PWI NEWSSite Visit at Gloucester BlockadeThis week the PWI team was thrilled to be invited to Gloucester Station where the S&C South Alliance (Network Rail, Colas and AECOM) is modernising the track layout in a 9-day blockade. Sarah Fraser, Project Manager for Network Rail and Ryan Ballinger, Production Manager for Colas Rail kindly showed Joan Heery, Stephen Barber and Michelle Mabbett around the site. It was a great opportunity to understand the intricate planning that sits behind such schemes, and to see large-scale work underway. Six point ends are being renewed using CEN56 units on concrete bearers and one CEN56 turnout is being heavily refurbished. Track installation is being carried out using a Kirow1200 rail crane operated by Colas. Signalling work includes upgrading points actuation equipment using a mix of High Performance Switch Systems and In-bearer Clamp Locks. One aim of the project is to reduce the long-term maintenance burden by eliminating sub-standard ballast depths on a bridge at the west end of the layout. The revised vertical geometry, including lifts up to 200mm, requires a total of 310m of major modification to platforms 2, 3 and 4. Points heating is being upgraded with a new District Network Operator cubicle and cable route. One highlight of the project is the extensive use of low energy site lighting: powered by a mix of batteries and solar panels project lighting is virtually diesel-free. The PWI team is very grateful for inside-access during such a critical time and we wish our colleagues at Network Rail, Colas and AECOM well with the rest of the project. Section meeting and AGMThe Section Secretaries meeting took place on 12th July in Birmingham, with all Sections represented. Agenda topics included an update on the 5 year Strategic Plan and gave the Section Secretaries the opportunity to discuss and explore the role they play within that. The Sections sit at the heart of the PWI, carrying significant responsibility in representing the Institution and the membership. As part of her Presidential focus, Joan has chosen to support the Sections in becoming “the best they can be”. A lively and inclusive discussion took place on current strengths and areas for improvement and each Section Secretary committed to holding a discussion with the local committee and then proposing a number of areas for improvement for implementation over the next 12-24 months. We were all in agreement there is a need to put significant effort into attracting more young people in becoming involved with Section affairs. This encompassed a discussion on how we communicate with our membership and the need for everyone to feel confident and comfortable in using the variety of social media platforms that are available. Dr. Brian Counter also presented on Professional Registration, Routes to Membership and the comprehensive array of Technical courses the PWI is currently offering. Fatalities at Margam (Port Talbot) on 3rd July 2019One of two permanent way workers killed when hit by a train on 3rd July at Margam near Port Talbot was a PWI member. Gareth Delbridge joined the PWI in March 1980 and was a member for over 39 years. In response to the incident PWI Chief Executive Stephen Barber said:
Corporate member engagementThe PWI currently has over 40 Corporate members and we are very grateful for their support; both financial and in kind. That said, we would like to strengthen our relationship with these organisations further and a piece of work has just started to explore this subject. We are in the process of writing to all Corporate members with the intent of meeting a representative of each organisation in the coming months. Through a structured set of questions and open dialogue our aim is to understand how we can best meet the needs of our Corporate members. The output of these conversations will form the basis of an action plan which will be made available in due course. As well as looking after our existing Corporate members we are very happy to welcome new organisations to the fold. If anyone reading this article is interested in Corportae Membership please contact the Membership Services Team on 01277 230031 or email secretary@thepwi.org Growing together onlineThe central team at the PWI have been utilising online communications to successfully connect with our network for many years now. However, collectively as an Institution, there is so much more we can do to build our online presence with our members, friends and the broader rail industry using modern social media tools. Marketeers Michelle Mabbett and Kerrie Illsley will be hosting a voluntary online workshop that will teach our community how to utilise the power of social media with confidence and success. The aim is to grow together online using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. Whatapps is also being introduced as a chat facility. As part of our objective for engaging and attracting more young members, this is an essential way forward. The workshop will be advertised in due course but in the meantime please feel free to email michelle.mabbett@thepwi.org about becoming an online ambassador of the Institution. A unique opportunity to visit the Thames TunnelCleshar, in association with the PWI, To book a space, please email secretary@thepwi.org. Places are on a first come first served basis. See linked flyer for more information including exact dates and times. Please note: Anyone suffering from claustrophobia should consider carefully before deciding to attend. Young achiever award 2020Call for papers - submission deadline 31st January 2020 This award is open to all involved in rail infrastructure engineering projects; engineers, project maintenance staff, graduates, apprentices, etc... Please submit an original paper between 2000 and 2500 words on a railway infrastructure project completed between 2013 and 2020. 1st prize - £650 | 2nd prize - £400 | 3rd prize - £250 Professional Registration Start your journey today Professional registration is open to any competent practising engineer or technician. Different levels and pathways to registration are available, depending on the individual’s experience, training and qualifications. We have simple to follow routes to registration for EngTech, IEng and CEng. High Speed Technical seminarOur third High Speed Rail seminar will update delegates on the latest worldwide design and construction types for high speed railway infrastructure. We will focus on the challenges of ground and electrification at speeds over 300kph and the interfaces with existing railway routes. SPEAKERS FROM Getzner, Network Rail, Pandrol, Amey Sersa, PORR, Mott MacDonald, Jacobs, University of Leeds and University of Birmingham PWI Track Engineering training courses Please share this with your colleagues; these courses are open to members and non-members. Track Engineering Diploma MODULE 1 TRACK MAINTENANCE: Gives a basic understanding of track engineering and its theory and context. MODULE 2 TRACK DESIGN: Focuses upon track design for projects and enhancements. MODULE 3 ADVANCED TRACK ASSET ENGINEERING AND RENEWALS: The study becomes more strategic and delivery oriented with advanced asset management techniques and applications. S&C RefurbishmentDelegates on this two-part course will gain a comprehensive detailed knowledge of S&C and how to undertake refurbishment safely, efficiently and to the required engineering quality. The course will cover both the track assemblies and the trackbed under S&C. Suitable for both newly qualified and experienced rail engineers. PWI Golf dayEveryone had a great time at Lutterworth Golf Club this month. The event fell on a fabulous sun drenched day, seeing a packed field with players vying for the prestigious PWI awards. The trophies and prizes were presented by our former president Steve Featherstone and the winning team from 'The Lazy Lobbers' included Andrey Carey, Andrew Horan, Mark Banks and Derek Wolfendale. A big thank you to our sponsor Selectequip, organisers and hosts for yet another successful PWI golf day. Let's grow our communityPlease share this email to showcase what we've been up to recently; we want to grow our community of rail engineers! Simply click the Forward button in the footer below. Thank you! And finally...feedbackWe are always interested in feedback on the PWI both from members and non members. What could we offer that we are not currently offering? What do we do very well? What could we do better? Please send any thoughts and ideas to michelle.mabbett@thepwi.org |