UK RAIL NEWS
Scottish tour
Scotland’s rail chiefs have station to mark First ScotRail
been out on tour meeting the gaining Investor in People sta-
people who do the work and tus.
seeing at first hand how the Four more Learning Centres
Carriage
railway functions. were officially opened at
Mary Grant, dynamic leader Dumfries, Inverness and Ayr
of First ScotRail said, ‘The stations and Yoker Depot in
tender jubilation
fourth anniversary tour has Glasgow. Opened in partner-
been a resounding success and ship with Rail Union Learning,
an opportunity for us to recog- the centres are designed to
nise staff for their contribution encourage staff to expand their
to the business, both personal- skills and are dedicated to life-
customers. This is a major step As well as rail chiefs unions are ly and professionally. It is long learning. Free-to-use, theyFour train manufacturers have of the next generation of com-
forward for the Thameslink also jubilant. ‘The sooner our through them that we have offer a classroom environmentbeen invited to bid to supply muter trains in the UK, consul-
Programme that will deliver a railways get this new stock the achieved IiP and delivered high suitable for individual study -the new fleet for use by First tation has also taken place
with the team working on the massive investment to trans- better. But if the main aim of levels of customer service.’ complete with computer facili-Capital Connect.
The trains should come onto Crossrail train specification. form our customers’ journeys. bringing delivery forward is to More staff, stations and ties and library books. Classes
the metals between 2012 and First Capital Connect’s man- We look forward to working stimulate the economy in these depots were visited than ever range from computer skills,
2015. Alstom, Bombardier, aging director, Elaine Holt said, with the Department for tough times it would make even before during the week long maths and English to foreign
Hitachi and Siemens have all ‘We really welcome this invest- Transport and the successful more sense to make sure they event. The tour included a train languages, cookery and even
qualified. With the Thameslink ment to deliver increased manufacturer to deliver these are built in Britain,’ counselled naming ceremony at Aberdeen sign language.
fleet expected to form the basis capacity for the benefit of our exciting new trains.’ RMT general secretary Bob Crow.
Continuous expert wins award
Crichton Storer, a welding expert at WH metalwork for new build surface and welds as well as the overall impression,
Crossley has won international renown in underground rolling stock, lineside equip- colour and detail. Only 20 made it to a
a worldwide competition. ment and vehicle refurbishment. final judging and the top three were ‘head
Mr. Storer, an experienced supervisor at The competition involved using an alu- and shoulders’ above the rest.
the firm, came third in the challenge to minium assembly kit, together with Says WH Crossley’s director, David
construct a miniature model of an F1 rac- Kemppi’s own MasterTig welding machin- Greenwood, ‘We pride ourselves on provid-
ing car organised by German welding ery, to construct the car and customise it ing first class metal work to international-
equipment suppliers Kemppi. For the last as they saw fit. Judges placed special ly-recognised standards so it’s no real sur-
12 years WH Crossley has specialised in emphasis on the quality of the tacks and prise that Crichton has done so well.’
Mary Grant – Managing Director of First ScotRail, Sir Moir Lockhead –
Chief Executive of FirstGroup, Stewart Stevenson – Transport Minister
for Scotland, and Peter Russian – Chief Executive, Investors in People,
Scotland.
Broader band
The Thalys high speed rail wireless Internet on board.
services now provides contin- Together with Nokia Siemens
uous broadband connections Networks, 21Net and Telenet,
throughout the network, in Thalys claims it is the first
Belgium, France, Germany or high speed operator to offer
the Netherlands. Wi-Fi Internet services across
The complete Thalys fleet is four countries at speeds of
equipped with high-speed 300 kph.
Fitting the radome cover to the 21Net satellite receiver.
Work starts
on Bluebell extension
Work has started on the The mayor of East Grinstead, negotiation and preparation to diction of exactly how much
Bluebell Railway’s extension to Ginnie Waddingham and tele- get to this stage. We have car- waste on a daily basis can be
East Grinstead. vision presenter Nicholas Owen ried out a lot of test drilling to removed to landfill or sent for
The route has been blocked – who is a member of the rail- see what material is there and recycling, what it costs per day
by thousands of tons of domes- way – joined staff to set in putting together a methodology and how long absolute clear-
tic waste, which was dumped motion the excavation work. for its safe removal. At present ance is likely to take.’
in the Imberhorne Cutting in Bluebell’s infrastructure direc- the estimated cost is just that, Bluebell is funding the scheme
the 1960s. The cutting now tor, Chris White, said, ‘This is a an estimate. by a share offer launched this
being cleared is 50 metres long very exciting moment for us. It This pilot run will enable us summer and which has raised
and 12 metres deep. has taken many years of careful to make a more accurate pre- almost £500,000.
14 | RailStaff | December 2008
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