The railway industry is undergoing a transformative journey in how it approaches competence management. In the latest episode of the Rail Technology Magazine podcast, host Jonathan Dean is joined by Gabriel Stroud, CEO and co-founder of AssessTech, and Emma Lowe, a Occupational Psychologist, to explore the shift from compliance-based competence to …

In the bustling heart of London, beneath the city's streets, a silent revolution is taking place. Transport for London (TfL) is undertaking an ambitious project to bring mobile coverage to the London Underground, transforming the way commuters stay connected. In a recent episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast, host Peter Johnson sat down w…

Jon Hill and Ben Parrish from Genetec join the latest episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast. The pair explain the current inefficiencies in the rail industry when it comes to retrieving security footage and discuss Genetec’s Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS), Clearance, which helps to streamline the process. Jon explains how the m…

Railway Industry Association (RIA) Chief Executive Darren Caplan joins the latest episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast. Darren discusses the future of the UK’s rail industry under the new Labour Government, identifying a certain amount of continuity from the previous Government, including plans for continued devolution and the establishm…

We are joined by the Head of Air Operations at Network Rail, Bradley Sparkes, and National Aerial Survey Specialist, Sean Leahy. Bradley and Sean offer some fascinating insight into how Network Rail patrols the British railway from the sky, identifying faults on helicopter and drone explorations. Sean discusses the technology his team uses, meaning…

Chris Gibb is a non executive director of DOHL and was formerly the CEO of Scottish Rail Holdings and COO of Virgin West Coast. He has over 40 years of experience in the rail industry and watched on like the rest of us as Phases 2a and 2b of HS2 were cancelled. Chris joins host Peter Johnson on the latest edition of the Rail Technology Magazine pod…

In this episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast, we chat to Vaibhav Puri, Director of Sector Strategy and Transformation at the Rail Safety and Standards Board. Vaibhav discusses in detail the role of the RSSB in how innovation in rail should be regulated and controlled and what needs to be done to make it as much an environment for innovat…

In this episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast, we chat to Suzanne Donnelly, Director of Passenger Revenue at Great British Railway Transition Team. Great British Railways has a remit to fundamentally change the way that rail in this country is run. It has at its core, a programme of change for the network, and how it can be the best in cl…

In this episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast, we chat to Alicia Andrews, commercial director at Southeastern. Alicia is in charge of the commercial arm of one of Britain’s biggest operators on one of the Britain’s busiest lines. How can operators innovate and keep nimble in such a cost driven environment? Alicia explains how Southeastern…

In this episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast, we chat to Rail Director at STEM recruitment specialists, Matchtech about the challenges facing the industry in recruiting across the multiple different sectors currently and how the industry and the specialisms within rail have changed over the years and how it is still evolving. But we also…

This episode brought to you by Arup takes a further look at how the industry is tackling decarbonisation and managing the competing voices and interests when deciding on how to manage it. This panel discuss how the rail sector asks if the industry is doing everything it can to hit the targets set from across the wider rail sector – From civils and …

This episode brought to you by West Coast Partnership brings together some of the leading voices in regional rail for another one of TCR North’s Leader’s Debate. This panel discuss how the rail sector can collaborate with regional economies to drive growth and increase productivity and take a further look into how transport infrastructure can play …

The needs of customers and the industry at large forms the heart of this debate, as the panel discuss where ensuring the industry needs are in sync with the passengers needs. Of course, to deliver on these improvements, requires budget – And the panel produce a lively debate on where and how spending should be prioritised in a time of restricted bu…

Join us in our first leaders debate from TransCity Rail North 2023, brought to you by Mott MacDonald, where our panellists discuss how putting passengers first can reframe the conversation for the North and deliver better outcomes for both the industry and the passengers Panellists on this debate are; Karen Heppenstall, Head of Rail, Midlands Conne…

In the final episode of our TCR South 2023 Leaders Debate series, we take a look at one of the hottest topics – AI Technology Digitising the railway, complex route networks, tight timetables and growing passenger numbers, IoT and AI artificial will play a major role in the future of the rail industry. This discussion covers all of the major talking…

In episode three of our TCR South 2023 Leaders Debate series, the ambitious Southern Integrated Delivery takes centre stage. The debate looks at the southern regions huge £9 billion renewals programme and the trailblazing alliance that has been brought together to achieve it. The detailed conversation looks at how it was formed, its approach and th…

In episode two of our TCR South 2023, Leaders Debate series, we explore collaboration and what needs to be done within the industry to adopt new solutions. The debate, brought to you by LNER was titled “How do we encourage industry collaboration and the spread and adoption of new solutions to cross-industry challenges” It touches upon the need for …

How does rail manage in a world where every resource comes at a premium? How does it improve and drive changes in the way it does things? These are questions posed in the first Leaders Debate at this year’s Trans City Rail South event; In an era of scarce resources, where does the rail industry focus efforts to modernise and drive productivity? – B…

In this episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast, we take a look back at this years TransCity Rail South event, review some of the key speeches and discussions with highlights from Tim Walden, Rob Thomas, Rubina Greenwood. Collaboration, technological advances, digital evolution and capital investment were key themes discussed over the one-d…

Climate change and how the rail industry is tackling it, is a key question which the industry is needing to confront. But as we look towards an unpredictable future, rail is beginning to get ahead of the challenge with its continued technological advance. Network Rail is at the forefront of this, and in this episode of Rail Technology Magazine, we …

This month’s podcast is with the Head of Digital Ticketing Services at the Rail Delivery Group, John Backway. The podcast covers some of the most pressing issues within the sector currently. John chats about how digital ticketing is changing how people interact with the rail network around them and how the advancing technology is making printed tic…

The latest episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast features Danny Vaughan, the Head of Metrolink in Manchester. Danny has worked in light rail for 25 years and has overseen expansion projects across the city – Including the recently opened Trafford Park Line. He discusses how light rail offers options and flexibility where mainline rail can…

On the latest episode of the Rail Technology Magazine podcast features Will Doyle, CEO of Rail Diary. Will has grown Rail Diary since its inception into a key project management tool that uses data and intelligence to help site and commercial managers make decisions with all of the information in front of them. We look at how data is changing the l…

The latest episode of Track Talk, the rail industry podcast is now available, bringing you closer to the leaders responsible for building, shaping and delivering transformational rail services and infrastructure across the UK. The new episode of the podcast, released today, features Andrew Haines, Chief Executive at Network Rail, and Richard Hill, …

In this latest edition of the Track Talk we sat down with Malcolm Holmes, Executive Director at West Midlands Rail Executive, to discuss his current role and the state of the rail sector within the Midands, then focusing the conversation on Malcolm’s “radical shift” as he transitions into his new role, helming operations for a heritage steam railwa…

This episode of Track Talk sees a discussion with Conservative MP for Milton Keynes South Iain Stewart, Chair of the Transport Committee. The focus of this episode revolves around disruptive technologies within the rail sector, specifically the impact that the new, innovative advancements and trends might have across all modes of transport. The Tra…

During the TransCityRail North event in Manchester, Skanska led a panel discussion that included Ruth Todd, Chief Commercial Officer at HS2, Andrew Wilson, Regional Manager at the Supply Chain Sustainability School, Ciara Pryce, Chief Operating Officer at VGC Group and Andrew Spencer, Head of Procurement & Supply Chain HS2 at Skanska. The discussio…

During the TransCityRail North event in Manchester, AECOM led a panel discussion that included Eoin O'Neill, Network Rail's Capital Delivery Director for the North West and Central Region, Conor Linnell, AECOM's Rail Leader for the North West and Central Region, and Georgia Ehrmann, Avanti West Coast's Head of Network Development and Planning. The …

Key rail industry stakeholders for an in-depth discussion exploring how we deliver a customer focussed sustainable Net-Zero railway. This panel discussion is an interesting discussion exploring the innovation needed to deliver the decarbonisation of the UK’s railway. Speakers Include: Felix Chamberlain, Head of Sustainability, Network Rail Christop…

The successful delivery of £billions worth of infrastructure investment is dependent upon an innovative and well-informed supply chain, which works in tandem with key rail industry stakeholders. During this conversation, we look at the changing face of procurement as we transition towards Great British Railways and the impacts this will have across…

During the TransCityRail South event in London, event partners ARUP lead a panel discussion on how we (whether clients, partners or guardians) of our rail infrastructure assets can work more effectively as a team to instil resilience constrained by limited budgets as the effects of climate change become more apparent on the management of our transp…

Leaders debate Live at TransCityRail South, 28 September 2022 The current control period benefited from £40billion for rail capital projects seeing HS2 run at £22.8billion up to 2025. A further £17.5billion in capital funding has been issued for renewals, upgrades, and enhancements, whilst the London Underground alone spends around £1billion on ren…

Connor Fairhurst, host of Rail Technology Magazine's Track Talk podcast, chatted with Monica Barbosa, Head of Account Development at RSS Infrastructure, on episode 30 of the podcast. Monica spoke on RSS's Integrated Infrastructure Solutions, the importance of safety in the rail industry in terms of both employee safety and mental health care, and h…

On episode 29 of RTM's Track Talk podcast host Connor Fairhurst spoke with Dr Brian Haddock, Seasons and Climate Specialist for Transport Modes from Network Rail on how the rail industry can futureproof against extreme weather events and potential service disruption. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

On Episode 28 of RTM's Track Talk podcast, host Matt Roberts is joined by Neil Robertson, Chief Executive of the National Skills Academy for Rail (NSAR) for an honest conversation around the challenges facing the rail industry, how we can create new opportunities in the sector - particularly through apprenticeships, both for new arrivals to rail an…

On Episode 27 of RTM's Track Talk, host Matt Roberts is joined by Chris Griffiths, Head of Product Sustainability at Marshalls to discuss the opportunities to improve sustainability around our railway stations, the need for standardisation of sustainability metrics to allow for better industry comparisons and what the next steps of the conversation…

On Episode 26 of RTM's Track Talk podcast, brought to you in collaboration with KeTech, our host Matt Roberts sits down with Martin Howard, Customer Service Officer at Chiltern Railways to discuss the work that they have been doing to improve the journey and experiences of their passengers in their stations and on their routes. Hosted on Acast. See…

On this week’s episode of RTM’s Track Talk, host Ailsa Cowen is joined by Gareth Dennis, a Railway Engineer and Writer. Gareth dissects the strong anti-devolution agenda affecting the industry, how our railways are a jack of all trades and master of none and how HS2 is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. Gareth discusses the 40% cut in Transpo…

On this week’s episode of RTM’s Track Talk, host Ailsa Cowen is joined by two guests. Paul Appleton, Deputy Director of Railway Safety and HM Deputy Chief Inspector of Railways at ORR and George Bearfield, Health and Safety Director at Rock Rail. They discuss the increasing awareness of cyber safety in the rail world and why our cyber security is v…

On this week’s episode of RTM’s Track Talk, host Ailsa Cowen is joined by Jim McMahon MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport. Jim divulges why we should be leading from the front on technology and innovation, the dangers around trimming back on HS2, and his belief in the potential of the North, as a real powerhouse and not just as a slogan. Ji…

On this week’s episode of RTM’s Track Talk, host Ailsa Cowen is joined by Steve White, Chief Operating Officer at Govia Thameslink Railway. Steve discusses GTR’s trains testing negative for Covid-19, turning the organisation jar upside down and sprinkling fairy dust across the railways. Steve speaks about progress and how “there’s a whole generatio…

On this week’s episode of RTM’s Track Talk, host Ailsa Cowen is joined by Maria Machancoses, Director of Midlands Connect. Maria talks about the importance of HS2 to the Midlands and the UK, collaborating with DfT and how we need to embrace the railways again. Maria discusses the importance of HS2 to the East Midlands and how it cannot, “be looked …

On this week’s episode of RTM’s Track Talk, host Ailsa Cowen is joined by Tom Moran, Managing Director of Thameslink & Great Northern. Tom spoke about living with a Victorian rail network, the importance of a diverse workforce, turning stations into art galleries and how the days of having a timetable booklet are gone. Tom explained GTR’s three mai…

On this week’s episode of RTM’s Track Talk, host Ailsa Cowen is joined by Ed Akers, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail’s East Coast Upgrade. Ed gives an update on the £1.2bn project, the importance of collaboration and why the project feels like performing open heart surgery on a live patient. Ed talks to us about the Werrington Grade Sep…

On this week’s episode of RTM’s Track Talk, host Ailsa Cowen is joined by Neil Walker, Exports Director at the Railway Industry Association. Neil talks about InnoTrans 2021, how he and his team support UK rail companies when it comes to exporting and why rail is such a vibrant sector. Neil tells us about his role at RIA, where he helps members expo…

This week host Ailsa Cowen is joined by two guests from Network Rail. Martin Mason, Programme Manager, at Network Rail’s Digital Railway and Kelley Quirk, Programme Manager, at Network Rail’s Intelligent Infrastructure programme. They discuss Network Rail’s Intelligent Infrastructure Programme and the rollout of the Track Decision Support Tool. Kel…

David Ollerhead, Programme Director at Network Rail’s Open for Business Programme, joins host Ailsa Cowen for episode 15 of Rail Technology Magazine’s podcast, Track Talk. David discusses playing with trains as a child, investment into our railway and removing barriers for third parties. His career at Network Rail began nine years ago but he self-c…

Louise Coward, Head of Insight at Transport Focus, joins host Ailsa Cowen for episode 15 of Rail Technology Magazine’s podcast, Track Talk. Louise talks about a ‘Head Out to Help Out’ campaign, keeping passengers safe and their ongoing projects. She divulges into the RPI increase on rail fares and says this is not the right kind of issue for passen…

Harriet Glen, Head of Programme Close Out at Crossrail, joins us on this week’s episode of RTM’s Track Talk to discuss the largest construction project in Europe. Harriet gives us an update on the project that was brought to a standstill during lockdown but her “team are working around the clock to provide a detailed recovery plan.” She also told u…

David Rowe, Head of Strategy at Network Rail in the newly established Technical Authority, joins host Ailsa Cowen for episode 13 of Rail Technology Magazine’s podcast, Track Talk, to talk all things innovation in the rail industry. David divulges into how the rail industry is built on new technology and the importance of giving voice and choice to …