Rail Express – September 2019

HEADLINE NEWS

Followusontwitter

@railexpress

September 2019 RAIL EXPRESS 11

NR launches track worker safety taskforce

FOLLOWING the tragedy nearMargam,
SouthWales, on July3,when twotrack
workersdied after being hitbyatrain,
NetworkRail has launcheda£70 million
scheme to improvetrack safety.
The taskforce is headedby
NetworkRail’s group safety,technical
andengineeringdirectorMartin
Frobisher.Itaims toaccelerate
the current ‘Near MissReduction
Programme’and pull together other
programmes alreadyinplace,such
as designing and developing new
protectionandwarningsystems using
digitaltechnology; improving the
planning of tracksidework andthe
clarityofwhoisincharge;and better
managingworking time,travelling time
andthe impact of personal lifestyle on
alertness andfitnessforwork.
Other aspects coveredbythe
initiativeincluderewarding contractors
forpositivesafety performance;
improvingworkforcehealth and
fitness, includingmental health; and
the introduction ofbetter and more
thoroughwork risk assessments.
The taskforce will invite
organisations such astheOffice of
Rail andRoad, trades unions,and
contractorstotakepart.

NetworkRail has made improving trackworker safetyapriority–the risksbeing demonstrated in this shot at Victoria on July10as

staffwork to rerail arailgrinder in the station throat while services continue to run alongside.AlexThorkildsen

POWERCARONSHOWATSWINDON:First built HSTpowercar No .43002wasonshowatSTEAM
–Museum of the GreatWesternRailway in Swindon on July17/18, to mark the opening of anexhibition of
nameplates, which included newplates that will be fitted to GreatWesternRailway’s ‘Castle’ Class mini-HSTs.
No. 43002 stopped offin Swindon as part of its journeytoYork, whereitwillsoon be displayedatthe NRM
after being claimedforthe National Collection. GWR has also announced that its ‘Flying Banana’farewell HST
tour on June 1, whichfeatur ed No.43002and last-built No. 43198,raised £30,000forFirstGroup’s charity
partner,ActionforChildren.GWR

CEMENTWAGONS REMOVED:The final pair ofextant

former RMCPCA powder tankers atPeak Forest, Nos.RC 10042

and RC 1004 8, were finallycraned out andremovedbyroad

in the first half of July. The previous examples to bescrapped

at Peak Forest in 2017were cutonsite, but as both of these

wagons were still partiallyloaded thiswasimpossible. The pair

movedtoRon HullRecycling,Rotherham,fordisposal.Asad

end to this colourful fleet.Malcolm Hinitt

Essential Readingfor

Today’sRailwayEnthusiast http://www.railexpress.co.uk