Pub Date : 2009-06-01DOI: 10.7551/mitpress/8033.003.0009
Anthony Kearns
The shortage of engineering skills in the rail industry is threatening growth and development of the sector. This article discusses the reasons for this shortage and what the industry needs to do to attract more engineers. Both small and big players in the rail sector are experiencing difficulties in filling vacancies, mainly because of a shortage of people with relevant knowledge and experience. This is apparent at all levels in specific technical and practical skills areas, but especially among professional engineers. This state of affairs can be attributed partly to the reduction of engineering functions, prior to privatization of the railways in 1994. In addition, projects have become more complex, using new technologies and processes requiring specialized skills and experience. There are a number of issues that need to be addressed in finding the solution to this shortage. First, the industry needs more young talent. The failure to attract good-quality students into the study of rail engineering is partly due to a poor image of the sector, and partly because students are encouraged to go into further education, rather than following the vocational routes. The industry needs to start from the very beginning, ensuring that pupils are encouraged to study math and physics, subjects critical to engineering, from an early age. Rail engineering companies also need to support education and promote some of its most high profile professionals, who could act as role models for young people. In addition to raising the profile of rail engineering, the industry should offer courses and qualifications that reflect where there are skill gaps and where skills are changing. The industry also needs think about how it can attract candidates, both through good salaries and by providing satisfying career opportunities. A National Railway Skills Academy is proposed as a way to address these issues and raise the profile of rail engineering.
{"title":"Engineering a Solution","authors":"Anthony Kearns","doi":"10.7551/mitpress/8033.003.0009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/8033.003.0009","url":null,"abstract":"The shortage of engineering skills in the rail industry is threatening growth and development of the sector. This article discusses the reasons for this shortage and what the industry needs to do to attract more engineers. Both small and big players in the rail sector are experiencing difficulties in filling vacancies, mainly because of a shortage of people with relevant knowledge and experience. This is apparent at all levels in specific technical and practical skills areas, but especially among professional engineers. This state of affairs can be attributed partly to the reduction of engineering functions, prior to privatization of the railways in 1994. In addition, projects have become more complex, using new technologies and processes requiring specialized skills and experience. There are a number of issues that need to be addressed in finding the solution to this shortage. First, the industry needs more young talent. The failure to attract good-quality students into the study of rail engineering is partly due to a poor image of the sector, and partly because students are encouraged to go into further education, rather than following the vocational routes. The industry needs to start from the very beginning, ensuring that pupils are encouraged to study math and physics, subjects critical to engineering, from an early age. Rail engineering companies also need to support education and promote some of its most high profile professionals, who could act as role models for young people. In addition to raising the profile of rail engineering, the industry should offer courses and qualifications that reflect where there are skill gaps and where skills are changing. The industry also needs think about how it can attract candidates, both through good salaries and by providing satisfying career opportunities. A National Railway Skills Academy is proposed as a way to address these issues and raise the profile of rail engineering.","PeriodicalId":186240,"journal":{"name":"Rail Professional","volume":"15 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124278853","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2009-05-01DOI: 10.1088/2058-7058/25/08/1
Crime, whether acts of terrorism or low-level offenses, is a constant threat on the railroad system. This article discusses some of the measures that railroads are employing to deter crime on and near railroads. In addition to increased and upgraded closed circuit television cameras, railroads are employing more security staff and educating the public on security concerns. Railroads are also working with the police to implement schemes such as CycleWatch, an initiative to reduce bicycle theft at stations. Since children often trespass onto tracks and throw objects at trains, railroads are targeting their security messages at children to emphasize the dangers of trespassing and to provide alternative activities that can keep children out of mischief.
{"title":"Caught on Camera","authors":"","doi":"10.1088/2058-7058/25/08/1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1088/2058-7058/25/08/1","url":null,"abstract":"Crime, whether acts of terrorism or low-level offenses, is a constant threat on the railroad system. This article discusses some of the measures that railroads are employing to deter crime on and near railroads. In addition to increased and upgraded closed circuit television cameras, railroads are employing more security staff and educating the public on security concerns. Railroads are also working with the police to implement schemes such as CycleWatch, an initiative to reduce bicycle theft at stations. Since children often trespass onto tracks and throw objects at trains, railroads are targeting their security messages at children to emphasize the dangers of trespassing and to provide alternative activities that can keep children out of mischief.","PeriodicalId":186240,"journal":{"name":"Rail Professional","volume":"31 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125003719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This article describes a project to replace the Leven Viaduct in south Cumbria. The Leven Viaduct, which was originally constructed in 1857, is a 49-span structure carrying a railroad line across the Leven Estuary in South Cumbria. Although the structure has undergone major repairs several times, the combination of aging materials and extreme weather conditions caused the structure to deteriorate to the point where it reached the end of its service life. The 16-week project required removal and replacement of most of the deck. Because of its size, one span was difficult to replace, so it was completely refurbished instead. A new direct fixing rail system was used to ensure that track was aligned precisely. Continuously welded track was used to reduce noise. The work was carried out in the spring and summer months because of longer daylight hours and to lessen weather delays. Work was suspended on days with high winds. Despite the delays and challenges, the project was completed on time and within budget.
{"title":"Bridge of Sighs","authors":"K. Lumley","doi":"10.2307/j.ctv6sj7gj.11","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv6sj7gj.11","url":null,"abstract":"This article describes a project to replace the Leven Viaduct in south Cumbria. The Leven Viaduct, which was originally constructed in 1857, is a 49-span structure carrying a railroad line across the Leven Estuary in South Cumbria. Although the structure has undergone major repairs several times, the combination of aging materials and extreme weather conditions caused the structure to deteriorate to the point where it reached the end of its service life. The 16-week project required removal and replacement of most of the deck. Because of its size, one span was difficult to replace, so it was completely refurbished instead. A new direct fixing rail system was used to ensure that track was aligned precisely. Continuously welded track was used to reduce noise. The work was carried out in the spring and summer months because of longer daylight hours and to lessen weather delays. Work was suspended on days with high winds. Despite the delays and challenges, the project was completed on time and within budget.","PeriodicalId":186240,"journal":{"name":"Rail Professional","volume":"21 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2007-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132412331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In February 1996, the first privatized trains of the modern UK era began operation. This article discusses the original goals of privatization and whether they have been achieved over the past 10 years. Privatization has brought an increase in both passenger and freight traffic. The privatized railroads are both more efficient and more profitable. However, although some fares have remained affordable after privatization, some have gone up by as much as 95%. To meet current and future demand, longer franchises are recommended to encourage investment in railroad facilities.
{"title":"Ten Years On","authors":"P. Clifton","doi":"10.2307/j.ctv1xz0d6.44","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv1xz0d6.44","url":null,"abstract":"In February 1996, the first privatized trains of the modern UK era began operation. This article discusses the original goals of privatization and whether they have been achieved over the past 10 years. Privatization has brought an increase in both passenger and freight traffic. The privatized railroads are both more efficient and more profitable. However, although some fares have remained affordable after privatization, some have gone up by as much as 95%. To meet current and future demand, longer franchises are recommended to encourage investment in railroad facilities.","PeriodicalId":186240,"journal":{"name":"Rail Professional","volume":"30 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114875512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2002-09-01DOI: 10.1787/9789264077263-4-en
P. Clifton
An interview with John Armitt, the chief executive of Network Rail in the UK, is presented. Topics addressed at the meeting included the structure of the Network Rail board, the objectives of Network Rail, how much money the new company will have, funding track upgrades, staff understanding of structural changes in the company, cost-cutting, contracting out of work, and progress with improvements to the rail network.
{"title":"THE CHALLENGE AHEAD","authors":"P. Clifton","doi":"10.1787/9789264077263-4-en","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264077263-4-en","url":null,"abstract":"An interview with John Armitt, the chief executive of Network Rail in the UK, is presented. Topics addressed at the meeting included the structure of the Network Rail board, the objectives of Network Rail, how much money the new company will have, funding track upgrades, staff understanding of structural changes in the company, cost-cutting, contracting out of work, and progress with improvements to the rail network.","PeriodicalId":186240,"journal":{"name":"Rail Professional","volume":"114 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2002-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132796667","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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