IRO


are drawn from all age groups and levels of responsibility across the industry. For one graduating IRO student, Martin Bonnington, 26, who is currently a train service controller of high speed services at First Great Western, the IRO degree course came as part of his employer’s Railway Operations Management Training Scheme.


He said: ‘Although the three- year course could be tough going, particularly at times such as starting a new job and moving home, it was well worth all the effort. The IRO has put a great deal into organising and running its educational programme and getting the qualifications recognised across the industry. The course has significantly added to my background knowledge of how the industry works.’ Brian Barry, 46, operations assurance manager with Rail for London, joined the industry after seven years service with the Royal Engineers disarming bombs and shells during and following conflicts across the world, including the first Gulf war.


As a father of four he says finding the time to complete the course modules had been ‘quite tricky’ at times!


He said: ‘When I started my


current job, I soon realised the IRO course would be a big benefit to me in my new role, as well as in my career generally. ‘I never had the chance of going


to university as I joined the army soon after leaving school, so I was keen to grab this opportunity. As a result I now have much more confidence and I am in no doubt the BSc will significantly help my future progress.’


This summer’s graduation event,


the IRO’s seventh such ceremony, brought the total number of students who have successfully completed IRO courses, part of the institution’s Professional Development Programme, to 156. Launched in 2005, the


programme includes the BSc degree, diploma of higher education and certificate of higher education courses that have now seen 62 students gain the degree, 69 students gain the IRO diploma and 25 the IRO certificate.


The next set of IRO degree,


diploma and certificate courses are due to commence in October 2011 – enrolment is still open but places are limited. For more information or to enrol on any of the courses visit the IRO website at www. railwayoperators.org


Town and gown


IRO students graduating as Bachelors of Science in Railway Operations Management in 2011 were: Alan Bannister, Mott Macdonald; Brian Barry, Rail for London; Michael Bones, Virgin Trains; Martin Bonnington, First Great Western; Michael Brown, Transport for London; Noreen Clohessy, Irish Rail; Ian Denning, Network Rail; Richard Earey, National Express East Anglia; Philip Eaton, First Great Western; Kamran Hussain, East Coast; Philip Hutchinson, Southern; Rufus Impey, Network Rail; Oluwatimilehin Joel, Southeastern; Jeremy Kennedy, Translink NIR; Urban Magee, Translink NIR; Christopher Owen, ScotRail; Jason Pearce, Transport Scotland; Keith Pullan, Mott MacDonald; Jonathan Scott, Network Rail; Colin Weir, Network Rail; and William Windrum, Translink NIR. Leslie Day, Iarnrod Eireann received a Diploma of Higher Education in Railway Operations Management.


Irish Area


For information on Irish Area events, contact Hilton Parr at: hilton.parr@railwayoperators.org


Scottish Area


For further information on IRO Scottish Area, contact Ross Campbell on 0141 242 8620 or email Jim Gillies at: scottish@ railwayoperators.org


North East Area


5 August: Guided tour of St Pancras International and hotel. Time: 14:00. Individuals should arrange their own travel to St Pancras. For more information contact: northeast@ railwayoperators.org 15 September: AGM and visit to Sheffield Supertram operations. For information on North East Area events, contact David Monk-Steel at: northeast@ railwayoperators.org or by


21 September: Opportunity to have a go on Virgin Trains’ simulator. Time: 16:30 and 18:00. Please note that two group sessions are being scheduled. Location: Crewe Station, Virgin Trains Offices.


All events and enquiries should be via Roy Chapman at: ironw. booking@railwayoperators.org. General membership enquires to Carl Phillips at: northwest@ railwayoperators.org


Midlands Area


12 September: Presentation by Invensys: The Modular Signalling of the Crewe to Shrewsbury Line. Location: The Mailbox, Birmingham 26 September: Visit to Worcester area mechanical signalboxes. Details will be confirmed in due course.


telephone on: 01751 473799 during office hours. North East Area meetings normally take place at 17:30 for 18:00 in York.


North West Area


For information on Midlands Area events, contact Julia Stanyard on 0121 345 3833 or email: midlands@ railwayoperators.org Unless otherwise indicated, our events start at 17.30.


South West Area


22 August: Talk: Regulation of Heritage Trains on Three Continents. Time: 17:00 for 17:30. Location: Brunel’s Board Room, The Old Station, Bristol, BS1 6QH (near Temple Meads Station). Refreshments will be provided. To book a place contact: chris. prior@firstgroup.com 23 September: Return trip on New Measurement Train from Paddington. Space is limited to 12 people. For further information please contact: chris.prior@firstgroup.com For information on South West Area events, contact: Chris Prior by email: chris.prior@firstgroup.com


South East Area


7 August: Serco Docklands/ DLR Emergency Exercise. Time: 09:00-16:00. Volunteers are sought for a day of testing. Meet: 09:00 at Stratford Regional station. Lunch will be provided. All volunteers will receive a £20 voucher. Contact: Simon. Hulse@sercodocklands.co.uk or Steve.Whitley@dlr.co.uk 12 September: Please note change of date. Talk: Traincrew Resource – A critical Measure. To book a place, contact: glen.merryman@ londonmidland.com All South East events take place at London Underground’s HQ, 55 Broadway, St James Park, SW1, unless otherwise indicated, with a 17:30 for 18:00 start. For further information on the IRO South East Area, contact Jonathan Leithead by email at: jonathan. leithead@networkrail.co.uk


More details of area events are listed on the website at www. railwayoperators.org/Events.aspx


AUGUST 2011 PAGE 29


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