RailStaff Awards: Part V

Nuneaton man wins special Lifesaver Award

A railwayman who talked down a machete-wielding man at Nuneaton station has won this year’s Lifesaver Award at the rail industry’s national RailStaff Awards 2013.

Adrian Whittington of London Midland spent 20 minutes talking with the armed man on June 5 to calm him down and distract him until the police arrived.

In a statement nominating Adrian for the award, British Transport Police (BTP) said: “Adrian is a quiet, pleasant and unassuming chap who put the welfare of his passengers before his own and assisted us in ensuring a delicate and dangerous situation did not escalate.”

Adrian, 50, a duty station manager at Nuneaton, said: “I didn’t expect to win and I have really enjoyed the night.

“I owe many thanks to my wife Debbie for putting up with my tales when I come home from work. Thanks also to my line manager, Tam Giez, and all the crowd at Nuneaton.”

Now in its second year, the Lifesaver Award is backed by the Samaritans and Network Rail.

The award aims to recognise the pre-emptive actions of station staff, train crew, track workers and many railway staff who by timely intervention have prevented a potential fatality.

Andy Milne, editor of RailStaff, said: “This is exactly the sort of bravery and courage that so often goes unreported. Adrian heads a sizable contingent of railway staff who have in some way or other talked down disturbed members of the public intent on harming themselves or others.

“Adrian’s story is an inspiring one. The fact this came in from a police officer also reflects the danger our police colleagues face and the support we in the industry give them.”

The Network Rail/Samaritans Partnership was launched four years ago with the aim of reducing the number of suicides on the railways.

Network Rail is investing in the partnership. Special courses have been developed to equip train staff with the skills to approach vulnerable people and help to get them to a place of safety, as well as a call-out service that involves Samaritans volunteers visiting stations to offer support to vulnerable people and staff.

Samaritans chief executive Catherine Johnstone said: “It’s about saving lives on the railway.

“It’s for the front line staff and that’s where the difference is made. They get confidence and more skills.

“It’s important for the people working on the front line to feel equipped to deal with things that happen in their place of work. When people intervene it can also have a knock on effect for them and if they’ve been on the course we can help them.”

Newcastle train driver wins Rail Person of the Year

Tony Paul, ASLEF union learning rep and East Coast train driver, has won this year’s Rail Person of the Year Award at the RailStaff Awards 2013.

Based in Newcastle, Tony was recognised on October 5 at Birmingham’s ICC for the considerable time he devotes to staff welfare projects.

Tony set up literacy and numeracy courses in partnership with Sunderland College and encouraged 59 staff to take the courses and achieve an NVQ in each subject.

The 45-year-old train driver from Whitley Bay said: “It’s a nice thing to do, you get a good feeling from it and people appreciate what you do.”

Tony Paul started as steward and now drives train between Edinburgh and London.

John Scott of East Coast said: “The joint trade union learning days were non-existent before Tony undertook the task as the representative from ASLEF.

“Now the RMT and TSSA have joined forces with ASLEF to run the most successful courses on the route. Over 100 rail staff from across the whole industry have participated in sitting extra qualifications to improve their life.”

RailStaff editor Andy Milne said: “Tony Paul is an inspiration to all who work in the rail industry. One of the railway’s great successes which never receives adequate public recognition outside the mess room and depot is the amount of education and training that goes on. I don’t mean just on rail related issues – important though those are – but a range of skills that people need to advance their careers and to grow in themselves.

“What he has achieved is of immeasurable worth to staff and their families down the years.”

Martin Frobisher, area director for award sponsor Network Rail, said: “When we look at what Tony has done, he has helped dozens and dozens of people get qualifications in basic numeracy, he’s organised lots of charity events, the list is endless. I can’t think of a more worthy winner of the top prize.”

The RailStaff Awards is an annual industry wide event recognising the hard work, courage and professionalism of the men and women who deliver Britain’s railway every day.

The RailStaff Awards is supported by Network Rail, London Underground and the Rail Alliance.

Whaley Bridge station hero wins national award

A New Mills man who turned around the fortunes of a Derbyshire railway station has won a national industry award.

Stephen Sharp, who works for Northern Rail, was named the joint winner of the Station Staff of the Year Award at this year’s RailStaff Awards event on October 5.

Since arriving at the station in October 2012, Stephen, who used to be a conductor at Manchester Victoria station, has not only helped increase ticket sales, he has brought Whaley Bridge back into the community.

Nominating Stephen, passenger and councillor Alistair Stevens said: “Stephen has been running our station for nearly a year now. Before his arrival it was not a nice place to start your journey. The booking office was never open on time, we had a variety of staff who served tickets and nothing else.

“He [Stephen] arrives an hour before his shift every day, no matter what the weather. He is so polite and pleasant to everyone. We all talk to each other on the platform now, which we never used to.”

Stephen, 49, from New Mills, said: “I’d like to thank my wife, Paulette, and my manager, Pam Williams. They have both been very supportive.”

Chris Godbold, director at award sponsor Transport Benevolent Fund (Tbf), said: “Front line life isn’t always easy because passengers encounter difficulties and they often expect staff to have ready answers [for things] which may not be in their control.

“We feel it’s important to recognise those staff who have not only fulfilled expectations but go that little bit further and provide exceptional service.”

Andy Milne, RailStaff editor, said: “It is difficult to compress into a few words the sum of what Stephen Sharp has achieved at Whaley Bridge. The nominations cover several pages and it is all good stuff.

“Stephen has succeeded in placing Whaley Bridge station right at the heart of the community it serves. He must rank as one of the best ambassadors for railways in the business.”

The RailStaff Awards is an annual industry-wide event recognising the hard work, courage and professionalism of the men and women who deliver Britain’s railway every day.

The RailStaff Awards is supported by Network Rail, London Underground and the Rail Alliance.