Rob Nicklin

Said the following about Madeleine Coyle:

“Maddie is an excellent example of how engineering graduates can improve safety and performance in a busy operational depot.

Since joining Network Rail, Maddie has been actively delivering front line innovative projects mainly in the track engineering discipline. Maddie analysed maintenance practices to fully understand current processes, and identified areas for improvement, such as better components and ways of performing key maintenance activities.

Not content with a set of theoretical recommendations, Maddie worked alongside Network Rail Engineers through the trial phase, ensuring positive change was delivered for front line staff and train operators.

Maddie’s key project has been the adoption of a new Lubrication and bolt configuration for rail joints. Madeleine researched and presented an idea to reduce maintenance times and increase resilience of the railway during hot weather. This was presented to the Track Maintenance Engineer at the local depot in Leeds and then progressed to an organised demo with the suppliers to the TME and Section Manager.

After initial challenges to the theory Madeleine was able to demonstrate the sound and tangible improvements this process had the potential to deliver.

After the success of the trial and rollout, Madeleine didn't stop there. The process was presented to other Network Rail Engineers who are now carrying out their own trials to implement both products after successful demo days with the front line teams. During the project development Madeleine also identified a battery powered impact wrench which is much lighter than current hand machines used to undo bolts and uses electricity rather than petrol so is more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

This projects success led to Maddie being recognised by the iMechE “Future of Rail” competition, where she came 3rd overall nationally for her presentation on the future of track maintenance.

Maddie is a Permanent Way Institution (PWI) ambassador and is part of the committee for the West Yorkshire section. This role involves the organising of lectures every month discussing current topics.

All of this has recently helped Maddie secure her first position with Network Rail in the Route Engineering team (Track). Alongside completing a part time masters in ‘Railway Engineering and Project Management’ with a dissertation on how the use of Internet of Things can help predict and prevent rail defects.

Maddie is a fantastic Engineer with the true potential and attitude to make a huge difference in the future of Railway Maintenance.“

Timothy Flower

Said the following about Madeleine Coyle:

“Madeleine has been the Network Rail project manager for the KONUX predictive maintenance project alongside her many other responsibilities. She is incredibly diligent and focused, helping the project to realise the benefits as quickly as possible. Madeleine is a pleasure to work with and always goes the extra mile. She has done so much in a very short space of time and is a real role model for new graduates joining Network Rail. She has a very bright future ahead of her!“

Rob Taylor

Said the following about Madeleine Coyle:

“Maddie has really grasped the benefits and detail both to the maintenance workforce and Network Rail when upgrading and lubrication of expansion joints as part of the safety task force and Modernising maintenance project.

Maddie has personality lead from the front and got involved in every step of the new process with the maintenance teams on the ground who are upgrading joints, this in my opinion has shown great leadership skills of an individual who I know the maintenance teams have really appreciated.“

David Cartledge

Said the following about Madeleine Coyle:

“Maddie has played a pivotal role in driving through the new program for both the upgrading and ongoing maintenance improvement program for mechanically jointed track.

From her first interaction with the program it was clear that Maddie grasped how this would improve both the quality and safety aspect of the application but the wider implication of track working safety once the program started.

Maddie's enthusiasts and commitment to this has been absolutely fantastic, this has been continually demonstrated from both theory and practical with a full hands on approach. The desire to fully understand the entire process then demonstrated how Maddie thought outside of the box and continually strives to add further improvements.

The initial program focused on the fasteners used along with the lubrication process, which offer tremendous benefits to Network Rail. After her first night shift on the tools Maddie started to question how the equipment used to install could become more efficient and controlled. This led to the introduction of a new battery powered hand tool weighing circa 15kgs less than the current petrol powered wrench, reducing the stress on the maintenance teams whilst removing the need to carry petrol to and from site, which again is a tremendous safety benefit to all concerned.

Maddie then instigated further improvements to take the strain out of applying the final torque values to the fasteners. The current methodology requires the use of a 5ft break stem wrench which is both unwieldy to use and has the potential for slips causing injuries during use. After extensive trials of multiple products this was replaced by a far more user friendly torque wrench that is both lighter and more compact for ease of transportation to and from site.

Maddie is first class in all of her interactions, she has a tremendous future ahead“