Q: Could you briefly explain your role, involvement, and experience related to the focus of this event?
Tom Scott (TS): I joined the railway in 2017, on a graduate scheme, and attended YEARS in 2018. It was my first time attending an event like this, and the benefits have stayed with me throughout my career. I'm a big supporter of YEARS, and was key in re-launching the event following the Covid shutdown, as I have seen first hand how useful this event is for developing engineers in the early stages of their careers.
William McCullagh (WM): I joined the railway in 2017, on a graduate scheme, and attended YEARS in 2018. It was my first time attending an event like this, and the benefits have stayed with me throughout my career. I'm a big supporter of YEARS, and was key in re-launching the event following the Covid shutdown, as I have seen first hand how useful this event is for developing engineers in the early stages of their careers.
Q: What, in your experience, has been the biggest roadblock for the industry over the past 2-3 years?
TS: My personal opinion - the slow pace at which the industry moves, and the slow reaction to change. The UK has one of, if not the safest railways in the world, and that should not be compromised, but when you can get lightening fast Wi-Fi on an aeroplane 30,000ft over the Atlantic and charging facilities on your local bus - the railway should be at the very least keeping up to pace with other forms of transport to remain attractive and competitive.
WM: The impact of COVID19 has been a challenge, particularly in building back passenger numbers with new ways of working, but fortunately this has improved greatly and it is great to see passenger numbers increasing, which helps the case for additional rail capacity projects, both from a rolling stock and infrastructure enhancement perspective.
Q: What key topics are you excited to discuss at this year's event?
TS: I'm looking forward to sharing my experiences as someone who has recently (I'm still clutching on) completed the graduate scheme, I remember the questions, and challenges I faced early in my career, and I'm excited to help and inspire the future of railway engineering.
WM: I am looking forward to discussing the Net Zero journey that Translink is currently on along with some exciting projects that Translink are developing, both in the short term, but also in the longer term.
Q: What do you consider to be the key areas of innovation in this industry, both in the UK and internationally?
TS: Energy efficiency and energy saving! Personally I think the UK railway is leading the way in alternative fuels and low emission transport. Rail is already one of the most energy efficient forms of transport, but the industry is making huge progress in completely moving away from fossil fuels. With a very strong market for alternative fuels, and energy storage, rail will be a strong driver, and pioneer, in low energy innovation.
WM: The use of technology for assessing the real time condition of our assets has been a game changer. We recently introduced a condition based monitoring system on our rail fleet and this has proven to be a very effective tool in maintaining a high level of reliability and enhanced safety.
Q: Who else are you most interested in hearing from on the programme?
TS: Mark Howard, Chief Engineer for HS2. One of the most high profile rail projects ever undertaken, and a chance to hear from their Chief Engineer is an opportunity not to be missed! I'm also looking forward to Jonathan Prince, an award winning presenter, with a fantastic presentation looking at battery trains on rural lines. And as a regular user of the Piccadilly Line in London, I'm very interested in hearing from Sartia Coultate and Sabrina Marnham regarding the new trains for this line.
WM: I am looking forward to hearing from all the speakers and in particular understanding how they have overcome any challenges they have faced with their projects.
Q: Why is it important for engineers to join this event?
TS: It is a unique opportunity for young engineers to speak with industry leaders, and prominent figures in the railway. It is also a fantastic opportunity to meet with young engineers from around the country, who are at the same stage in their career as you, and build connections which will last throughout your career. It is a fantastic seminar, and should be a 'must' on the calendar for all young engineers.
WM: This is a fantastic event for young engineers and apprentices to not only hear from a range of speakers across the industry but provides a great opportunity to meet and share experiences with other individuals at a similar stage in their career.
Young Engineers and Apprentices Railway Seminar 2024: Connecting Regions by Rail will be taking place on 28-29 November at Radisson Blu Hotel in Cardiff. To book your place, please visit www.imeche.org/years.