Heritage signallers on standby for Network Rail
QUALIFIED signalmen and women from preserved railways across the country have been approached by the Heritage Railway Association (HRA) to come forward as ‘reservists’ for Network Rail in case of key worker shortages caused by Covid-19.
In response to a request from Network Rail (NR) the HRA has contacted its operating railway members to assess the availability of suitability skilled and qualified people.
The initial requirement is for signalling staff, followed by station staff, many of whom are retired NR people.
However, the appeal covers all skilled personnel, particularly those who work full-time running heritage railways to the same standards of safety and proficiency – and sometimes over the same track – as NR.
“The proposal makes sense,” says HRA chief executive Steve Oates.
“Network Rail is expecting to suffer staff shortages, like many other organisations.
“Effectively, all of the UK’s heritage railways have now closed until further notice – yet we have experienced and skilled people available to help keep the nation’s vital railways working.
“The first step is to identify the staff and volunteers prepared to put themselves forward, establish their availability, and where they are willing to work.
“The second step is to match staff and volunteers to vacancies, and assess to determine appropriate training.”
One of the railways to come forward is Didcot Railway Centre, which together with the Swindon Panel Society, have made their facilities available to Network Rail.
Former NR signallers started a series of refresher courses on March 31 using Didcot’s preserved Swindon Panel, which was previously used to control trains on the Great Western Main Line from 1968 until 2016.
The high-accuracy simulator equipment was designed and installed by volunteers to ensure the panel’s controls and indications work exactly as they did when it was in service.
It means NR trainers can use the panel to simulate scenarios that might occur on track including signal failures, train breakdowns, signals passed at danger and rescuing failed trains.