On The Rails

In the Room at Our Annual Stakeholder Conference

In this episode of the “On the Rails” podcast, host Sophie attends London Northwestern and West Midlands Railways’ annual stakeholder conference, giving listeners a chance to hear from attendees and speakers.  Every year, the company hosts key stakeholders from across the country for a day of networking, talks and workshops. It’s an opportunity to discuss achievements, learnings and priorities for the year ahead.  You’ll be able to experience what it’s like to be in the room at the conference, hearing from attendees from a range of organisations like West Midlands Growth Company, Rail Forum, Lichfield Festival and the Mental Wealth Company.  You’ll also get to listen to a live recording of one of the conference panel sessions – a Q&A with four of the company’s Heads of Department, covering drivers, stations, conductors and performance. They answer questions about cancellations, AI, gender diversity and much more. Find out more about our stakeholder engagement here: www.wmr.uk/stakeholders / www.lnr.uk/stakeholders 

Career Journeys: Running A Railway For All

In this episode of “On the Rails”, host Sophie shines a spotlight on the power of inclusivity in the rail industry and explores gender balance and recruitment. You’ll get to hear firsthand from female rail workers as they share their journeys, challenges and advice for those looking to break into the industry. Head of Euston station operations, Amanda Webster-Uz, reveals how she rose through the ranks at Network Rail and came to lead one of the UK’s busiest transport hubs. Adebisi Hassan reflects on her career journey and the skills needed to thrive as a customer experience manager. And, Kate Taylor, joint leader of the new trains project, shares career highlights and guidance for aspiring engineers.  You’ll also get an inside look at the driver training process with Richard Morrow, head of drivers, and hear from Saheeb Hussain, EDI lead, about how the company is embedding equity, diversity and inclusion into every level of operations. What’s more, Leyla Buran from White Ribbon UK discusses a powerful charity partnership with London Northwestern and West Midlands Railways to prevent violence against women and girls by turning awareness into action. Learn more about our commitment to inclusion at www.lnr.uk/inclusion or www.wmr.uk/inclusion.

Tracks Through Time: The Railway200 Special

In this episode of “On The Rails”, host Sophie takes you on a journey through time to celebrate Railway 200 – a national campaign recognising 200 years since the first passenger train journey in 1825.  You’ll get to hear from Felicity McWilliams, curator of science and industry at Birmingham Museum’s Trust, as she discusses the impact of the railway on society. She also recounts the tale of how the renowned LMS Princess locomotive, aptly named ‘City of Birmingham’, came to be at Birmingham’s Science Museum, ThinkTank. Also on the episode, West Coventry Academy teacher Jo Kerr, talks about the school’s exciting project – Visit 200. Run by sixth formers at the school, Visit 200 encourages students from across Solihull and Warwickshire to try out train travel and visit stations across the UK, with the aim of collectively ticking off 200 outings by the end of 2025.  The podcast also dives into the lives of London Northwestern & West Midlands Railway staff members who have family trees that are deeply rooted in the railway industry. Uncover the family history of members of station staff, Chris, Eileen and Alan. And looking ahead to the future of the railway, West Midlands Railway’s apprentices discuss their engineering role and what they anticipate will be next for the industry. For more information about Railway 200, visit https://railway200.co.uk/

Jess Phillips MP, Our Brand New Trains & How Timetabling Works

Embark on an electrifying journey with Liam as he dives deep into the riveting realm of railways. On today's episode, we sit down with the Labour MP of Birmingham, Yardley, Jess Phillips, who tackles the crucial issue of women's safety on the rails. Discover her involvement in a vital campaign and gain valuable insights on how to act swiftly if you see an incident on the rails. To view the safety video mentioned by Jess Phillips MP, visit zerotolerance.nationalrail.co.uk. Also on this episode, get an insider's perspective from Mike, our timetable manager, as he unveils the secrets of his fast-paced role, including stories such as bumping into David Cameron whilst travelling. And hold onto your seats as Ben Roberts, who took a lead on the railway logistics for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, as he shares his experiences of orchestrating our brand new fleet amidst unexpected challenges - like wrangling a goat onboard. Get ready to be swept away by tales of adventure, innovation, and unexpected encounters on this exhilarating ride through the world of railways!

Tracks, Tunes, and Trains: Unveiling Pete Waterman's Rhythmic Railway Journey

In this captivating episode of "On the Rails" host Liam takes you on a journey through the fascinating world of the railways, exploring the profound impact of these tracks on people's lives. First up is a legendary figure in the music industry, Pete Waterman, who reveals how the railways played a pivotal role in his successful music career. Discover the rhythmic inspiration he found on train journeys and the unique connection between music and locomotion, and how it brought the pop anthem of the century "Never Gonna Give You Up". Next, we delve into railway economics with Annamaria, an expert in revenue protection at West Midlands Trains. Learn about her vital role behind the scenes, ensuring the railways remain economically sustainable. Finally, we meet Francis Bourgeois, a passionate railway enthusiast dedicated and TikTok sensation. Francis shares his most profound connections with the railways and why he believes it's crucial to safeguard their rich heritage. Join us as we explore the railways from unique angles, revealing their profound impact on music, history, and the economy. Tune in and embark on this extraordinary journey through the world of rails and rhythms.