The RailStaff Awards 2024

Paul Spires

West Midlands Trains

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Sheneen Keen

Said the following about Paul Spires:

“Apart from our love of the railway, Paul Spires and I have nothing in common. We don’t agree on the news or the weather. We steer clear of politics, anything to do with the environment, theology, movies, how to make a decent cup of coffee... You name it, and we disagree on it. So it is nothing short of astonishing, that I fell smack into the path of Paul Spires, at the very weakest point in my train driving career, where he deftly and indelibly performed a training miracle.

I failed to pass out as a train driver, left without direction or support. I’d inexplicably fallen through every process net, despite enormous investment in time and effort. Nothing prepared me for the colossal stigma of failure. I was all alone.

Paul was a relative stranger to me. We’d previously pooh-poohed each other’s taste in hot/tepid beverage before the day fortune smiled on me. As I got up, dusting myself off, Paul happened to be there. He stepped in without hesitation. Paul understood. He saw the bigger picture. He took me under his wing, and the lead on my pass out. Paul inspired me to find the courage to return to the depot, to continue training as a driver.

Paul exceeded his basic responsibilities from the start. He twice gave up his precious free mornings, so I could experience an unusual train move. He fought my corner with gusto, questioned processes, asked all the right questions. He swept up the shattered pieces. He guided me through the ups and downs of putting them back, stronger than before. Instinctively, he adjusted his instructing style. I learned his braking and commentary techniques in a matter of days. Paul helped me rebuild confidence, nurturing my pride in driving trains.

Paul's passion for the railway, and everything and everyone in it, shows in every single thing he does. The way he dresses for work, the way he speaks to our passengers and staff, the way he drives, and the way he instructs. He adjusted my driving over two specific sets of points leading to Euston, to ensure our passengers have a gentle ride as they reach for their luggage, unsteady on their feet. I enjoy quietly observing his sense of pride in watching the flood of humanity from the commuter train we just drove to Euston Station. “We drove all these people into London. For some, this journey will change their lives. We were a part of that.”

Paul has the confidence to speak up when something isn’t right. In one instance, I was being unfairly strong-armed by someone more senior than myself. Paul sat in on our meeting, quietly observing. He politely corrected ambiguities with sensible solutions, with everyone saving face.

He also has the confidence to admit when he is wrong. As a Driver Instructor, his charge missed Watford Junction Station. Paul took full responsibility, and with such admirable grace. When I overshot a platform recently I mitigated based on everything Paul taught me.

Two months after this journey began, I passed out as a driver. I am infinitely grateful for the adversity that led me to Paul. Paul is a fusion of integrity and generosity. The train driver instructor that launched a thousand imitators. Paul Spires is the train driver, and the better person I aspire to be.

Paul’s experience and judgement has been recognised by our senior management, who have asked him to help develop and improve the training programme in our depot. His unique experiences, talents and people skills will serve generations of train drivers in the future, and streamline processes that failed me on the way down.“