With the summer now behind us, the nights are quickly closing in and the creature comforts of home are becoming more appealing in the face of the cold outdoors. Autumn is a busy time for rail, as final preparations to protect the network from the elements are completed and we prepare for whatever winter will throw at us.
Though it’s a perennial concern, health and safety is on our minds a little more than usual at this time of year and our focus this issue is on how staff can keep themselves safe and in tip-top condition. We kick off with a look ahead to Rail Wellbeing Live, the online event backed by organisations across the entire industry, and hear how both employees and employers can share the responsibility in managing stress and maintaining mental wellbeing.
Our regular columnists provide sage advice, with Daisy Chapman-Chamberlain exploring how the railway provides a means of improving mental health by opening up the world beyond our doorstep. Colin Wheeler’s regular column goes on to explore the common themes that run through the most recent set of RAIB safety reports.
Recruitment and training is another pressing issue. After a year in the role, Matthew Moxon, head of talent acquisition at Northern, discusses the specific challenges facing industry recruiters, how rail can be overlooked as a career pathway, and how, as a newcomer himself, his eyes have been opened to the possibilities on offer. Carlisle Support Services also tells us how it’s moving away from the use of sub-contractors for non-specialist roles and investing in its own staff. This, it says, is an ethical decision, which will improve industry standards. Carlisle hopes its initiative will one day become the norm.
Toward the end of the issue, Bonnie Price of Young Rail Professionals provides a report on her time at InnoTrans 2024. InnoTrans is the world’s largest trade fair for transport technology, with a large focus on rail. Spanning countless exhibition halls and outdoor exhibits, it showcases the latest rail developments and offers a glimpse into the future of rail.
InnoTrans puts the spotlight on the ongoing achievements of the industry and reminds us that there is much to be proud about. It shows how far the industry has come since its inception. On that note, January 2025 will see the start of year-long celebrations to mark 200 years of the modern railway and Railway 200 is planning a deluge of events, exploring its past, present, and future, to mark the historic milestone.
As if that wasn’t enough to get excited about, the RailStaff Awards is nearly upon us!
The RailStaff Awards is the highlight of the industry calendar and serves as big a ‘thank you’ for each and every rail employee who strives to make the industry better. To mark the countdown, we give you a taste of what to expect and celebrate the stories of some of our past winners.
Don’t miss out – book your tickets today.
Image credit: iStockphoto.com/coldsnowstorm