Interviews

BIM and HS2

14.03.14: Building Information Modelling is going to be a vital part of getting HS2 delivered efficiently. RTM spoke to HS2 head of management systems, Jon Kerbey, to find out more. At the recent HS2 Supply Chain Conference in Birmingham, which attract...

Bringing contracts back in-house

14.03.14: The ‘Metro: all change’ programme in Tyne and Wear is entering its fourth year – with attention on the £389m scheme shifting from disruptive track works to behind-the-scenes improvements, while the rolling stock refurb hi...

Innovation in rail

14.03.14: Dr Paul Allen, assistant director of the Institute of Railway Research at the University of Huddersfield, talks to RTM about the newly-launched Centre for Innovation in Rail. A new centre at the University of Huddersfield is set to develop...

The newest additions to the Metrolink fleet

14.03.14: New style Metrolink trams have joined the M5000 fleet in Manchester. RTM spoke to Metrolink director Peter Cushing. The fleet of Metrolink trams is expanding to 104 of the new M5000 vehicles. The newest batch feature a revised seating lay...

The skills and ideas to deliver Crossrail successfully

14.03.14: RTM speaks to Crossrail’s new strategic projects director, John Pelton, about programme management, innovation, organisational change and skills for the future. The programme partner for Crossrail is the Transcend joint venture of CH2M...

Approaching the tipping point on fair payment

16.01.14: The Fair Payment Charter is driving better practice across the supply chain. RTM spoke to Network Rail Infrastructure Project’s commercial projects director, Stephen Blakey, about the charter’s progress. Getting paid on time is one...

Confidence in contactless

16.01.14: More operators and transport authorities are making big strides on simplifying and modernising payment options for rail and tram tickets – and some are getting rid of tickets altogether. Adam Hewitt reports. Transport for London is soon...

London Overground’s five-car extension: ‘A three-year programme delivered in 18 months’

16.01.14: Huw Edwards, head of programme delivery at London Overground, speaks to RTM about its ongoing capacity improvement programme (LOCIP), including the introduction of five-car services and associated upgrades to depots, sidings and signalling across...

Sleeper service

16.01.14: Network Rail requires up to a million concrete sleepers a year, but after the closure of one of the country’s two production facilities, it decided to seek a new contractor. RTM reports from the opening of the new sleeper factory at Doncaste...

The next twenty years

16.01.14: The DfT is part-funding Sheffield’s Supertram track replacement, Baroness Kramer has announced. David Young, deputy interim director general of SYPTE, speaks to RTM. Sheffield’s Supertram service is undergoing work to replace worn...

A whole-system approach

31.10.13: Phil Hufton, chief operating officer of London Underground, talks to RTM about efficiency and reliability. London Underground has been improving in reliability over a number of years, and its success is down to a multi-faceted approach, accordi...

Making stations more secure

31.10.13: The SecureStation project is looking at how to reduce the risks of general crime, fire, and terrorist attacks, and has been getting public views on the acceptability and intrusiveness of proposed security measures. RTM talked to Dr Emma Carter of...

Safety first

31.10.13: A level crossing upgrade at Llanelli in south Wales at two crossings either side of the station grew in scope to encompass some first-of-their-kind innovations to improve safety. RTM talked to Amey’s rail project manager Mark Bushnell and si...

Tram-train: reaching a compromise

31.10.13: Dr Paul Allen, Assistant Director of the Institute of Rail Research at the University of Huddersfield and project manager for work on an optimal interface for the tram-train pilot in Sheffield, talks to RTM. Among the many engineering challenge...

Fleet cascade

01.09.13: Gerry McFadden, fleet director at Southern, talks to RTM about an order for 116 new Electrostar carriages. Intermediate rolling stock to extend electric services across the country is well on its way. Southern has now confirmed an order with Bo...