Become a member… New for 2012


companies and Network Rail control all the critical activities necessary to operate and maintain a railway. As the split between the two was determined at privatisation and driven by contractual and political considerations, it is not necessarily logical in operating terms. The Railways Act 2005 clarifi ed


Professional Development


certain responsibilities between Tocs and Network Rail, but this has not changed the business imperative to integrate effectively, and work together collaboratively and co-operatively. These issues have been further examined by the 2011 McNulty Review into railway structure and costs.


Safe Performance Safe Performance


intentions and their achievement. The Operators Handbook is one such product that will launch later in the year. What follows is a preview extract. Watch this space for more news of our products and services


short courses, texts and a structure for recording your learning


All geared towards Continuing Professional Development opportunities they include new short courses, texts and a structure for recording your learning intentions and their achievement. The Operators Handbook is one such product that will launch later in the year. What follows is a preview extract. Watch this space for more news of our products and services


Collectively the train operating companies, freight operating


A punctual railway is always safer than an un-punctual railway. There is a view that in certain circumstances passenger or freight performance and safety objectives


A punctual railway is always safer than an un-punctual railway. There is a view that in certain circumstances passenger or freight performance and safety objectives


can conflict – experience suggests this is rarely true.


The operator’s objective is to deliver a punctual railway and achieving that safely is an underpinning requirement.


Tocs, freight and Network Rail operations managers at all levels should have a good working knowledge of all relevant activities and practices of the organisations they interface with. Network Rail is currently


The operator’s objective is to deliver a punctual railway and achieving that safely is an underpinning requirement. responsible for reporting


can conflict – experience suggests this is rarely true.


There are no circumstances in of state at the DfT. Conformance with their licence conditions is policed by the Offi ce for Rail


There is however every reason Regulation (ORR).


to challenge potentially


for their aspects of performance, not felt to be fit for purpose.


performance results to the secretary which safety requxirements should be shortcut – for whatever reason.


There are no circumstances in which safety requirements should be shortcut – for whatever reason.


Tocs are also responsible to the inappropriate or overbearing


secretary of state through the DfT safety requirements that are


largely through the requirements of Any manager can do this, and


the franchise agreement. Tocs are all companies have processes/


also responsible to passengers – and mechanisms to handle such


There is however every reason to challenge potentially inappropriate or overbearing safety requirements that are not felt to be fit for purpose. Any manager can do this, and all companies have processes/ mechanisms to handle such passenger representative groups –


for overall delivery. The role of PTEs varies, and ranges from a concession authority, such as Merseytravel/ Merseyrail, to a service specifi er for a Toc/ DfT franchise, such as Centro West Midlands for London Midland. Ask for an explanation of the local position if you operate in a PTE area. The relationship between Tocs and Transport for London (TfL) is still evolving, but a concession Overall customer requirements must always be served by established n a different contractual basis to a franchise agreement.


challenges. Remember that running the railway is what


operators are here for. It has to be done safely, but safety is a means to an end and is not the end itself.


When mounting a challenge


challenges. Remember that running the railway is what operators are here for. It has to be done safely, but safety is a means to an end and is not the end itself.


prepare your case well and test the proposal on a colleague – this will avoid dropping a clanger.


Toc, London Overground Rail


Operations Limited (Lorol), operates operations rules and procedures – that is why we run a railway.


Individual passenger needs may not always be met - usually during disruption - but unfortunately sub-optimal situations must be


Overall customer requirements must always be served by established operations rules and procedures – that is why we run a railway.


■ Over the next few issues, we will be exploring the interface between passenger and freight operators and Network Rail


Individual passenger needs may not always be met - usually during disruption - but unfortunately sub-optimal situations must be


When mounting a challenge prepare your case well and test the proposal on a colleague – this will avoid dropping a clanger.


www.railwayoperators.org


Become a member… www.railwayoperators.org


When track meets train: the interface


between Network Rail and operators ■


The Institution of Railway Operators will be announcing some new products and services during 2012.The Institution of Railway Operators will be announcing some new products and services during 2012. All geared towards Continuing opportunities they include new


managed in order to provide the best solution for the largest number of passengers. Similarly, it is obvious that some passengers will be seriously affected during contingency operation/Service Recovery. That is why all TOCs must have robust well thought through customer service arrangements incorporated in their Service Recovery plans.


managed in order to provide the best solution for the largest number of passengers. Similarly, it is obvious that some passengers will be seriously affected during contingency operation/Service Recovery. That is why all TOCs must have robust well thought through customer service arrangements incorporated in their Service Recovery plans.


Generally if objectives conflict some of them will be found to be inappropriate and should be revised. At the heart of an operator’s skill should be his/her ability to make such judgements and take the necessary corrective action.


Valuable opportunities for members to learn and share knowledge


Your local IRO Area runs events all year round. There are opportunities to see how others work, broaden your experience and add to your professional development. Visit the website to fi nd out more… www.railwayoperators.org


Your local IRO Area runs events all year round. Opportunities to see how others work, broaden your experience and add to your professional development. Visit the website to find out more… www.railwayoperators.org


Generally if objectives conflict some of them will be found to be inappropriate and should be revised. At the heart of an operator’s skill should be his/her ability to make such judgements and take the necessary corrective action.


1


1


Midlands Area: IRO Midlands talk on the subject of the Pendolino lengthening project. January 2012.


PAGE 32 MARCH 2012


Midlands Area: Members learn about fuelling arrangements at Derby Etches Park Depot. October 2011.


2


2


Young Railway Professionals: Staff from c2c enjoying an evening together at the YRP 2012 Black Tie Dinner & Dance. February 2012.


North West & North Wales Area: Members visit a Scottish signalling centre as part of a four-site, weekend visit. October 2011.


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