03.05.13
Rail innovation the highlight at first Railtex Awards
Railtex 2013 has been an incredible event, with a notable increase in visitor and exhibitor numbers, a high calibre of presentations and seminars, and the inaugural Railtex Awards on Wednesday night, which gave exhibitors the chance to come together to celebrate their successes and achievements.
RTM was proud to be the headline sponsor for the Awards, which were presented by Phil Tufnell and Garry Richardson, with more entertainment provided by the fantastic singers Clayton Stevens and Elsade.
The judges were Colin Flack, chief executive of the Rail Alliance; Graham Coombs, communications director at the Railway Industry Association (RIA); Guy Woodroffe, head of research and development at the RSSB; Martyn Chymera, chairman of the Young Railway Professionals (YRP); and Colin Walton, chairman of the Derby & Derbyshire Rail Forum (DDRF).
The awards ranged from innovation to rolling stock, station facilities to electrification. Following a drinks reception, guests enjoyed a three course dinner. A raffle was held to raise money for the Railway Children and networking continued into the early hours.
As headline sponsors of the awards, RTM took the opportunity to formally launch our new charity, the UK Rail Industry Training Trust (UKRITT). RTM’s business development director Roy Rowlands took to the stage and highlighted the importance of filling the skills gap in the industry, to deliver the huge planned programme of works and investment.
Introducing UKRITT, he said: “UKRITT will reach out to young people to influence and educate them in the wide and diverse range of exciting career paths available in rail, from engineering to operations and from track to train.
“The charity’s first activities will be to put on a series of engagement and educational events around the country culminating in a national final to promote the railways as a career option to young people, and to explain more about the training and qualifications and apprenticeships available.”
The winners of the Railtex Awards were:
Newcomer to Railtex - sponsored by Rail Alliance
Qinetiq
Innovation - sponsored by Telent Technology
Concrete Canvas Ltd
Health & Safety - sponsored by In2Global
Rail Safety Systems BV
Plant & Equipment - sponsored by Mack Brooks Exhibitions
GGR Group
Judges Choice - sponsored by Railway Industry Association
Cox Wokingham Plastics
Rolling Stock - sponsored by ABB
Bombardier
Rolling Stock Maintenance - sponsored by Houghton International
Alstom
Track & Infrastructure Products - sponsored by Cox Wokingham Plastics
Rail Safety Systems BV
Track & Infrastructure Maintenance - sponsored by Harrington Generators Limited
DBD Communications
Electrification - sponsored by Webro
ABB Ltd
Station Facilities - sponsored by Steel Line
Infotec
The full list of shortlisted finalists is at www.railtex.co.uk/railtex-awards/
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