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PEOPLE RAILWAYMAN SAYS GOODBYE AFTER 49 YEARS ON JOB GNER has said a fond farewell to one of its longestserving members of staff. Len Abram, 64, is retiring Abram sees after 49 years’ off his last train. service on the railway in north-east England – much of it at Darlington station. Friends, colleagues and passengers burst into a spontaneous round of applause as Abram waved off his final train departure at Darlington station. ‘I’m touched by the reaction of staff and passengers to my own departure,’ said the railwayman.‘I’ve made many friends here over the years and I’ll miss them all.’ He started his railway career as a message lad on Darlington station in 1957 – in the days of steam. LYONS JOINS INTERFLEET Rail technology consultancy Interfleet has appointed Adrian Lyons CBE, the former director general of The Railway Forum, as strategic advisor. Prior to heading up the Railway Forum, Lyons held several high profile logistics roles in the MOD. Managing director David Rollin said: ‘Interfleet is delighted that Adrian has come onboard as strategic advisor. His remit is to help develop our business consulting offering, while auditing where we are now.’ Adrian Lyons Ian Mylroi Meanwhile, Ian Mylroi has returned to Interfleet as a member of the Business Consulting team at its Derby office. Mylroi worked for Interfleet in London, but left to take on the role of engineering director at ScotRail. FORMER SRA CHIEF EXECUTIVE GOES TO MVA MVA Consultancy is to take on ex- Strategic Rail Authority chief executive Nick Newton as director of rail strategy and development. Newton has a history of leading policy development and implementation in complex commercial fields. Chief executive Nigel Ash said: ‘Nick has a fine commercial mind and will be invaluable to us, given his previous positions at the Strategic Rail Authority, Southeastern Trains, the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising and London Transport.’ NEW STAFF WILL WEED OUT VEGETATION PROBLEMS IN SOUTH OF ENGLAND Thurlow Countryside Management, which manages invasive weeds, has taken on three new members of staff. Mark Prout, 32, is to be south-west business manager, having previously worked as projects manager for the West Country Rivers Trust. Sarah Wakefield, 26, is the new south-east business manager. A geography and environmental science graduate, she previously worked in the contaminated-land department of the Scott Wilson office in Kent. Since joining TCM,Wakefield has set up a new Kent office. New financial director Richard Freeman, 41, is a chartered accountant. PRODUCTS AND SERVICES APERIO ATKINS SCHEIDT & BACHMANN Much of the railway network is linked with the beauty of the countryside, rubbing shoulders with nature for hundreds of miles. Maintenance of the railway in rural areas, therefore, requires care to safeguard the welfare of local wildlife. Badgers, for instance, are sometimes attracted to railway embankments to make their setts, which usually consist of a network of tunnels with multiple entrance holes. In some cases, they may require infilling to maintain the embankment, after careful environmental management to relocate any badgers still using the sett. Of course, wherever there are hidden problems underground, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) can usually help out. Survey specialist Aperio has been contracted to provide GPR for a Network Rail project in the West Country to stabilise embankments affected by badger excavations. Pinhoe, on the London Waterloo-to-Exeter line, was one of the first sites to be tackled, as well as sites at Cowley Bridge, Cutnall Green and Munsley.The contracts were scheduled to take place between July and November, when the badgers are not breeding and it is still warm enough for younger and older badgers to move on. Badgers were present at Pinhoe, so the first task was to resite them.Vegetation was taken down to ground level and the area was netted by the project contractor, Dean & Dyball. A one-way gate was then installed by the environmental consultant,ADAS, at the entrance to the sett allowing badgers to leave but not return. Engineering work could then begin. ● www.aperio.co.uk Atkins officially opened its Vauxhall Training Centre on 23 March, when it held an open day at the new facility. Music producer and rail enthusiast Pete Waterman was accompanied by Atkins CEO Keith Clarke in opening the new centre, which has four large purpose designed classrooms, all fitted with ceiling-mounted projectors. Those who attended the open day were able to learn more about Atkins’ wide range of course options, discuss training needs and bespoke programmes, have a guided tour of the site and take part in a Q&A session with a panel of experienced trainers. Julie Hirons, training manager, said: ‘The open day was a great chance to listen to our customers’ needs and priorities, and to make sure all our clients knew about our wide course range. Our feedback from the day shows quality, location and course range are top priorities when choosing a training provider, all of which we count as our best strengths.’ The company’s Network Rail training at Vauxhall is extensive and includes all core competencies, specialist courses and now track induction and core planner courses. London Underground training is also offered, as well as tailor made courses within the health and safety sector, including the Safety Passport programme. Atkins CEO Keith Clarke says:‘Good training and sound technical skills are vital to safe working, but no less than empowering everybody to act responsibly and stop when in doubt.A safe culture is one when all are respected.’ ● www.atkinsglobal.com Scheidt & Bachmann GmbH has recently installed its 1,000th ticket vending machine (TVM) on the national rail network – at Bridge of Allan station, for First ScotRail.To commemorate this landmark achievement, Scheidt & Bachmann and First ScotRail jointly organised a 1,000th TVM event at Bridge of Allan station, on 26 March 2007. Representatives from both companies were present to celebrate the occasion. First ScotRail was Scheidt & Bachmann’s first customer in the UK, purchasing 25 TVMs in 2003. Subsequently, the fleet size has grown to over 75 TVMs through funding from both First ScotRail and Transport Scotland.The installed fleet has been modified, as additional functionalities, such as chip and pin, have become available. By April 2007 First ScotRail will have 115 Scheidt & Bachmann TVMs across Scotland. On 1 March 2007 Scheidt & Bachmann opened a northern service centre, employing three local engineers, to help provide the service requirements for the First ScotRail region. Steve Montgomery, of First ScotRail, said:‘The provision of ticket vending machines at stations is proving very popular with customers who are able to make quick and convenient ticket purchases prior to travelling.We are committed to enhancing facilities at stations across Scotland and will continue to invest in raising the quality of service we are providing for the benefit of our customers.’ ● www.scheidt-bachmann.com 38 RAIL PROFESSIONAL : MAY 2007
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES SIEMENS Leading supplier of control and asset management solutions Transmitton, now part of Siemens Transportation Systems (STS) Infrastructure Rail Communications group, has won a contract alongside STS’s Infrastructure Electrification group to provide new equipment for Network Rail’s infrastructure, which allows a fully integrated SCADA approach into the switchgear. The 25kV National Oil switchgear replacement project will end in 2008. As a result of various electrification equipment renewals across the network, SCADA systems must be modified to accept newer variants of switchgear. There are two types of oil switchgear to be renewed under this scheme – Switchgear & Cowan type K11, and ASEA.While the overall renewal programme consists of around 290 circuit breakers, this scheme addresses 24 sites, which are due for replacement. Out of 24 sites,Transmitton will undertake work associated with 21. Nineteen sites are connected to the Romford electrical control room and two are connected to the existing Transmitton control system at Cathcart. Fastflex provides a common approach for future switchgear renewal schemes (with respect to the SCADA design) by using a single fibre cable loop that connects key items of substation SCADA equipment in a distributed arrangement. Using fastflex’s distributed capacity, modules can be installed within each piece of switchgear, so reducing cabling and providing cost benefits to the overall SCADA solution. Transmitton account manager John Weston said:‘For SCADA control and monitoring, using fastflex is not only forward-looking but also provides a fully integrated switchgear solution that is more cost effective to install.’ ● Call 01784 461616 HOLDFAST HoldFast, Europe’s leader in level crossing systems, has launched a new identity.After 20 years, it has dropped the familiar red triangle and opted for a sweeping red and green rail abstract, and a new strap line:‘Working For a Better Rail, Road and Urban Environment.’ All products are now being offered in two distinct ranges: Rail Crossing Solutions and Urban Transport Solutions.A new website is also under construction at www.holdfastsolutions.com Sales and marketing director Mark Coates Smith is behind the project.‘My father Peter has developed a brand known for being friendly, innovative and producing products that are durable and simple to install and maintain. ‘I now want HoldFast to build on this reputation and reflect our willingness to innovate and our very strong green credentials, turning waste rubber into transport infrastructure. ‘We are applying these credentials in rising to the challenge of urban congestion with products such as Carpet Track, HoldFast Rubber Highways, HoldFast Bus Lanes and HoldFast Paving.’ ● Visit www.railcrossings.co.uk www.holdfastsolutions.com WILKINSON STAR Wilkinson Star Limited, the Worsley, Manchester based industrial equipment supplier and sole UK representative for MOSA petrol driven welding and generating sets, has launched the MOSA TS200-RW (PADS No. 094/007031). This generator, which has been specifically modified to meet the requirements of Carillion Rail with Network Rail Approval (certificate number PA05/02502), is a portable wraparound protective frame design, air-cooled, petrol driven welder generator rated 190A @ 60 per cent duty cycle with a safety critical 110V CTE 4kVA AC auxiliary output for running power tools and other ancillary equipment. Features of this generator include use with a separate 300A wire feed unit for MIG/MAG welding; a 20m TC2-RW umbilical remote control and emergency stop button; infinitely adjustable electronic stepless welding current control; a Honda GX390 OHV four-stroke petrol engine operating at 3,000 rpm; and re-coil starting.The 6.5 litres fuel tank capacity produces an engine running time of 3.5 hours at 60 per cent load.This generator meets EC engine noise compliance regulations and the DC output produces smooth high-quality welding characteristics. Options include heavy duty 10m x 50mm 2 welding cables, an inline digital welding amp and volt meter, whilst the PAR600-RW parallel welding control box allows two welder generators to be connected together for heavier duty welding. ● Call 0161 793 8127 IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR PRODUCT FEATURED HERE CALL ROB TIDSWELL ON 01223 477427 RECRUITMENT
Page 1: PROFESSIONAL THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Page 4 and 5: NEWS Putting rail on the political
Page 6: NEWS ISLE OF WIGHT’S TRAINS SOLD
Page 9 and 10: POLICY TRANSPORT MUST GO GREEN Chri
Page 11 and 12: NEWS ANALYSIS FEATURE Justin Graing
Page 14 and 15: INTERVIEW ‘We are key to UK plc,
Page 16 and 17: TRANSPENNINE EXPRESS FIRST PAST THE
Page 18: TRANSPENNINE EXPRESS Vernon Barker
Page 21 and 22: SMOKING BAN Bob Crowley, head of em
Page 23 and 24: INFRASTRUCTURE Main picture: wwwlra
Page 25 and 26: INFRASTRUCTURE At 8.1 metres in dia
Page 27 and 28: COMMENT LEARNING FROM PAST MISTAKES
Page 29 and 30: Compare, for instance, the thousand
Page 31 and 32: LEGAL OPINION although the new (200
Page 33 and 34: IRO NEWS DIARY OF EVENTS SCOTTISH A
Page 35 and 36: BUSINESS NEWS TRAVEL PERKS ROW THRE
Page 37: PEOPLE PEOPLE ROUND-UP CARILLION DI
Page 41 and 42: TO LIST YOUR APPOINTMENTS CALL Rob
Page 43: TO LIST YOUR APPOINTMENTS CALL Rob

move over freightliner, we want to get into ... - Rail Professional

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