HomeLong Reads

Long Reads

Our railways and trams need more focused organisation

Colin Wheeler Political turmoil, the UK economy, and Covid have all affected the way we live and work. Hopefully we are at last moving forward...

LGBTQ+ champions

Pride month (1-30 June) is a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and highlight its history, achievements, and struggle for equality. Supporting and celebrating...

Young Rail Professionals: Developments in rail and the implication for young professionals

Bonnie Price As the chairwoman of Young Rail Professionals (YRP), I am acutely aware of the impact that recent news in the railway industry has...

Award winning stories – Lee Woolcott-Ellis, Southeastern

Taking home a RailStaff Award might seem like the end of a journey. The reward for months or years of selfless hard work, the...

Expert Commentary: Nick Millington MBE – Route Director, Wales and Borders Route

Nick Millington, Network Rail’s Wales and Borders Route Director, was awarded an MBE in the 2023 New Years Honours list for services to the...

Rail Safety Summit 2023

Colin Wheeler Rail Media’s annual Railway Safety Summit Conference was held on Tuesday 14 March at Loughborough University’s Holywell Park Conference Centre. With 136 people...

A hearts & minds commitment is needed

Colin Wheeler Our early railways were dominated by manual work undertaken by a committed workforce who took pride in what they did. On my wall...

Fighting fatigue: a joint responsibility

All rail staff face a significant challenge in managing fatigue. The nature of the work means staff often work irregular hours or long shifts...

Investing in the future of Scotland’s rainforest

Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland’s Railway, sheds light on an industry-leading two-year pilot project to enhance natural habitats near the iconic Glenfinnan viaduct. Network...

RBF: supporting staff through the energy crisis

As we finally start to emerge from the winter months, soaring energy costs remain a fact of life. Average energy prices in the UK...

Moving forward in 2023

Colin Wheeler As we enter 2023, my aspiration for this year is to see an end to industrial disputes and for our railways to move...

Rail recruitment 2023

In early January, the recruitment firm Carrington West released its 2023 Rail Salary Survey Guide, giving a snapshot of rail workers’ potential earnings and...

Expert commentary – RAIB Human Factors team

RailStaff regularly reports on the investigative findings of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), but what exactly is the organisation’s purpose and how does...

Take control of your career

If you’re seeking a career in a satisfying role, there’s no better time to pursue your dreams and relocate overseas. Australia continues to roll...

Financial well-being – Challenges and next steps

The cost-of-living crisis is affecting everyone. With basic goods, energy and fuel, and mortgage costs or rent all rising, many of us are being...

Women in Rail: working for all

Women in Rail trustee Mohanad Ismail spoke to RailStaff about the importance of ethnic representation within leadership, how ethnicity and nationality can impact career...

Expert commentary – Paul McGunnigle-White, treasury manager and EDI member at Trenitalia c2c

Paul McGunnigle-White is an experienced finance manager and team builder, with a passion for diversity and inclusion. He is a driving member of the...

Shedding the stereotypes and taking centre stage

Lisa Hogben has over 15 years of experience in rail and is a board director with the NAWIC Australia. The fight for equality in...