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Thursday 29 Jun 2006

CHIEF ENGINEER BECOMES PROFESSOR

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National

Network Rail’s Chief Engineer Andrew McNaughton has been made the Special Professor of Rail Systems Engineering at the University of Nottingham.  The honorary post will be for three years in university's School of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering. Andrew McNaughton said:  “It is an honour to be given this opportunity to share my knowledge and experience with students at the start of their engineering careers.  After all my years working in the rail industry, now is the most exciting time to be involved.  We are making huge strides in technology and in developing engineering talent at Network Rail.” Andrew McNaughton’s career on the railways spans more than 30 years.  Highlights include: leading the introduction of steel sleeper relaying and the development of new maintenance techniques; setting up and managing the engineering function at Network Rail; and the introduction of new technology - including the pioneering New Measurement Train. Head of the School of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, Professor Tom Hyde, said: “I am delighted by the appointment of Andrew McNaughton to the University of Nottingham. I hope it will further cement the relationship between one of the premier engineering schools in the UK and the rail industry.” Andrew is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Past President of the Permanent Way Institution, and Chair of the Advisory Board for Rail Research UK.  In Europe. he is Vice Chairman of the UIC Infrastructure Forum and the Infrastructure Managers’ representative on the European Rail Research Advisory Council.