RailStaff October 2012

RailStaff

See Stobart Advert P2

Nationwide Expert training from a name you can trust

stobartrail.com

Issue 179 / October 2012

THE MOST POPULAR PUBLICATION IN THE UK RAIL INDUSTRY

www.railstaff.co.uk

High noon on Marsham Street

Irish move for David Franks

PAGE 8

Westward Ho! Andy Milne talks to Vernon Barker MD of FirstGroup’s Rail Division.

© JONATHAN WEBB

PAGES 14-15

As controversy rages over the future of train operations in Britain after the suspension of the Inter City West Coast franchise transfer, Richard Brown CBE is now heading a systematic franchise programme review.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin called in Richard Brown, chairman of Eurostar, within hours of the DfT’s bungled bid evaluation coming to light. Mr. Brown is now investigating the way franchise risk is assessed and his comprehensive review will report by the end of the year…

Training Matters Focus The latest news from NSARE, ARTP and Training providers.

Continued on PAGE 4

WE HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE...

TO DELIVER EVERY TIME! Get connected to one of the largest specialist recruitment businesses in the rail industry, for unrivalled support services and the very best professional staff.

0845 543 5953

www.mcginley.co.uk

PAGE 37-49

Expert training from a name you can trust FORTHCOMING TRAINING EVENTS 08/10/2012

Lookout Recert

1 day

£95 per person

09/10/2012

PTS Recert & DCCR

2 days

£170 per person

30/10/2012

ES Recert

1 days

£95 per person

07/11/2012

IWA Recert

1½ days

£120 per person

07/11/2012

First Aid at Work

3 days

£195 per person

26/11/2012

PTS Initial

2 days

£170 per person

05/12/2012

PTS Recert

2 days

£95 per person

03/12/2012

First Aid at Work

3 days

£195 per person

17/12/2012

COSS Recert & DCCR

4 days

£325 per person

We are now able to offer Health, Safety & Environment Test at our Head Office.

Claire Bainbridge Training Manager t. 01228 882 300 e. claire.bainbridge@stobartrail.com

We also offer the following courses: CPCS, On Track Plant, Machine/Crane Controller, Rail Safety Assessments Manual Handling, CAT Scan, Small Tools, First Aid at Work, PASMA

stobartrail.com

COMMENT

Contact us:

Publisher:

Paul O’Connor

Editor:

Andy Milne

Production and design:

Adam O’Connor

Senior Reporter:

Jonathan Webb

Writer:

Nigel Wordsworth

Track Safety:

Colin Wheeler

Pictures:

Colin Garratt

Advertising:

Asif Ahmed Craig Smith Paul Curtis

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

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

RailStaff is published by RailStaff Publications Limited.

A Rail Media Publication.

SPECIAL FOCUS

West Coast Franchise fiasco Where government fails is in its responsibility for the central structure that sustains railways.

“Railways are a force for good, driving growth, creating wealth and promoting environmental responsibility. Yet we still suffer from second rate leadership.”

© JONATHAN WEBB

RailStaff

Inevitably calls will be heard for the re-nationalisation of the railways in the wake of the west coast franchise fiasco.

In fact less government blundering, not more is needed.

Consider: since privatisation the railway community has delivered over and above any Marsham Street mathematical risk model predicted.

Rail now carries twice the number of passengers on half the track we had in 1948. This has not been achieved by political acumen, far from it. The last government contrived to delay investment in fleets and projects. Remember the obfuscation on Crossrail and Manchester Metrolink?

Railways are a force for good, driving growth, creating wealth and promoting environmental responsibility. Yet we still suffer from second rate leadership. Too few civil servants know how to run a business or understand the oil and grease of a traditional industry. Few enjoy the immediacy of customer contact that is integral to the railway’s working day.

Hitherto this government was doing well by railways.

Commitments to HS2, Crossrail, electrification and the Northern Hub all testify to a new won respectability for the industry.

Where government fails is in its responsibility for the central structure that sustains railways.

Minsters are responsible for their

briefs and the officials in their employ. The all but invisible DfT rail group needs to be replaced by a stand alone entity run by professional railway staff not civil servants. Like the old SRA it should cherish an independence of spirit. Such skill will achieve better value for money, stability for staff and encourage private investors.

Track workers, apprentices and graduates starting out this autumn may not have run their career through a matrix of risk identifying software. Yet their commitment forms the basis for the continuing abacus of rail success. The private sector railway has harnessed their skills, the government should seek to do no less.

PAGE 20

PAGE 50-51

RailStaff Awards In November’s RailStaff

Tunnel Aid for Wallasea Island

URS backs McNulty’s Strategy

We report on the annual RailStaff Awards 2012 from the ICC in Birmingham, where almost 850 party goers celebrate this year’s Awards Winners in roaring twenties prohibition style. Will you be a winner?

One of Europe’s largest wetland wild life projects, Wallasea island, is emerging on the River Crouch, near the Thames Estuary, thanks to Crossrail.

The strategy of growth through good value is at the heart of the URS Corporations’ ambitious plans for British engineering design firm Scott Wilson.

Please Note: RailStaff’s annual focus on Rail Freight is in December issue. www.railstaff.co.uk

3

© JONATHAN WEBB

High noon on Marsham Street

acted properly on the advice that they were getting from the Department.’

Two reviews Few will have observed Richard Brown slipping through a grey and windy Whitehall to begin his enquiry into the shortcomings of franchise re-letting.

No triumphant gallop into Dodge City for Brown. However, no one should underestimate the importance of Brown’s role or the confidence placed in him by new transport secretary, Patrick McLoughlin or the DfT’s permanent secretary, Philip Rutnam - who moved to the department last April.

The Cameron administration has been badly rattled by the West Coast debacle and wants the system fixed. No blame attaches to the companies involved.

The Secretary of State said, ‘I want to make it absolutely clear that neither FirstGroup nor Virgin did anything wrong. The fault of this lies wholly and squarely with the Department for Transport.

Both of those two companies 4

McLoughlin set in motion two reviews immediately after suspending the transfer of the Virgin Trains operated West Coast Inter City franchise to FirstGroup.

The first review into the Inter City West Coast fiasco itself will be run by Centrica chief executive, Sam Laidlaw and former PricewaterhouseCoopers strategy chairman, Ed Smith. They will report by the end of October.

More ominously, Brown is charged with looking deeper and longer at railway franchising. He has the unenviable task of assessing whether changes are needed in the way risk is assessed in the bidding and the evaluation process. He will report back by the end of December.

Richard Brown CBE is a career railwayman who joined British Rail as a graduate trainee after reading Philosophy at Cambridge.

After a spell with Freightliner he worked in InterCity Planning.

Later he was deeply involved in

BR’s brave Organising For Quality reorganisation. OFQ, distressingly mispronounced by a generation of railway cynics, saw the creation of a series of commercially successful, stand alone, businesses.

Brown moved on to head up the new Midland MainLine and Intercity Cross Country organisation. When these were split he stayed with Midland MainLine - headquartered in Derby where he lives. After a failed MBO he ran the company for National Express, the lucky franchise holder and later became commercial director of NEG itself.

As head of NEG’s Trains Division he had oversight of a healthy portfolio of railway franchises. In 2002 he joined Eurostar as chief executive and held the post until becoming chairman in 2010. He has chaired ATOC and was created a CBE in 2007.

After ten years away from franchising - Eurostar operates under a different system - Brown is almost unique in having worked through every permutation of railways.

“I want to make it absolutely clear that neither FirstGroup nor Virgin did anything wrong. The fault of this lies wholly and squarely with the Department for Transport.”

THE RT HON PATRICK MCLOUGHLIN MP, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT

Colleagues predict he will prove a redoubtable George Smiley as he plumbs the mysteries of Marsham Street.

Both railway staff, franchise bidders and the minister himself will breathe a sigh of relief at having a railwayman of Brown’s pedigree at the helm of a review that could precipitate a sea change in how railways are run. www.railstaff.co.uk

NEWS

Ten Pound bonus for sleepers

Work is now underway building a new factory in Doncaster which will supply concrete railway sleepers for Network Rail’s programme of track improvement.

Says Martin Elwood, director of Network Rail’s National Delivery Service, ‘This factory is crucial if we are to deliver better value for money whilst maintaining a safe, reliable railway. We need around

700,000 concrete sleepers each year and, once commissioned, this factory will produce around 400,000 of those. It will also directly create around 30 new jobs, with knock-on benefits to the local supply chain.’

The new factory is located on the old Woodyard site near Ten Pound Walk in Doncaster. Owned by Network Rail the factory is being

put up and operated by a new consortium, Trackwork Moll.

‘Doncaster is the ideal location for this factory as these sidings are already used as a hub for engineering trains and its central location will make distribution across Britain’s rail network easier and more efficient,’ added Martin.

Site works are underway and full production should start in 2013.

“This factory is crucial if we are to deliver better value for money whilst maintaining a safe…”

MARTIN ELWOOD, DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL SERVICE, NETWORK RAIL

Health Screening Reduces Risk Monitoring the health of staff can provide early signpos ng of risks before they escalate into serious, and poten ally expensive, health problems Healthcare Connec ons offer a range of health surveillance & screening programmes designed to prevent the onset and progression of ill health and the risk of injury ¥Ê HAVS Surveillance

¥Ê WorkingÊinÊConÞnedÊSpaces

¥Ê LeadÊTes•ng

¥Ê RespiratoryÊTes•ng

¥Ê WorkingÊatÊNightÊ

¥Ê NoiseÊExposure

¥Ê WorkingÊatÊHeight

¥Ê SkinÊAssessments

¥Ê MusculoskeletalÊ

¥Ê Vaccina•ons

Contact us today to discuss your requirements www.healthcare-connections.com

i

t: 08456 773002 e: sales@healthcare-connections.com www.railstaff.co.uk

5

NEWS

Bonjour Tata Rail steel for the new BrittanyLoire Valley high speed line will be supplied by a Scunthorpe firm.

Tata Steel has struck a deal with Eiffage Rail for the supply of highquality rail for the new 113 mile high-speed link. Scunthorpe steel makers will supply about 50,000 tonnes of steel for the new Brittany-Loire Valley line, which will connect Le Mans and Rennes.

The steel will be manufactured in Scunthorpe and rolled into rail at Tata Steel’s mill in Hayange, northeast France. The order is likely to be worth around €50 million.

The Le Mans-Rennes rail project is one of the biggest in Europe.

The new line will be an extension of an existing high-speed link and will reduce travel times between Paris and Rennes by 37 minutes.

Micro pub

Clean sweep saves child

One of Britain’s smallest pubs has opened its doors at Carnforth station in Lancashire.

The Snug Micro Pub covers 300 square feet but owners Gregg and Julie Beaman promise a big welcome. The simple-style pub focuses on real ales. There is no TV, piped music, games machines, gassed lager or spirits.

Says Mr Beaman, ‘It is a place to come to escape the hurly burly of usual pubs. We felt people wanted a more traditional ale house, so we’ve got four real ales on at any time. They are constantly changed for people to try new types. As soon as one finishes we put a new one on.

On one particular evening we had 35 people in the micro pub. There’s a bit more space at the front for more people when the weather is good.’ The Snug Micro Pub opens from Tuesday to Saturday from 12am to 2pm and 5pm to 9pm.

Town and Country Ladies Fashionwear which was previously on the site has moved on.

A railway cleaner on the London Underground saved the life of an eight year old boy who had climbed onto the tracks.

The cleaner, not named, managed to get him back. The driver of a north bound Jubilee line train managed to brake in time.

6

The project is expected to create 10,000 jobs during the construction phase and will be completed in 2016.

The incident happened at Stanmore.

Nigel Holness, London Underground’s Operations Director, praised the prompt actions of staff. ‘Jubilee line services were disrupted at Stanmore after an eight-year-old

In 2011 Tata Steel won a major order to supply rail for the new 188 mile long high-speed line between Tours and Bordeaux.

boy was spotted trespassing on the railway by a cleaner.

‘The cleaner lifted him back on to the platform without injury, where station and train staff stayed with him until police arrived. We are very grateful to the cleaning contractor and to our station and train staff for intervening and for their quick response.’

At the start of the ACoRP annual awards at the Swindon Steam Railway Museum ACoRP’s Neil Buxton called for a brief silence and then asked everyone to raise their glasses to the late Tom Clift.

Career railway man Tom Clift, 58, died of a heart attack whilst visiting Edinburgh. The former managing director of Grand Central had been due to take up the reins at First Hull Trains.

‘We were looking forward to welcoming him into his new role. Tom was a railwayman for four decades, becoming a respected personality in the industry he cared about. Our thoughts are with Tom’s family and friends,’ said Vernon Barker, FirstGroup’s Managing Director UK Rail Division.

Tom Clift joined the railway immediately after leaving Warwick School aged 18. He later gained a degree in Business Studies and Transport Economics.

He worked for Regional Railways. Later Tom was largely responsible for turning around railways in South Wales, joining the Cardiff Railway Co in 1994 to prepare it for privatisation.

© ALISTAIR GREGORY

Industry marks passing of Tom Clift

He was Managing Director of Valley Lines for seven years and also held senior positions at Arriva Trains Wales and the Pullman Rail Group. He was the proud owner of a BR class 26 diesel locomotive.

Friends described Tom as ‘A thoroughly decent, old-fashioned, professional railwayman.’ He will be sadly missed. www.railstaff.co.uk

Irish move for David Franks York call for Kirkman David Franks will take over as chief executive of Irish Rail when current boss Dick Fearn steps down next year.

Iarnród Éireann has announced that David Franks will become the new chief executive of the rail company in February 2013 when Fearn retires at the end of his seven-year contract.

Franks, 55, has railway management experience both in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, having previously headed up the Stockholm Metro in Sweden.

David will join Iarnród Éireann from Keolis UK Ltd - the UK division of the French National Railways, SNCF, where he is UK Rail Director.

David has also worked at chief executive level with a number of organisations including the National Express Group.

He is a member of the British Transport Police Authority and chair

of the Institution of Railway Operators.

An Irish Rail spokesman said: “The company looks forward to welcoming David to Iarnród Éireann and Ireland in the new year to lead the delivery of service to our customers and the management of our network.”

Paul Kirkman is taking over as managing director of the National Railway Museum in York following the departure of Steve Davies at the end of October.

Mr Kirkman is on secondment from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport which he joined in 2005 from the Treasury.

Formerly he worked for the Natural History Museum and the Confederation of British Industry.

Paul was educated at Edinburgh University where he read Philosophy and at Goldsmith College, London where he gained an MA in History of Art. He will be seconded to the NRM for one year.

Says Ian Blatchford, Director of the Science Museum Group, ‘Steve’s passion for trains and the railway industry has been evident in everything that he has done at

the National Railway Museum over the past two years. We thank him for his contribution and look forward to working with his successor Paul, to ensure that the National Railway Museum maintains its position as the leading railway museum in the world.’

Oman, a senior rail engineer from Korea and six civil servants from Indonesia helped relay part of Wirksworth Yard.

The site has hardly been touched since the EVR moved in over a decade ago. The team was led by recent MSc graduates from Britain, Malaysia and America. Volunteers on the EVR instructed the students

in the correct use of tools and showed classic railway skills.

Some of the students also found time to help in the restoration of the railway’s LMS brake van. Once the work had been completed the students caught the EVR service to Duffield where they were able to connect with East Midlands Trains.

International rescue

Students gain rail experience, helping out at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway.

8

International students from the University of Birmingham’s much admired Department of Engineering have been helping out at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway at weekends.

As part of their MSc course 14 new full-time students including three from China and Turkey, a new student from Muscat and

www.railstaff.co.uk

PEOPLE NEWS

New Director for Merseyrail New Head for Hitachi Europe

Kaj Mook is the new customer services director at Merseyrail.

Mr Mook joined Merseyrail a year ago on secondment from Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch Railways) in Holland. Leading a 450-strong team Kaj will oversee Mtogo, Merseyrail’s chain of combined ticket offices and convenience stores, as well as the new bike hire initiative.

Kaj Mook spent ten years at Nederlandse Spoorwegen, starting in 2001. Most recently, he was the director of NS Fiets BV and NS OV Fiets BV, responsible for all Nederlandse Spoorwegen cycle facilities. Before that, he worked on several large development projects: Amsterdam South station and several new railway stations.

Says Maarten Spaargaren, managing director, ‘Kaj brings with him a wealth of experience from the Netherlands, which will be

Ron Wells steps down Ron Wells, from Balfour Beatty Rail, has retired after many years on the railway.

After a spell in the merchant navy Ron worked in construction plant maintenance. However the wider world beckoned and in early 1977

invaluable for the challenges that lie ahead in his new role. It’s great to have him on board.’ Mr Mook has an MSc in Spatial Planning from Radboud University Nijmegen.

Kiyoshi Yamamoto has been appointed managing director of Hitachi Europe Ltd. Mr Yamamoto, previously vicepresident of Hitachi America, succeeds Mr Akira Shimizu, who becomes General Manager of International Strategy Division, Hitachi Ltd. Mr Yamamoto graduated from the Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo University and joined Hitachi in 1983. Since then he has served in

various senior roles. Following a period stationed in China, he oversaw the Hitachi Group’s information technology strategy before taking up his current role in Hitachi America, Ltd. Headquartered in Maidenhead, Berkshire, Hitachi Europe, is responsible for the recently announced Intercity Express Programme.

Ian Bleasdale joins Parsons Brinckerhoff Ron joined Balfour Beatty in Dubai.

Later during a nine year stint at Sellafield Ron obtained his Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

This was followed shortly by him accepting the role of National Plant Hire Manager in Derby and becoming a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

In the last 35 years he has not only been committed to the Balfour Beatty Group and in particular the Rail OPCO, but also the rail industry in general with his active involvement in both the Rail Plant Association and the M & EE Networking Group. Ron lives in Derby and is married to Pat with four children and ten grandchildren.

Ian Bleasdale, a chartered civil engineer with over 20 years of engineering experience, has joined Parsons Brinckerhoff as Head of Rail Engineering (South).

Ian will be based in London with responsibility for managing and developing the company’s southern operations, which include extensive engineering and design teams in London and Godalming.

Bleasdale was previously a

project director with URS, formerly Scott Wilson. His most recent responsibilities included work on the Crossrail projects on the western route between Heathrow and Maidenhead, and at the Pudding Mill Lane Portal, Paddington Station and Farringdon Station. He was also senior project manager on the East London Line northern extension works at mobilisation stage.

Ian has worked on major projects in Denmark, France and Hong Kong. He is a Chartered Engineer and a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers. He holds a Masters in Civil Engineering (Hons), a Mastère Spécialisé en Ouvrages d’Art (Structures) from the École National des Ponts et Chaussées in Paris, and an MBA from Warwick Business School.

ATA is a specialist provider of white collar technical,engineering and commercial recruitment solutions to firms throughout the rail industry.

Ganymede Solutions has a long heritage of providing contingent labour to safety critical aspects of the rail industry.

Tel: 0845 880 8115 www.ata-recruitment.co.uk

Tel: 0845 880 8104 www.ganymedesolutions.co.uk

www.railstaff.co.uk

9

RAIL ALLIANCE NEWS

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

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

Crossrail tops the bill at Rail Alliance networking event

Illustration of Crossrail Canary Wharf Station.

We have had a most productive and busy September with a really positive trip to Innotrans and, a week later, back at one of our favourite networking locations the Chiltern Railways Cube off Platform 2 at Birmingham’s Moor St Station, reports Robert Hopkin of the Rail Alliance.

We have been asked by our membership for some time now to revisit the opportunities that exist for the SME in supplying to Crossrail. So, in mid-July our Executive Director, Rob Hopkin, visited Scottish Enterprise in July as part of a fact finding mission to Scotland and on his last day took in the Crossrail Supplier Briefing in Edinburgh.

Impressive At this event, Rob invited Crossrail to present to our membership and, on 25 September Simon Pain, one of the Crossrail Programme Supply Chain managers, presented to our

Rail Alliance events 10

members at the aforementioned meeting at Moor St Station.

The level of ambition of the Crossrail project is still jawdroppingly impressive, even to those of us who have kept up to speed with the project since its inception. Interestingly, we were briefed on the progress of the tendering process and the value and importance of companies registering with the CompeteFor portal was discussed, with plenty of interaction from the floor as well as sound, honest and helpful feedback from the presenters.

concerns that with 2016 (Crossrail go live date) not being too far away, there may be little chance for the SME to become involved as much of the spend may well have taken place. Again, there was good news for the SME base as whilst Crossrail has awarded contracts to the Tier 1 contractors, they have not allocated all their spend, or identified their supply chains.

Serious opportunities

For those not registered with the CompeteFor portal - it is worth doing so - not least as it is free-ofcharge and despite some concerns from some of our members about the granularity of the sub-sector divisions offered by the process, it offers a vital information source in terms of business intelligence.

Additionally, there were some

With up to approx £10bn of spend remaining, there are some serious opportunities for supplying to Crossrail. Also, every Tier 1 contractor is mandated to hold an annual Meet the Buyer day and we at the Rail Alliance will be advising our members of these dates.

We are indebted to Simon Pain of Crossrail and Patrick Codd of Transport for London for finding the time to come and visit our membership and to stay until the last sandwich had been consumed!

Members Networking 17th October York EMC, Bath

Members Meeting (Aerospace) October TBA Long Marston

Vital information source

We are also grateful to R&D Tax Claims (rdtaxclaims.co.uk) for their informative presentation on how to claim back corporation tax from R&D activity, which had several members scratching their heads and adding up the various sums of money expended in R&D! Last, but not least, many thanks to Kevin Lane of Onyxrail who briefed out the Rail Vehicle Enhancement exhibitions www.rve.onyxrail.co.uk in London and Derby earlier this month.

Fast forward...

Our next networking event will be hosted by Rail Alliance Founder Member York EMC Services www.yorkemc.co.uk at their Bath Laboratories on 17 October 2012. Contact Rhona Clarke at our Long Marston office for more information or to register on: 01789 720026 or rhona.clarke@railalliance.co.uk

RailStaff Awards (Colin Flack Host) 20th October ICC Birmingham www.railstaff.co.uk

New Brochure now available

Keyline has all the right connections to offer solutions for your rail project through a rail compliant delivery service Contact the Keyline National Rail Office on 0844 892 2677 or email rail@keyline.co.uk

www.keyline.co.uk TRACKSIDE

TUNNELLING

PLATFORMS

Registered

STATIONS

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

TRANSPORT LINKS

SITE SAFETY JB65086 01/12

© RAILPHOTOLIBRARY.COM

Conon the railwayman Conon station is shown here in August 1961.

A station in Scotland, closed since 1960, is to reopen.

Conon Bridge station was originally situated between Dingwall and Muir of Ord. Announcing the new station Transport Minister Keith Brown said the station will be reopened in time for the resurfacing works being carried out on Kessock Bridge next year.

The station, costing £600,000, will

be built on the original site and will open in February 2013. Conon Bridge will offer local people an alternative to driving, both during the essential repairs to Kessock Bridge and beyond.

Says Mr Brown, ‘I am delighted that we will be able to reopen Conon Bridge railway station in time to help mitigate disruption from the major re-surfacing works on the A9 Kessock Bridge. It is

essential that we encourage motorists out of their cars and on to public transport during these works and a local station at Conon Bridge will help to do this.’

He praised the cross industry cooperation that has made the project feasible. ‘The reopening of Conon Station is a good example of partnership working between Transport Scotland, the local authority, the Highland Council,

the local regional transport partnership - HITRANS, Network Rail and ScotRail and demonstrates just what could be achieved from the £30m Scottish Stations Fund coming into effect in 2014,’ Mr Brown said.

Transport Scotland is investing £18m to upgrade Kessock Bridge, bringing it in line with modern traffic standard requirements. Adds David Simpson, Network Rail route managing director for Scotland, ‘The project at Conon Bridge is another example of the innovative, new alliancing approach that Network Rail and ScotRail have adopted which is helping to drive down costs and increase investment in Scotland’s railway.

‘Through closer working we are able to deliver efficiencies and reduce timescales and today’s announcement builds on other projects currently benefiting from our alliancing approach such as the electrification of the Paisley Canal line which is being delivered for just £12m - half what it would have cost before alliancing was introduced.’

Metropolitan Hong Kong coup for Mechan farewell The final Metropolitan line A stock trains in regular passenger service have been withdrawn after a life spanning half a century.

Bemused commuters mingled with enthusiasts and staff as the train, which had taken on a bit of a party atmosphere, made its final journey before being taken out of service. At least one vehicle will be preserved, with the majority being scrapped far from home in South Yorkshire. The Metropolitan line is now operated entirely by new Bombardier built S stock trains. © JONATHAN WEBB

12

Mechan, the Sheffield-based depot equipment manufacturer has fitted a bogie press at MTR’s Pat Heung depot in Hong Kong, to complement the one installed in the Siu Ho Wan depot in 1999.

The new press will enable bogies serviced at Pat Heung, which serves the MTR West Rail line, to undergo suspension

checks and height adjustments after a rebuild.

Says Richard Carr, Mechan’s managing director, ‘Associated Engineers is one of our newest distributors and we are very pleased the firm has secured such a key order for us with MTR. ‘Whilst various upgrades have

improved the usability and performance of our bogie presses in the decade or so since the last installation, the two pieces of equipment are still recognisably the same and offer equal build quality and longevity.

It is heartening to see our older press still operating so reliably on this busy rail network.’ www.railstaff.co.uk

NEWS

On the 19th of September 2012, the well known Irish railway photographer Joe St Leger passed away, Tim Casterton reports.

Joe had been taking photographs of Irish railway scenes for the last half-century.

Every time a railway line would open or close, you would be sure to see Joe there in his trademark grey mac, always wearing a tie, with his camera or cine camera at the ready.

He could be found taking photographs of the legendary annual CIE ‘weed spray’ train as it traversed lines that no longer saw regular services. Joe would

appear like magic if there was a derailment or if any special train was due to run.

Photographs taken by Joe have been widely used in many publications over the years.

Railway staff in almost every location on the Irish network knew him.

Everyone agrees he was a thorough gentlemen, always pleasant and quiet-spoken and he will be greatly missed by the Irish railway community.

His funeral service was held on Saturday 22nd September at St Finbarre’s Cathedral in Cork.

Bealtaine Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam / May he rest in Peace

Possession Management deal Vital Rail has been awarded Network Rail’s Framework Agreement to supply possession management operatives on the LNE route on a call-off arrangement.

Running for three years from 10th November 2012, the award will deliver possession management for the LNE route between London King’s Cross and Berwick-upon-Tweed.

The contract will be run by the

www.railstaff.co.uk

newly-appointed head of possession management at Vital Rail, Terry Jarvis, who will be based at the company’s new office in Doncaster - a key junction on the route.

Gary Hardaker (pictured), Vital Rail’s Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to be awarded such a prestigious agreement to supply possession management operatives to Network Rail. To be selected signifies a massive vote of confidence by Network Rail in our capability to deliver contingent labour. Not only does this award demonstrate our continued commitment to Network Rail, but it also strengthens our position within the market and within the

Good News for Arthur

© JONATHAN WEBB

Last call for Joe St Leger Railway Photographer

Hard working staff at Virgin Trains have been praised by Business Traveller magazine.

Readers of the magazine declared Virgin Trains the best domestic retailer for the sixth year in succession. Arthur Leathley, genial head of communications at Virgin Trains, picked up the award.

Arthur is part of a nationwide team currently recording passenger satisfaction levels at 91% - among the highest of any long distance operator.

Virgin has seen its passenger numbers more than double over the last six years from 14m to 30m annually.

LNE/GN route whilst supporting the overall growth strategy of our business.

‘Our knowledge and expertise within the rail industry are second to none, and having successfully delivered on a range of projects for Network Rail over the years, we are confident that this opportunity will be a huge success.”

Said Terry Jarvis, ‘This award opens up numerous possession management employment opportunities.

‘Areas of required specialisation include SPICOP, PICOP, Hand Signaller (AOD HS), Level Crossing Attendants (AOD LXA), Points Operators (AOD PO) and Possession Assistants (PA).

Competitive rates will be offered with excellent training and development opportunities.

Applications for these posts must hold COSS or IWA competency with blockroad experience, or Possession Support.’

13

FirstGroup’s Rail Division is run from Macmillan House on Paddington Station but also has a quiet set of offices across the road on Eastbourne Terrace.

Between the two sits a huge building site, one of the construction shafts of the Crossrail project. Passers by can watch the excavation and towering machines poised above the hum of city traffic.

The station itself hums with the burgeoning growth of west country services, Heathrow Express and the promise of the electrification of the west. Services continue as normal despite the growing uncertainly over how the rail industry and its railway franchises are run.

Confidence and energy

Andy Milne talks to Vernon Barker, managing director of FirstGroup’s Rail Division. get back into running marathons again.’

Barker had a back operation two years ago and like all runners suffers a variety of wear and tear on joints. His voice still carries a west country accent reflecting his upbringing in Romsey, Hampshire.

His father was a cop with the British Transport Police down on Southampton docks.

However Barker had not considered a similar career as he levered himself out of his council estate and progressed via local comprehensive to Stirling University and a degree in accountancy. Vernon Barker is a quiet person, a chartered accountant, the antithesis of the media hullabaloo that continues to dominate the now suspended franchise system.

The TUPE agreement Although it looks as if the West Coast franchise will have to go through the whole rebidding process again it is still worth answering staff reservations on the patch. Speaking of First’s initial bid Barker says quite clearly, ‘There will be no redundancies,’ and urges RailStaff to explain the TUPE agreement.

OK: The Transfer of Undertakings and Protection of Employment Regulations were introduced in 1981 as part of the Thatcher administration’s privatisation measures. Later TUPE was universally applied to British Rail

and its successor companies as the railway was broken up and sold off.

Staff - many had worked in rail for generations - were given security of employment. Thus TUPE safeguarded BR staff transferring to Virgin Trains and will safeguard those staff, plus new staff, should they eventually transfer to First Group.

Barker won’t be drawn on the legal case between Virgin and the DfT. However, First was initially

confident it would eventually take over the franchise. ‘I think it was unfortunate the incumbent and representative unions chose to suggest there will be redundancies and degradation in services.

Couldn’t be further from the truth.

Our bid is based on a growth story.’

Change is often uncomfortable Barker acknowledges that change is often uncomfortable. He has form

R SE , R & s, S nde Fr , a Q Te il O , L ail T, S ub rgr anc ch p ig Fr ta wa ou po n er ht ei ti ys n n o a R g on a d d en log tio ai ht, s, nd , n C ts y, S Su U s l, om , T R ,H R & b k po ec ail S ail T, wa an n h O EQ F r S t y d e n p R C nts olo er , L eig atio ol om , gy at ig ht n T l eo in p e , R io ht , S pl g on ch a ns R a & , n i e S st , R to ent ol l O HS il, ru o ck s, og pe E R nt ctu llin an Te y, ra Q, s, r g d ch Ra tio Li S C n i I e, n g il nfr Pe toc om olo l O s, E as op k p g pe H il ven tru le an one y, R rat d B t i n c , N us s, I tu Ro Co ts ail o ew in n re lli m , T O s es fra , P ng p ec p il , R s, R str eo St one hn In ail a u pl oc n ol an du Bu il E ctu e, R k a ts, ie st si v re o n Te g s, R ry N ne ent , P llin d C e s C om ai ew s, s, I op g S om O p l In s, Ra nfr le, to pe an d R il a R ck ra ie us ai Ev str ol l Tr tin s, try B en uc lin R g u t t a s, in g C ai Ne sin s, ur R O om l I w e In e, n s s f P a p il il er pa du , R s, R ras ,R P at n st a t r a r i i h ail oje ing es, ry l B il E N u Sp N ct R C v s e ge ee ew s, T om ail ws ine , H d R s, ra pa In , R ss N ig a Ra in n du a , ew h il il O ie s il s, Sp , R Pr pe s, R try B a r o ch H ee il a a N j is eri d N ec tin il I ew ou e N tag Ra ew ts, g C nd n e e il s, Tr o us d d, ws , H , R Ra ain mp U Fr , H ig ai il n h l N P O an a s, der nc eri Sp ew ro per j S g hi ta e s e a & ub rou se ge, ed , R cts t w R N T, n H a ,T St ays d, F ew ig ail, il P r h ig a s ht tio an ra , H Sp Ra roj d n i il , S ns U ch eri eed l N F & , S nd is ta e R r e g il eig T, S ubw erg N e, ai ,R h l H e , R i t ta a ro w E ail , S tio ys un s, gh Q an d H S n F & , , s e p r s, Lig eig T, S , Su d U Fra rit nd n ag H h h b t a t c w S t il EQ Ra , S tio ay erg hi se O il & ns s r , ol per Lig , R T, , S an oun og a ht ail Sta ub d U d, y ti w Te , R on Ra Fre tio ay nd ch ai s, H il, ig ns s er a l d h , C nol Op SE Ra t, Su nd il S b om o Q e U w to p gy, rat , L Fr & T a ys ck on R io ig ei , S e a n h g le an nt il O s, t R ht, tat H , R d s, io S a p ur ol Co Te er SE il, & e, lin mp ch ati Q, Ra T, n as Peo g S on ol ons Lig il F tr p to en og , H ht re l v u e c ts y, R

Despite the controversy surrounding the halting of the west coast franchise, re-letting the number of good news stories telegraphing out of FirstGroup’s train companies testifies to the confidence and energy of an industry rising above the constraints of the past.

Recently at the ACoRP awards Mark Hopwood, managing director, First Great Western, was on stage presenting prizes. FirstGroup, corporately, is a long term supporter of the RailStaff Awards and sponsors the Lifetime Achievement Award.

ScotRail, First Capital Connect, Hull Trains, First TransPennine Express and First Great Western, means the group accounts for almost a quarter of all passenger rail revenue in Britain. Vernon Barker heads an organisation right at the heart of Britain’s surging rail industry.

For a man working seven days a week Vernon Barker looks fit and relaxed as he slips into his office across the road from Paddington station past knots of bemused tourists marvelling at London’s compendious road works. ‘I run, sometimes,’ he says, ‘and I want to

Westward Ho!

s

News addict?

14

www.railstaff.co.uk

INTERVIEW

in this area as his father might have put it. Barker trained as an accountant in Manchester and worked for Arthur Andersen, a global accountancy firm out of Chicago.

The job took him abroad to Toronto and Bermuda - he retains an interest in scuba diving. Back in England he was living in Macclesfield and working on short term financial projects when the first job in railways came up.

‘I was working as an interim finance manager and I enjoyed moving from place to place facing difficult challenges,’ says Barker who was self–employed at the time.

‘Some places I worked in were either facing rapid growth or fatal decline and-or recovery situations.’

Rail was different. ‘There was always something new to be doing and the next thing was bidding for franchises.’ At first cleaning the mud off the mysteries of railway finances was a temporary project.

‘I came into railways for a temporary three month assignment to help with First North Western. I was going to hand hold for three months while they looked for a full time finance director. This was in 1999. I enjoyed the three months and when asked if I wanted to throw my hat in the ring, I said yes.’

This is a classic tale repeated all over Britain’s railway industry at every level. People join for a week or two - stay a month or longer and then they’re caught up in thrall to one of the most exciting, expanding industries in Europe.

Barker admits the prospect of massive growth in rail ridership was not immediately apparent in 1999. ‘I didn’t know enough at the time when I was coming into railways to see the potential for the future but certainly after my experience at FNW that changed.’

Exciting

Management buyout The origins of FirstGroup lie in the original management buy out put together by Moir Lockhead at Grampian Transport in 1989. The bid was largely staged to avoid being taken over by anyone else.

Lockhead and his Aberdonians took a company of 500 staff with 200 buses onto become a multinational publicly listed company running trains as well as buses on

two continents. Several of the directors still retain PSV – Passenger Service Vehicle licenses and can drive coaches.

It might not matter now, but speaking before the DfT announced its suspension and review of the franchising re-letting process Barker was at pains to emphasise that the FirstGroup’s take over of West Coast represents an opportunity for staff rather than a threat.

‘Feel free to ask questions of myself and colleagues or other FirstGroup employees,’ he said. ‘The facts around the bid are that we will be putting on extra services. We want to attract repeat business from customers and new customers. There’s a high level of customer service styled into the bid.’

Much of west coast business is discretionary - these are not commuters stuck with the service but people who elect to use it. ‘So we need highly motivated focused front line staff that are going to be the face of the future railway that encourages customers back.’

Give customers what they want Barker is quite clear about retaining all permanent staff and ticket offices. ‘Our plans do not include any ticket offices closures.

But what we will do is reflect on customers’ habits which have already changed over the last 15 years.’ This means more staff on platforms and concourses.

‘The best way to make this railway successful and prosperous is for everyone to move with the customer expectation and experience and give customers what they want.’ He talks of staff looking after passengers, helping them use ticket vending machines, answering questions and giving directions.

‘Helping customers find their way around stations means they must have a good first time experience.’

He cites Birmingham New Street and Crewe as examples of stations that can be bewildering for occasional travellers. ‘Their first experience doesn’t have to be someone behind a glass window.’

Contact with railway staff and passengers is important. Barker misses riding the footplate.

Throughout his career on the railway he has made it a habit to walk through trains and talk to passengers.

Nowadays it doesn’t happen often enough. However he was recently on a Hull Trains service, made an announcement over the PA, and met people on the train. Vernon Barker may be a number cruncher but his quietness makes him a good listener and he is sympathetic to the concerns of passengers and staff alike.

Nowadays he lives in Wapping, London whilst retaining a house in Macclesfield. As well as running, Barker enjoys family holidays with his three daughters - camping with his brother’s family in the Lake District or scuba diving over seas.

Outdoor activities figure heavily in his recreation and he has just joined a triathlon training club.

People are important and he supports the RailStaff Awards. ‘I think there is a real value in recognising achievement in the industry and the RailStaff Awards do a really good job of actually personalising the individuals in the industry. The RailStaff Awards take it to a higher level and I value these awards as they showcase good behaviours right across the industry.’

Whatever the future of franchising holds, under Vernon Barker’s steady and understated leadership FirstGroup’s rail division will continue to mirror the success of the wide rail industry. Like many in the rail industry long distance runner Barker is in this for the long haul.

ve uc e, k s, , S R nt tu R a T Ra EQ ai l, s, re ol nd ec il l h , R In P in C n O , L ig ai f p o o g e r m l e h l o R Ev ast pl Sto po og rat y, io ai e ru e, c n us l B nts ct Ro k a en Ra tr us , I ur lli nd ts, il O n e n y i T s, N nes fra , Pe g S Co ec R ew s, st o to mp hn p m ail s, Ra ru le ck o n pa In R il ct , an en a n E u R pe ie dus il B ve re, oll d C ra s, R tr u nt Pe in o Tr tin a y N sin s, op g S i I e t l l ai g I ew ss nf e, oc l P n O Com nd s, , R ras Ro u p r p s R ai tr ll N oje era an try ail l E uc i ew ct ti ie N B v tu s n s e u en r ee s, R , Tr g C , R ws sin ts es , I d a a o ai , ge Ra il P in mp l In Ra s, n , H il, ro Op an d il B Ra ie us u i R je e H gh ai cts rat s, try sin er S l N , in R e N ita pe e Tr g C ail Ne ew g ed w ai w I o s, n e m n s hi s, H , H Ra Ra O p du se e ig il, il pe an str r ro Ne ita h S Ra Pr rat ies un w ge pe il oje in , R s e N c g , de d, F , H Hi d R ew ts Co rg ra er gh a s, , T m w ro nc ita S il, R rai p R ai n ay u n h ge e a l io s a d, ise , H ed il Pr ns nd F N ig R Ne o j r e h a T, , Su Un anc ws S il, ws St bw de h , H pe Ra , R il ati a rg ise er ed il F on ys ro N it R Ne r a a R eig s, an un ew ge il, ai h Su d d, s, , H R U l t H F i a H , R , S bw n de ran eri gh SE a a & il y r c ta S ra Q, Fr T, S s a gro his ge ti Li ei ta nd u e , H o g n g N ai ns ht ht tio Un d, e l O , H R , S ns de Fr ws a , , a r S no pe E il, & T Su gr nc lo rat Q, Ra , S bw ou h ts gy io Li il ta a nd , T , R ns gh F ti ys , e t re on a F a , nd ch il HS Ra igh s, nd no O E i U l t S C ll om log per Q, , R , S ubw in & L a a y a t g p , T i ig il y Pe St one Ra on ht Fr , S op oc nt il O s, H Ra eig ta uc le k s h S i tu , R an , Te per E l, R t, Q S d nt re, ol C ch ati , L ail s, Pe lin om no on ig F l s I g h r ai nfr opl S pon ogy , H t R l E a e, to S , e a B v str R ck nt Ra EQ us en u ol a s, il , in ts ctu lin nd Te O L w es , I re g C c p s, s, nf , St om hn era P r o R R a ai a a e c p ol l I il il str op k a on ogy l u B E n m d u v ct e, nd ent , pa us si en ur Ro C s, t T e n t n l o ti ie ry ess s, I , P lin mp ng s, N , n g e o R o O C Ra ew ai fra pl Sto n pe om il s, l st e c ra p In Ra Ev ru , R k ct o l ra ti an d e i n u l u l n i

He became managing director and later headed up TransPennine

Express. Barker speaks at length about TPE and enjoyed his time there. It was a new operation and the north identified with the new train company. In a way First TransPennine Express underscores the success of the wider rail industry. Get the investment in rolling stock, operations and timetabling right and the customers will arrive and stay.

‘If you look at the capital projects that are on the go as you walk out the door,’ Vernon jerks a thumb over his shoulder at the Eastbourne Crossrail yard outside, ‘You see that the economy is investing, with cross party support, at least at a strategic level, in railways. I would use the word exciting. I think the investment in rail and what that means for us makes it exciting.’

Vernon Barker took over the post of managing director of the rail division last year following the departure of Mary Grant. How does he see the rail division? ‘It has to provide leadership as to how we look to see things being done in First. But I see it more as an inverse pyramid where we should be providing support to the tocs and support for the front line.’

FirstGroup is now a global enterprise but is still headquartered in Aberdeen. ScotRail’s Caledonian Sleeper service may be as near as First gets to running on the west coast but its franchises are prospering. Despite the recession First’s UK Rail division’s revenue is expected to increase by 8.1%.

Keep up to date at:

www.railstaff.co.uk

15

Flood train rescues Wensleydale motorists

In the recent bad weather, staff at the Wensleydale Railway came to the rescue of stranded motorists.

As flood waters cut off parts of Wensleydale the railway ran a free emergency service between

Time travel App

To mark the anniversary of the LNER Silver Jubilee Service which ran between London Kings Cross and Newcastle, the National Railway Museum has launched a new, free app for iPhone.

The East Coast Time Line, a free, geo-tagged app, explores the ways in which places and journeys were marketed to rail travellers from the 1870s to the 1970s. The app, funded by the Arts and Humanities 16

a sensible thing to do - we had 50year-old trains doing what modern vehicles couldn’t do.’

The railway used a two car DMU for the service as it was lighter. ‘It’s been an absolute blessing for me,’ says health assistant Debra Thompson who was also stranded by the floods. ‘I was going to have to spend the night on my friend’s sofa.’

The Wensleydale Railway originally stretched 40 miles connecting the East Coast Main Line at Northallerton with the Settle and Carlisle Line at Garsdale. Currently services run between Redmire and Leeming, near Northallerton. This stretch of track had survived as a freight operation servicing Redmire quarry.

The private railway company celebrated ten years in the business on 4 July 2012. WR has ambitious plans to expand both east to Garsdale and west into Northallerton. Funds are needed to construct a temporary passenger terminus at Northallerton. As far as local motorists are concerned expansion can’t happen quick enough.

Leyburn and Bedale. The road connecting the two towns, the A684, became impassable. Grateful passengers praised the rail heroes for their help.

Says Martin Baggaley, a manager at Glebe House Surgery, Bedale who lives in Leyburn and couldn’t get home, ‘The railway has been a huge life-saver for me because I just wanted to get home. The staff

were so helpful and couldn’t do enough for us.’

Says Wensleydale Railway general manager Nigel Park, ‘At first we thought we wouldn’t be able to run trains, but we took a train up to have a look and found that it was okay once we had removed some gravel from some of the crossings. We decided that running an emergency service was

Research Council, allows users to put themselves into vintage posters from the national collection.

It was developed in time for the anniversary of the LNER Silver Jubilee Service which started on the 30 September 1935 and ran between Kings Cross and Newcastle. The app has been designed for use whilst travelling on the East Coast Main Line.

It is made up of four interactive elements. First, an Interactive Journey Map showing travel through three time periods along the East Coast Main Line. Second a Poster Maker which allows users to make their own versions of vintage railway posters using their camera phone.

Third an Explore On-board facility which allows users to become a passenger in the past and explore 360 degree images of historic carriage interiors. Then a 1936 Lineside guide, the precursor to this project, looks at page by page scans of the railway guide, how it was then and how it is today. Download the new app here: nrm.org.uk/timeline

Lucky escape for NRM Boss Ray Towell, long time railwayman and recently retired operations manager at the National Rail Museum had a lucky escape on a York street recently.

Ray, 66, suffered a heart attack as he waited for a bus on Blossom Street. His heart arrested and he stopped breathing. A Police Community Support Officer, Lee Johnson, saw what had happened and sprang into action giving first aid.

A passing paramedic, Craig Barley, also assisted. Together the two got Ray’s heart going again. Mr Towell was then rushed to Leeds General Infirmary by ambulance where he made a full recovery.

Says Ray Towell, who went to the local police station to thank Lee Johnson, ‘It is just amazing to me I am still here. How lucky can you be? I am extremely lucky that the right people were there at the right time. What they did, it means my

life to me.’

PCSO Johnson, 39, has been in the police for five-and-a-half years.

‘All those first aid sessions I attended - they have proved their worth. They work,’ Lee Johnson said. All police officers take regular first aid training and refresher courses.

www.railstaff.co.uk

NEWS

Community Rail role for Avocet Line The railway between Exeter St David’s and Exmouth has been designated a community rail line.

The news came as the Association of Community Rail` Partnership celebrated its annual awards at the Swindon Steam Railway Museum. The new partnership, known as the Avocet Line, will enable train companies to work more closely with the Avocet Line Rail Users Group and the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership.

Says Community Rail Minister, Norman Baker, ‘I want to encourage communities to become more closely involved with their railways to help create the services and stations passengers deserve.

That is why I am delighted to announce this latest community rail service designation and to be able to do so on the day of the national Community Rail Awards.

‘Today’s designation is a major step towards helping the Avocet Line Rail Users Group and the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership work closely with local groups to provide innovative and more cost effective rail services for their community.’

“I want to encourage communities to become more closely involved with their railways to help create the services and stations passengers deserve…”

Poignant Whistle The late Don Haynes, a long term supporter of the West Somerset Railway, was honoured when a special train bore a commemorative plaque and a wreath as a mark of respect on the day of his funeral.

Mr Haynes died recently aged 83 after a long association with WSR which spanned five decades. Don Haynes started his working life with British Rail and was an engineer. On the WSR he was a diesel engine driver.

Says Paul Conibeare of the WSR, ‘He was one of those gentlemen

drivers and helped the railway through some very difficult times. He was also a great teacher - a lot of my own and others’ knowledge comes from Don showing us how to do things. Lots of family, friends and colleagues from the railway were at the funeral.

The vicar stopped the service for a few moments so the congregation could hear the train whistling in the distance, which was very poignant.’ The funeral was held at St Andrew’s church in Old Cleeve.

NORMAN BAKER, RAIL MINISTER

Trains named after Chad Varah

Felicity Varah watches on as the Virgin Pendolino 390157, named after her father and founder of Samaritans, Chad Varah, is unveiled.

The Samaritans founder, the Reverend Dr Chad Varah, has been honoured with three trains named in his memory.

His daughter, Felicity Varah Harding, unveiled Virgin Pendolino 390157, a London Midland 350 Desiro and DRS 57302. Says Felicity, ‘My father never drove a car, he believed in public transport, especially trains. In his lifetime he www.railstaff.co.uk

would have travelled thousands of miles visiting Samaritans branches up and down the country. He would say it is the best form of transport and would have been delighted that both he, and Samaritans, is being recognised in this way.’ Chad Varah started the Samaritans in 1953 in London. It is for all those struggling to cope or contemplating suicide.

17

Safety by leadership, delegation and motivation or training?

And why site visits are so important

investigation is to improve railway safety by preventing future railway accidents or by mitigating their consequences” and “RAIB does not establish blame or liability or carry out prosecutions”.

Linking their reports to human errors of judgement or deliberate unsafe working deserving action by others is important if safety is at last to become our top priority. Arguably there is still work to do here!

Clearly prosecutions are only brought where convictions are possible, but I suggest the naming and shaming of individuals whose deliberate actions have resulted in an accident or incident should become the rule for the future.

SAFETY Colin Wheeler colin@rail-media.com

Using precious time, adding little value?

A lecture is to be given in Westminster next month titled “Safety and Simplicity” focussed on what the advanced publicity describes as “an increase in the use of behavioural based safety programmes and approaches”.

Network Rail’s Gareth Llewellyn (Director Safety and Sustainable Development) is one of the advertised speakers. The questions it will try to answer are “Do behavioural based programmes have a positive impact or use precious time with extra procedures, adding little value? Do they only work at Project level? And should the focus be on behavioural safety or behavioural leadership?”

I am in little doubt that we have too many rules and procedures and far too much paperwork which has become a distracting burden on those trying to get work done. Much of it is recorded but only referred to if things go wrong.

This diverts supervisors and management away from spending time each and every week on site with those doing the work. Listening to staff ideas and concerns and dealing with them inevitably leads to an improvement in safety culture.

in 10% of accidents and incidents.

Such actions will have consequences for individuals in future.

I understand detailed discussions with the relevant trades unions are still continuing, but agreement is now in sight on the principle of implementing a system where deliberately breaking a Life Saving Rule results in similar consequences to breaking the well-established standard on drugs and alcohol.

I welcome this, and merely suggest that the time may now be right for the industry to accept that the capacious, all-embracing Rule Book should be seen as a reference volume with some of its components used to draft operating instructions for individuals!

Conscious rule breaking

Behavioural Safety

A reader has told me a little more about how the industry is planning to take forward Network Rail’s “Life Saving Rules”. Network Rail is confident that it can establish the root causes of accidents. Genuine mistakes, errors of judgement etc. will not lead to disciplinary action but under the “culture of fairness” will be explored to identify areas for improvement.

However it is believed that conscious rule breaking (as distinct from making a mistake) is involved

Network Rail’s “Safety Central” website contains references to behavioural based safety initiatives, but you have to find them. I looked in the currently listed initiatives of their Infrastructure Safety Liaison Group.

They feature occupational health together with proposals for industry wide core induction training, site access training, Controller of Site Safety suitability and contractor competency assurance and well as fatigue management. All very

18

laudable, but I question the inclusion of only contractor competence rather than the competence of all organisations including Network Rail itself?

Contractors are still wary of raising concerns locally in case it affects their future order books and there are still people working on track who believe that getting the job done is all that matters, and accidents only happen to other people.

Meanwhile I hear that resistance to putting safety first and the conviction that safety rules are not strictly applicable to Network Rail’s supervisors and front line managers continues.

Human Factors people are doing their best, but authoritative action is now needed! The Projects section of the website is better. It includes “developing a strong, continuously developing behaviour based approach throughout the company and wider industry as part of building a positive safety culture”. It also helpfully lists the contact details of four Network Rail employees offering “behavioural change team services”.

RAIB - remit and reports Every Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) report includes the following: “the purpose of an RAIB

Track twists and locked suspensions Recently published reports include the derailment at Bordesley Junction of four of 30 empty aggregate wagons whilst being hauled by a diesel-electric locomotive at 0044 hours on August 26th last year. It happened between Banbury and Barrow-on-Stour.

The wagons ran on the rail head for 3.6 metres having flange climbed just before the junction. They then re-railed but “extensive damage was caused to track and signalling equipment”. The cause was a combination of faults with wagon suspensions and track twist.

Track twists more severe than 1 in 200 were long standing and were measured as 1 in 140 and 1 in 172.

RAIB concluded that the first of these led to the locking up of the suspension of the first wagon to derail. The suspensions of the wagons had a number of well-worn components that had not been detected nor checked during maintenance and this contributed to the derailment at the second severe twist site.

“No-one took ownership of the problems” Network Rail maintenance staff were aware of the recurring twist www.railstaff.co.uk

TRACK SAFETY

faults but had only repaired other faults nearby. Work had been planned at the actual sites four days earlier but due to time running out during the overnight possession had not been done.

Maintenance staff had attended twist sites in the area no less than 6 times during 2011, repeat faults were not investigated and tamping planned for August did not take place. But for me the critical factor is the lack of responsible leadership.

The track was regularly patrolled and the faults had been identified.

Wagon suspension problems and their solution was known about, but as the report says “no-one took overall ownership of the problem or its resolution”. The report includes a listing of similar earlier incidents.

200 metres of OLE progressively collapsed Midland Metro is not often featured in RAIB reports. But on 20th April last year a partial collapse of the 750-volt DC overhead line equipment (OLE) resulted in three adults and three children needing hospital treatment.

It happened near the Jewellery Quarter Tram Stop at pole 18512 between Wolverhampton St George’s and Birmingham Snow Hill.

Tram 13 is an AnsaldoBreda 2-car tram that was being driven from its “B” end when it struck a cantilever that was partially detached from its support pole. This resulted in the progressive collapse of about 200 metres of the OLE which caused further damage to the train.

The tram was travelling at below its permitted speed of 70 kph on an off-street section just ten-foot away from an adjacent Network Rail double track railway. RAIB report that the reducing sleeve attaching

the cantilever to its pole had fractures due to being mechanically overloaded.

Brechnell Willis who designed and installed the OLE in the 1990’s were contracted to provide technical and inspection support for modifications to the OLE between October 2010 and April 2011.

Modifications and material changes Although the Centro system is owned by West Midlands PTE operation and maintenance is contracted to National Express Midland Metro. Damage to the tram included a broken windscreen, side window and the driving cab partition screen, resulting in passengers being showered with broken glass. The driver controlled his train for a further 200 metres onto the tram stop.

RAIB report that “significant repairs” were made to pole 18512 in August 2009 following a derailment, and “further modifications work” was done in October 2010. Regular inspections after that “did not detect any loss of mechanical clearance”.

The original reducing sleeves were malleable iron but after 1997 aluminium bronze was used until this too was superseded by an aluminium alloy in 2007. The damaged sleeve was one of these installed in August 2009 but neither Brechnell Willis nor National Express West Midlands were aware of the new materials used for the replacement sleeves.

A lack of training for emergency situations was uncovered by RAIB and Customer Service representatives now carry cab keys. There is also now a 40 kph precautionary speed restriction in place from 260m metres before

pole 18512.

Network Rail’s “Safety Central” website seems to focus on occupational health, contractor competence assurance, site access training, fatigue management and safety performance indicators although its project specific section does include references to building a safety culture and behavioural based approaches.

For me it’s too much jargonese.

Just one commitment would do far

more. If every responsible manager and supervisor spent a minimum of two days each week listening to those on track doing the work, hearing about their concerns and making sure he or she knew what was happening on their part of the railway both safety and performance would improve.

The consequences are likely to be fewer computerised records and meetings - but I see that as another advantage!

CALL R O TODAYEFLIST IC R P A ORE AND MIL S. A T DE It’s quick to fit, easy to use and comfortable too.

The QuickBandTM armband system from Safeaid is very versatile and effective.

We offer a full range of Track safety identification inserts that swop in and out with ease.

CALL FOR YOUR

FREE

TRIAL TODAY *

TM

The QuickBand armband with interchangeable inserts.

Inserts can also be made to order.

023 9225 4442 safeaidsupplies.com *Offer applies to companies only. Please contact us for more details.

www.railstaff.co.uk

19

NEWS

Tunnel aid for Wallasea Island

20

One of Europe’s largest wetland wild life projects is emerging in Essex thanks to Crossrail.

Wallasea Island, on the River Crouch, near the Thames Estuary, will be transformed from leveeprotected farmland into thriving wetland using earth from the tunnels being bored under London.

The new wetlands will be twice the size of the City of London and will teem with birds and marine life.

Crossrail plans to deliver 4.5 million tonnes of clean earth from the tunnels to help build the nature reserve at Wallasea. The earth will be used to create higher and lower ground to restore the wetland landscape of mudflats, saltmarsh and lagoons last seen 400 years ago.

The loss of coastal habitat over the past four centuries has been dramatic. Without projects like Wallasea Island, rising sea levels are threatening to see another 1,000 hectares lost in the next decade. Wallasea Island will provide 670 hectares of secure habitat for wildlife to thrive well into the future.

The RSPB, a partner in the project, predicts a significant increase in the number of birds once the scheme has been completed. Environment Secretary Owen Paterson helped launch the project. ‘The excellent work that Crossrail and the RSPB are doing to create the Jubilee Marshes at Wallasea shows how major infrastructure schemes can help to generate economic growth as well as helping to improve local wildlife. This could be the gold standard against which all future projects are measured,’ Mr Patterson said.

Crossrail has built a new jetty on Wallasea Island. An estimated 2,000 ship loads of earth will be transported from Crossrail’s western tunnels. The spoil will move via freight train from west London to Northfleet in Kent where it will be loaded on to ships.

Excavated material will also be loaded onto ships directly from the eastern tunneling site at Limmo near Canning Town station in east London, with further material shipped from a storage site on the River Thames at Barking. www.railstaff.co.uk

Coats and ‘Ats! Colin Garratt (Director of Milepost 92½) reflects on the fall and rise of Britain’s tramways

The late Victorian period saw electric tram systems appearing in cities and towns across Britain. Here is one of Colchester’s 16 open top double deckers, which worked on a modest route of some six miles. Opened in 1904, the system was destined to be short lived and by 1927 it was decreed that insufficient funding prevented refurbishment; buses were substituted and by 1929 Colchester’s trams were no more. The failure of municipalities to set by funds for tramway system refurbishment was – not least after the ravages of World War Two – to become one of the principal reasons for the decline of British trams.

Despite fears of chaos, Britain’s new trams coexist with pedestrians in busy areas of towns and cities enabling the amenity of traffic free thoroughfares devoid of clutter and pollution.

This scene depicts one of the Croydon trams passing Allders, the famous departmental store shortly after the trams had come back to Croydon in the year 2000.

22

The golden age of British trams represents a glorious phase in transport history.

It was a time when towns and cities across Britain were provided with rapid efficient transport second to none. The tragedy of their removal is made all the more poignant when one considers that they have been replaced by millions of motor cars which have settled on our society like a plague of flies.

Tramways proliferated across Britain from the late Victorian period and by World War One they were universal throughout the country. Many of the systems were enormous.

At its peak Glasgow had 1,200 vehicles operating 133 miles of track whilst the maximum extent nationwide was 14,481 cars running over 2,554 route miles of track and 184 local authorities owned tram systems. The graceful infrastructure of the tramways was

an endless fascination. Ornamental trampoles, spider’s webs of complex wiring and track formations all laced by a vast array of ornate signage.

The principal tram builders were Dick Kerr of Preston and Brush of Loughborough although some municipalities built their own. The integration of trams with the society they served is evidenced by the fact that many systems carried mail and parcels and Manchester had a special fleet of vehicles for this purpose.

Structure The tramways appealed to people because their tracks formed the stitches which bound the nation’s principal industrial, commercial and residential conurbations together. Activity was grouped around these tentacles; the system was easy to relate to and disciplined in its structure.

Quite apart from the sheer good sense of moving people effectively, trams were aesthetically pleasing

and friendly; a whole folk lore has sprung up around them captured so magnificently in Ian Yearsley’s classic book ‘The Manchester Tram’ (The Advertiser Press, 1962).

An opening passage reads: “Sometimes waking in bed and terrified by a nightmare, I would hear in the distance a familiar hum as a late tram sailed downhill past the end of our road.

Reassured, I repeated to myself … ‘now it’s stopping at Wilbraham Road, … now it’s going up to the station, … now he’s spinning round the tap thing – Rachael Ryan ‘A Biography of Manchester’ (Methuen, London 1937)”.

Vivid memories My father, who is 99 this year, has vivid memories of Leicester’s trams. He lived in the city and when courting my mother, who lived in Oadby, regularly went home on the last late night tram from nearby Stoneygate.

Invariably he would be the only www.railstaff.co.uk

FEATURE

Trams, in the guise of Rapid Light Transport, have made a welcome comeback in a number of British towns and cities. The most recent being Edinburgh, whose previous tramway network closed in 1956.

This scene shows construction work at South Gyle on 12th June 2012. This exciting new project, scheduled to open summer 2014, will operate initially between the centre of Edinburgh and the airport, a distance of some 8½ miles. Other routes are intended including interfacings with heavy rail.

By 1914 London’s tramway system formed the largest tram network in Europe and yet this magnificent system finally closed in 1952. There had been a vigorous campaign to keep the capital’s trams running – in contrast to the Daily Mail, which waged a long term war to rid Britain’s streets of trams. This picture on Route 72 (New Cross to Abbey Wood) was taken circa 1950. Many London

‘Always a tram in sight’ passenger. The roads would be deserted and all the crew were interested in was getting home. My dad describes how they went down the London Road through Stoneygate ‘like a bat out of hell’.

Vibrating and lurching over uneven sections of track, released lateral forces which threatened to overturn the car. “Hold tight” was an understatement. On certain occasions Dad was terrified and he was not a person to be easily frightened – he went on to become a squadron leader in the forthcoming war.

My father also recalls the cheap, efficient transport which the tram provided and in years of travelling over the system he never remembers one breaking down. He recalled what colourful characters the conductors were and when a tram stopped outside Leicester’s departmental store, C&A Modes, one character would shout “Coats and ‘Ats!”. www.railstaff.co.uk

Trams flourished amid a world of city centres, factories, corner shops, tenement housing, residential estates, horses and hand carts and unrestricted cigarette advertising and the few motor cars which were seen were usually painted black.

It was a world where people could cross the road diagonally or even pause for a chat. The adage ‘always a tram in sight’ was vigorously attempted - a watchword on the pulse of the city.

Many tramways joined up with neighbouring ones to create widespread integration in areas of high population. An excellent example of the joining up of different municipal systems occurred in Manchester where the tramways of Salford, Oldham, Hyde, Bury, Rochdale, Ashton under Lyne, Stockport, Middleton, Stalybridge and Altrincham were all connected.

trams operated by conduit current collection from a channel sunk into the roadway as compared with the usual overhead collection. The ‘Permanent Way’ of the tramway networks encompassed all large residential districts, along with areas of shopping, commerce and manufacturing. They also interfaced with main line railway stations, so providing a grid of rapid easy transit to all areas of significance.

Tramways also linked together to create ‘intercity’ networks of communication which provided instant, effortless travel to which commuters readily related.

An increasing burden As the twenties developed, maintenance of the tramways became an increasing burden specially when competition from rival buses was taken into account.

This competition saw closures as early as the 1930s as track and equipment wore out. Trolley buses became the obvious successor.

Newcastle and Portsmouth were among the early closures and by the mid 1950s most systems had vanished. But error is seldom universal and the tragedy of Britain’s lost tramway networks

Hong Kong tram – one of the last double deckers left in world service.

23

FEATURE

Despite the fears raised by detractors, the tram has proved to be completely at home in the busy city

Always a tram in sight was the ambitious aim of the original municipal tramways and that remains

centre environment as here in Sheffield’s Castle Square in July 2012 where the bustling crowd

true today so providing an affordable and reliable alternative to the motor car for daily commutes and

congregate at the tram stop.

shopping trips. This is Sheffield in July 2012 in a scene that has been commonplace around Europe for many years but had completely vanished from British streets.

Edinburgh’s Gogar tram depot will be home to the system’s Spanish built fleet of 27 CAF trams.

This rail equipment manufacturer fought off competition from Alstom, Bombardier and Siemens. The new trams will run on a 750 volt dc overhead line. Edinburgh’s trams, in common with most in the ‘Golden Age’, are a municipal operation

was not repeated by other European countries.

Neither was it in Hong Kong where the congestion busting system covers nineteen miles on six different routes. Hong Kong’s trams carry almost a quarter of a million people every day – this is ‘people moving personified’. They are the last double decker trams left in world service and predictably are British built.

A national tragedy The dismantling of the nation’s tramway network was a national tragedy. The disembodiment of the close knit social, commercial and structured fabric of British cities.

24

No sooner had the trams gone the last system being Glasgow in 1962 - the iniquitous Beeching era commenced the decimation of the railway network which, despite some historic competition with the tram network, interfaced with them; a smooth transition from heavy to light rail. Only Blackpool retained its trams and primarily as a visitor attraction.

In an ideal world one would make a case for the return of the trams as they once were but a tangible rebirth is now in evidence following the lead of Croydon, Birmingham, Wolverhampton,

Sheffield and Manchester.

Nottingham and Edinburgh can be added to the list.

The glory of Britain’s tramway heritage continues unabated at the National Tramway Museum in Crich, Derbyshire, with its period street and working trams. Crich is a must to visit; it is one of Britain’s finest visitor attractions, albeit that the running speed of the working trams is infinitely more sedate than was the late night tram from Stoneygate back to Leicester.

The relevance of trams also increased as developments were made around the tramway grid. This scene, taken in 2000, shows the new Croydon tram arriving at East Croydon station, so linking light and heavy rail.

www.railstaff.co.uk

RAILSTAFF AWARDS SAYING “THANK YOU” TO THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP THE INDUSTRY MOVING

in association with

www.railstaffawards.com

The Mathematics of Success While controversy continues to range over the letting of railway franchises the surge of support for the RailStaff Awards is not in doubt.

This year people nominated for an award – taken all together – attracted over 30,000 votes. This is double the number last year.

Although this extraordinary rise in interest can partly be explained by a growing industry wide recognition of the RailStaff Awards the real reason is the determination of the actual staff, the teams of railway people up and down the network, to celebrate the high value we place upon our colleagues.

Doubts remain about the role of invisible civil servants; certainly the lamplighters of Marsham Street are in for a tough winter, make no mistake about that.

Possibly too much is made of their failings. What is not in doubt is the hard work and dedication of the vast majority of railway staff – from executive director level right up to the cleaners and train crew,

trackworkers and customer support staff – who turn up for work come rain or shine.

Railway shifts often start and end in the small hours. Booking on points and depots can be many miles away from convenient stations and bus routes. Yet our people get there. Last year Heather Neely, a Train Care Charge Hand at Southern’s Brighton Depot, won the Depot Staff of the Year Award.

Heather trekked into work on foot through two feet of snow during the big freeze of December 2010. She set off at 0400 to start her shift at 0600.

The RailStaff Awards 2012 is full of stories like this that inspire and reassure the industry. Number crunchers and analysts may argue over risk projections and the investment required to sustain the railways. What they can never put an adequate value on is the indomitable spirit, courage and

determination of the people this industry attracts to its ranks with such aplomb.

This year’s RailStaff Awards 2012 will feature an even bigger party in a mock up New York speak-easy themed around the gangsters and molls Prohibition Era of the 1930s.

It’s a good chance to meet old friends, compare notes, dance and celebrate the continuing good fortune of the modern rail industry.

Whilst rail barons and political bosses fulminate at the failure of risk arithmetic at the department they should take heart from the people in the industry itself. Let them take a closer look at the mathematics of success so powerfully on display at the RailStaff Awards 2012.

Stop Press: The unprecedented response to the RailStaff Awards 2012 means capacity has had to be increased. Over 820 people will be attending at the International Convention Centre, Birmingham on Saturday night, 20 October. If you already have a ticket – well done – there are a very few left.

We would like to thank all the sponsors, companies and individuals who have come together to make this the most spectacular RailStaff Awards yet.

For last minute bookings contact Pat on 01530 56 00 21.

All the finalists are displayed inside this special edition...

Govia backs Customer Service

PAGE 31

East Coast supports Train Driver of the Year

PAGE 33

Mechan shows support for Depot Staff

PAGE 35

Finalists Announced!

See inside...

Proud sponsor of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the RailStaff Awards

www.firstgroup.com

working together Experts IN support services for infrastructure markets

McGinley Support Services are pleased to be sponsoring

RailStaff Infrastructure Person of the Year T: 0845 543 5953

www.mcginley.co.uk 26

www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

PROUD TO SPONSOR NEWCOMER /GRADUATE OF THE YEAR

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

LPA Group Plc Tel: +44 (0)1799 512800 Email: enquiries@lpa-group.com

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

www.lpa-group.com

Delighted D elighted to to sponsor sponsor

Rail Manager of the year 2012 We W ep provide rovide a allll our our members m embers w with ith access a ccess tto… o… » A professional network » Area events » Academic qualifications » Professional Development » CPD schemes

Our membership includes anyone involved in railway operations in the UK. To find out what are you missing out on visit… www.railwayoperators.org

www.railstaffawards.com

27

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

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

www.anderselite.com

Proud sponsors of Rail Team of the Year

The Transport Benevolent Fund is proud to sponsor the Station Staff of the Year award again this year.

With the help of the TOCs, Network Rail and other employers throughout the public transport industry we now have 36,000 members.

For just ÂŁ1 a week a variety of benefits are available to you, your partner and dependent children.

Join today!

✆ 0300 333 2000 etd 00 38571 e-mail help@tbf.org.uk www.tbf.org.uk

Transport Benevolent Fund

The Transport Benevolent Fund (known as TBF) is a registered charity in England and Wales (1058032) and in Scotland (SC040013) 28

www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

Specialist provider of integrated services for the Rail, Light Rail and Underground infrastructures.

We are proud to be a first tier supplier to the majority of the UK’s rail infrastructure companies, delivering work packages as a principal or subcontractor.

Our services include: • Civils and Construction • Overhead Line and Isolations • Plant & Equipment

Proud sponsor of the

Recruiter / HR Person of the Year RailStaff Awards 2012

• Rail Security • Rail Training • Safety Critical • Signalling and Telecoms • Supply of Skilled Railway Personnel • Underground

To discuss a project opportunity or request a brochure, please contact us: Tel. 0845 894 9020 Fax. 0845 894 9699 E-mail. info@vital-rail.com

www.vital-rail.com

www.railstaffawards.com

29

30

www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

Govia backs Customer Service Govia is sponsoring the Outstanding Customer Service Award at this year’s RailStaff Awards The keenly contested award recognises the men and women demonstrating the best examples of customer service skills often delivered in challenging and dramatic situations. However it also highlights the poise and professionalism of the many staff across the railways who help millions of passengers travel safely day and night.

Alex Hynes, RailStaff Awards Judge and Managing Director, Rail Development for Govia said: “Our 10,000 rail staff do an excellent job providing high levels of customer service ever day and thinking like a passenger to provide a good end

to end journey. We run 3700 services every day and that just wouldn’t be possible without the commitment and dedication of our staff.”

Says Tom O’Connor, managing director Rail Media Group, which is staging the RailStaff Awards, ‘This is an important award. Every organisation talks about the need for customer focus and rightly attaches great importance to customer service.

‘This award recognises the efforts of the people who live this philosophy every day often going well beyond the parameters of the job. We salute them and are very grateful to Govia for backing this popular award.’

Govia is the partnership between UK transport operator The GoAhead Group plc and Keolis, a leading international public transport provider. In existence for over 15 years, Govia operates the

London Midland, Southeastern and Southern rail franchises.

Between them these rail companies are responsible for over 5,500 train services a day.

All three companies were in the lead at the London Olympics carrying millions of passengers to and from the games. Staff working round the clock demonstrated high levels of customer care and helped make the London Olympics perhaps the most remarkable in history.

!"#$%#&%'()%*+,&%-.&#)&'%% /$#0%!1)/$'!/2%3")/%!4)% 5#00#!4%1)!10)%.&)%!./% &)/"#6)&%)")/7%8$72% !"#$%&'(%)'%'(*%

+)",,%-!'%."$/%0)%"11%!"22/#3% 4'50"%6%+2'#+'*%',%)!/%7()+)"#80#9% :(+)'./*%;/*50</%:")/9'*&=%>"01+)",,% ?-"*8+%@AB@3 !"#$%&!'(%&)*(!+(&,((%!

%-

,,,./#'$ .$%0#

www.railstaffawards.com

31

Up close & personal

We excel at inspecting the uninspectable.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY

Proud sponsors of the Rail Engineer of the Year 01884 842942 info@bridgezoneltd.co.uk

www.bridgezoneltd.co.uk

PROUD TO SPONSOR Signal Engineer of the Year

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

32

www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

East Coast supports Train Driver of the Year East Coast is again sponsoring the Train Driver of the Year award at the RailStaff Awards 2012.

Train drivers are an essential element of the railway industry’s daily operation. They are highly trained and the expertise they have ensures a safe and reliable journey for thousands of rail passengers each day.

Tom O’Connor, managing

director Rail Media Group, which is staging the RailStaff Awards, said: “We are delighted that East Coast is once again sponsoring the RailStaff Awards: Train Driver of the Year.

‘The East Coast Main Line is the backbone of the network, providing vital transport links between towns and cities along Britain’s East Coast. Drivers and

indeed all train crew who are part of East Coast’s operation are among the most professional and customer focused in the business.

We wish them well as they continue to deliver a busy, fast and reliable railway operation which connects London to Leeds, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh and beyond.”

Great responsibility East Coast Managing Director Karen Boswell said: “In this special Olympic year, we are delighted to sponsor the Train Driver of the Year award, which celebrates the important contribution drivers make to the safe, reliable and comfortable operation of train services across the UK each day.

“Driving a train is a great responsibility and, in supporting the RailStaff Awards, we can reward and recognise those drivers who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to customer service and the safety of

www.railstaffawards.com

rail passengers.”

East Coast is a subsidiary of Directly Operated Railways Limited, which is owned by the Department for Transport. The company began operating train services on the East Coast Main Line in November 2009.

Its long-distance, cross-border train services run along routes totalling 936 miles, linking London King’s Cross with Eastern England, Lincolnshire, Humberside, Yorkshire, the North East of England and Scotland, carrying 18.9 million passengers a year.

East Coast, which is headquartered in York, employs 2,800 staff in a wide range of customer service, operational, retail and support roles across the route. The company also operates three engineering and maintenance depots at Bounds Green in London, Craigentinny in Edinburgh and Clayhills in Aberdeen.

33

A registered charity. *Please see our website for latest call charges.

In partnership with

Samaritans / Network Rail Partnership are proud to be sponsoring the RailStaff Awards

34

www.railstaffawards.com

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

Mechan shows support for Depot Staff Maintenance equipment specialist, Mechan, is proud to be sponsoring this year’s Depot Staff of the Year award.

The Sheffield-based manufacturer is renowned for the quality, safety and reliability of its lifting products and works tirelessly to improve depot working conditions and speed up the railcar maintenance process.

Says Richard Carr, Mechan’s managing director, ‘We are very pleased to be associated with the RailStaff Awards, as we work so closely with the engineers and maintenance crews who keep our rail industry on the right tracks.

‘We understand that depots are under increasing pressure to service longer trains in ever shortening timeframes. We are making rapid technological advancements to enhance the capacity of our equipment so depot staff can meet quick

turnaround times without compromising safety standards.’

Technological development remains the key to Mechan’s success and ensures its wide range of equipment can be adapted to the needs of any rail vehicle.

Says Tom O’Connor of the Rail Media Group, ‘We are very pleased to welcome Mechan to the RailStaff Awards 2012. Depot staff work at the very heart of the industry and this is an important and popular award.’

Impressive range of handling equipment Mechan’s innovative Microlink controller has revolutionised the way multiple carriages are lifted, making servicing easier and quicker. The patented system allows a network of jacks to be raised simultaneously by just one operator from anywhere in the chain.

Recent updates to the Microlink system have enabled the firm to install the largest set of jacks in the UK at the Alstom Transport Traincare Centre in Longsight near Manchester.

By combining bespoke software with off the shelf hardware, Mechan has increased the system’s capacity to 44 jacks and has added a colour touch screen panel to provide constant feedback on the lift. It also stores data on usage and faults to indicate when maintenance is required and what action needs to be taken.

With more than 40 years experience in the heavy lifting and rail industries, the firm’s impressive range of handling equipment now enjoys success at home and overseas.

In this highly specialised field, export business is becoming increasingly important and is forecast to account for 25% of

turnover in 2012, compared to just 2% in 2005. Mechan has continued its global expansion, opening up new markets in Taiwan, New Zealand and Belgium this year.

Mechan is a familiar face at the bi-annual InnoTrans exhibition in Berlin held last month. As part of the delegation led by Railway Industry Association and UK Trade and Investment, the firm showcased its new Microlink system, alongside its wide range of depot maintenance products. For more information telephone (0114) 257 0563 or visit www.mechan.co.uk

RAIL DEPOT AND WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT • Railcar Lifting Jacks • Bogie Changing Systems • Bogie Test Machines • Under Car Handling • Maintenance Machines • Workshop Equipment

Proud sponsors of

Depot Staff of the Year Award 2012 info@mechan.co.uk www.mechan.co.uk +44 (0)114 257 0563

www.railstaffawards.com

35

RAILSTAFF AWARDS

We’ve teamed up with London Underground and Network Rail to find the best in

Rail HR Rail Recruitment Rail Training

RailwayPeople

HR, RECRUITMENT & SKILLS AWARDS Nominate online at www.railhrawards.com

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

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

the transformation of our network.

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

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

sponsor this year’s RailStaff Awards.

Helping Britain run better

networkrail.co.uk

Helping Britain run better networkrail.co.uk 36

%

%

%

%%%

www.railstaffawards.com %%%

TRAINING sponsored by Vital Skills Training

Autumn Investment Autumn sees a migration of young people to universities and colleges and, less widely witnessed, to apprenticeships and training schemes throughout the railway industry.

At the centre of any successful community or industry is a core of people who have made an investment in their education and training. They are to be encouraged and supported.

Future prosperity depends upon their excellence.

Walking through the portals of a college or business demands a certain courage, a strength of character too often derided. It is no small step to commit to a degree course or an apprenticeship.

University is very different from home life. The work place presents new challenges, people and demands, hitherto unfamiliar.

However, the best investment the individual and society as a whole can make is in training and developing the skills of those who elect to work and to invest their potential in the future. Education means a leading out of talent, a developing of potential.

Studying the intricacies of railway operations will mark the start of a rewarding life time career. Going on to university similarly proves the precursor to a life of enquiry and fulfilment.

We wish everyone starting out as an apprentice, an undergraduate or similarly beefing up their skills, every success this autumn and in the years ahead.

37

Training Matters!

Peter Stanton reports The National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering’s Training Matters conference had to be moved to a bigger venue at Pride Park Stadium, Derby to accommodate demand.

Gil Howarth, Chief Executive of NSARE opened the 2012 Training Matters national conference and reviewed the first 18 months of the Academy’s existence. Howarth emphasised the growth of the Academy; now boasting 214 members.

Progress has been encouraged by the government looking for new ways of dealing with training and apprenticeships. Elaine Clark, NSARE Head of Process Development spoke about NSARE’s IT Platform, “Skills Backbone” course. She focused on the Skills Passport National Competency Database, which Network Rail says will be integrated with the new Sentinel Safety Management Information System.

Bill Alexander reviewed RTAS, the Rail Training and Assessment Scheme, while Janet Tomlinson and David Collard from Tribal Education Ltd. described the Inspector’s view.

Appropriately Gary WilmshurstSmith then proceeded to give Network Rail’s response and this was followed by the first of several very useful and free flowing question and answer sessions held as the conference progressed.

Themes included continuous professional development and the need to Train the Trainer. Peter Revill from the University of Derby

described teaching in the workbased learning sector.

Delegates were briefed on the needs of ETCS, European Train Control System and its effect on the industry workforce. Jim Hubbard from Newcastle College and Graham Clark from Siemens discussed the training needs of the industry and the requirements of new-build in the context of growth in electrification, the infrastructure and rolling stock.

On the second day Simon Tarr, the Chief Operating Officer of People 1st, the sector skills council for hospitality, explained the history of People 1st and the historical connection with GoSkills.

Following on was Bill Twigg, Apprenticeship Director for SEMTA, the Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies. The session was introduced with the thought provoking comment that safety competencies are important but they are a component of a portfolio of necessary competencies.

Anne Watson, Managing Director of EAL, the specialist, employerrecognised awarding organisation for the engineering and manufacturing industry discussed the role of the awarding body, defined as an organisation that develops and awards qualifications to meet the needs of leavers, employers and others.

Elaine Clark, the Head of Process Development at NSARE, looked at the challenge of forecasting the skills gap. Paul Tabern Business Development Director of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers spoke on Engineering Technicians -

Meeting the Challenge.

Ruth Cooper, the Stakeholder Manager for NSARE, regaled delegates with an item on Young Railway Professionals. This energetic body has built itself up very quickly since 2009 and now had over 1300 members. The core aims of YRP are to promote, inspire and bring together young professionals in the sector.

That session finished with Anne Franke the Chief Executive of the Chartered Management Institute delivering a strong message on ‘Great management makes a difference.’

The importance of quality apprenticeships was examined by Martin Ward of the National Apprenticeship Service. Phil East, partnership manager of the Careers Development Group, then spoke about its involvement, through a group of prime contractors, with the “Work Programme.” The Programme provides tailored support for claimants who need more help to undertake active and effective jobseeking.

The Outward Bound Trust, represented by Paul Marchalsea and David Ritchie, gave a useful presentation on how the Trust could facilitate character building and behavioural change. The events worked within psychologically safe yet challenging and adventurous environments.

Peter Donovan, apprentice programme manager for Network Rail ran through the current apprenticeship programme and introduced three ‘year three’ apprentices. www.railstaff.co.uk

TRAINING sponsored by Vital Skills Training

Bridgeway Top of NSARE/RTAS Published Inspection Results Bridgeway Consulting Confirmed as Number 1 Track Safety Training Provider in the UK by NSARE

From Left: Pino De Rosa, Steve Diksa, Gil Howarth and Steve Baker-Mason.

‘It is all about hard work and a commitment to quality, that’s the underlying reason for achieving an Outstanding National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering (NSARE) / Rail Training Assessment Services (RTAS) inspection grade,’ says Bridgeway Consulting Managing Director, Pino De Rosa.

Bridgeway were named as the UK’s Number 1 Track Safety Training Provider after scoring 150 out of 150. ‘This is a fantastic accolade and testament to all the hard work Bridgeway’s learning and development team puts in every day to ensure that we deliver a quality service to both our internal and external clients across the UK and abroad.

‘We are all very proud that we have been recognised as an outstanding rail training provider and are making a meaningful contribution to the rail industry,’ says Pino De Rosa.

Classified as a large training provider by NSARE, Bridgeway Consulting underwent the new NSARE/RTAS Training & Assessment provider Inspection this summer. This inspection was aligned with OFSTED standards, as NSARE sets a new benchmark for the rail industry suppliers to reach.

So, to put it mildly, it was no walk in the park and after 4 days of inspections, their final overall grade was OUTSTANDING. They are the only Company within its classification in the UK to achieve this inspection grade. The inspection grade result comes from achieving the following grades for each category inspected: 1. Overall effectiveness - OUTSTANDING 2. Capacity to improve - OUTSTANDING 3. Leadership and Management - OUTSTANDING 4. Learner Outcomes - OUTSTANDING 5. Quality of Provision - OUTSTANDING 6. Equality and Diversity - OUTSTANDING 38

Assurance Services Director, Steve Diksa says, ‘This was a great opportunity for us to demonstrate that our learning and development team uses a dynamic and innovative approach to training delivery, which adds value to the rail industry.

‘I am delighted that we have been ranked as the number one track safety training provider in the UK. That alone is something to be very proud of and shows that we are committed to providing the very best skills training in the UK. I am very pleased with the result of the inspection, but I will be looking for the team to build on this success.’

West Horndon facilities The NSARE/RTAS inspection results have reinforced Bridgeway’s decision to invest in a new Learning and Development centre in West Horndon, Essex and develop facilities at the Nottingham headquarters.

Says Learning and Development Manager, Steve Baker-Mason, ‘These are exciting times for Bridgeway’s rail training and assessment services. We have all been working hard to ensure that our learners have a first class experience from the moment they walk through the door to the moment they complete the course. This is very important to us as it sets the benchmark for us all to continuously achieve.’

Bridgeway Consulting is able to deliver its services across the UK and abroad within the following areas of rail training, mentoring and assessments: • NCCA Sentinel Track Safety • Permanent Way Engineering • Small Tools and Plant Equipment • Machine Crane / Controller / Operator • TOC Operations Training • Health and Safety.

The commitment to delivering excellence is reinforced by rail industry expertise within the Training and Assessment Services Department.

This knowledge base permits Bridgeway Consulting to provide a dynamic and innovative style of training that equips individuals to carry out duties efficiently, professionally and more importantly safely.

Further features of the Bridgeway training and assessment service include: • A National Online Track Safety Training Open Programme • 24/7 Service – Midweek Days, Nights and Weekends • Pre/Post Training Advice and Support • Trainers and Assessors that carry out operational roles on a regular basis - theory backed with first hand experience that is CURRENT TODAY • Electronic Archiving and 24/7 Availability of all Training / Competence Documentation.

OCTAS Bridgeway Consulting has also been working with its clients to develop unique solutions, in developing robust competence management solutions in-conjunction with its OCTAS system.

Sales and Marketing Manager, Satnam Thiara says “With an innovative approach to problem solving, we have developed an online competence & training administration system (OCTAS). This has allowed us to manage our client’s competence training requirements in an efficient and timely manner.

‘This process is proving to be also adding value to training provision and saving on costs”. More recently, Signalling Solutions and Costain have both signed up to Bridgeway’s OCTAS Managed Service offering.

Key features of OCTAS are: • Easily accessible and simple to use • Instant visibility of training events and availability • Instant joining instructions • No phone calls required • No booking forms required.

Following the achievement of the NSARE/RTAS Inspection Grade Result, It can be now said that Bridgeway has become synonymous with the term “excellent” or “Outstanding” as put by NSARE, when we talk about rail training, mentoring and assessment providers.

For further information about Bridgeway Consulting’s services please contact: 0115 919 1111 or media@bridgeway-consulting.co.uk www.railstaff.co.uk

This can be demonstrated by the recent workshop held at the Birmingham Motorcycle Museum with the Office of Rail Regulation.

ORR was represented by two speakers who provided information on current research projects which they were undertaking relating to Track Safety and Welfare.

Attendees of such workshops are including this information in their sessions to ensure the message is getting through to the most important people – those working on the track.

ARTP website

ARTP provides overall focus In these times of change it is imperative that railway training providers have a collective focus on raising the profile of all training companies across all disciplines, says the ARTP. Founded in 1997 the Association of Railway Training Providers (ARTP) continues to provide this service for members by working with major stakeholders within the rail industry. The organisation is managed by a board which includes representatives from across the industry including Network Rail, RSSB and a variety of contractors.

The ARTP has regular dialogue with major stakeholders including ORR, NSARE and Network Rail. The organisation has formed Special Interest Groups for Track Safety, Electrification, Signalling, Rail Plant and Permanent Way to facilitate discussion with members who have similar technical interests.

These groups also provide representation on working parties participating in consultation and discussion regarding the development of standards and training material. Members work closely with Network Rail to review Track Safety training material and in recognition of this ARTP members enjoy a discount when purchasing the training material.

They influence and collaborate with key authorities and decision makers from other interested parties. The groups will always 40

welcome new members so please contact ARTP if you wish to become involved.

Workforce Development Apart from the Special Interest Groups, ARTP has also provided representation with RSSB on Workforce Development and other major stakeholders when consulting on future changes to the industry.

The recent appointment of Sylvia Franklin, as Policy Support Officer, will allow ARTP to offer further benefits including provision of CPD events to members to assist in the improvement of the services they offer to clients.

At the recent Training Matters Conference in Derby, NSARE confirmed that CPD forms an integral part of each trainer and assessor’s accreditation and suggested that ARTP are in an ideal position to provide this service to its members.

Work is also being undertaken on developing the website so members can access current information to enhance their training delivery. This includes the latest safety information and current initiatives on learning and development issues.

The organisation also exists to provide a voice for the training providers. Throughout the previous year, ARTP has liaised with the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering to ensure

members views are represented especially with the introduction of the new inspection framework for training providers to be accredited with Network Rail.

Workshops This framework encouraged training providers to review their organisation and the way they delivered training and assessment.

ARTP provided workshops on how to manage this new approach and provided guidance and support to share members’ experiences.

ARTP has also recognised that there is a need for providing information to members to ensure they maintain the currency and accuracy of the training material content and to enhance the content so they provide a high quality service to their clients.

Information is also being provided within the members only section of the ARTP website. The aim is that this will be the first point of call should any member wish to access current safety information to support their training delivery.

This includes links to Safety Central, latest standards issue from both Network Rail and RSSB and any safety bulletins which trainers may find relevant to their training subject.

Discussions are also taking place on the value of hosting a discussion page on the website where trainers can ask questions of their colleagues or share best practice.

ARTP continues to encourage the professional development of trainers and assessors and to represent the interests of its members in the field of training, assessment and competence management.

Further information is available by contacting ARTP via email info@artp.co.uk or via our website at www.artp.co.uk

www.railstaff.co.uk

TRAINING sponsored by Vital Skills Training

Interfleet fields Top Training Team

Interfleet’s Training and Competence Solutions team is one of the most recognised and respected training providers within the rail industry.

With the largest assembled team of trainers and assessors, Interfleet supports the industry with training and competence assurance in many disciplines. The

www.railstaff.co.uk

methodology adopted by Interfleet Technology focuses on improving business performance through the development of individuals, not simply training for training’s sake.

Improved performance Says Rob Gordon, head of Interfleet’s Training & Competence Solutions team, ‘Interfleet’s

significant technical and operations expertise - comprising over 300 UK based engineers and operators - combined with our training team’s experience enables us to develop training consultancy solutions that provide a focus on improved performance.

‘This resource, coupled with state of the art I.T. infrastructure enables Interfleet to offer a service of the highest quality in terms of consultancy, materials, technical content, technical support and client service excellence. All training and assessment related materials and reports are reviewed by discipline experts who ensure the content is current, valid and technically correct.’

Service areas We deliver a wide range of services that can be both ‘off the shelf’ or tailored to meet client’s individual needs. These include: • Traction & Rolling Stock; • Rail Operations and Rail Safety; • People and Performance Management; and • New technology introduction i.e.

ERTMS/ GSMR/ Energy Metering/ Remote Monitoring/ Fleets.

Recent projects include: • GSMR Maintenance Training; • ERTMS Train-borne Equipment training; • Outsourced Technical Training provider for a UK Train Operator; • Development program for new train maintainers; • Fleet asset management software training and post go-live support; and • Restructuring of in-house training function and supporting Competence function.

We would be delighted to meet with you to discuss your training needs and other related requirements and see how we may be of assistance to your business.

Team Brochure: Please follow the hyperlink below to access the online Training team brochure for more information about us and specific contact details. www.interfleet-media.com/ trainingandcompetence

41

Taking you to the Top Smart personnel are the most important element of any company.

In the rail industry, in particular, they represent their firm at every level and are often the face, image and brand of the business. So if employers go to all the trouble of putting time and money into selecting the most desirable candidates, it makes sense to retain them.

Investing in long term training programmes keeps staff motivated and loyal. Better still it creates a thriving working environment that fosters the highly skilled, market leading, professionals which will take the company right to the top.

morale and decreasing staff turnover. This is an investment which no business can afford to be without.’

Yet in some sectors 43% of employees complain of lacking opportunity for growth. Their potential remains unrealised.

Increasing your staff’s skill base and job satisfaction through training makes economic as well as a professional sense. Poor customer service can damage reputation but can be put right through consistent and accessible training.

Says Andy Ridout, Managing Director of advance-Training and Recruitment (Services) Ltd, ‘At advance-TRS our training experts have developed talent retention strategies that maximise employee productivity through boosting

Blue chip clients Training specialist Monique Choudhuri (Pictured), head of staff development at advance-TRS has built up a 25 year portfolio of blue chip clients including British Airways, BSkyB and Fircroft Engineering through training with a touch of humour.

‘The secret to successful training is to capture attention,’ says Monique. ‘I could tell my audience the meaning of life, but if no one is listening it won’t go in. Delivery is the key. Teaching with a touch of wit ensures that my message is heard loud and clear.’

Monique bases her techniques on the idea that the human attention span is often quite short.

Training sessions must therefore be broken up into bite sized segments that reflect this.

‘I captivate my students with short group participation exercises, activities and games. This stimulates them and gets their thoughts flowing. The information will then be absorbed by their long term memory,’ says Monique. ‘I work on the ‘remember and apply’

Vital Special for SVR

42

model. Everything I teach will be remembered and applied practically in the workplace,’ she adds. advance-Training and Recruitment Services offers staff training at all levels, to clients throughout the railway industry, with the aim of finding you the right personnel and making sure you keep them.

To book a free consultation with Monique or for further information on how we can help develop your business please contact advanceTRS on 01483 361 061 or email ar@advance-trs.com

The Severn Valley Railway is hosting the new railway academy run by Vital Skills Training.

32 apprentices will be based at Kidderminster station and on the railway learning skills that will safeguard the railway for many years to come.

Says Nick Ralls, manager, SVR, ‘These young people get the chance to work on the railways in a very controlled environment. Our trains run at 25mph, not 125mph as they do on the mainlines.’ Mr Ralls also said the extra labour the academy would provide means they will be able to bring their repair projects forward and complete them in a much shorter time. The new academy opens for business this month.

The 16-mile SVR runs from Bridgnorth in Shropshire to Kidderminster in Worcestershire and carries about 250,000 passengers a year. It celebrated its 150th anniversary in May. www.railstaff.co.uk

TRAINING sponsored by Vital Skills Training

Multi-Skilling is Vital Training is a fundamental requirement in every job and yet so often it’s one of the first budgets to be cut in response to a company’s need to reduce costs.

This is a short-term solution that is likely to develop into a long-term problem, especially at a time when there are so many infrastructure projects on the horizon.

The government has pledged £9billion of investment in the rail industry, a proportion of which will translate into jobs. Major projects like the £500 million rail link between the Great Western Main Line and Heathrow Airport, GWML electrification and other such schemes around Britain together with numerous track and station upgrades will require a growing and multi-skilled workforce.

Companies need to plan for the future and not neglect the need for training. The rail industry has identified the track maintenance

workforce as a prime target for wider training. Gil Howarth, chief executive of NSARE commented in a recent interview: “We want to upskill the transient workforce. There is an urgent need for railway workers to have training beyond basic track induction and the requirement to hold a PTS. ‘Everybody who works on the railway should be trained to a minimum competence of level two.

This certificate will be the first nationally recognised qualification in track engineering and will have a massive impact on the industry and will significantly reduce costs in the longer term.’

Encouraging new blood into the industry is just as essential as continuing training in new skills to ensure staff are kept up-to-date.

This applies not just to those out in the field, but behind the scenes as well, where key decisions that impact on the success of a business are made.

Academy award for Vital

Several major capital projects are set to start between 2014 and 2019.

Announcements regarding the fine detail of how the funding will be apportioned will be made in January 2013. Even then it will still be too early to estimate the number of new jobs required, how much training is needed and what skills gaps there might be.

However one way in which the industry can address these issues, remaining economically viable at the same time as providing practical training solutions, is by embracing some of the techniques employed by other sectors.

For example, the automotive industry has become adept at ensuring its workforce is multiskilled, resulting in a flexible workforce that is able to work in any area of the business. It’s a proven approach and one that is adaptable for the rail industry.

Furthermore, the benefits are not

just confined to the business.

Employees are more motivated and the workforce as a whole is more receptive to change within the industry rather than just the company, assisting in union relations.

Many businesses have already recognised the advantages of developing a pool of multi-skilled professionals for the rail industry who, will be equipped for whatever comes their way. Let’s hope that the whole sector follows this lead and embraces training as a way to capitalise on the opportunities that lie ahead.

Vital Services Group is a specialist engineering company. Founded in 1983 by CEO John Smith, the company has expanded over the last three decades and now includes: Vital Consulting; Vital Power; Vital Rail; Vital Resources; Vital Skills Training; Vital Solutions and Vital Technology.

Lawrence Dobie, Education & Training Director of Vital Skills Training.

Vital Skills Training has been classed as outstanding following an inspection by the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering.

It was the first time Vital had been inspected and the training provider achieved the highest grade. Only six of the 88 providers inspected were graded outstanding. Vital puts it all down to hard work and effort on the part of staff and trainers.

Says Lawrence Dobie, Education & Training Director at Vital Skills Training, ‘We are absolutely thrilled to have achieved an outstanding grade from our first inspection. It is

a true reflection of the hard work, commitment and passion of all the staff, trainers, managers and of course, the learners themselves.’

The NSARE report highlighted excellent success rates for courses and assessments, with Apprenticeships and Sentinel track safety courses achieving success rates of 100 per cent and 98 per cent respectively. Vital was praised for its support of equality and diversity in engineering, particularly its work with exoffenders, minority groups and encouraging females to pursue

careers in traditionally maledominated industries.

In a bid to expose learners to realworld work situations, Vital works collaboratively with industry partners to develop its resources and provision. Trainers were also commended for their wide range of experience and continued commitment to professional development, always ensuring learners have access to the most

up-to-date and sector-specific knowledge.

Vital Skills Training, which is the training arm of Vital Services Group, currently trains more than 250 learners and has plans to grow the training division and increase this number to 800 by December 2012. To find out more about the training and employment opportunities available from Vital visit www.vital-skills.com

Helping our clients get from...

Track

A Web.

www.vital-rail.com

www.railstaff.co.uk

OLE & Isolations

Email.

Signalling & Telecoms

info@vital-rail.com

Building and Civils

Tel.

0845 894 9020

Recruitment

B Fax.

0845 894 9699 43

Girls Allowed

Northern Rail is stepping up its driver recruitment and training programme by attracting more women to the job.

Over the past year the number of female applicants has risen by 300%. Speaking at Infrarail earlier this year Theresa Villiers, erstwhile transport minister, urged the industry to step up the recruitment of women.

Northern Rail’s initiative is proving successful. Trainee drivers

can expect to earn £17K to start with rising to £40K when fully trained. Says Tracie Wing (pictured), a driver based at Blackpool North, ‘I love this job for many reasons. I get to see plenty of daylight during winter, when most of my friends are stuck behind a desk. At times it can feel like I am my own boss as I am working my shift, driving my train and in complete control.

‘The pay is excellent and I get to work varied hours allowing me to

see more of my family than I would in a traditional 9 to 5 role.

The banter with the team is something I really enjoy and would encourage any woman to consider doing this.’ Tracie emphasised, ‘We are just as capable as the guys.’

For train driver roles, Northern has traditionally had an average female applicant figure of 5%. In the last twelve months this figure has increased to 17%. Says Adrian

Thompson, HR Director, ‘We are delighted to see more women applying to become train drivers.

The role is certainly a challenging one, requiring great concentration to learn all the routes and mechanical aspects of the different types of train we use, and is as well suited to women as it is to men.’

Mick Whelan, ASLEF’s General Secretary, agrees, ‘Northern has shown a commitment to changing the traditional perception of the rail industry as an employer. The company has made it a priority to recruit more women and ethnic minorities to roles within the company. Whilst there is still some way to go until we have railway depots that reflect the communities in which they are based, ASLEF applauds the efforts that Northern has made.’

Fitness Training A group of ten Greater Anglia employees has completed the Health for Life Level 1 Certificate in Exercise Studies.

Kathryn Cole, Graham Chaplin, Felicity Keeble, Gill Charlton, Maja Kalinska, Lee Clifton along with Amy Baker, John Stanford, Mike Moy, and Janet Clark, all successfully completed the course. The course helped the team to identify and improve fitness levels and supported them in making exercise part of their everyday life.

The team studied the fundamental principles of exercise and fitness and learned how to plan a personal training programme. Says Michelle Smart, Greater Anglia’s HR director, ‘I was delighted to present the Health for Life certificates to my colleagues on successfully completing the course. I hope their achievement inspires others to undertake the course.’

44

Apprentices Graduate ScotRail’s first group of Modern Apprentices in Customer Service has graduated.

The 11 apprentices met Angela Constance, Minister for Youth Employment, at Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel for the graduation ceremony. The 18-month-long scheme saw 11 apprentices aged between 18 and 22, trained, paid and given placements in handson roles at ScotRail.

Placements included working in station booking offices, on the trains as hospitality hosts and

spells as a ticket examiner. Each achieved a Level 2 Scottish Vocational Qualification in Customer Service as well as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award.

Says Angela Constance, ‘A Modern Apprenticeship involves taking up employment, and at the same time learning new skills and enjoying new experiences. The value to a company of taking on an enthusiastic apprentice cannot be understated.

‘Customer service means being the public face of any company, a

position that carries great responsibility. Today’s graduates have clearly demonstrated that they are up to the task and I would like to wish them the very best of success for the future.’

Four of the apprentices already have full-time positions at ScotRail stations, a fifth has started work on a graduate trainee programme with FirstGroup, the train operator’s parent company, and the others are applying for full-time roles with ScotRail. www.railstaff.co.uk

TRAINING sponsored by Vital Skills Training

High impact Training Managing the skills gap in the rail industry has never been more important.

With the ever increasing need to develop skills in existing employees, whilst recruiting new early talent, investment in training is high on the agenda of many of the industry’s top players.

According to Sir Roy McNulty’s ‘Value for Money’ 2011 report, one of the ten principal barriers to growth within rail is ‘the relationships and culture within the industry.’

With an industry structure in a constant state of change, development and growth, employee training needs to bring together TOCs and infrastructure management, whilst bridging the cross-generational cultural gap between existing employees and new entrants to the business.

Bridging those gaps is as much about building alliancing skills as it is improving effective

communication across sectors and across all levels of age and experience in the business. It also comes down to equipping new talent with the leadership and influencing skills to lead cultural change from the bottom up.

Experiential learning has been proven to make a significant impact in cultivating the behaviours to close these industry gaps. At the Outward Bound Trust, the focus is on enabling delegates to understand their own behaviour and its impact on others.

Replicating high risk engineering environments with challenging and adventurous wilderness locations, the Trust works with organisations to develop vital communication skills to transfer back to the workplace.

Equipping your talent with authentic leadership skills and the ability to both problem solve and knowledge share is also key to breaking down those barriers to

growth. Building trust and stimulating open discussion are essential components of this. This is where experiential learning really comes into its own.

Experiential learning offers an accelerated and cost effective solution to developing these behaviours within the workforce.

And the benefits go across the piece – employers benefit from high retention rates and highly motivated staff and workers receiving a strong message about the investment being made in them and their importance within the industry.

Says David Ritchie, Head of Corporate Business Development at the Trust, ‘The key to our successes as an external training programme provider stems from the partnerships we develop with the head of training or HR director within the company sending its staff for training.

‘Our delivery teams experience the real rail working environments in which course participants operate. This gives us a clear understanding of the values, core

beliefs and cultural language and processes of their environment, which is then incorporated into the course content.’

Having recently presented at the NSARE annual conference and worked alongside East Coast Mainline, Network Rail and London Underground, The Trust is at the forefront of developing talent within the rail industry.

The UK-based employability skills charity works with a range of talent across the industry, from overhead line, track and foundation degree apprentices, to graduates, to workers moving into leadership roles.

And as a key partner in a ground-breaking campaign to feed the industry’s talent pipeline, The Trust is working to double the number of female apprentices within Network Rail within just two years.

To ensure your workforce can actively respond to the shifting cultural, leadership and relationship demands of your industry please contact Paul Marshalsea on 07794 336 003.

Get your teams communicating effectively before they hit the track We’ll put your people into our challenging environments to prepare them for the challenges of your environment.

Develop behavioural safety, leadership and communication within your early talent, teams and leaders: outwardbound.org.uk 01931 740000 enquiries@outwardbound.org.uk

www.railstaff.co.uk )))

)))

)

45

Track Partnership in Training Exercise While the world’s focus has been on the Olympics based in East London, a major training exercise has been conducted in West London.

A collaboration between London Underground and Balfour Beatty Rail, Track Partnership is responsible for the renewal of track and drainage assets on the London Underground Network. In preparation for doubling the volume of track and drainage being renewed in coming years, the Track

Partnership team has been running one of the biggest training events ever seen in London Underground’s Track Renewals history at Ruislip Depot.

The four week training event, which was planned to coincide with the stand down in normal works during the Olympics, was operated alongside a Track Renewal and focused on site management, supervision and core engineering skills. The exercise allowed on-site works to be completed in a non-

operational depot with scenarios and additional challenges being tested during the sessions.

Training took place in three classrooms, six worksites and utilised 40 trains. Fourteen Trainers delivered engineering and soft skills training throughout the event using a common theme – stick to the plan, escalate any changes and always communicate clearly.

Keith Atkinson of the Office of Rail Regulation said, ‘To see people having the chance to take time out

over the renewal in this nonpressurised environment to learn is a real credit to the Track Partnership.’

Steve Naybour of the Track Partnership said, ‘The Olympics stand down provided an ideal opportunity to deliver this essential training. During the four weeks we’ve had visitors from TDU, Tube Lines and Balfour Beatty who have all been impressed to see such an initiative take place. It really has been an event to be proud of.’

Based in Ipswich ( Suffolk ), RT Training Solutions Ltd is one of the UK’s leading training providers for a variety of disciplines which include: Rail Signalling, Rail Safety Critical, Rail telecommunications (TMTH etc.), 17th Edition Wiring regulations (City&Guilds), Counterbalance Forklift, First Aid, Plant, Security (SIA), and Management training.

RT Training Solutions Ltd enjoys healthy partnerships with local

colleges and schools, and is known for assisting the industry by providing training to future generations of young engineers.

They are also experts in assisting learners from other industries including the MOD, by providing a transfer of skills through rigorous training programmes to help fill the skills gaps within the rail industry.

Their training services have been fundamentally recognised as being pro-active, effective and above all

competent. Their vision is to be the UK’s leading, most versatile training provider by encouraging and inspiring corporate clients and individuals to operate in a culture of competency and safety for the benefit of all. Their focus is to continually enhance the experience, learning and achievements of all delegates.

For more information please visit our website: rttrainingsolutions.co.uk or email info@rttsolutions.co.uk

‘Outstanding’ Award RT Training Solutions Ltd has received an ‘Outstanding’ award from the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering.

Gary Brackley, the Managing Director of RT Training Solutions Ltd, collected the award at the national ‘Training Matters’ conference. The prestigious award was handed out to the top six training providers in the UK who had excelled during an inspection aligned with Ofsted standards.

Gary thanked his staff saying the award highlighted his excellent training and administration team.

The team aims to provide the best quality training and service in the UK. RT Training Solutions will now strive to maintain this position and assist their partners and competitors to continually improve the quality of training within the railway industry.

46

www.railstaff.co.uk

TRAINING sponsored by Vital Skills Training

Customer Led Training

Amtrain is an excellent customer led training company.

Our most important consideration is customer satisfaction and student outcomes.

Amtrain is a long established training company. Its portfolio includes a wide range of track safety training and assessment services. These range from personal track safety through machine controllers to safe system of work planners.

Located north of Lichfield it has

its own purpose-built premises including an outside track facility and parking for 45 vehicles. It also has access to live track facilities at Lichfield Trent Valley and Chasewater Railway and will shortly be opening in Leicester.

The Fradley training facility has five well-equipped, air-conditioned training rooms with interactive whiteboards. We have a welcoming reception area where friendly staff greet you at the door.

Since January 2012, Amtrain has

delivered in excess of 2000 training and assessments to a wide range of candidates, without any registered complaints or appeals.

Indeed the great majority of the candidates cannot praise highly enough the quality of training.

There are five registered trainers, male and female, three of whom are directors of the company. All have a wide range of railway experience and three have qualified teacher/lecturer status.

There are also three support staff who deal with the administration and reception duties.

The company is registered with VCTC and City and Guilds for a range of specialist training provision within the railway and associated industries and more generally for customer care services.

As qualified teachers and lecturers we understand how to make the candidates relaxed and confident to get the most of their learning experience. We have partnership arrangements with C Company and Selectatraining to give a wide range of opportunities

to all members of the community.

Our recent licensing body audit, said: ‘Amtrain has a good pass rate record for its learners, which has been maintained over a number of years. The good quality of individual training is underpinned by each trainer’s secure railway knowledge and good generic training skill.

Learners and customers are complimentary about what the provider offers and say that they use the provider because they feel it provides good value for money for them.’

Our customers reflect the wide range of trades in the rail industry and include: Torrent Trackside, Forkers, Amey, Balfour Beatty, Carillion, Network Rail, BamNuttall, McGinley and Mitre.

This is what our client, Mitre Rail’s, Karl Clack, said: ‘We’ve used Amtrain for 10 years now because they always provide an honest, reliable and personable service.’

Candidates who attended recently praised the method of teaching and class participation describing it as excellent.

The Midlands Leading Training Provider

A one stop shop...

What do we offer?

Where do we do it?

Contact

The full range of sentinel track safety competencies:

In our bespoke training centre at Fradley on the a38 near Lichfield, or at your premises if suitable.

For Initial Bookings, please contact Nathan or Jenny Tel 01283 792633 Fax 01283 792622 Email info@amtrain.co.uk

• • • • • •

Machine and crane controller and operator RMMM OTM and RRV A wide range of machine attachments and specialist machines Track induction training First aid Fire safety and manual handling skills Powered plant proficiency assessment MC CC COSS IWA and ES assessments inc (P)

What do we charge?

Courses range from as little as £60 per delegate, discounts for quantity.

What else do we do?

Competence management for a variety of disciplines A1 A2 and V1 awards Operational competencies, Orange card PTS DP T&RS competencies.

Who delivers the training?

Male and female fully qualified and experienced teaching staff with a friendly sympathetic approach and a high degree of relevant occupational competence.

Amtrain Midlands A38 Southbound Fradley, Lichfield Staffs, WS13 8RD Please see our website for further details of our rates and forthcoming courses.

www.amtain.co.uk www.railstaff.co.uk

47

Recruited!

Network Rail has recruited 190 promising apprentices to its awardwinning three-year programme.

The new recruits will train to become skilled maintenance engineering technicians. The company received more than 6,500 applications. With the recent green light by government for additional investment in Britain’s railways, including electrification of the Great Western route and the Northern Hub, today’s apprentices could eventually be working on the biggest infrastructure projects in the country.

New apprentices will spend a year training alongside the Royal Navy at Europe’s largest engineering training facility at HMS Sultan in Hampshire.

Here they will learn both the technical disciplines required to work on the railway and develop leadership and teamwork skills to

make them more effective in their roles. They will continue their training for two further years onthe-job at depots across the country, returning to HMS Sultan for additional courses and learning.

The apprentices specialise in track, signalling and telecoms and electrification and plant. This year, Network Rail is also training apprentices for its contractors Balfour Beatty, Costain and Nexus.

Says Robin Gisby, Network Rail’s managing director for network operations, ‘We’ve recruited smart and enthusiastic young men and women with a variety of work experience, education and backgrounds, who we will train to become skilled engineering technicians. With the big projects we have ahead of us, we need more exceptional people to deliver a better value and efficient railway.

‘Today’s apprentices will, once trained, be part of a 35,000-strong team who every day help millions to get where they need to be safely and on time. We now have the building blocks in place so that beyond their apprenticeships, our best people can undertake a higher national certificate, a foundation degree and then a full degree in engineering. They can earn while they learn and go as far as their aptitude, attitude and ambition can take them.’

Top recognition for Invensys Apprentices Two apprentices from Invensys Rail have been recognised by the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Jamie-Leigh Clayton joined Invensys on a three year apprenticeship scheme in 2007.

She became the first Invensys engineer to be awarded EngTech, a professional Engineering Technician qualification, and went on to win a prize at the IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards in 2011.

Jamie-Leigh’s programme at Invensys is now being heralded by the IET as a shining example of a successful professional development scheme.

The IET also recently visited Invensys Rail’s regional office in Glasgow, where apprentice Gerry Clarke is currently working towards professional engineer status. Aimed at developing Chartered Incorporated and Engineering Technician level engineers, the company’s engineering development programme ensures that Gerry and other apprentices in the scheme meet the high standards

demanded by the institute.

In its assessment of the programme, the IET panel highlighted the impressive levels of support which mentors and senior managers give to apprentices, as well as noting that employees’ academic programmes are firmly embedded in the company’s culture, attracting excellent financial support.

Says Invensys Rail’s chief executive, Nick Crossfield, ‘We’re delighted to have received IET endorsement of our programme, which not only demonstrates our commitment to developing engineers to the highest standards, but also to the continuing professional development of all our apprentices.

‘Our success in delivering complex rail infrastructure projects across the UK and overseas is due in no small part to the skills, commitment and expertise of our staff. Through continued investment in programmes such as these, we are determined that they should have the opportunity to continue their professional development.’

What they’re saying about Apprenticeships

Enthusiasm among new people joining Network Rail’s apprenticeship scheme is helping attract more people to the industry.

48

It’s hard work but railway banter and humour keep the new recruits going. One apprentice even made it to an assessment the day after a car accident so determined was he

not to miss out.

Says Jamie Mills, a 22 year-old track maintenance apprentice based in Brighton, ‘I saw the scheme advertised and decided to apply. I like working with things and wanted to find out more.

There are so many opportunities within Network Rail and I want to do well. I came to the assessment day on crutches after being hit by a car and was determined to pass.

‘You can work towards great qualifications and I would recommend the apprenticeship scheme to anyone who was thinking of applying.’

Happily the scheme is attracting women who take any criticism of

their choice of career in their stride. Kelsey Everton is a 19 yearold 2nd year apprentice based at Sandwell and Dudley depot in the West Midlands. She is now learning electrification and plant.

Says Kelsey, ‘I’d like to eventually teach on the apprenticeship scheme, it’s been a great experience. There has been a lot of hard work but I have made some good friends and there has been some good banter. There are only six girls on the course in my year but it’s been a good experience. My friends think it’s a little weird that I am doing this but I would urge them - and anyone else - to do it.’ www.railstaff.co.uk

TRAINING sponsored by Vital Skills Training

TQ Catalis rated Outstanding

TQ Catalis has been rated as an Outstanding Training provider by National Skills Academy of Railway Engineering following an inspection in July 2012. TQ Catalis delivers high quality training and assessment solutions, focussing particularly on industries where safety is paramount, such as the Rail and Power sectors.

Our range of products for the rail industry is ever evolving and we

offer high quality, dynamic training in all areas of railway engineering and safety, health and environmental subjects.

We don’t believe in a one size fits all approach and as such spend time with our clients designing the most cost effective and beneficial training intervention based on their business needs.

As a one stop provider we can cater for all of your learning and

development needs from apprentice to chartered professional using a mix of learning styles and delivery patterns.

Our practically focused training events are delivered throughout the world and can be at one of our three centres, Derby, London and new for 2012, Corby. Alternatively we can deliver at your site as appropriate.

A selection of training areas we cover includes: • Signal Engineering, (Design, Installation Skills, Testing and Maintenance) • Railway Communications Systems • Track Engineering Training (Permanent Way Skills from Apprentice to Senior Engineer) • Electrical Engineering (LV, HV Switching & Transmission, Rail Electrification, Solar) • Rail Operations and Rail Vehicle Engineering Training • Engineering Apprenticeships (Track, Signalling, Rolling Stock,

OLE) • Safety, Health & Environmental Training (Approved by IOSH & NEBOSH) • Control Systems Training (PLC and SCADA) • Small Plant and Tools Training/Assessment • Sentinel Safety and Rail Plant Competencies • Leadership and Management (ILM and CMI).

Overhead Line Training We have recently opened our Rail and Utilities Vocational Academy in Corby Northants.

Delivering our specialist range of rail training, in addition we now have a full scale National Grid style electrical power transmission and distribution system, complete with OLE and substations, allowing us to deliver highly specialist training solutions for the High Voltage areas including Rail Electrification.

Please see our website: catalis.com for further details or call our sales team on 0845 880 8108

RATED AS AN OUTSTANDING TRAINING PROVIDER BY THE NATIONAL SKILLS ACADEMY for RAILWAY ENGINEERING

Solutions for safety critical environments TQ Catalis deliver a high quality professional training and assessment service in several market sectors, specialising in safety critical rail engineering and track safety competencies.We are proud of our long established rail training business centrally located in Derby with additional sites in Corby, Clapham,York, Manchester and Crewe.

We offer a wide selection of open programme events and dedicated solutions. Current products include: • Track Safety Competencies

• Rail Engineering Apprenticeships

• Signalling & Telecommunication Engineering Design, Installation,Testing & Maintenance

• IRSE Licensing

• Health and Safety,IOSH,NEBOSH,Working at Height, Confined Space Training, Manual Handling • Behavioural Based Safety • Electrical Engineering - 17th Edition Wiring Regulations, PAT Testing, Inspection & Testing, Electrical Skills Training • Automation Systems - Programmable Logic Controllers

• Track Engineering, Permanent Way skills training • Plant Training - all types of small plant and tools • Rail Operations • Traction & Rolling Stock • Overhead Line Training • Leadership & Management • Bespoke Training Solutions

Contact us on 0845 880 8108 or send an email to hotline@catalis.co.uk to discuss your requirements.

www.railstaff.co.uk

TQ Catalis

The Derby Conference Centre, London Road, Derby DE24 8UX T: 0845 880 8108 E: hotline@catalis.co.uk www.catalis.co.uk

49

URS backs McNulty’s Value for Money Strategy

‘The rail industry has the opportunity for substantial further growth, building on the successes of the past fifteen years,’ said Sir Roy McNulty at the launch of the Rail Value for Money Study last year. However, he continued, ‘The licence to grow has to be earned by greater efficiency.’

The strategy of growth through good value is at the heart of the URS Corporation’s ambitious expansion plans for British engineering design firm, Scott Wilson, which it acquired in September 2010.

“Becoming part of URS has increased our growth potential giving us a huge advantage in the market,’ says Ian Hay, Director, 50

Railways, URS. ‘Although the name may have changed, the expertise and high-quality services that were synonymous with the Scott Wilson brand are stronger than ever under the URS banner.’

URS, headquartered in San Francisco, California has unrivalled expertise in railway design and delivery from project feasibility through to site supervision and project management. URS – it originally stood for United Research Services - has worked on many of the most ambitious global railway projects ever undertaken, including light, metro, high speed and heavy railways.

URS clients range from infrastructure owners, government agencies and contractors to operators, developers and financiers. URS is fundamentally a people business. Its skills reflect

the poise and professionalism of engineers, designers and rail system developers in nearly 50 countries. URS people are at work on San Francisco’s Bay Area Regional Transit’s Airport Extension and the California High Speed Rail Project as well as the London Underground upgrade.

Recruitment mode URS is currently in full recruitment mode across its UK business providing opportunities to work on some of the most iconic projects in Britain. Currently one of the largest design consultants on Crossrail, URS has played a major role in designing both Paddington and Farringdon stations, as well as helping Network Rail to develop proposals for the surface line works. Previous projects have included West Coast Route Modernisation - Trent Valley Four Tracking and Resignalling scheme and Rugby remodelling.

“We are fully aware of the recommendations outlined in the McNulty Report, especially in creating an environment that achieves cost reduction, delivers new efficiencies and creates mechanisms to drive efficiency.

With extensive experience of designing railways around the world, URS understands the challenges Britain’s growing rail industry faces.’

“We work closely and collaboratively with clients from the beginning in order to help them deliver a valued service to their customers, as well as presenting tangible benefits for stakeholders,” says Ian. Over the last 18 months URS has been assisting Network Rail on its Tier 1 framework programme. The result of which has seen scope, programme and budgetary plans agreed upfront, with the establishment of a “no surprises” and trusting culture that caters for www.railstaff.co.uk

URS FOCUS

West Coast Main Line URS acted as the multifunctional consultant for the West Coast Route Modernisation (WCRM) upgrade and was responsible for developing and delivering three distinct elements of this major programme.

The highest profile of these was the Trent Valley Four Tracking and Resignalling (TV4) project, which involved upgrading the existing two track railway to four tracks over a length of 20km between Armitage, Lichfield and Tamworth in the West Midlands. URS was involved from the earliest stages of optioneering through detailed design and assisting the site supervisory team.

The second key element was the remodelling of Rugby station and junction with a similar cradle to grave input as with TV4, whilst the third aspect involved moving over the border into Scotland, where several multidisciplinary route enhancements were delivered in a wide-ranging package of works.

Over an 11-year period, URS was able to showcase its full range of multidisciplinary skills to deliver robust and innovative design solutions to this £10bn project. This involved providing outline and detailed design services along the route, including over 50 bridges and culvert reconstructions, as well as earthworks involving in excess of one million cubic metres of cut and fill, together more than 50km of new track and associated signalling.

Current projects Crossrail Since the early 1990s, URS has brought to Crossrail design expertise gained while building some of the world’s most modern metros – in Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai, Athens and Kuala Lumpur. URS has been involved in the Crossrail project – the largest construction project in Europe – at various stages, including route selection, support for the parliamentary Hybrid Bill, which received Royal Assent in July 2008, preliminary design and detailed design. Since 2008, URS has been one of the largest design consultants on Crossrail, working on both the surface routes and the Central Section.

Some of URS’ work has included feasibility studies, outline and detailed design of certain stations, portals and structures, also passenger service and pedestrian flow modelling, as well as transport planning services.

URS has played a role in the design of many Crossrail stations, including designing the Paddington and Farringdon stations. The Company worked with Network Rail on the surface routes to the West and North East of London and with Crossrail Ltd for the Central (underground) Section. URS has also supported a number of other consultants on the Central Section.

North Doncaster Chord This is a new diversionary route to take freight over the East Coast Main Line north of Doncaster. Morgan Sindall is designing and constructing the works and URS is carrying out the detailed design of all rail disciplines on Morgan Sindall’s behalf. The design work is ongoing and work will be underway on site in the near future. the constraints on individual projects and secures the maximum amount of stakeholder buy-in at the earliest possible stage, providing opportunities for downstream cost and efficiency savings.

“By consistently developing innovative solutions to some of the world’s most complex engineering, construction and technical challenges, URS has become a global driver for reliability, greater efficiency and value for money. High standards and consummate professionalism mean we consistently provide outstanding quality service. Our licence to grow will certainly be used to its full potential,” says Ian. www.railstaff.co.uk

Network Rail URS is also playing a key role in the ‘switches and crossings’ renewal programme for Network Rail, and is one of three designers providing detailed integrated permanent way and signalling solutions for the national programme.

The Company has been involved in this work for a number of years, providing a ‘cradle to grave’ service for Network Rail, including the undertaking of topographical surveys.

URS has developed a highly experienced team with real expertise in this work and has provided Network Rail with a valued and reliable service over the years.

High Speed 2 Limited URS has teamed up with Mott MacDonald to provide multidisciplinary design and development services to the Metropolitan section of HS2 between Euston and Old Oak Common and is currently working on outline designs for this section.

It is also working with Arup on the provision of environmental services, including the production of an Environmental Statement and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the West Midlands Metropolitan area covering Birmingham and Solihull.

Previous experience on major projects such as the Trent Valley Four Tracking project (part of the West Coast Route Modernisation programme) is helping to produce ‘constructable’ and sustainable solutions for the complex scheme.

Check out our recruitment opportunities on page 52.

51

If rail moves you, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re hiring.

URS is a leading provider of engineering, construction and technical services. Due to recent major project wins in the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s railway industry we are recruiting at all levels of qualification and experience. URS has a strong heritage in rail through our acquisition of Scott Wilson Group and extensive experience of rail design around the world. In the UK we have delivered major multidisciplinary projects, such as West Coast Route Modernisation, Airdrie Bathgate Reopening and Crossrail ONW. Our current portfolio includes High Speed 2, Borders Railway, new programmes of work for Crossrail, North Doncaster Chord, CASR and the national S&C Renewals programme.

As a provider of design services spanning the entire project lifecycle, we are hiring across a broad range of disciplines, including civil and structural, permanent way, signalling, telecoms, OLE, electrical, geotechnical engineers, ops managers, project and engineering managers.

These opportunities are available across the UK in our Birmingham, Glasgow, London, Swindon and York offices.

URS is a major global business with exciting growth plans in rail that can provide great opportunities for career development.

Please email your CV and covering letter to transportation.recruitment@urs.com

URSGLOBAL.COM/CAREERS

The Permanent Way Institution is the institution for rail infrastructure engineers.

We have over 3000 members globally who benefit from our technical advice and support in their professional development.

Technical Director, PWI The PWI’s Technical Director, John Elliott, will be standing down at next year’s AGM after many years of outstanding service to the PWI. The Board is seeking applications now for this vital and exciting role, prior to appointment at the PWI’s 2013 AGM. The Role The PWI is well-positioned as a professional engineering institution for infrastructure engineers in the rail industry. It has a vast range of technical knowledge at its members’ and the industry’s disposal. The Technical Director is responsible for: • Ensuring that the PWI’s technical reputation is maintained and developed.

• Mobilising the involvement of members in technical review and development.

• Managing the PWI’s relationships with the Engineering Council.

• Broadening the PWI’s technical sphere of influence to encompass all rail infrastructure.

• Developing the PWI’s global reach from its existing strong base.

The Time Investment The PWI expects the Technical Director to spend an average of one day per week on PWI matters. An appropriate remuneration package will be agreed with the appointee.

The Application Process Candidates are requested to submit their CV with a letter of application outlining their approach to the role to the PWI’s Secretary, John Linkin not later than close of business on Friday 16th November 2012. Candidates who wish to have an informal discussion regarding the role prior to submitting their application are invited to contact the CEO, David Packer.

The selection process will take place in November and the successful candidate will take up their position in January 2013.

Managing Editor, PWI Journal The PWI is rejuvenating its quarterly Journal in 2013. We are looking for a Managing Editor to join our motivated team to take a strong role in putting the changes in place and developing the Journal from that point.

The executive team is determined to attract the best candidates and will flex the duties so that the role can be successfully taken on by either an employed or retired person. An appropriate remuneration package will be agreed with the successful candidate.

The Managing Editor’s responsibilities are: • Ensure that the Journal’s content is current and relevant. Use industry and PWI contacts to generate the Journal’s content well ahead of publication deadlines.

• Work closely with the Technical Director to ensure that published content is always accurate and of the correct technical standard.

• Work closely with the Communications Director to ensure that the Journal projects the correct image for the PWI • Manage the PWI’s relationships with its publishing and printing suppliers.

The Application Process Candidates are requested to submit their CV with a letter of application outlining their approach to the role to the PWI’s Secretary, John Linkin not later than close of business on Friday 16th November 2012. Candidates who wish to have an informal discussion regarding the role prior to submitting their application are invited to contact the CEO, David Packer.

The selection process will take place in November.

Contact details can be found at: www.permanentwayinstitution.com

Job Title

Location

Ref

Senior Project Engineer Package Manager Commercial Manager Management Accountant Project Engineer Manager Planner

Euston York Euston Chippenham Croydon Hamilton

90692 90693 ORSGA22 ORSGA23 ORSGA24 GA01

Visit our website for a complete list of Rail positions across the UK and apply online today quoting the ref above.

Orion Rail Services (ORS) are part of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest engineering recruitment specialists Orion Group.

ORS are a Network Rail approved company and are Link-Up accredited to supply a number of rail related positions.

The Group work with some of the largest industry players across rail providing manpower throughout the UK and overseas.

People are our business worldwide

Upload your CV today orionrail.com or email - ors@orioneng.com

54

Glasgow London Manchester

0141 892 6666 0207 405 6300 0161 662 4900

Follow us on

www.railstaff.co.uk

CAREERS

Isle of Man Government

Department of Community, Culture and Leisure •

•

• •

- 0" ! * '+)(*,! "."+"('

(00"' ! ,( $! ' * *", ! "0/ 1+ !• # • + -/( )/•*!• *((0)$/4 • 0'/0- • • $.0- •$.•+ -/•*!•/# *1 -)( )/•*!•/# • .' •*!• ) • # • + -/( )/•*+ - / .•/# • .' •*!• )• / (• $'2 4 •/# • )3• ' /-$ • $'2 4• ) •/# ) ! ''• *0)/ $)• $'2 4•2#$ #•/*" /# -• / -•!*-•*1 -• + .. )" -.•+ -•4 -•( &$)"•/# (•/# • .' ) 5.•(*./•+*+0' -• ' $.0- • ) •/*0-$.(• //- /$*) • # •- $'2 4.•/*" /# -•# 1 • •/*/ '• *!• •($' .•*!•/- & • - •'**&$)"•/*• ++*$)/• )• 3+ -$ ) •+-*! ..$*) '•/*•/# • +*./•*!• *''$)"• /* &• ) " - • # •$) $1$ 0 '•2$''•( ) " • ) • *)/-*'•/# •./ (• ) • $ . '•'* *(*/$1 . •/- (.• ) • '' ..* $ / •- $'•1 #$ ' .•*!•/# •/#- •# -$/ " •- $'2 4.•/*• ''*2 . ! • ) • !! /$1 •- $'2 4•*+ - /$*) • # 4•2$''• 1 '*+• ) $(+' ( )/•( $)/ ) ) •./- / "$ .• ) •2*-&•+' ))$)"•.4./ (. !*-•$) #*0. •- .*0- .• ) • *)/- /•2*-&.

•*!! -•)*/•*)'4• • *(+ /$/$1 •. ' -4• 0/• '.*• )•*++*-/0)$/4•/* )%*4• •- '•,0 '$/4•*!•'$! •• # • .' •*!• )•$.• •'*2•/ 3• )1$-*)( )/ 2$/#• •( 3$(0(•- / •*!•$) *( •/ 3•*!• • ) • )%*4.•*) •*!•/# #$"# ./•- .$ )/•. /$.! /$*)•- /$)".•$)•/# • -$/$.#• .' . *•!$) •*0/•(*- • /// (. "& # • '*.$)"•

*0/•/# • .' •*!•

)•1$.$/•*0-•2

.$/ • /

/ •!*-•!*-( '• ++'$ /$*).•$.• )& ! ! (. &

0-/# -•$)!*-( /$*)• )• •* / $) ( $+ • #$ !• )"$) -•*)• 0''• ++'$ /$*)•+ !-*( •/// (.

-& '! +(-* (%* (. "& • '

&• ) •%* • "& #( + *-• + •/ ' +#*) . •,0*/ •/#

•!-*( • !

*!

, *

. -$+/$*)• )• •* / $) '/ -) /$1 '4• /•/# • " !( • ! *• *1 •- ! - ) •)*

“

together,

we can all advance

At advance-TRS we recognise the challenges faced by both employers and jobseekers when it comes to identifying and attracting that perfect candidate or career.

Our rail industry recruitment experts deliver a bespoke service; guaranteeing that the counterpart you desire is sourced.

We believe that recruitment can be a positive experience, advance’s whole ethos is around saving our clients and candidates time and money, getting it right the first time!

Experts in > > > > > > >

”

Signalling/Systems Permanent Way Telecommunications Civils/Construction Project Services Rolling Stock Electrification & Power

www.advance-trs.com

www.gov.im/jobs

International specialist railway recruiters Call 01483 361061 www.railstaff.co.uk

55

Job opportunities on prestigious projects in London, South East and South West Due to the growing demand from major clients within the railway infrastructure, CarmichaelUK are looking for skilled personnel with current NWR competencies for Permanent and Contract opportunities.

We would like to hear from the following for prestigious projects starting in London, South East and South West England: General Foreman / Supervisors

Works Manager

Site Managers

Sub Agents / Agents

Site / Senior Engineers

H&S Personnel

Quality Personnel

Technical Officers

Project Managers

Register your CV today online or via email in Word format to: rail@carmichaeluk.com Call one of our consultants on: +44 (0) 208 522 8888 Job vacancies posted daily on our website

www.carmichaeluk.com

Specialist contractor with far-reaching and extensive experience in the rail and tram industry throughout the UK

The Swanage Railway invites potential applicants to express interest for the post of

GENERAL MANAGER Persons interested in this exciting leadership opportunity at a top level heritage railway should contact Peter Milford, Company Secretary, to request an information pack.

Due to an expanding workload and extended client base, we are currently recruiting for the following positions within our young and exciting company:

Swanage Railway, Station House, Swanage BH19 1HB cosec@srstaff.co.uk Closing date for applications: Thursday 29th November 2012

All grades of OLE staff

Manchester, London & South East | competitive rates

P-Way Engineer | P-Way Supervisor

London & South East | competitive rates Unit 8, Fleetway Business Park, 14-16 Wadsworth Road, Perivale, UB6 7LD Tel: 020 8998 0010 Fax: 020 8998 6901 Email: enquiries@pod-trak.com

56

www.railstaff.co.uk

CAREERS

Isle of Man Government

Department of Community, Culture and Leisure •

• / 2$

• •

, )-+*,.

*22$)" .* & 2! .,$ !,$. "!

2

$0$-$*)

! ' )$ $21 3-

2 $..!,

!• # • + -/( )/•*!• *((0)$/4 • 0'/0- • ) • $.0- •$.•+ -/•*!•/# *1 -)( )/•*!•/# • .' •*!• ) • # • + -/( )/•*+ - / .•/# • .' •*!• )• / (• $'2 4 •/# • )3• ' /-$ • $'2 4• ) •/# ) ! ''• *0)/ $)• $'2 4•2#$ #•/*" /# -• / -•!*-•*1 -• + .. )" -.•+ -•4 -•( &$)"•/# (•/# • .' ) 5.•(*./•+*+0' -• ' $.0- • ) •/*0-$.(• //- /$*) • # •- $'2 4.•/*" /# -•# 1 • •/*/ '• *!• •($' .•*!•/- & • - •'**&$)"•/*• ++*$)/• )• 3+ -$ ) •- $'2 4•!$// -•/*•/# • +*./•*!• *''$)"• /* &• ' /-$ ' # )$ '• $// - • # •$) $1$ 0 '• 2$''•2*-&•*)•/# •/- (.• ) • ''• ..* $ / •- $'•1 #$ ' .•*!•/# )3• ' /-$ • $'2 4• ) • ) ! ''• *0)/ $)• $'2 4

) • )%*4.•*) •*!•/# •#$"# ./•- .$ -$/$.#• .' . *•!$) •*0/•(*- • 111 "*0 $( # • '*.$)"•

/$*)•- /$)".•$)•/#

)•1$.$/•*0-•2

/ •!*-•!*-( '• ++'$ /$*).•$. +(

0-/# -•$)!*-( /$*)• #$ !• )"$) -•*)•

•*!! -•)*/•*)'4• • *(+ /$/$1 •. ' -4• 0/• '.*• )•*++*-/0)$/4 /*• )%*4• •- '•,0 '$/4•*!•'$! • # • .' •*!• )•$.• •'*2•/ 3 )1$-*)( )/• 2$/#• •( 3$(0(•- / •*!•$) *( •/ 3•*!•

*0/•/# • .' •*!•

)/•. /$.!

)•

•* / $)

•!-*( • !.!,

.$/ • / *0!( !, * &- •

0''• ++'$ /$*)•+ &• ) •%* • . -$+/$*)• )• •* / $) !-*( •111 "*0 $( %* - *-• '/ -) /$1 '4• /•/# • ##$ ! *# /( ) !-*/, !- •/ ' +#*) • **', "*0 $( •• '

. •,0*/ •/# •

*1 •- ! - ) •)*

www.gov.im/jobs

We deliver market leading, turnkey network engineering solutions to the world’s leading businesses. We have an enviable reputation spanning over 30 years, gained working on some of the world’s most technologically advanced communication networks.

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

We have the following vacancies in locations ranging from Sheffield, Birmingham, London and many other parts of the U.K. • • • • • • •

External Resource Manager – Sheffield Fibre Cable Jointer / Tester – Nationwide Possession Planner / Assistant Project Engineer – Birmingham & South East Copper Cable Jointer-Tester – Nationwide Engineering Manager – Sheffield HV Electrical Engineers – Sheffield LV Electrical Engineers – Sheffield

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

Linbrooke Services Ltd Sheffield 35a Business Park Churchill Way Chapeltown S35 2PY t: +44 (0) 844 800 0983 f: +44 (0) 844 800 0984 e: paula.bailey@linbrooke.co.uk 57

CAREERS

Train driver recruitment

open day 7th November Competitive salary, an opportunity to join a final salary pension scheme.

Are you a flexible, enthusiastic and self-motivated QUALIFIED Train Driver?

Would you like to work for the UK’s best performing rail freight operator?

Open day Greenwich, London

Due to continual expansion and on going growth Freightliner Heavy Haul is holding a QUALIFIED Train Driver Recruitment Open Day in Greenwich London.

At: Novotel London Greenwich 173 - 185 Greenwich High Road London, SE10 8JA Open from 10.00-20.00

Freightliner Heavy Haul is interested in applications from flexible, enthusiastic and self-motivated Train Drivers to be based in Hither Green, SE London, who will embrace the challenge of working for a company who places its continuing success on the importance of customer service and product delivery.

All applicants must hold a UK driving licence as there is a requirement to drive company road vehicles.

The job roles will also involve shift work including weekend and night turns of duty which may in turn require you to lodge away from home.

Wednesday 7th November

We are also seeking QUALIFIED train drivers to be based at Bristol, Peterborough and Rugby If you cannot make it to Freightliner Heavy Haul’s open day but would still like to apply/find out more information please contact us via email guttenl@freightliner.co.uk or phone 01270 452412. **We are an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community**

BCM

www.trsstaffing.com

GRC Limited

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

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

Technical Sales Representative Rail Sector

Senior P-Way Design Engineers

Risk & Vale specialist

London/Warrington/Birmingham £350/day or £40 - 70K Working on major new rail projects & station upgrades

London/Birmingham/York/ Manchester - £40 - 60K or £300 - £450/day Experience on rail & infrastructure projects

Senior Civil Engineers (CRE)

Commissioning Engineers

The role will include dealing with all aspects of the procurement chain from specification to end user. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the Signalling & Telecommunications market and E and P sector of the Rail Industry.

London/Birmingham/Warrington & York - £35 - 60K Rail experience including station & bridge designs

London + UK wide - £45 - 70K or £350 - £450/day HV, Traction Power, AC/DC or construction experience

The position will require an individual with the necessary skills and abilities to succeed in today's harsh commercial environment.

Senior Signal Designers

Senior Planning Engineer

London/UK wide - £400/day or £40 - 60K IRSE license, RRI & SSI Design

London, York & Birmingham £320 - 450/day or £55K Rail & construction experience

As the leading manufacturer of Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete (GRC) products to the rail industry, BCM GRC Ltd are looking to recruit an experienced Technical Sales Representative to join our existing team.

Candidates should note that the role will require extensive travel throughout the UK, but regular appointments in London and the South East may be expected.

The salary and package will be commensurate with experience.

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

If you are interested in applying for the position please send a full CV, including any relevant experience to recruitment01@bcmgrc.com

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

www.bcmgrc.com www.railstaff.co.uk

Rail, Infrastructure & Construction 58

Such a great idea! We jumped at the chance to get involved with this event.

Tricia Riley, Director, Human Resources Transport for London

We’re looking for nominations in HR, Recruitment & Training excellence

RailwayPeople

in association with

HR, RECRUITMENT & SKILLS AWARDS ... the launch of the HR, Recruitment

in the areas of HR, Recruitment and

the Olympic and Paralympic games and a

& Skills Awards!

Training management in the Rail industry

need to balance effective delivery with

– deserving the accolade of 'the best in

sustainable efficiency… there has never

the business'.

been a more important time to celebrate the

The awards celebrate the outstanding

best in Rail HR, Recruitment and Skills!

achievements and recognise the excellent work consistently carried out by the best

The awards reflect the fact that HR and

talent in Rail Human Resources,

Human Capital has become integral to

In its maiden year, the Rail HR,

Recruitment and Training.

strategic thinking at the highest level in

Recruitment and Skills awards, provides

the Rail industry.

rail professionals with the recognition they so richly deserve.

It is also a celebration of the considerable HR and Human Capital contribution to the

It's fair to say that the past year has been

success of the Rail industry.

one of the most challenging to date for Rail

The finalists party is on the 8th December,

professionals. Substantial change,

at the ICC and is the Christmas Party for

The awards are open to individuals, teams

supporting the delivery of some of the

Rail Recruitment, HR and Training!

and organisations deemed to have made

largest Rail project portfolios in Europe –

a significant, positive and lasting impact

resulting in unprecedented scarcity of skills,

www.RailHRAwards.com