Peter Sheppard

In the rail industry safety always comes first. The latest edition of Rail Director has some excellent articles to keep you up to date and learn from what other are doing. Enjoy

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I often get the question about some low cost entry level training that can introduce people to the world of high capacity signalling, covering the two most popular mainstream technologies for that purpose, CBTC and ETCS. The answer is my introductory online training "High Capacity Signalling in a Nutshell". It is ideal for time-constrained professionals as it can be consumed in less than two hours, allowing you to boost your education on this trendy topic over a weekend, including repeat watching if you so wish. Right now this training is available for an additional 24% off when applying the coupon code BF24 at checkout. And the best of this is that the training comes with my industry-leading Q&A support during and for at least 12 months after you taking the course. What is there not to like? You find this training, and lots of other interesting courses which are also 24% off via the same coupon code BF24 on https://lnkd.in/gNJn2B28. But only until 30 November, so make sure you do not sit this out for too long. #railway #signalling #highcapacity #training #onlinetraining #blackfriday #special #docfrankrailservices

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What annoys many of us contractors on the U.K. railway is this over reliance on agencies/sponsors for work. There’s no real comfortable way to adequately plan your life this way, you are always on the “lookout” for “what if”. No sense of real security. So this all trickles down to increased depression, increased depression leads to more fatalities unfortunately and all sorts of negative outcomes. And this can all be so avoided with a system that gives more control to the contractor (the life and soul of the railway). So who really cares about mental health? It’s such a big thing but I believe many reiterate the topic for likes, clicks and funding…. So much cap. Not to even mention the non British people who come here for a better life are less represented in regard to their population ratio, which makes it so hard for them. And I see them get treated anyhow for crumbs and scraps out of fear of losing their livelihood. Give these man some control of their lives so they can contribute much more positively with the economy and in turn circulate the resources throughout the U.K.’s economy to revitalise this nation. The current practices we’re on is unsustainable, and give it a decade or so the consequences of less U.K. innovation and unskilled workers will greatly affect the systems required to run infrastructure. Always think long term. Rant over

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RSSB's monthly magazine for rail leaders Horizon issue 15 out now! How does the synergy between safety, standards, research, and sustainability help rail stay ahead of the curve? Johnny Schute explains why combining these four integral elements helps rail companies remain competitive in an ever-evolving industry. #TeamRSSB

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📢 This. Is. Not. A. Drill. This is a call to climate action for members of the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT). We are delighted today to announce the launch of an important new initiative called ‘CIHT CLIMATES’. I can’t wait for the broad church of our members to step up and engage. Last night I was in London. At 8pm it was sweltering at 28C. I couldn’t imagine being in Delhi where it recently sailed close to 50C …. in 2024. Thanks to the billions of tonnes of CO2 each year still pouring into the atmosphere from human activity, global warming is continuing. New temperature records will be set and broken. Even when annual emissions peak, the CO2 already in the atmosphere will continue doing its work. So where is the world heading? Will global climate action be enough to bend the emissions curve? Or will we follow one of the possible paths depicted by the IPCC that leads towards a catastrophic 4C+ future? What does this mean for the transport sector and the organisations and individuals involved? By exploring possible futures, what insights can we bring back to inform our actions in the present? CIHT CLIMATES – ‘Changing Landscapes for Infrastructure and Mobility: Assessing Transport and Environment Scenarios' – will involve a series of 8 UK workshops from September to December 2024, followed by further online workshops in early 2025. They are open to CIHT members and free to attend – but you need to book a place to secure your spot. Don’t delay! Head to https://lnkd.in/eU2KuhtW The more diverse the attendance at workshops is, the better – whether or not you feel well-informed about climate change and climate action, whether or not you are seriously concerned about the future, whether you are in contracting or consulting, in planning or engineering, or love heavy metal or not – you would be very welcome at one of the workshops. Workshops are day-long allowing participants to fully engage in shared thinking and insights as they explore their views, travel forward as CIHT scouts to 2035, and home in on the priority actions for the different actors in our sector back here in 2024/25. The initiative will later include a survey to gather wider views on where we might be heading and what we should be doing to equip ourselves and our sector for what may be approaching. Please don’t pass this initiative by – spread the word and consider attending. I am looking forward to each and every workshop and can’t wait to see who comes along and what we learn from each other. Thank you Mott MacDonald for sponsoring CIHT CLIMATES and making possible the journey ahead we are about to embark on. P.S. If you're taking part please feel free to bring your authentic self and wear what you like. #climateaction Andrew Crudgington Annette Smith Janice J. Daniel Isichei Andrew Theobald Nikki Van Dijk Sharad D Kerai Swati Mittal Emily See Peter Molyneux Sue Percy Stephen Cragg Thomas Knight Greg Marsden Jillian Anable Kim Yates

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For the rail industry, the travelling public and freight, rail reform is one of the top priorities a new government. Read the Railway Industry Association recommendations to the next government.

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re: https://lnkd.in/gN3tJSe9 This effort to rouse a modicum of common sense here must be given support by all to have any chance. Consider the following: 1. The principle, it would link by rail, into one of the most tourist attractive places to visit in Wales and of international renown Caernarfon for example and 3 University sites, of which Lampeter is under threat, access and brown field demand being two, which rail could serve if the old route and station site is returned to railway use. 2. North Wales terminal Branch into Caernarfon and take on the constantly upgraded A487 trunk road and reduce more pressure on the A55. You get more roads and motorway designs if you do not restore or new-build a local rail alternative. 3. It would be new-build in some cases, so for example Aberystwyth, the old route went in from the north and reversed and had a circuitous route to the south, could a town bypass straight down be considered with an edge of town and Vale of Rheidol Railway with parking for multiple use access and help declutter Aberystwyth town centre? 4. Existing Cambrian lines have been subject to closures, pruning off feeder routes, beit Gobowen or Ruabon links, let alone Blaenau Ffestiniog to Bala! They have also been subject to decades of rationalisation, beit cutting out passing loops (capacity) and modernisation to automation brought savings, but little investment beyond newer trains but capacity on and off the rails is the key critical issue, as overcrowding and inability to see out of a window in a pleasant environment, means deterrent to potential would-be rail users, which in turn sends a negative downward spiral, when the line is brimming with beauty, potential and could be doing a lot more all-year-round trade in these days of 'get it right and demand and supply is the name of the game'. 5. Doing nothing is not an option. 6. Government has to decide which way to go, avoiding the fudge of 'all things to all people, but falling short of pleasing any but shareholders The Welsh Assembly needs a rota of places to meet like Cardiff, Machynlleth (Mid Wales) and North Wales (Llandudno) or 'profiteering going out of industries.' All tiers of governance and transport responsibility need to consult the public, come up with nurturing use and demand and service it. In Switzerland they have special wrap-around windows for some scenic railways and good seating for example, courting audiences to enjoy the railway travel experience. But small-loads of post, pallets and parcels for example, could also have designed-in to normal stock - bring back the modern equivalent of the Guard's Van vestibule for example. But hauled specials, seasonal steam, good, regular normal timetables, can all add up to making the most of an environmentally friendly asset.  7. Coming to Carmarthen - Bangor, yes £2 billion is not to be sneezed at, but would play out in rising usage and modal sustainability for decades if done.

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Rail Leaders Push for #HS2 Extension — Extending to #Euston and #Crewe Could Be a £20 Billion Opportunity The HS2 project, once considered the future of Britain’s #highspeedrail network, has faced multiple challenges, from rising costs to political uncertainty. Recent analysis by the High Speed Rail Group (#HSRG) suggests that extending the line to #Euston in #London and #Crewe in Cheshire could unlock its full financial potential. With the UK government weighing the future of this extension, rail industry leaders argue that the additional investment required could result in long-term savings. According to HSRG, building the line to central London and Crewe would enable the government to lease the operating rights for much more than it could under the current plan, which would terminate at Old Oak Common and Birmingham. The Financial Logic Behind Extending HS2 to Euston and Crewe At the core of HSRG’s proposal is the significant increase in long-term value that a full extension would bring. As it stands, the HS2 line is valued at only £5 billion if it ends at Old Oak Common and Birmingham. Extending the line to Euston and Crewe could increase its value to £20 billion, making the additional £11.5 billion investment a sound financial decision. HSRG recommends selling the rights to operate the line through long-term concessions, similar to how the HS1 route was handled. In 2017, the government sold the concession for HS1 to private investors for £3 billion, and a similar strategy for HS2 could significantly boost returns. This approach would also ensure that the line is fully utilized, delivering greater value for both the government and taxpayers. #Infrastructure Costs vs. Future Benefit Building the HS2 line to Euston and Crewe involves a large upfront investment, but rail experts argue that the long-term benefits far outweigh the costs. An extension would not only enhance the value of the project but also improve the overall efficiency of the UK’s rail network. The National Audit Office has cautioned that ending the line at Old Oak Common would lead to capacity issues on the West Coast Mainline, as high-speed trains would merge onto already congested tracks. Completing the line would create more seamless connections between London, the Midlands, and Northern England, reducing travel times and alleviating pressure on existing rail services. This would also boost the overall economic productivity of these regions, helping to rebalance the UK’s economy and reduce the north-south divide. https://lnkd.in/eEDvMees

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Start the safety journey early in a project and plan the necessary CSM and NTSN resources that HSRS can provide.

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Noise emission from the ventilation system is challenging especially when dealing with the high flow velocity generated by the High Speed Railway System. In this case well established engineering methods do not always provide the right answer... thanks Michael Lotinga to push the knowledge forward in this field.

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RSSB - Making Safe Decisions Taking Safe Decisions provides guidance on aspects of good practice that are properly grounded in risk-based evidence. Decisions that protect the safety of rail industry staff, passengers and others, satisfy the law, and respect the interests of stakeholders, while remaining commercially sound. 🚆 ✍

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🌍 Rail Concessions and Rail Open Access regimes, both have Opportunities and Risks which need apt operations management and regulation. Whilst both are types of rail economic regulation practices, it is the intent and purpose of each, which warrants success of their employment 💡DO they REMOVE Rail Service RISK from government or DO they INCREASE government rail development and service RISK? 🚆 TRANSNOMICS in Effect highlights the value optimization of different types of rail economic regulatory regimes for efficient rail sector development and operations management. #railindustry #transportation #economicregulation #sustainableinvestments #corridormanagement #compliance #railaccess #projectmanagment #safety #railservices

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The theme for World Quality Week 2024 is 'Quality: From Compliance to Performance.' On HS2, over 32,000 people, including 1,600 apprentices, are delivering astonishing infrastructure to create Britain's new high-speed railway - it's a phenomenal undertaking. Compliance, of course, is critical and not something we should ever take for granted. It can take a huge effort to achieve it, especially in a highly-regulated environment. Getting the basics right isn't always easy. However, Quality should never be about 'just' compliance. For me, it's about increasing performance levels, adding value, being outcome-focused and never forgetting the customer - we are in service of them! For the week that's in it, take a few minutes to think about what quality means to you and your colleagues. How does it feature in the culture of your organisation? Does it stand shoulder to shoulder with other drivers like cost and schedule? What can you do to make things better? #worldqualityweek #cqi #hs2

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The London branch of the Safety and Reliability Society are hosting a talk this evening on the Santiago rail crash. Learning from and remembering the victims and survivors of rail accidents is a powerful way to improve how we work today. So why not come and hear about the accident, the court case, and what caused the accident. More detail in the link below https://lnkd.in/eZ2-g9EC

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25 years since the Ladbroke Grove Rail Accident in London....the human loss and tragedy shall never be overlooked. My post is intended to remind those in the railway industry to take the time to understand why railway system safety is achieved not only by application of a series of approved products and standard features....the establishment of risk, the constant challenge to its acceptability and the proding around human behaviours and then listening to those humans who operate that system is where the system safety will come from.. Please download the Cullen Report (it is in 2 PDFs) from the internet and read it...

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“It is clear that in times of stretched resources and budgets, and under pressure to offer a smooth, safe and environmentally conscious service, turning to expert providers can offer a lifeline for rail maintainers.” RS writes about how rail maintainers should seek to collaborate with trusted suppliers to aid smooth and safe running of services. Read the full article here: #UKrail #railways #RailDirector

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At The OPC, we ensure train driver competence is critical to maintaining safety across the rail network. A recent article in Rail Professional features an insightful OPC study that reveals how Non-Technical Skills (NTS) ratings can be used as a Leading indicator to predict future safety incidents for train drivers. This extensive study involved over 200 train drivers from a UK Train Operating Company, gathering data on: 🔸Safety performance 🔸Sickness record 🔸Competence assessments 🔸NTS performance Driver Managers evaluated each driver, comparing them to their peers and grading their performance using an A-D system. After two years, it was found that 55% of the drivers had been involved in at least one safety incident, forming the baseline for this valuable research. The article also explores the difference between Leading and Lagging indicators. While Lagging indicators reflect past safety events, Leading indicators, such as NTS ratings, offer predictive insight, helping to prevent incidents before they occur. Read more: https://lnkd.in/effAfCqS Contact us for more information: https://lnkd.in/eikxmfde  #NTS #HumanFactors #Rail #SafetyCritical #TrainDriver

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Check out this article about our plans for remote monitoring at Protech......

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Control Centre Functional Characteristics: Operational Constraints of legacy signalling systems: i. Initiate immediate emergency stops are only possible at fixed locations where signals are located. ii. Boundaries Temporary Speed Restrictions are in accordance with Block Section and usually wider than the area to be protected. iii. Track conditions definition (Neutral section zone, Axle load, Air Conditioning, No stop location) are also limited to fixed locations and upfront announced time periods. iv. The removal of a route already dedicated to a train takes time due to the fact that the route is blocked during a period of time to guarantee that the corresponding train is actually stopped. The situation improved by the ERTMS: The European Train Control System (ETCS) is in permanent contact with the trains and knows precisely and permanently their position, their speed and their braking distance. This allows controlling the trains with the highest flexibility and efficiency, such as: 1. Immediate emergency stops everywhere and at any time. 2. Temporary Speed Restrictions applied exactly on the portion of track which must be protected without disturbing the rest of the track. In addition, the operator remains in permanent direct contact with the drivers by sending operational messages (operation information) via text messages (in the case of ETCS) or voice communication call (GSM-R cab radio ). Global Supervision of train operations by ERTMS: ERTMS Level 2 and 3 provide train position reports with additional train information like actual train speed, location, mode of operation (trip, system failure) and unique identity. Other type of information like train data, odometry problems may be provided to the control centre and to the remote maintenance system. The position report is worthwhile to anticipate traffic management and support the operators decision. The train describer uses directly train identities instead of making reference to pre-defined tables and specific algorithms for initialization follow up and reset. This informs the Control Centre exactly which train is where whatever the situation, including highly degraded situations. This interoperable dialogue with trains through the exchange of various standard information regardless from train type and characteristics allowing for an improvement of train operations. Enhance the reliability of train operations by ERTMS: The reports of the actual situation with accuracy allow for the allocation of incident root cause, so that train operators and infrastructure managers can agree on possible penalties in case of a delay. Automated Train Operation (ATO) can be included in the Control System, regulating the train speed according to the trains track position and the timetable, checking whether it is running behind schedule and saving as much energy as possible with precision stopping at stations to support operations.

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