Julian Hawkes

Said the following about Pete Hillier:

“Pete has been in the rail industry for over 40 years on the Permanent Way. Pete started his career in British Rail (Western Region) and joined as a Technical officer. He produced his first designs using traditional pen and ink for track designs, then progressed to CADAM drawing package which at the time was the cutting edge of technology.

Pete also cut his teeth on Hallade design as well as traditional site setting out using offset pegs which was exclusively used for the linespeed improvements associated with the West of England Multiple Aspect Signalling Project.

Pete is a true professional within the pway discipline and is an ambassador for the rail industry. His wealth and depth of experience not only in pway but in general engineering means he can speak with authority at multi-disciplinary meetings with clients sponsors, suppliers, contractors and statutory bodies at all levels from Managing Director to more junior engineers in a language that is in plain English.

Pete is an experienced Engineering Manager and takes the lead on issues for resolution. His diverse work has ranged from the preparation of feasibility designs for the complete remodelling of Paddington Station to permit commercial development above the span 4 roof to engineering managing the major multi-disciplined S&C renewals in the U.K. including complex layout remodelling within the South East Territory and on LUL infrastructure. This includes complex layout renewals at Clapham Junction, the throat of Waterloo Station, Shenfield and Shortlands Junction, where he managed the multi-disciplined, multi staged design of the new grade-separated junction arrangements.

Pete is pragmatic with the level of detail required in order to get the job built to a high standard and established good team relations with the project team whether Network Rail, Railway Contractor or Manufacturer/Supplier.

Pete’s contribution to the rail industry has been immense and he cares about the future of the next generation of Engineers. He has mentored numerous junior engineers (many of them are still in the company as it is today) and trainees through lunch time talks and permanent way design exercises to transfer his knowledge to others. This has also been supplemented by supplier talks (drainage, sleeper and baseplate manufactures as well as organising works visits to S&C fabricators like Progress Rail and its fabrication yards. This not only inspires the younger engineers and broadens their understanding of the process but also enables Pete to retain the very important relationships of the S and C fabricators which were established over 25 years ago through S&C design contracts with Balfour Beatty Rail.

Whilst the majority of Pete’s time has been spent in the UK Pete always seek opportunities to broaden his knowledge on overseas opportunities. Contracts include acting as Lead Engineer for the design of an alignment for a monorail in the financial districts of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the reviewing of proposals for an urban metro system in Lagos, Nigeria. He has carried out due diligence reviews of proposals for the reconstruction of a railway system near to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Pete ability to establish a rapport with clients has meant many overseas trips as well as joining the Saudi Sheik when visiting of all places Crewe!

As an experienced switch and crossing design engineer, Peter has been involved in the innovative design of conventional ballasted track and direct fastened arrangements at depots and freight handling facilities. He also has particular experience in designing and installing high speed layouts on the national infrastructure employing the most modern techniques and materials at the forefront of permanent way technology.

Pete’s role as Lead Designer on other notable projects include:-

Avonmouth Bulk Handling Terminal: design of the trackwork for a large freight terminal handling bulk materials at Avonmouth Docks.

Chiltern Lines Resignalling: Total trackwork renewal and junction remodelling in connection with the resignalling between Marylebone and Aylesbury.

Heathrow Express Scheme - Major re-modelling at Acton, West Ealing, Hanwell Bridge, Southall, Hayes and Airport Junction.

Kazakhstan – Lead designer for the preparation of feasibility and outline designs coupled with estimates for the significant expansion of rail facilities at the oil production facility at Karachaganak in Western Kazakhstan.

IEP/Crossrail Integration

Acting as Contractor’s Engineering Manager for the GRIP 3 multi-disciplined works to integrate IEP works between Old Oak Common Depot and Paddington Station with the works planned for the Crossrail Scheme.

Depot Enhancements – South West Trains

Acting as the Contractor’s Engineering Manager for the feasibility design of layout enhancements at Farnham, Strawberry Hill, Clapham Junction, Basingstoke and Fratton traincare depots.

Cardiff Area Signalling Renewals (CASR)

Acting as the Contractor’s Responsible Engineer (track design) for the major track remodelling associated with the CASR scheme

Current roles include the engineering management of proposals for significant enhancements to the intermodal rail facilities at the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal, proposals to improve track drainage in St David’s and Marley tunnels and S&C renewals on the North Wales Coast.

In summary, Pete’s dedication and achievements is a credit to his enthusiasm and ability to deliver and he is an inspiration for engineers to follow in his footsteps.“