The RailStaff Awards

Nominations for Lifetime Achievement

Mark Wilson

Said the following about Ian Simms:

“Ian joined the British Rail as a brush hand on the Forth Bridge in March 1979 gradually progressing to chargehand and then rigger on the iconic structure. In September 1993 he moved into the role of structures examiner for the Forth and Tay Bridges after scoring an A+ on his examination qualification course. As British Rail transitioned into Railtrack and Network Rail Ian was a constant on these structures and became steelwork inspector during the major refurbishment of the Forth Bridge in the early 2000’s and upon completion of the major refurbishment project became construction manager on Forth and Tay overseeing all maintenance and repair works to the bridges. There is no-one in the railway industry who knows more about either of these iconic structures and Ian has dedicated his working life to being a student and custodian of these historical landmarks. His wealth of knowledge, quick wit and dedication to excellence in workmanship on the bridges will be sorely missed when he decides to hang up his hard hat! I would like to nominate Ian Simms for the lifetime achievement award to services rendered at the Forth and Tay Bridges since 1979. Thankfully health and safety awareness has come a long way since then and he no longer walks up the girders to get to the top of the bridge!“

Lawrence McEwan

Said the following about Ian Simms:

“Ian has spent a lifetime looking after Scotlands railway, formally a bridge inspector to senior paint specialist on the iconic Forth Bridge, Ian was asked to play the bagpipes for the Queens Golden Jubilee on top of the Forth bridge which he proudly done and paid a fitting tribute to the late Monarch, Ian’s dedication to duty is secret to none and I believe Ian would be deeply honoured to receive this award“