes of National Highways, The Met Office, Babcock, and Atkins, among others.

“We are experts at delivering cost effective and reliable engineering examinations on all sorts of structures across many different industry sectors.” says Chairman and CEO, Olivier Garrigue. “We work notably with Network Rail, National Highways, and with the Ministry of Defence via Babcock. Thus, working as either a tier one or tier two supplier but always helping our clients to keep critical infrastructure safe.

Capacity is the main challenge we face as an industry and attempting to hire engineers out of other companies or Network Rail itself is not going to be much help to anyone. More importantly, it is not sustainable. Cost inflation ensues and overall capacity to undertake all the work that must be carried out remains a

challenge. We have therefore decided to substantially invest in the development of new rail examination engineers.

XEIAD’s recent contract awards to serve the needs of Network Rail in the North West and Central, Eastern, and the Southern and Western regions allows us to take the long view and invest for the future”

SPECIALIST TRAINING The company is continuously on the lookout for staff with specialist access skills, but current labour shortages make this difficult. In response, XEIAD has established

RAILSTAFF NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021

its own Training Academy, based at its offices in Ilkeston, so it can give engineers and technicians the skills they require to tackle difficult access inspections, within a condensed timeframe.

“As I said, capacity is our main challenge” says Olivier, “Until today, there was no real structured pathway to develop a new breed of engineers or create opportunities for people to switch career path and become structure examiners. Because there’s a lack of supply, it’s really important that we can train examiners, help them develop, and give them reasons to stay in the industry.

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“We thought the best thing to do was to create an Academy where training will be very focused, intense even. In the past, it could have taken one to two years to get through the training to be able to qualify as a full STE4 examiner. What we’re proposing is a very focused pathway through our Academy which will aim to train people fully through a three-month intense programme coupled with engineering mentorship.

Graduates of the programme will be fully competent, effective and efficient.”

What distinguishes XEIAD’s approach is that it aims to train examiners quickly by removing them from operational duties and focussing fully on learning. Historically, trainees have been taught relatively slowly while still working their day job, and have then shadowed qualified examiners for around two years. However, the current industry needs and recruitment environment does not suit this way of training.

“We don’t have time to allow for that,” says Commercial Director, Paul Capener.

“We need to create resource quickly and what we’re doing is a more cost-effective way of getting people on board quickly.

The academy will provide three months of intensive training, focusing purely on structures and inspections, giving them all the competencies and qualifications they need to go out and do their job.”

The company believes this approach will benefit the industry as a whole. The lack of FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF | @RAIL_STAFF | RAILSTAFF.CO.UK

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examiners in the industry today has led many to leave their employers and set themselves up as sub-contractors, charging rates higher than many would want to pay. In those situations, it is also difficult for contractors to determine the ability of the examiners they employ. By controlling the training, XEIAD can ensure that competent employees are rolled out within a timeframe that will help to ease the industry’s recruitment difficulties.

THE RIGHT CANDIDATE XEIAD aims to attract candidates that are already in the industry and are looking to retrain, or those who work in similar sectors and can bring

relevant technical skills across with them. The company is looking for individuals with the right approach and the correct temperament.

“People with military experience are a great fit,” says Paul, “because they’re focused, they understand what their objectives are, and they don’t have issues with travelling for site work or staying away from home. All of that ties in perfectly with what we’re trying to do. If we can attract individuals from engineering divisions within the military, then we’re employing people who already have the relevant competencies we require.”

“We will consider anyone who has the right competency, academic background and

positive attitude,” Olivier adds, “and we’re going to pay them properly. They’re going to have a fitting salary from when they start which will reach over £30,000 within a couple of years. We want people to feel good about their work. This is a very real commitment from us, and we want people who are serious about the role and have a real passion for this type of work.”

On top of the initial qualification, graduates of the academy will benefit from continual development while they remain with XEIAD. The company aims to add further training modules in rope access, diving and confined space access for individuals who want to specialise further.

“One of the other objectives we’re working towards is getting all of our examiner’s trained up within the ICE up to ENGTECH,” says Paul, so they’ll not only have the XEIAD badge of inspections, but the STE4 competency, and they’ll also be on their route to professional memberships within the ICE.”

READY FOR LAUNCH

XEIAD’s training academy launches in February 2022, and the company has already opened recruitment. It will first take on 12 people in the first wave and there will be a new intake every three months next year. The company aims to have at least an additional 30 fully trained examiner’s working with them by this time next year.

“We’ve already operated and road-tested the process. We’ve put a few examiners through the programme, we have them fully trained, and the process works very well,” says Olivier. “We are committed to making this work for us and the industry, and, if we get the support, it’s possible we’ll be able to offer our training modules and facilities not just to our own engineers, but to Network Rail and other companies that would want to benefit from our platform.”

“If you want to explore this opportunity, you should get in touch. And if you know someone who currently works on track, but would like to make an exciting career move, we’d certainly like to hear from them.”

If you’re looking to inject excitement into your career, visit www.xeiad.com/what-we-do/careers/ or contact careers@xeiad.com

RAILSTAFF NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021

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M&E Estimator - Rail

Lyminge, Kent | Full time 40 hours per week | £Negotiable Fuse Rail is a specialist electrical company servicing the electrification and plant requirements within the rail industry.

Experience and skills needed: • • • • •

Ensure accurate & timely tender and estimate returns for mechanical & electrical projects.

Established estimator / QS with demonstrable experience Construction experience, ideally on the railway Commercial knowledge and awareness Experience of estimating and/or quantity surveying including knowledge of applicable legislation and HSQE standards

You will be a highly motivated individual, career driven, enthusiastic and organised. You need to be able to work well with others in a team, but equally be able to work independently using your own initiative to problem solve.

HNC/HND in electrical engineering is desirable as well as good working knowledge of Network Rail and major principle contractor construction contracts. A full clean driving licence is required.

Please email your CV with a covering letter to HR@fuserail.com Apply online and full details visit: www.fuserailcareers.com www.rail-media.com

Fuse Rail Ltd is a Principal Contractor for Network Rail that is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff. We have many COVID-19 precautions in place in to protect our staff.

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KEEP MELBOURNE MOVING

WITH MTM

W

ith a largely urbanised population, Australia’s rail system is made up of numerous booming urban networks linked by a handful of long-distance lines, with heavy-haul freight lines bringing ores and minerals to the coast.

But with a relatively modest population of 25 million, the pool from which to draw experienced engineers is small. Australia’s major rail organisations are therefore eager to attract rail professionals from elsewhere, and UK engineers are a prime target.

URBAN NETWORK

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METRO TUNNEL The company is currently working on several projects for which it needs experienced people. An example is the twinbore Melbourne Metro Tunnel

which will create a new end-toend rail line from Sunbury in the west to Cranbourne/Pakenham in the southeast. The two new 5.6-mile tunnels will free up Melbourne’s biggest bottleneck and enable 39,000 more passengers to use the rail system during peak periods.

The project is currently under construction across Melbourne and the new infrastructure will be assisted by the installation of next-generation, high-capacity signalling (HCS), replacing the existing ‘fixed block’ system with fixed signals with a ‘moving block’ system with in-cab signalling. HCS technology works by monitoring and controlling

© mijastrzebski

Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) is one of the organisations currently searching for top talent. It is a consortium of rail and construction businesses, all with some very impressive credentials. The operator draws experience from three leading rail industry organisations: Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation, as well as the John Holland Group and UGL Rail, a division of United Group Limited. The same group also owns Metro Trains Sydney, which has run the services in Australia’s largest city since 2019.

MTM serves Melbourne’s extensive metro system, keeping a population of five million on the move. The company runs 15 lines (along with an events-only line to Flemington Racecourse) operated by 220 six-car trains running on 600 miles of track and serving 219 stations. It has operated the franchise since November 2009, and it’s initial eight-year contract has been extended until 2024.

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WITH A NEW YEAR JUST AROUND THE CORNER IS IT TIME FOR A CAREER MOVE AND NEW ADVENTURE? AUSTRALIA IS LOOKING FOR RAIL PROFESSIONALS AND MTM WANTS YOU.

© Adam Calaitzis

UPDATING INFRASTRUCTURE

similar to those in London, Hong Kong and Singapore. Existing signals currently used along the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury Lines will also be updated so trains that use the HCS, as well as those that rely on conventional signalling, can seamlessly operate on the same network.

© Elias

the speed and location of trains in real time, moving with the trains and allowing them to safely run closer together and more frequently.

Thanks to HCS, trains will run every two to three minutes which is the first step to creating a ‘turn-up-and-go’ train network for Melbourne,

The Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) is another development that MTM is heavily involved with. The program, initiated in 2014, will see the removal of 85 level crossings across Melbourne. For background, when Melbourne’s railway network was built, because of the city’s flat topography and sparse population, many railway crossings were via level crossing rather than bridges or underpasses.

But, as traffic levels have increased, these crossings have become bottlenecks for road traffic and have limited the number of trains that can be run, especially at peak times. As of December 2021, 54 crossings have been removed, 26 train stations have been rebuilt, and many kilometres of track have been laid.

“The progress we’ve made on this project within six or seven years is incredible,” says Nik Dumovic, Program Signalling Manager at MTM, “particularly when you consider the complexity of the infrastructure in Melbourne. One of the challenges, broadly, is that we have areas of legacy infrastructure in Victoria which, while being actively replaced, at times needs to be retained and integrated with the newer technologies.”

Aside from these projects, MTM works closely with a variety of third parties to perform maintenance on the track and deliver smaller projects and upgrades. The Franchisee projects team delivers a wide range of nominated projects on behalf of the Department of Transport (DOT) and other state agencies, while the third-party team (Metro Site Access) manages general access to the MTM network by other organisations or agencies. Both project teams work closely with DOT to align with the Network Development Plan and deliver on government commitments.

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The effort to keep Melbourne’s rail network up-to-date and its population moving requires skilled, knowledgeable and experienced Rail professionals; the Melbourne Metro Tunnel alone depends on the expertise of 77 different types of engineer.

While people power isn’t a resource that Australia has in abundance, MTM has developed a reliable recruitment strategy to tackle the industry’s skills gap. The company has targeted domestic expertise first, with recruitment drives in Brisbane (Queensland) and Perth (Western Australia). It also recruits internationally and has worked with contacts in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, China and the Middle East, as well as the UK. MTR already has a base in the UK and will operate the Elizabeth line. It is also a partner with First Group in South Western Trains.

“The career prospects and the opportunities to work on different projects are significant,” says Nik. “Young engineers will get the benefit of being able to grow with projects and experienced engineers will able to influence their outcomes. It ticks the box for just about every person at any point in their career.”

© Neo Photo

PROFESSIONALS WANTED

GREAT ORGANISATION As a multi award-winning organisation, MTM prides itself on its team of honest, high performing professionals who are talented, inclusive and safety focused. The company is known for promoting a strong work/ life balance and has robust policies on diversity, wellness and mental health. UK engineers who take the leap will be join an organisation that is known as a global leader in its field, and which embraces new technologies.

“The work environment is amazing,” Nik says. “In terms of opportunities, it’s been incredible. I’ve been able to work on the biggest mega projects in Melbourne and I’ve had some very experienced MTM people around me who’ve guided me and helped me progress with my career. MTM has been incredibly supportive and is a great place to learn on a variety of projects.”

MTM hopes that UK-based railway engineers and managers will be sufficiently tempted by the chance to work in Australia’s growing market to make the move and is currently targeting engineers of the following disciplines: Signalling (all types); Testing and Commissioning; Design Engineers; and Design Review Engineers.

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

“Anyone who is interested in career opportunities should head down here,” says Nik. “There is so much work and so many good opportunities, and a lot of scope for experienced operators to come in and bring their knowledge. We’ve got a lot of work on, and a lot of very capable people, and the more capable experienced people you have, the better.”

If you’re eager to apply your knowledge and experience to an exciting project in a superb location, then MTM wants to hear from you.

Successful candidates and their families will be offered sponsorship and be provided with relocation assistance as part of the MTM’s Global Mobility Framework.

For more information, please see our recruitment advert on page 48.

To register your CV and interest, please visit www.MTM-Careers.com © leonard78uk

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Coleman James Ltd Trainline appoints Martin welcomes Joshua Haggart Sheehan as chief corporate Having spent over seven years affairs officer as a specialist Rail recruiter, Joshua Haggart is joining Coleman James Ltd to head up its new Doncaster base.

Josh is known for his technical understanding and passion for all things rail and, having recruited for many multinational rail contractors and consultancies, brings a wealth of experience.

Welcoming Josh, Coleman James’ Managing Director, Andrew Mackay, said: “Josh shares the same values as the team here at Coleman James; integrity, knowledge, relationships and excellence.

Technically, he’s incredibly knowledgeable, has an unrivalled network in the sector and his passion for Rail, and helping his candidates and client thrive, is infectious.

“Doncaster is a key hub for UK Rail. It’s uniquely positioned to deliver high potential opportunities for those operating in the sector so it makes sense to position our second office there to support Rail businesses in

their recruitment efforts. Josh is absolutely the best person to do that. We’re delighted to have him on board.”

Josh said: “After seven years at my previous consultancy, I was ready for a new challenge and the opportunity to lead the Rail team here at Coleman James was simply too good to miss. I was bowled over by the dynamism and energy of the Senior Management team here.

The opportunity to help drive our ambitious Rail strategy and to attract, retain and develop a world-class team motivates and excites me and I am looking forward to the challenge.”

The independent rail and coach platform, Trainline, has appointed Martin Sheehan to the newly created role of chief corporate affairs officer.

Martin is now responsible for Trainline’s Government Affairs, Industry Relations and Communications functions, in all of the company’s key markets across Europe. He will play a key role in strengthening Trainline’s rail industry partnerships as the company continues to support its partners in the UK and across Europe with pandemic recovery, growth in passenger numbers beyond this, and modal shift to help governments meet emissions targets, Martin brings over 20 years’ experience in strategic communications.

At Portland, he advised a range of global brands, governments, philanthropic and foundation clients. He also advised Prime Ministers Blair and Brown for 10 years in 10 Downing Street, where he was head of strategic communications.

Jody Ford, Trainline CEO, commented: “I’m thrilled to welcome Martin to Trainline and to our exec team. Martin brings with him impressive experience in the world of corporate affairs, and I know he’s going to ensure our industry and government partners, across the UK and the Continent, continue to feel supported by Trainline as we work together to get more people onto trains and out of cars and planes.”

On joining Trainline, Martin said: “I’m delighted to join Trainline as it builds the world’s number one rail platform. This is a great British tech success and the opportunity to help our customers choose digitally first, greener travel is an exciting one.”

Sir Peter Hendy CBE joins National Railway Museum Network Rail Chair Sir Peter Hendy CBE has been appointed Chair of the National Railway Museum’s Advisory Board.

The appointment comes at an important phase in the museum’s Vision 2025 masterplan which will see the creation of a new Central Hall as well as widespread transformation across the site. Sir Peter will provide strategic guidance and strengthen the museum’s ties with the rail industry − seen most recently through collaborative exhibitions such as Railway Heroes. Launched in February 2021, this celebrates the work of rail key workers during the pandemic.

Sir Peter said: “As well as caring for the nation’s collection of railway heritage, the National Railway Museum has a brilliant opportunity to become a great place for people to learn about today’s railways. With

developments such as Central Hall’s ‘Futures Gallery’, the new interactive Wonderlab, and other temporary exhibitions, the rail industry is starting to see the museum as a significant resource for engaging and inspiring the next generation of engineers and operators and showcasing ground-breaking British 21st century technology.

“My priority as Chair will be to oversee the development of Vision 2025, and to ensure that Flying Scotsman’s centenary year in 2023 and the bicentenary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway are truly nationwide celebrations.”

Under Sir Peter’s guidance, the museum will develop a new exhibition at the National Railway Museum and at Locomotion called Innovation Platform. Starting in June 2022, the project will last for two years and exhibit a number of significant objects.

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

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Trough-Tec Systems Hannah Kingsley joins welcomes Lucy Prior MBE RSSB as CFO Lucy Prior MBE has joined sustainable cable management supplier Trough-Tec Systems (TTS) as its business growth director.

Building on her 17 years’ experience in business development in the rail industry, Lucy will be responsible for Doncaster-based TTS increasing its reach in the rail industry, while building on diversified markets, such as utilities and nuclear.

Lucy has previously held positions in both the domestic and international rail sectors within manufacturing, infrastructure, rolling stock and software development, most recently with Sheffield-based 3Squared.

Recognised in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to rail, Lucy is a staunch advocate for career engagement as well as raising awareness and improving the experience

of women working in the rail industry.

“I am really excited to join TTS and help grow this fantastic business even further,” said Lucy.

“My new colleagues are getting me up to speed on our products and processes and have made me feel like part of the team from day one. As well as the great team culture, TTS’s admirable commitment to environmental sustainability is one of the many things that attracted me to the role in the first place, as we move to a greener railway.”

RSSB has appointed Hannah Kingsley as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Hannah joins RSSB from Network Rail, where she is currently finance director for the Anglia Route. Before this, Hannah held several roles at the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) including director of commercial service & assurance and head of commercial finance, and at Network Rail as financial controller for several of their business units.

Welcoming Hannah, RSSB’s chief executive Mark Phillips said: “I’m delighted to be welcoming Hannah to RSSB and look forward to her starting with us on 1 January. Hannah is bringing a wealth of experience to our team, and will help us become more financially sustainable, as we continue to support the rail industry to deliver a better, and safer post-pandemic railway.”

Following her appointment, Hannah said: “I am really excited to be joining RSSB in the new year at such a pivotal time for the rail industry. I genuinely believe that the industry is being given a unique opportunity to deliver a more joined up and efficient approach, to modernise and drive forward a sustainable future. I can’t wait to meet the whole team and get stuck into the challenges ahead.”

SEGULA Technologies appoints Rory Peverell Rory Peverell has recently joined SEGULA Technologies as their UK-based senior business development manager for Rail, to further strengthen their sales team in the rail division.

Rory joins with over 10 years of recruitment, business development and account management experience in the rail industry. He will be responsible for supporting and driving the growth of SEGULA Technologies’ rail division within the UK, which includes delivering onsite support, work packages and large turnkey solutions to our customers. During his time in rail, Rory has built his own personal brand along with a strong network which he hopes to collaborate with on this new journey.

SEGULA Technologies is an engineering services group with over 10,000 engineers globally in the automotive, rail, aerospace and defence, energy, life sciences and marine sectors. The company has rail

expertise in rolling stock and infrastructure with over 1500 engineers across 30 countries, working with some of the most prestigious and well-known companies in the industry.

Rory commented on his appointment: “This is an exciting move for me - not only is there huge potential for my personal growth in terms of working for an internationally renowned business, it also gives me the opportunity to grow our UK rail division at the same time. The rail market is incredibly buoyant and I am confident that the expertise of SEGULA Technologies in areas such as ETCS, TCMS, decarbonisation and CBM will be well received in the UK. Their commitment to engineering innovation and research and development was of particular interest to me and will continue to provide state of the art solutions to our customers. Please get in touch with me to discuss any rail businesses and understand how SEGULA Technologies can support you.”

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

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RAILSTAFF NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021

Keltbray hires Neil Lindley as programme director for HS2 Portfolio Keltbray has announced that Neil Lindley is to become programme director for its HS2 portfolio of works. Neil has built a highly successful 27-year career in the rail industry, gaining a wealth of experience in the UK and overseas, leading complex multi-disciplinary infrastructure and rail programmes.

previously for Carillion as project delivery director on a number of programmes.

Neil Thompson, managing director of rail at Keltbray, said: “Neil’s appointment is a major boost to our HS2 ambitions, building on work being undertaken by other parts of the group for the construction joint ventures, as we pursue and deliver major packages of work on Europe’s largest and most complex infrastructure project.

“His industry-leading experience gained as both a client and delivery partner will greatly benefit Keltbray in developing sustainable design, construction and programme

Neil’s most recent role was as vice president for Metrolinx on the Toronto Union Station Rail Corridor and the Toronto Light Rail Transit. Prior to working in Canada, Neil was the alliance director on the Trans-Pennine Route Eastern Section for Network Rail, having worked

Peter Wells joins WSP

management capabilities to deliver critical elements on the world’s most carbon-efficient, high speed rail network for the UK taxpayer.”

RFG welcomes Martin Bignell Rail Freight Group (RFG) has named Martin Bignell as its new Scottish and Northern representative. He will play a key role in developing the RFG’s strategy for the regions, working with RFG members, key stakeholders and regional bodies across Scotland and the North of England.

WSP, the engineering professional services consultancy, continues to grow its rail business with the appointment of Phil Wells as stations group director. He will take on full responsibility in his new role from 1 January 2022.

Phil takes over 30 years’ industry experience to WSP. He has supported delivery of and led major multi-disciplinary projects, including: West Coast Route Modernisation Rugby Station Remodelling; Bank Station Capacity Upgrade; Emirates Air Line, Cable Car for London; Network Rail’s southern track alliance; and, most recently, Lewisham Station and depot upgrades at Eastleigh and Beckton.

Phil will lead a 160-strong team and a growing portfolio of station projects, which includes HS2 stations, Crossrail / Elizabeth line stations, and Brent Cross West station.

Martin has a background in freight and logistics including an MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. He has previously worked for a multimodal freight operator, and in rail freight policy and development with the Strategic Rail Authority.

As a contractor for the last decade, Martin has primarily been involved in transport consultancy projects and contract bidding and mobilisation including for maritime, overnight passenger rail and active travel services, together with providing specialist freight understanding and freight stakeholder engagement to many transport strategy and research projects.

Martin said: “It’s an exciting time to be joining RFG, with the increased recognition of rail freight’s role in our supply chains since early 2020, a renewed sense of its importance to help achieve the UK’s decarbonisation commitments, and as we move into a new era for the rail industry with rail reform. Of course, rail freight customers have known this all along and growing demand is evidence of real momentum that policy and delivery need to fulfil on.”

Maggie Simpson OBE, Director General, RFG, added: “I am delighted to be welcoming Martin as our new regional representative. The potential of rail freight in Scotland and the North of England is huge and will form a crucial part of Britain’s decarbonisation debate. I know his experience and knowledge will be invaluable going forwards.”

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Porterbrook appoints first chief operating officer Rolling stock owner and asset manager Porterbrook has appointed Ben Ackroyd as the company’s first chief operating officer (COO).

This board level role will see Ben take strategic responsibility for all operational aspects of the business. Porterbrook owns a quarter of Britain’s passenger trains, is expanding its railfreight portfolio and has recently taken over the 135-acre test-track and innovation centre at Long Marston in Warwickshire.

Ben will join Porterbrook in Spring 2022 from Trenitalia C2C Limited, where he is currently managing director. He brings a wealth of train operating and service delivery experience to his new position as COO, acquired over 20 years in engineering and general management roles across the industry.

“I am very excited to be joining Porterbrook at a key time for our industry,” he said. “All of us need to evolve to embrace the opportunities that will be created by the formation of GBR. I look forward to working with Mary and her executive team to ensure that Porterbrook remains absolutely focused on supporting our customers and the operating railway.”

SUPPORTED BY

Shaping Melbourne Australia Are you interested in joining the project team at Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) that is involved in multibillion dollar city-shaping infrastructure projects?

Did you know? Metro Trains Melbourne is part of the MTR family, with global reach across Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.

Can you bring your wealth of experience to help us support the delivery of Melbourne’s three largest rail infrastructure projects?

THE METRO TUNNEL PROJECT The A$11 billion Metro Tunnel will untangle the city loop so more trains can run more effectively across Melbourne. The Metro Tunnel scope includes twin nine-kilometre rail tunnels, five new underground stations as well as new high capacity signalling. The Metro Tunnel Project is being delivered in three work packages, with a programme-level team assisting each package. The three work packages are: Rail Systems Alliance, Rail Infrastructure Alliance and the Tunnels and Stations Public Private Partnership.

THE MELBOURNE AIRPORT RAIL PROJECT Melbourne Airport Rail is a transformational public transport project connecting Melbourne Airport to Victoria’s regional and metropolitan train network. Trains will run from Melbourne Airport through to Sunshine Station, then into the Metro Tunnel and the heart of the CBD, before continuing on to the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines. This eagerly awaited project will connect people from the airport to where they need to go – be that work, home or Victoria’s key tourism destinations – via a rail service for the first time.

> MELBOURNE METRO TUNNEL & AIRPORT RAIL PROJECT ROLES: » Signalling Project Engineer

» Head of Operations

» Signalling Project Manager

» Operations Definition Test Manager

» Testing and Commissioning Managers - Dynamic testing & CBTC

» Operations Delivery Manager

» Testers in Charge

» Operations Resource Coordinator » Operations Integration Manager

THE LEVEL CROSSING REMOVAL PROJECT The Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) was established by the Victorian Government to oversee one of the largest rail infrastructure projects in the state’s history. LXRP is part of the Major Transport Infrastructure Authority and our projects fall under Victoria’s Big Build.

Central to the project is the elimination of 85 level crossings across metropolitan Melbourne by 2024, in addition to other rail network upgrades such as new train stations, track duplication and train stabling yards.

> KEY LXRP PROJECT ROLES: » Testing & Commissioning Managers

» Signalling Design Review Engineer

» Testing & Commissioning Engineers

» Signalling Design Managers

» Signalling Project Engineers

» Testing & Commissioning Review Engineer

www.metrotrains.com.au

Melbourne: Australia’s sporting and culture capital.

if f e r AD

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e Deliver a great passenger experience OUR VISION

EA

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Connecting people and places for a growing Melbourne

E G I C F O CU

ri Ca ng

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Support rail transformation

OU

OUR MISSION

We work smarter every day to be Australia’s most respected city railway

Empower and engage our people

RF O

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S T R AT

One T e am

OU R V A L U E S

R SA

De pe nd ab le

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Be a sustainable business long term

rm OUR FOUNDATION

Safety – Our goal is Zero Harm, because every injury is preventable

> FURTHER CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: Metro is a multi-award winning organisation, and we pride ourselves on our team of honest, high performing professionals who are talented, inclusive and safety focused and who are at the core of our success. You will be joining an organisation that is known as a global leader in its field but also prides itself on being dynamic, embracing new technologies and focused on customer service. Our aim is to promote work/life balance, allow team members to bring their best to work and to truly be focused on a common goal which is to provide a world-class railway service.

> OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER ROLES:

> SIGNALLING STRATEGY TASKFORCE ROLES:

» Signalling Assurance Managers

» Signalling Data Designers

» Senior Signalling Support Engineers

» Principal Testers » Testers in Charges

INTERESTED? If what you’ve read resonates with your values, experience and career aspirations then we want to hear from you.

Successful candidates and their families will be offered sponsorship and be provided with relocation assistance as part of the MTM’s Global Mobility Framework.

To register your interest, contact Kyle MacLean (Talent Partner) on kyle.maclean@metrotrains.com.au with your CV and contact details, or for more information, see:

mtm-careers.com

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CAREERS

RAILSTAFF NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021

SENIOR QUANTITY SURVEYOR AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN ONE OF EUROPE’S BIGGEST RAIL CONTRACTORS. THE ROLE WOULD SEE YOU PLACED INTO ONE OF THE LONDON REGIONS MAJOR PROJECTS, OFFERING YOUR COMMERCIAL EXPERTISE, WITH UNRIVALLED OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROGRESSION AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH.

FOREMAN Walton-On-Thames

LEAD PROJECT MANAGER

DOCUMENT CONTROLLER

York

Belfast, Northern Ireland

ADVANCE-TRS.COM

01483 361 061 | info@advance-trs.com

Haydn Evans is committed to Engineering Technical Excellence, operating from modern premises in Ipswich, delivering specialist consultancy services in Civils, Infrastructure, Rail, Marine and Structures markets.

We strongly value our colleagues, recognising the instrumental role the team plays in delivering a high quality service to clients. We firmly believe that when people are happy and supported, they progress and reach their full potential.

We actively promote and encourage individual development, wellbeing and career progression. We really are an equal opportunities employer and our diverse, committed workforce is testament to this.

Our outstanding team of professionals work on a stimulating portfolio of project work for contractors, developers and TOCs. Due to our success, we are seeking civil and structural engineers at all levels to join our team and fulfil their potential. Opportunities are available from Graduate to Associate level. We value our staff and reward them with fair and competitive packages Rail Civils & Structures Career Opportunities

● Graduate Engineer ● Senior Engineer ● Principal Engineer ● Technical / Associate Director Haydn Evans welcome speculative applications from candidates who identify with our values.

To find out more or apply, please send your CV with a covering email to careers@haydnevans.co.uk

For full job descriptions and to apply online, please visit www.haydnevanscareers.co.uk RAILSTAFF.CO.UK | @RAIL_STAFF | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF

Together WE

GO BEYOND

Career Opportunities in Western Australia

Arc Infrastructure is currently looking to recruit individuals with solid, relevant experience in the following roles: Senior Track Engineer Senior Civil Geotech Engineer

Arc Infrastructure manages and develops transport infrastructure assets that support growth and create jobs in Western Australia (WA). Rail is at the heart of our business, and the 5,500km rail network is the backbone of freight transport in Western Australia from the diverse Midwest across to the fascinating Goldfields and Yilgarn regions through to the stunning South West and Great Southern. We’re committed to working with industry, our customers, partners and communities to find new opportunities that will support and strengthen our rail network for the benefit of WA.

Project Supervisor Signalling Signalling Test & Commissioning Engineer Signaller Maintenance Planner

The Opportunities Our employees are the heart of our business and we work hard to ensure our people feel safe, valued and fulfilled in the work they do. There are more than 400 of us at Arc Infrastructure – each connected by a desire to continually learn and improve. We are a team that respects one another and the communities and environments we work within.

Working at Arc Infrastructure Working with Arc Infrastructure means working in a team environment where each person and team is valued for the diverse skills, ideas and experiences they bring. We promote a work environment that is characterised by fair treatment of all employees, personal accountability, and mutual trust and respect. We understand our employees are the key to our success and as a team, our focus is to ensure they feel safe, valued and fulfilled in the work that they do. We provide a range of employee benefits including: Competitive remuneration package

Paid parental leave

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Health and wellbeing subsidy

Sponsorship for VISAS and relocation

ARC’S RECRUITMENT PROCESS If you see a role that you feel you are suited for and have previous experience in rail, email your CV to Arc Infrastructure’s people team at recruitment@arcinfra.com outlining the type of work and/or area you are interested in, and we will record your information for future reference.

Recruitment agencies, our internal people team looks after all of our vacancies. If we need your assistance, we will reach out to you. www.arcinfra.com

Watch // TRS CEO Paul Bateman talking about HVO at Rail Live 2021

Scan this //

total rail sustainable Total Rail Solutions ditches diesel and switches to a cleaner, greener fuel for a more sustainable rail network .

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Alternative HVO fuel from Crown Oil to be supplied in all plant

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Further improving the environmental impact on the rail network

We are one of the first hirers in rail to make this change and are committed to protecting all our futures.

Visit totalrailsolutions.co.uk or call 01962 711642 to find out more