Operating skills

Network Rail Chief Executive Andrew Haines’ acknowledgement of the need to improve railway operation skills and processes is a breath of fresh air ( RAIL 872).

Speaking at a rail event in London, he explained that the diminution of this expertise has hindered the railway operating as a system - with a price to pay.

To operate effectively as a railway system, both the engineering and operating functions need to work in harmony. Increasing technical sophistication, such as the Digital Railway, enhances this need. Good management of train operations is the key to achieving the outputs of the main engineering functions and maximising the capacity of the rail network.

Railways are principally made up of three main engineering functions: Traction and Rolling Stock

Engineering - the main outputs of which are the size and speed/ performance of trains. Civil Engineering (Route

Infrastructure) - the main outputs of which are line speed and train weight. Signal/Telecommunications

Engineering - the main output of which is the frequency with which trains can safely be operated along a line/route.

Operating skills are the key to maximising the capacity benefits of multimillion-pound infrastructure investments and ensuring these benefits are realised. This capacity is measured in terms of train paths leading to passenger miles and freight tonne miles, which generate revenue to the rail operator and national/ regional economic benefits along the rail routes.

Given the railways’ increasing technological sophistication, operational expertise is even more essential. Haines emphasised that “operating the railway is our core activity” and advocated a “joined-up approach to putting operations front and centre”. Christopher Holt, Loughton