Heritage’s contribution to a modern railway
MARK CARNE, who stepped down as chief executive of Network Rail earlier this year, presented the plaques to winners at the National Railway Heritage Awards in London on December 5. Below is a transcript of the speech he delivered to representatives of the
Let me start by congratulating everyone here for the amazing contribution that you make to the heritage buildings that are such a vital part of the railways in this country. As I retired in September, I suppose that I am now, myself, a heritage railwayman. But from that new perspective I was particularly struck by the high quality of the entries.
There is no other industry like the railway. No other industry has its history laid out across the country from Penzance to Thurso. From the viaducts that majestically sweep across our verdant valley floors, to the cathedral-like arches of our great stations. Our forebears left us an extraordinary legacy and heritage - one that is still used today, by 4.5 million people every day.
Our railways and stations are as vital to the economy today as they were when they totally transformed life in the 19th century.
And we are hugely proud of that heritage. That is why we try to respect that heritage when we update and modernise a station. St Pancras, King’s Cross and (my personal favourite) London Bridge all show how you can make a brilliant new modern station that respects and echoes the Victorian design and heritage.
I love the fact that the wonderful Bruneldesigned Paddington station roof has been beautifully restored in white - and that it will stay white because we now run modern electric trains with zero emissions.
You have all demonstrated that it is possible to respect and value the past - our heritage - while still providing the modern railway that people in this country rightly demand.
One of the great things about being the chief executive of Network Rail is that I had the perfect excuse to see our railway heritage up close. I well remember peering into the middle of the Severn tunnel at the Sudbrook pumping station, and marvelling at the beautiful brickwork that would never have been expected to be seen by anyone - craftsmanship of an extraordinary order.
And the many visits to our wonderful signal boxes - a lot over 100 years old and still doing valiant service. I used to drop in on Truro box for a cup of tea sometimes, before getting the Sleeper back to London. Amazing what you learn over a cup of tea with the front line teams!
These visits all reinforced in me a huge sense of responsibility: to run the best railway we can for the benefit of today’s passengers, while respecting and valuing the heritage that is our legacy. We really do stand on the shoulders of giants.
Society today seems to have a love hate relationship with the railway. The public loves the history of rail - just look at the number of railway television programmes there are. There is a nostalgic, some might say rose tintedspectacled, view of the railways in the past. It’s all Brief Encounter, Agatha Christie and the glory days of steam!
Contrast that with the view of the public towards the railway of today. Levels of frustration and dissatisfaction are high. Fares are considered exorbitant, and rise faster than earnings. And the declining reliability of the ever more congested railway services breeds dissatisfaction and anger. And this public dissatisfaction is fuelled by a polarised political debate and a largely negative media.
In the past five years we have carried out the biggest upgrade programme to Britain’s railways in 100 years. It has come at a cost, both financial and in terms of a temporary reduction in capacity on some critical networks.
Rebuilding railways at night and running trains through the day is hugely challenging, and I am extremely proud of what has been achieved. We delivered almost a quarter of the nation’s spend on infrastructure over the last five years, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people who did this.
Of course, we did not get it right every time - that is for certain - and for that I am sorry. But what we have done is make necessary improvements that will benefit generations to
come. And now the infrastructure is largely in place, the new trains are arriving - 7,000 new carriages by 2021.
While I can put my hand up for the things that Network Rail could have done better, the timetable chaos earlier this year demonstrated that fundamental change is needed in the structure of the railway. The current model, with the Government and the DfT pulling the strings from behind a curtain and a regulator that can only derive power from undermining the reputation of the industry, must change.
I don’t have a political agenda. I am a businessman. And speaking as a businessman, I know that complex systems must have a strong guiding mind. Today, each fragmented part of the railway strives to optimise its piece, while the interfaces are described in complex regulation and contractual terms that cannot adapt fast enough or in the right way to meet passenger needs.
A whole system perspective is needed, so that the business can be structured to maximise the performance for passengers.
These are big challenges. That is why I welcome the Rail Review announced by the Secretary of State, although I worry that this will take too long to conclude and have effect.
So, while we wait for the outcome of the review, what can we already learn from the heritage railway to help improve the modern railway?
Well, I think that you do a fantastic job of thinking about delighting the passenger. From the wonderfully maintained stations to the spotless trains, you create a sense of occasion - a sense of teamwork. Above all, your considerable efforts show that you care.
The modern railway needs to similarly demonstrate that it cares about the passenger, with fairer fares, modern ticketing, and improved performance driven by better teamwork across the railway.
The railway is fortunate to have thousands of highly motivated and dedicated people working for both the railway of today and the railway of yesteryear - working to deliver a better railway for a better Britain.
That is why I remain hugely optimistic. I’ve seen what they are capable of, and I am sure that the heritage that we have been gifted is safe in the hands of today’s generation of railway people.
Turn the page to find out which projects were the winners at this year’s National Railway Heritage Awards.
The modern railway needs to similarly demonstrate that it cares about the passenger, with fairer fares, modern ticketing, and improved performance driven by better teamwork across the railway.