Tuesday 20 Dec 2005
NETWORK RAIL ENGINEERS LINKS WITH BRUNEL 200
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National
Network Rail is pleased to announce its commitment to the celebrations next year to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Chief Executive, John Armitt, said: “As an engineer myself, I am very pleased that Network Rail is involved in recognising one of the most outstanding engineers in history. We have the unique honour of safeguarding much of Brunel’s legacy, including his drawings and structures. It is only fitting that we are involved in these celebrations.”
A highlight of Network Rail’s contribution will be the unveiling of the Brunel name on the Royal Albert Bridge in Saltash, Cornwall. For many years the walkways used by rail engineers have obscured the letters ‘I.K BRUNEL ENGINEER 1859’. Network Rail is now removing the walkways and will be unveiling the great engineer’s name, which has been hidden for decades.
Network Rail will also be supporting Brunel 200, which will celebrate Brunel’s life, times and legacy through exhibitions, educational projects, publications and arts projects, across Bristol and the South West.
Andrew Kelly, Director of Brunel 200, said: “We are delighted that Network Rail will be so involved with Brunel 200. Many of Brunel’s key engineering achievements still form part of the current working railway. Network Rail is also helping to train the Brunels of the future, through education and its popular apprenticeship scheme.”
Engineering drawings by Brunel, owned by Network Rail, will also be appearing alongside memories and thoughts of Brunel’s legacy from rail workers, past and present, in a travelling exhibition.
In addition to these events:
· Network Rail is set to recognise the outstanding achievement of a young rail professional. The award will be open to the entire rail industry
· Network Rail will support the Brunel Bicentenary Steam Train Trip on 5 July,
which is being arranged by the Newcomen Society
· Chief Executive John Armitt will speak at the Brunel Bicentenary Conference in Bristol, which will debate the huge contribution that engineers have made to society
About Network Rail
We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.
Usually, there are almost five million journeys made in the UK and over 600 freight trains run on the network. People depend on Britain's railway for their daily commute, to visit friends and loved ones and to get them home safe every day. Our role is to deliver a safe and reliable railway, so we carefully manage and deliver thousands of projects every year that form part of the multi-billion pound Railway Upgrade Plan, to grow and expand the nation's railway network to respond to the tremendous growth and demand the railway has experienced - a doubling of passenger journeys over the past 20 years.
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