Railtrack plc

Railtrack Mobile Operations Manager goes for two wheels
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date 12 August 1997
source Railtrack plc
type Press release

Train service delays, caused by incidents, are being significantly reduced this summer by using two wheels instead of the traditional four. Railtrack operations staff are using a motorcycle to get to site quicker than the more usual van.

The scheme is being piloted in the Bristol area where heavy traffic means that Mobile Operations Managers (MOMs) can sit in long traffic jams trying to get to site to sort out the problem. While the MOMs sit in traffic the passengers are held up on the trains.

The 'Motorcycle MOM' will be used to attend all types of operational problems including bridge bashes, signal and train failures. He can be mobilised immediately and get through the sometimes stationary traffic with ease.

The idea to use a motorcycle was that of Gerry Davidson, Mobile Operations Manager at Bristol Parkway, who also volunteered to lead the trial. In order to maintain the highest standards of safety, Gerry, along with a colleague, Mike Radford, undertook an intensive course in Motorcycle Defensive Riding Techniques.

"The main advantage of using a bike is that I can filter through stationary traffic and get to site more efficiently. I am at a particular advantage when responding to any incident that affects the normal running of trains. This can include anything from bridges struck by road vehicles, through incidents of trespass and vandalism, infrastructure failures, animals on the line, train failures to fatalities.

"We can save valuable minutes by the use of a motorcycle, thereby demonstrating Railtrack's commitment to help our customers, the Train Operating Companies, to remain competitive in their own markets," he said.

The motorcycle trial ends in September and if successful may be extended to other parts of the Railtrack national network.

Railhub Archive ::: 1997-08-12 RTK-002