People in Rail: Railway Operations

 
Usman Ahmed

Graduate Engineer at Network Rail

BEng Civil Engineering

What does my job involve?

Looking at thousands of railway assets (bridges, tunnels, walls) and making sure they last as long as possible through maintenance & repairs.

What do I like most about my job?

The fact that on Monday I could be checking an examination report, and on Wednesday I could be travelling to site checking the physical asset!

 
Adam Parkinson

Operations Supervisor – Rail Operations Group

CertHE Railway Operations Management 2019

What does my job involve?

I have to prepare trains for service, supervise train movements, undertake safety checks, solve any technical or logistical problems. Engage with signallers, drivers, commercial managers, controllers and other railway staff to get the job done.

What do I like most about my job?

When you know you have solved a problem and that train gets to its destination because of your experience and input, that’s quite rewarding.

 
Rebecca Fennelly

Mobile Operations Manager, Network Rail

BA History

What does my job involve?

The main part of my job is incident response which can cover a vast mix of situations.
When not doing this, it’s my role to ensure the railway remains safe for everyone using it and around.

What do I like most about my job?

I love the variety of it. Every day has to potential for something completely different. You interact with so many people, not just in network rail but also the public, train companies and emergency services.

 
Laura Beverley

Head of Strategic Planning and Assurance

MBA

What does my job involve?

I manage a great team of people who look at startegic planning, portfolio management, reporting against the delivery of the business plan and providing assurance of the plan through internal audit and risk management.

What do I like most about my job?

It’s such a varied role and the many challenges keep me on my toes. Seeing the full lyfecycle from strategy to delivery through to seeing the benefits gives me alot of joy.

 
Hollie Woodard

Project Manager at VolkerRail

APMP

What does my job involve?

My job involves managing multi-disciplinary renewals projects, I am responsible for ensuring my package of works is delivered safely, on time and to budget.

What do I like most about my job?

The thing I like most about my job is working in teams, I believe that by demonstrating collaborative behaviours and use of clear communication all projects can be succesful.

 
Vivek Vilay

STO(Track) Network Rail

Foundation Degree Railway Engineering

What does my job involve?

I work across Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire with Platforms, Bridges, Tunnels, Rail and Track. fault find and propose solutions. Weekends work involves installation. I survey for refurbishment and renewal. I assist renewal work and machines.

What do I like most about my job?

The challenge working on this railway.
Take advantage of dry and calm weather, Independent Working, the improvements made, meeting different colleagues, travelling far seeing the railway amongst the fells and natural landscape.

 
Georgina Cooper

Standards and Competency Management System Manager for GTR and Special Constable for the British Transport Police

BA Hon Sport Coaching and Development

What does my job involve?

Writing/Reviewing Standards and assessments. Monitoring controller competencies for Service Delivery using our bespoke CMS.

I also dedicate a minimum of 16 hours a month to the British Transport Police as a Special Constable.

What do I like most about my job?

Enjoy being part of a people development team which drives improvement maintaining a high performance culture through service delivery.

Passion for helping others and I feel a sense of pride when performing my duties.

 
Simon Aston

Operations Risk Advisor at Network Rail

Degree in English Literature

What does my job involve?

My job involves keeping the public, passengers and our workforce safe on the operational railway, ensuring the safe running of trains past our signals, in and out of our stations and over our level crossings.

What do I like most about my job?

The variety, the pressure and the people. In no particular order.

 
Tommy Gore

Head of Control for Greater Anglia

MA in Politics and Economic and Social History

What does my job involve?

I lead a team of 50+ people located in the GA control centre, where we’re responsible for responding to and managing incidents on a daily basis to make life a little easier for our customers.

What do I like most about my job?

I love getting out and about across our network, and meeting different people. No two day is the same on the railway, and it’s that variety that I love.

 
MD Sadat Rashid

Control System Engineer at Siemens

Aerospace Engineering

What does my job involve?

Signal design and testing to be placed for Network Rail

What do I like most about my job?

Testing and gaining insight in to new problems and solving them