Rail Engineer of the Year

Name: Tony Miller
Job title: Lead Asset Condition and Development Manager, Lifts & Escalators
Company: London Underground
Location: Templar House, WC1V 6NU

Why they should be this years rail engineer of the year?
“Tony Miller is very dedicated to his job as Lifts & Escalators engineer. Not only he is very knowledgeable in his discipline, he is efficient, enthusiastic and professional. He endeavours to resolve issues as soon as possible and is a real team player”.

Date of event: 2-9-10

Name: Ralph Goga
Job title: Project Engineer
Company: LU
Location: Glasshouse / Barbican

Why they should be this years rail engineer of the year?
“Ralph joined LU five years ago as a graduate Mechanical Engineer (working towards Chartership), since this time Ralph has worked in many areas of the business, and has been working within the stations delivery team since September 2009 as a Project Engineer on the LU Crossrail project for relocation of the existing IMR and associated assets at Barbican station.

One of the most endearing traits Ralph demonstrates is his approachability, he is always willing to assist with any request made of him, and his dedication to the project team and desire to deliver the best product / solution are recognised and appreciated. Ralph demonstrates in everything he does a determination to see through a task to closure.

Ralph’s enthusiasm to deliver and increase his knowledge base is recognised within the team. Ralph’s keenness to learn from peers and mentors, melded with his thirst for knowledge and desire to deliver and his unerring ability to reduce complex problems and issues to their simplest form, has made him an invaluable member of the team. By involving himself in the signalling issues associated with the project being worked Ralph has demonstrated the ability to move above and beyond his role into new areas of the business. , Ralph has demonstrated just how valuable a team player he has become”.

Date of event: 1-9-10

Name: Phil Mather
Job title: Lead Fire Engineer
Company: London Underground
Location: Glasshouse, Barbican

Why they should be this years rail engineer of the year?
“Phil is a proactive engineer who manages to balance achieving our programmes whilst remaining accountable for the solutions. He frequently undertakes work beyond his role and is contactable 24/7 to support project delivery.

In addition, Phil has developed and actively driven through the approval of a change in our escalator fire detection and suppression system concept; removing complexity, cost and risk yet still providing the required level of protection. Installations are safer and significantly cheaper to install and maintain. They are also less prone to accidental damage and false activation. Existing installations can be easily modified to the new design to achieve these benefits across the Network. The benefits of this design are such that the business is redesigning works already on site to take advantage of them.

An excellent solution by an outstanding engineer!”

Date of event: 31-8-10

Name: Mike Stubbs
Job title: Head of Delivery
Company: TfL
Location: Bonhill Street

Why they should be this years rail engineer of the year?
“Mike is enthusiastic, reliable, helpful, likeable and very hard working. He has managed the ELL Engineering team to ensure we delivered successfully!”

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"He has led the East London Line Engineering team for the last seven years with enthusiasm, passion and drive to support the successful delivery of the project. His endeavours have ensured that the highest quality engineering standards have been maintained and that the usually labyrinthine rail assurance processes have been simplified to support the transition from design to construction and ultimately into public service. A superb achievement".

Date of event: 27-4-10

Name: Kevin Walker
Job title: Lead Project Engineer
Company: London Underground
Location: The Glasshouse, 26-28 Glasshouse Yard, London, EC1A 4JU

Why they should be this years rail engineer of the year?
“1) Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, dependable, will do the job that needs doing even if someone else should have done it to help the team.

2) Kevin has mastered the new and complex Project Management Processes LU has introduced and readily helps other members of the team understand the need for each of them. Where other members of the team have struggled to complete 'products' he has produced generic document”.

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"Kevin is a hard working lead engineer who takes on many assignments (active), always meets his deadlines (accountable & direct) and produces quality products. Kevin is rightly proud of his “first time” approved document percentage which is in the high 90%’s.

He is very knowledgeable / experienced and always available to both the project engineers and project managers who often seek his views and opinions (collaborative).

As you can see Kevin is a role model of the LUL behaviours whom I trust unequivocally".

Date of event: 25-8-10

Name: Anne Potter
Job title: Principle Project Engineer
Company: London Underground Limited
Location: Central London

Why they should be this years rail engineer of the year?
"Anne has been a breath of fresh air as the Principle Project Engineer for a huge portfolio of over 300 projects. She has overseen what can only be termed a transformation of the service provided by the engineering staff within the Portfolio. An exceptional blend of a tenacious, direct and cost conscious Project Manager with an intelligent, multi-disciplined engineer, she is pragmatic to her core, and is always at the forefront of delivery – challenging our approach and driving daily improvement, but striking the correct balance between engineering judgement and value for money. For her team to succeed she has had to be prepared to challenge and support them in equal measure, and the investment she has made in them has borne rich rewards. Ever attentive and willing to logically argue through and explain any decision, Anne ensures the final solution is both understood and, most importantly, owned by all stakeholders. She is helpful, gregarious and thoroughly professional in everything she does. Anne is a model example of how a delivery focussed Project Engineer can ensure that the conflicting needs of a project can be balanced to the satisfaction of all. Junior staff would reap huge benefit by mimicking her behaviours and style. Engineers of this calibre are rare, and she had my strongest possible support for this award".

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"I fully support her nomination and the enthusiasm and manner in which she supports our projects for London Underground. She has been a major contribution to our organisation becoming more delivery focused and efficient in meeting programmes whilst still maintaining professional engineering standards".

Date of event: 24-8-10

Name: Nick Cole
Job title: Lead Engineer
Company: LUL
Location: Parnell House

Why they should be this years rail engineer of the year?
“Going above and beyond their role, hard working, knowledgeable, proactive, safety conscious, enthusiastic and team player. For the initiating and driving the Lesmac Temporary Rail Clamp system back from prohibition into use on LUL. Saving of time and significant costs to both line and projects”.

Date of event: 1-5-10

Name: Neil Denton
Job title: Infrastructure Maintenance Improvement
Company: Network Rail
Location: Derby

Why they should be this years rail engineer of the year?
"Neil works tirelessly to assist track engineers everywhere. Whether they are from Network Rail, suppliers or contractors, he is happy to help no matter what the inconvenience and will share with them the lessons and techniques he has learned throughout his career. His enjoyment and passion for the job and the success of our industry is infectious, captivating anybody he comes into contact with.

Neil has a determination and drive to see everybody succeed and you don’t have to be working with him for long before you quickly have the same passion.

Neil’s services are in great demand and he will not hesitate to travel the length and breadth of the country, shift after shift, day or night, to answer the calls for help and advice from his colleagues. Earlier this year Neil spent time with engineers at Gospel Oak Junction, Romford, Newark, Dover and Clapham Junction to help rectify long-standing problems which had previously been causing disruption to services.

Neil also produces monthly reports on his findings throughout the country, providing insightful solutions to problems that have dogged the network for years. His reports are now becoming a “must read” among the track engineering community.

The respect in which he is held is greatly deserved and I have never had the pleasure to work with a more conscientious and driven person. The pride in what he does is obvious to see and his selfless drive seems to stem from a desire to bring success to all those that he touches during his work. This is what makes him such an inspirational leader in his field and why everybody respects Neil and the advice he provides.

I have absolutely no doubt that Neil would be a very deserving “Rail Engineer of the Year” – we certainly see him as just that. I wish I could clone him and give one of him, and his contagious determination, to every track team throughout the country!"

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“Ability to resolve maintenance problems that can cause repeat failures to the infrastructure and delay trains.

Neil is most helpful to our Maintenance Delivery Units offering much expertise. He is approachable and has the knowledge base to remedy problems on S&C that will have even the most experienced of Engineers baffled!! Neil delivers to a level beyond his role and will turn out in all weathers at any time or regardless of distance”.

Date of event: 13-8-10

Name: Bob Hall
Job title: Construction Delivery Manager
Company: Bridgeway Consulting Ltd
Location: Nottingham

Why they should be this years rail engineer of the year?
"Bob Hall is a man who likes to get things done! – an obvious statement, but backed up by Bob’s pragmatic and delivery focussed approach to his work. As Construction Delivery Manager, Bob is consistently found working at the sharp end of things and brings a wealth of experience to his role.

In an engineering capacity, Bob is frequently tasked with the role of overseeing large construction projects from inception through to construction on site. He has an eye for detail which ensures that issues such as constructability are addressed at an early stage and practical alternatives implemented.

Bob has worked an a range of Rail projects including;

• Old Dalby Test Track – Inspection and Maintenance Contract
• Palmers Green – Platform Renewals Contract

In addition to pure rail work, Bob has supported the companies drive for diversification, with the delivery of a recent project for Scottish Power. Bob was able to bring experiences gained from the rail sector to bear against within this heavily regulated and safety conscious sector of the market.

Bob is able to communicate engineering ideas and principles at a level appropriate to the situation, whether this is at high level Client meetings or in the thick of the action on site. With the time constraints that all Rail projects are delivered against this is valuable attribute to the Rail Engineer.

Having worked with Bob on a number of engineering projects, I can testify to his dedication and drive in completing work. He takes personal responsibility for problem solving and is dogged in his determination to the job.

I have no hesitation in recommending Bob for the award of Rail Engineer of the year and feel sure that others in the industry will take this opportunity to back him".

Date of event: 9-8-10

Name: Martin Beasley
Job title: Consultancy Services Director
Company: Bridgeway Consulting Ltd
Location: Nottingham

Why they should be this years rail engineer of the year?
"Martin engineering portfolio covers a wide variety of work including managing the delivery of a Structures Examination team and various civil engineering projects. He has been responsible for all facets of work including pricing, quality control, programme adherence, site management, procurement and safety management. His passion and perseverance serves him well and all projects were delivered with zero Accident Frequency Rate (AFR)

Martin’s flexibility has been at the heart of his success this year – from managing technical production of examination reports to the site supervision and his breadth of knowledge and ability to adapt have been a superb example of the kind of Engineer that thrives at Bridgeway. He is the type of Engineer that revels in the satisfaction of successful delivery and is never afraid to take on fresh challenges, wherever in the country they may be, Martin is always willing to get into the thick of the action and make things happen.

Leading from the front Martin supports his team daily in their individual and company development needs. Martin expects the highest level of performance from himself and those around him, ensuring individuals have clear responsibilities and the capability to act effectively within them. Martin is driven by success and the growth of Bridgeway through expanding the projects work being delivered by the company".

Date of event: 9-8-10

Name: Jana James
Job title: Signalling Design Engineer
Company: Amey
Location: Luton

Why they should be this years rail engineer of the year?
“Jana has demonstrated Herculean efforts in ensuring the completion of the Thameslink (Luton) job. Although Jana is employed as a Signalling Designer, she has worked incredibly hard over the last year managing and project engineering the Thameslink initiative in the Bristol Design Office. Going above and beyond the call of duty, she has managed multiple stages of design and commissioning; pulling together resources from all over Amey as well as managing the interface between the client (Network Rail), the various Amey disciplines and other service providers.

Although she has had support from senior managers, Jana has led this project herself, ensuring that all the elements fitted together properly and that communications flowed well, despite many mid-project changes.

This project is now coming to the end of commissioning and it is a testament to Jana's hard work and commitment that the process has gone so smoothly. She has done an amazing job and we have all been humbled by her ability to juggle tasks, solve problems, meet deadlines and stand her ground where necessary”.

Date of event: 1-6-10