Chris Fowler

Said the following about Ashley Hughes:

“This nomination could not have come at a better time as Ash will celebrate 40 years in the railway industry in November, all whilst working within the same company; Freightliner. He has always been passionate about the railway so when the opportunity came to join Freightliner in November 1983 he jumped at the chance.

Ash started his career as a Train Driver working out of Ipswich. His keen mechanical mind developed from an early love of big American cars which transposed into trains, a class 47 being his favourite. He soon realised that he would like to pass on that knowledge and was keen to support other drivers, this came initially as a driver standards manager, allowing him to travel the country extensively supporting and mentoring the driver community. Within this role he went on to become more involved in training, even training the very first graduates on the loco fleet.

Today, as he embarks on his fifth decade on the railway, Ash can be found delivering training to new and existing drivers from the training academy in Ipswich. In recent years, Ash has been devoted to developing the new trainees, passing on years of valuable knowledge and overseeing major changes to the delivery of operational training.

Never one to take the opportunity to rest after so many years, he is now embarking on the delivery of the ERTMS training as part of the East Coast Digital Program, tirelessly working to ensure the future drivers are equipped with the valuable skills and knowledge required as part of their early railway careers.

Ash is a fantastic coach, mentor, role model and always has time to help and support those around him, he is well respected by his peers and those who have come into contact with him in his 40 years in the railway.“