celebrating all that’s great about rail€¦ · ukria 2015 ukria 2015 celebrating all that’s...

Rail Technology Magazine Feb/Mar 2015 | 23

UKRIA 2015

UKRIA 2015

CELEBRATING ALL THAT’S GREAT ABOUT RAIL

RTM’s Adam Hewitt, David Stevenson and Sam McCaffrey report from the UK rail industry’s most prestigious awards night. There were more than 200 nominations for our 21 independent judges from the industry to sort through, with 58 organisations

making it through to the shortlist. Here’s your full guide to the night. Photography by Peter Alvey of Alvey & Towers.

24 | Rail Technology Magazine Feb/Mar 2015

UKRIA 2015

CELEBRATING RAIL SUCCESS AT

UKRIA 2015More than 800 rail professionals attended the 2015 UK Rail Industry Awards (UKRIA) at Battersea Evolution to celebrate the great successes of the sector in the last 12 months.

The full list of winners, and more about the winning projects, is overleaf.

During the evening, hosted by comedian Miles Jupp, delegates were treated to an inspirational video-link message from the minister of state for transport, Baroness Kramer, and an entertaining and informative keynote speech from the DfT’s managing director for passenger services at the Rail Executive, Peter Wilkinson. After getting big laughs for a series of humorous excuses given by drivers and guards for delays, Wilkinson explored some of the major issues the industry and Department is facing, from ageing rolling stock to passenger information during disruption.

He said many people in the room working for train operators, Network Rail and other industry bodies had the “hardest jobs in public service today”. He said: “This is a great industry. You are great companies.

“When Brunel built the railways, he never once landed a project on time or on budget. He hurt a lot of people; the projects were politically unacceptable and stakeholders hated them at times. Thank god he did, though, because we have a railway. So when you hear all the news stories about our projects that are over-running, over-budget, just ask yourself whether people in 20 years’ time will care as much about that.”

At a bustling champagne reception before the main event, Mike Pollard, head of collaborative working at Network Rail, told us: “Events like this are very important, it’s an opportunity for people to get together and

network. It brings the industry much closer together. It’s a fantastic time to be a part of the rail industry, with lots of opportunities in lots of sectors.”

Mike Stubbs, director of London Overground, said the Awards “motivate us as an industry towards excellence and doing really well.” He said: “Sometimes the rail industry gets quite negative feedback from our customers, the passengers. So it’s good to celebrate what is good about the rail industry.”

Graeme Bunker, rail operations development director at Serco, said: “It’s a great opportunity to recognise those individuals and companies who go the extra mile, who go beyond the ‘9 to 5’. Fantastic evening.”

Amanda White of Transport for Greater Manchester, one of the independent pan-

@rtmnews Feb 19And we’re off! Guests are walking the #UKRIA2015 red carpet!

@Philippa_IMechE Feb 19So the rooms filling up here with a buzz of anticipation #UKRIA2015

@rtmnews Feb 19A message from Baroness Kramer #UKRIA2015


UKRIA 2015

industry panel of judges for the evening, said it was an important time for rail because of the “political momentum” behind the industry and she congratulated everyone who was shortlisted.

The event raised nearly £5,000 for the Railway Children charity – full details on p32 – and you can see on page 35 the sponsors who made the event possible.

Ebony Soltani is from Linbrooke Services, which sponsored the Corporate Social Responsibility Award, won by Alstom Transport Ltd. She said: “As proud winners last year, we wanted to spread the message by making sure we sponsored it this year. The event has been excellent, and it’s amazing to see so many great projects shortlisted.”

Charley Atkinson spoke to us on behalf of Virgin Trains, which won the Apprenticeship

Development Scheme, run in conjunction with Manchester Metropolitan University. She said: “It means a lot to all 10 of us to win this award today, because we’ve all worked really hard towards this. It’s been a labour of love, but it’s been worth it. The event’s fantastic.”

Dave McClelland, national infrastructure manager for Marshalls, called the UK Rail Industry Awards “an absolutely superb event”, while Andy Bell, programme director at Thales for its work with London Underground (LU) to re-signal the Northern Line, said: “It’s nice for the team – both Thales and LU – to be recognised for their hard work, collaboration and one-team approach. It’s been a great achievement to deliver the Northern Line ahead of schedule and under-budget, and I think it’s a fair reflection of all the hard work the joint team have put in.”

The awards garnered a lot of attention on social media, with hundreds of tweets pouring in about the event. To see what people had to say look up #UKRIA2015 on Twitter.

Malcolm Dobell won the Lifetime Achievement Award after a career at LU. Asked how he felt, he said: “Humbled, really. Everything I’ve achieved over the years has been through working with teams of excellent people – perhaps I’ve contributed a bit, but in the end it’s all our combined efforts. It’s been a long career and an enjoyable career – it’s been like doing a hobby, every day.”

Philippa Oldham, head of transport and manufacturing at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, was one of the pan-industry judges at the awards, and presented

Continued on p30

Photography: Peter Alvey, Alvey & Towers

@UKRIAnews Feb 19The champagne reception is underway, grab a drink and mingle! #UKRIA2015

@jeremyvdb Feb 19Great evening at #UKRIA2015


UKRIA 2015

WINNERS UKRIA 2015

Corporate Social Responsibility

Environmental & Sustainability

Electrification

Cost Base Reduction

Collaborative Working

Apprenticeship Development Scheme

Alstom Transport Ltd

Interfleet

Furrer+Frey Virgin Trains

Unipart

Gatecare Ltd

Two years ago Alstom made a conscious decision to prioritise diversity and engagement with young people, as part of its corporate social responsibility offering. The contribution and efforts by the CSR team have led to a real positive impact across the business.

Interfleet’s Energyx solution is a revolutionary cloud-based system that receives energy data from meters fitted to electric trains, allowing companies to manage and analyse energy usage through a wealth of analysis and reporting options.

Network Rail and Furrer+Frey collaborated to develop a new OLE system, Series 1, for higher speeds, with universal interoperability, to be deployed on the Great Western. It has now passed rigorous testing and Great Western is working towards the first major commissioning in September 2015 between Reading and Didcot.

The POGO (Power Operated Gate Opening) system was designed by Gatecare Ltd with the key objective to improve safety on User Worked Crossings. So far, Network Rail has purchased 375 systems for installation at crossings across the network.

Unipart Rail worked closely with FirstGroup to develop consistent, embedded and successful collaborative working arrangements between customer and supplier. This innovative approach resulted in a Joint Strategic Relationship Statement being developed.

The Virgin Trains RedTrack programme is an undergraduate scheme, run in conjunction with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), where 11 young people work full-time for Virgin Trains – and complete a BA (Hons) in Business Management and part of the IRO Certificate during their three-year fixed-term contract.

SPONS

OR

SPONS

OR

SPONS

OR

SPONS

OR

SPONS

OR

SPONS

OR


UKRIA 2015

WINNERS UKRIA 2015

Graduate Development Scheme

Colas Rail Ltd

Colas Rail has invested, both financially and through leadership time, in its ‘Future Leaders’ programme. The scheme takes graduates from engineering and non-engineering disciplines and fast-tracks them into high-level management roles in just two years.

Mobile Technology Light Rail

First Great Western Transport for Greater Manchester

A new touchscreen interface panel, created with the assistance of Navaho Solutions, has been rolled out to all the engineering depots and departments within First Great Western. This has led to better colleague engagement and a reduction in the risk of errors with regards to the VMI and also the yard interface screen.

In Nov 2014, the new 14.5km Metrolink line to Manchester Airport came into passenger service. Marking the completion of the biggest locally-funded transport project in the UK (£398m), it was delivered more than 12 months ahead of schedule with around £10m of cost savings.

Operator of the Year Marketing & Communications

GB Railfreight First ScotRail

In 2013-14, GB Railfreight’s turnover exceeded £100m for the first time. Using innovative and bespoke solutions, technological advancements and capital investments, the rail freight operator was able to improve performance levels and optimise outcomes for its customers.

First ScotRail has adopted a company-wide environmental strategy that embraces ambitious energy reduction and waste management strategies, which have led to it saving money and carbon through renewable energy, power conservation, recycling and education campaigns.

Research & Development

Gatecare Ltd

Gatecare’s solar-powered POGO (Power Operated Gate Opening) system has been designed to improve safety on User Worked Crossings. Network Rail has bought 375 systems to install at crossings across the network, giving farmers and landowners a safer solution whilst crossing their land.

SPONS

OR

SPONS

OR

SPONS

OR

SPONS

OR

SPONS

OR

SPONS

OR


UKRIA 2015

Outstanding Project – Large (over £20m)

Product Innovation

Passenger Safety

Rail Asset Management & Security

Outstanding Project – Small (under £3m)

Outstanding Project – Medium (£3m to £20m)

Cubic Transportation Systems

Balfour Beatty Rail

British Transport Police

SmartWater

Story Contracting Limited

Bourne Steel

To bring the benefits of contactless payments to transport in London, TfL worked with Cubic to integrate a fare media reader to its middle and back office infrastructure. From mid-September 2014, contactless was introduced on the Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and most National Rail services in London, as well as on buses.

Balfour Beatty Rail and a team of experts worked with Network Rail to develop XiSPAN, an innovative, cost-effective strengthening solution. This product has the potential to transform masonry arch bridge strengthening in the rail sector.

The Emergency Intervention Unit allows a joint police and Network Rail response to serious operational incidents that pose a threat to life or serious disruption to the railway. A 10-month review revealed that the unit’s vehicle was deployed 619 times, and has been vital in saving lives, reducing disruption and recovering lost rail minutes.

By analysing Network Rail’s crime data, SmartWater has been able to identify potential risk areas, hotspots and crime trends. This led to the company devising a holistic asset management and security strategy, which has offered significant reductions in delay minutes and improved performance.

Working with Network Rail, Story Contracting developed an innovative solution for the construction of a new overbridge to replace the high-risk level crossing at Pleasington Golf Club in Lancashire. The new structure keeps pedestrians safe and away from trains.

The Reading Station project required Bourne Steel to manufacture and deliver 1,400 linear metres of new gull wing platform canopies to serve 15 station platforms, in a ‘live’ station environment. The company used an off-site building approach, delivering to a demanding site schedule, on time every time.

SPONS

OR

SPONS

OR

SPONS

OR

SPONS

OR

SPONS

OR

SPONS

OR

WINNERS UKRIA 2015


UKRIA 2015

Training & Development

Traction & Rolling Stock

Workforce Safety

Recruitment Excellence

Young Rail Professional

Signalling & Telecommunications

Linbrooke Services Ltd

London Underground

Northern Rail

McGinley Support Services

Samantha Dunn – Northern Rail

Thales and London Underground

Linbrooke Services has developed ‘Action On’ to provide all its operatives with in-depth first aid training, including scenario-based training, to reflect the real-life situations that operatives may encounter.

A collaborative R&D project led by London Underground is looking at the development of a commercially viable lightweight train door using state-of-the-art composite materials and manufacturing processes.

Northern Rail introduced its five-year employee safety behaviour project in 2011 to cut the number of staff accidents. The operator has also provided frontline staff with ‘Stay Safe’ training, giving them the skills to deal with potentially threatening situations. Since its introduction, assaults on staff are down by 40% in 12 months.

McGinley Support Services is committed to recruiting, retaining and developing a workforce that reflects, at all grades, the diverse communities it serves. The company has a long-term staff retention strategy, which has cut staff turnover over the past three years.

Since joining Northern, Samantha Dunn has played a key role in business development support, which has contributed to the capacity and demand modelling influencing the franchise. She has also brought a fresh view, enthusiasm and excellent support and people skills to the table, helping Northern to transform its understanding of customers.

A ‘One Team’ approach between Thales and London Underground was essential to ensuring the re-signalling of the Northern Line was completed on time. The project, using the SelTrac Transmission Based Train Control system, was actually delivered six months ahead of schedule.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Malcolm Dobell – London Underground

Over 45 years with London Underground, Malcolm Dobell rose from the position of engineering trainee to head of train systems. During his time in this position he had lead responsibility for rolling stock, signalling, track and power assets and their associated standards.

SPONS

OR

SPONS

OR

SPONS

OR

SPONS

OR

SPONS

OR

SPONS

OR

SPONS

OR


UKRIA 2015

Continued from p25the Rail Asset Management & Security Award. She said: “It was an award that highlighted innovation and really captured the heart of what engineers are up to in the world of asset management. The shortlist was amazing: it highlighted real collaborations between different organisations, but also companies that had got existing skills and how they could develop them. It’s been a fantastic evening, and I was blown away by the ice sculptures on the table!”

Kuldeep Gharatya, head of technical strategy and innovation at LU, was proud of his team’s win in the Traction & Rolling Stock category for work on ‘Introducing Aerospace Materials to Rail’ with partners including Atkins Aerospace, the National Composites Centre, Wabtec Rail and University College London. As part of the ‘Accelerating Innovation in Rail’ competition, they are developing a commercially viable lightweight train door.

He said: “Our company has 150 years of innovation, but let’s face it, trains are a bit big and heavy. We should make them lighter, and that’s what we’ve been trying to do.

“This project has brought some fantastic people from other industries together. If we put this door on just one train, that saves well over a tonne. Imagine that in terms of energy, sustainability and track wear – what we’re trying to do and what we want to do is build all our trains from this material.”

Mark Walker of the GNGE Alliance said: “This evening is hugely important because this is the award ceremony that really celebrates construction in the rail industry, and the delivery of major projects.”

Entries will be opening soon for the 2016 Awards – visit: www.ukria.com for updates.


UKRIA 2015

“THE EVENT HAS BEEN EXCELLENT, AND IT’S AMAZING TO SEE SO MANY GREAT PROJECTS SHORTLISTED. IT’S BRILLIANT.”

- Ebony Soltani, Linbrooke Services


@CubicTS Feb 24Nicely decorated banquet hall for #UKRIA2015 last week--matching the #railindustry stars in the room! #transit

@MarkWalker59 Feb 19Pete Wilkinson of DfT (still the man in black) pays tribute to amazing safety record of GB rail #UKRIA2015

@trixinixinic Feb 19Enjoying the fabulous train Oscars #UKRIA2015 well done !!! @poppytilt

@madhenband Feb 20Great crowd tonight @BatterseaEvo for the #UKRIA2015 Thanks to all involved. Hope to see you all next year! #madhen


UKRIA 2015

At this year’s UK Rail Industry Awards (UKRIA), attendees raised just shy of £5,000 to support the Railway Children, an international children’s charity that works to reach vulnerable children on the streets of the UK, East Africa and India.

During the evening delegates heard from Andy Ridout, managing director of rail recruitment specialist advance-TRS, who is taking part in multiple fundraising events this year, starting in March with a 113km trek to the base camp at Mount Everest in aid of Railway Children.

The ‘Train to Everest’ trek will see Andy and company trekking six to eight hours a day for 12 days to reach the camping plain that sits at 17,600ft – nearly two-thirds of the way up the world’s highest summit. By taking on these herculean challenges, Andy is hoping to raise more than £6,500 for the charity.

At UKRIA, small envelopes were placed on the tables for people to make a donation. What followed was truly amazing. Guests at the event raised a staggering £4,780 – putting Andy well on his way to hitting his target.

Speaking from the stage, Andy explained: “I approached Rail Technology Magazine to ask them if we could stick envelopes on the tables and have Railway Children as the charity of choice for tonight. And without even a hesitation, they immediately said: ‘Yes, without question Andy, that would be a pleasure.’ So I want to say a big thank you to them – to Roy Rowlands, junior and senior, and the

team, for letting me stand here tonight and talk about something very close to my heart.”

Speaking to RTM after the event, Andy said: “I am completely overwhelmed with the response from each and every guest who donated to Railway Children at UKRIA 2015. “It is a testament to the generosity and integrity of the industry, that everyone was able come together and raise such a substantial amount of money for what is an outstanding cause. I am incredibly grateful to Rail Technology Magazine for helping provide a platform for us all to make a difference in the lives of thousands of children worldwide.”

Katie Mason, events manager at the Railway Children, who arranged for a video from the charity to be broadcast at UKRIA, added that the organisation was very grateful to the rail industry for all the support it provides.

“To have raised nearly £5,000 from one evening is a fantastic result. The money raised will make such a difference to the work we do to ultimately save children’s lives in the UK, India and Africa,” she said.

“This money could save over 200 children from the streets in India, care for their basic needs and find a safe place to stay. If we act when they first arrive onto the streets we can really make a difference, as we know that early intervention gives us the best possible chance of protecting a child from abuse and restoring relationships.”

UKRIA RAISES ALMOST £5,000 FOR RAILWAY CHILDREN


@MarshallsGroup Feb 19@RailwayChildren a fantastic charity being supported at tonight’s #UKRIA2015 Awards, dig deep everyone! @UKRIAnews


UKRIA 2015


UKRIA 2015

THANK YOU TO ALL THE SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS

FOR UKRIA 2015

ENTRIES BEING TAKEN SOON FOR UKRIA 2016

COULD YOU BE NEXT YEAR’S WINNER? VISIT: WWW.UKRIA.COM

celebrating all that’s great about rail€¦ · ukria 2015 ukria 2015 celebrating all that’s...

Documents