Rail Technology Magazine Podcast

On Episode 27 of RTM's Track Talk, host Matt Roberts is joined by Chris Griffiths, Head of Product Sustainability at Marshalls to discuss the opportunities to improve sustainability around our railway stations, the need for standardisation of sustainability metrics to allow for better industry comparisons and what the next steps of the conversation around climate change must be: adaptation. Hosted...

On Episode 26 of RTM's Track Talk podcast, brought to you in collaboration with KeTech, our host Matt Roberts sits down with Martin Howard, Customer Service Officer at Chiltern Railways to discuss the work that they have been doing to improve the journey and experiences of their passengers in their stations and on their routes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of RTM’s Track Talk, host Ailsa Cowen is joined by Gareth Dennis, a Railway Engineer and Writer. Gareth dissects the strong anti-devolution agenda affecting the industry, how our railways are a jack of all trades and master of none and how HS2 is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. Gareth discusses the 40% cut in Transport for the North’s operational budget. He says, “t...

On this week’s episode of RTM’s Track Talk, host Ailsa Cowen is joined by two guests. Paul Appleton, Deputy Director of Railway Safety and HM Deputy Chief Inspector of Railways at ORR and George Bearfield, Health and Safety Director at Rock Rail. They discuss the increasing awareness of cyber safety in the rail world and why our cyber security is vital. Paul spoke of how all our new modern trains...

On this week’s episode of RTM’s Track Talk, host Ailsa Cowen is joined by Jim McMahon MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport. Jim divulges why we should be leading from the front on technology and innovation, the dangers around trimming back on HS2, and his belief in the potential of the North, as a real powerhouse and not just as a slogan.   Jim discusses the gaps in support from Government...

On this week’s episode of RTM’s Track Talk, host Ailsa Cowen is joined by Steve White, Chief Operating Officer at Govia Thameslink Railway. Steve discusses GTR’s trains testing negative for Covid-19, turning the organisation jar upside down and sprinkling fairy dust across the railways. Steve speaks about progress and how “there’s a whole generation of people now who are looking to make sure their...

On this week’s episode of RTM’s Track Talk, host Ailsa Cowen is joined by Maria Machancoses, Director of Midlands Connect. Maria talks about the importance of HS2 to the Midlands and the UK, collaborating with DfT and how we need to embrace the railways again.  Maria discusses the importance of HS2 to the East Midlands and how it cannot, “be looked at as Phase 1, Phase 2… it needs to be looked at...

On this week’s episode of RTM’s Track Talk, host Ailsa Cowen is joined by Tom Moran, Managing Director of Thameslink & Great Northern. Tom spoke about living with a Victorian rail network, the importance of a diverse workforce, turning stations into art galleries and how the days of having a timetable booklet are gone.   Tom explained GTR’s three main areas of focus for transforming their stat...

On this week’s episode of RTM’s Track Talk, host Ailsa Cowen is joined by Ed Akers, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail’s East Coast Upgrade. Ed gives an update on the £1.2bn project, the importance of collaboration and why the project feels like performing open heart surgery on a live patient.  Ed talks to us about the Werrington Grade Separation and how the 11,000-ton curved concrete bo...

On this week’s episode of RTM’s Track Talk, host Ailsa Cowen is joined by Neil Walker, Exports Director at the Railway Industry Association. Neil talks about InnoTrans 2021, how he and his team support UK rail companies when it comes to exporting and why rail is such a vibrant sector.  Neil tells us about his role at RIA, where he helps members export all around the world by working alongside the...

This week host Ailsa Cowen is joined by two guests from Network Rail. Martin Mason, Programme Manager, at Network Rail’s Digital Railway and Kelley Quirk, Programme Manager, at Network Rail’s Intelligent Infrastructure programme.  They discuss Network Rail’s Intelligent Infrastructure Programme and the rollout of the Track Decision Support Tool. Kelley and Martin work closely together and sit acro...

David Ollerhead, Programme Director at Network Rail’s Open for Business Programme, joins host Ailsa Cowen for episode 15 of Rail Technology Magazine’s podcast, Track Talk. David discusses playing with trains as a child, investment into our railway and removing barriers for third parties.  His career at Network Rail began nine years ago but he self-confessed his interest possibly began earlier afte...

Louise Coward, Head of Insight at Transport Focus, joins host Ailsa Cowen for episode 15 of Rail Technology Magazine’s podcast, Track Talk. Louise talks about a ‘Head Out to Help Out’ campaign, keeping passengers safe and their ongoing projects. She divulges into the RPI increase on rail fares and says this is not the right kind of issue for passengers right now because Covid-19 has completely cha...

Harriet Glen, Head of Programme Close Out at Crossrail, joins us on this week’s episode of RTM’s Track Talk to discuss the largest construction project in Europe.  Harriet gives us an update on the project that was brought to a standstill during lockdown but her “team are working around the clock to provide a detailed recovery plan.” She also told us how and why Crossrail have led the way in, “div...

David Rowe, Head of Strategy at Network Rail in the newly established Technical Authority, joins host Ailsa Cowen for episode 13 of Rail Technology Magazine’s podcast, Track Talk, to talk all things innovation in the rail industry.  David divulges into how the rail industry is built on new technology and the importance of giving voice and choice to passengers and freight users.  He also spoke avid...

Adeline Ginn MBE, Founder & Chair of Women in Rail, joined host Ailsa Cowen for episode 12 of Rail Technology Magazine’s podcast, Track Talk, to discuss all things gender balance, diversity and inclusion. The charity WR have played an enormous part in promoting diversity within the rail sector since it began in 2012, by this time Adeline had over 10 years of experience in the business. Adeline...

Saba Yussouf, CEO of Invisi Smart Technologies UK, joins host Ailsa Cowen for episode 11 of Rail Technology Magazine's podcast Track Talk.  This partnered episode allows the rail industry to hear about a revolutionary piece of technology that has been developed to kill all bacteria and viruses that, once sprayed onto any surface, stays in place for year.  Meaning this could be a game changer for t...

Kate Jennings, Policy Director at the Railway Industry Association (RIA), joins guest host Matt Roberts for episode 10 of Rail Technology Magazine's podcast - now under its new name Track Talk - to talk about how the rail industry innovates during coronavirus, the role RIA is playing and the power rail has in the UK's economic recovery coming out of this pandemic. This episode of Track Talk is bro...

Debbie Francis, Direct Rail Services, joins us in the RTM Podcast room to discuss the rail industry from a freight perspective. Debbie is a rail fanatic, leading the way in a male dominated area of the rail industry.  With hosts Matt Roberts and Ailsa Cowen, the conversation flowed from Debbie’s involvement in the NHS, coming out of school with no qualifications and why she is proud to be a Northe...

Martin Frobisher , Group director, Safety, Technical & Engineering at Network Rail, joins us in the RTM Podcast room to discuss the renewable railway of the future and safety on the track. As a Director of industry giant, Network Rail, Martin has a lot of advice regarding safety and security on railways, but it might not be what you think. With hosts Emily Rodgers and Ailsa Cowen, the conversa...

  Regional Director for the Rail Delivery Group and former journalist for Sky News and the BBC, Robert Nisbet joins us in the studio to discuss his career move into the rail industry and how technology is improving Britain’s railways year on year.  On the agenda in the most recent RTM podcast Robert discusses the history of railways and the connection between that and Britain’s national history. H...

Director of Northern Powerhouse Rail at Transport for the North, Tim Wood, joins us in the RTM Podcast room to discuss benefits and opportunities the Northern Powerhouse Rail can bring. Gain inside information on the progress of Northern Powerhouse Rail from the Director himself.  With hosts Emily Rodgers and Ailsa Cowen, the conversation kept flowing in the RTM podcast room in Manchester as we he...

Director of Business development and communications at XRAIL, Monica Barbosa, joins us in the RTM Podcast room to discuss the rail industry from an SME perspective. Monica is a cheerleader for small and medium enterprises and explains how the innovation they can provide are vital to the rail industry. With hosts Emily Rodgers and Ailsa Cowen, the conversation kept flowing here in the RTM podcast r...

Hollie Woodard – VolkerWessels Show Notes – RTM Podcast ep. 4 Hollie Woodard, head of equality, diversity and inclusion at VolkerWessels UK, joins us in the studio for the fourth episode of our RTM podcast, talking at length about improving industry diversity and changing the narrative at an early age to make rail a realistic and exciting career prospect for the next generation. As Hollie explains...

Loraine Martins MBE , Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail, joins us in the studio for the third episode of our RTM podcast, talking at length about her role and how it came about – Loraine was the first person to hold her current position – as well as how accessibility and diversity can be attained across the rail sector, both for passengers and in the supply chain.  Light-hearted...