Media centre

Tuesday 24 Dec 2024

Network Rail’s Christmas hidden heroes: working to ensure the safety and reliability of the railway over the festive season

Region & Route:

National

As millions of people prepare to tuck into their festive meals, thousands of Network Rail workers and supply chain colleagues are hard at work. Along with delivering our big engineering upgrade projects, they are also carrying out the essential operational and maintenance tasks that are undertaken every day of the year to ensure that the railway operates safely and smoothly.

While passenger trains do not operate on Christmas Day, with very limited services by a small number of train operators on Boxing Day, freight and engineering trains continue to run to supply Network Rail’s engineering projects, with signallers, electrical control rooms, response teams and maintainers all working to keep the network operating.

This year, we shine a light on four parts of the rail network where colleagues play a critical role during the holiday season: weather specialists preparing for the unexpected, station staff ensuring an excellent passenger experience, electrical control room managers powering the network, and mobile operations managers serving as first responders to incidents on the track.

As the UK’s unpredictable winter weather approaches, the role of weather specialists becomes more important than ever. These experts monitor conditions around the clock, providing vital forecasts and updates that help prevent disruptions. Their work ensures that train operators can respond proactively to challenges like snow, ice, and heavy rain, keeping services safe and reliable.

Camilla Tayler is a weather operations delivery manager in Scotland and will be working on Christmas Day. 

Camilla, said:

“Along with colleagues in Scotland’s railway control, our team of meteorologists continue to work a 24/7 shift pattern throughout the festive period. Our primary role is to monitor earthwork failure detection systems and provide a continuous weather watch for the railway, forecasting and advising any adverse weather hazards that could affect people travelling or working on the railway, or its infrastructure (even when train services may not be running).

“Whilst I’m unable to travel to visit my family this year, I’ve had a few visiting me in Scotland leading up to Christmas Day before starting my run of nightshifts. So, I have a ready-made excuse for a long afternoon nap!”

Abdelouahab Aitguermit is a shift station manager at London Euston station who is working both Christmas and Boxing Day.

Abdelouahab, said:

“Over the Christmas period, things take on a unique challenge as we prepare for the post-holiday rush and support those traveling during the festive season. Christmas at the station might not be the most traditional way to spend the holiday, but it’s rewarding to be part of making people’s journeys easier, especially at such an important time of year.

“My team and I will focus on carrying out extra checks and inspections whilst the station is a lot quieter so we can prepare ourselves for after Christmas as things get incredibly busy. I’ll be helping prepare the station for the surge in passengers, ensuring we’re set to handle the extra demand safely and efficiently.”

Jonathan Feechan is a senior electrical control room operator based in Scotland. He will be working over Christmas and Boxing Day.

Jonathan, said:

“This is a 24/7 job, and the holidays are no exception. The importance of the role is to ensure the 25-thousand-volt electricity supply for trains remains in place across Scotland. We have some works planned to begin over the Christmas period for which we will be issuing permits to allow our colleagues to work safely on or near the overhead lines.

“Throughout this time, we could encounter unplanned events at any time such as circuit breaker trips caused by trees or animals, or emergency switch offs required to save or protect lives. A bit like a goalkeeper for a top football team - we need to be like coiled springs at all times as that phone could ring at any minute requiring a quick response.

“I’ll be late for my Christmas dinner and on designated driver duties – but I’m looking forward to spending some well-earned rest with my family before I work through the New Year again.”

Chris Gray is a mobile operations manager in Wales and will be working over Christmas Day.

Chris, said:

“Mobile operations managers tend to be the first responders to incidents and aim to manage them safely and effectively on and off track. Part of my job involves me patrolling the area and detect any crime and problems that may arise even when some trains aren’t running.

“What I will miss about Christmas this year is not being there with my family when they wake up and open our gifts together. Then missing all of us sitting around the table and having a nice Christmas dinner together and visiting other family members at this special time of year.”

Andrew Haines, chief executive of Network Rail, commented: “Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for work taking place across the railway, and it’s truly inspiring to see every part of the business come together to ensure everything runs smoothly. 

"We know it can be very disruptive for some travellers but far fewer passengers travel during the Christmas period which is the only reason we do this work at this time of year. 

“I’d like to pass on my thanks and gratitude to everybody working over Christmas and New Year. We’re incredibly grateful to those who have given up their Christmas to keep the railway safe and operational, and to help people stay connected with their loved ones during this special season.”