The RailStaff Awards 2024

Nominations for Rail Engineer of the Year

Craig Mcclintock

Said the following about Simon Rhodes:

“I am nominating Simon for this award for his consistently excellent delivery as a senior engineer in the Infrastructure Project Signalling Southern West team. To say Simon is a ‘safe pair of hands’ is an understatement; he is a reliable, exceptionally diligent and a technically outstanding member of the team.

Over the last year, Simon’s work has focused on one of the team’s most high-profile projects, Cornwall Capacity Enabling Scheme. The project provided an additional 10 signal sections (21 new signals & associated signalling equipment) and 7 Level Crossing upgrades to enable the Department for Transport (DfT) and Cornwall Council (a project funding partner) to meet their aspiration to run an additional hourly train service from Plymouth to Penzance from May 2019. On the project, he supported the project team has also by leading the project’s System Safety CSM-RA paperwork submission which he presented to the Regional Safety Review Panel. His work was identified as ‘best in class” for its quality, detail and robust safety assessment.

In his role as a Senior Engineer, Simon has led the technical and engineering management of the Cornwall Life Extension project, working with internal and external stakeholders to find technical solutions within tight budget constraints for a project and often meeting or exceeding the requirements.

On Cornwall, he works closely with the Project Director and officers at Cornwall County Council to explore opportunities for 3rd party funded improvements which meet the needs and aspirations of all stakeholders within the financial constraints of the budget. His approach has received excellent feedback and helped the team foster good relationships with Cornwall Council.

Such glowing feedback and Simon’s can-do attitude lead him to being drafted his into other projects to support their delivery.

What is respect most about Simon is his determination to do the best job he can. He works well in a team and supports and guides those in the team who are less experienced.

Beyond work he shows no less determination, two years ago he took a year sabbatical and cycled from Vietnam back to the UK!

Simon is modest with his achievements, which is why I’d like to recognise him through this nomination.“