EXPRESS Backbone of integrated transport networks

KiwiRail Staff Newsletter 22 July 2010 Issue 53

Last week, under the watchful eye of Prime Minister John Key, KiwiRail Chief Executive Jim Quinn was one of 82 industry leaders who signed a pledge with the aspirational goal of improving workplace health and safety.

The Zero Harm Workplaces signing ceremonies were the result of work done in the Business Leaders Forum for Workplace Health & Safety which has been sponsored by Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson, Dr Jan White at ACC and Christopher Blake at Department of Labour.

“This enables us to make a step change in New Zealand if we commit properly,” said Jim Quinn. “I have emailed to staff the Pledge that I have signed and also what we think my responsibility is.

“One of the great outcomes from this initiative is to create great benchmarks across the companies and to be able to learn from each other.

“While I think we have a real focus on health and safety and we do some fantastic stuff, I don’t for a minute think that I live up to that pledge yet. Nor do we as a business do enough – that is the challenge ahead.”

Jim Quinn says he would like to see the Pledge put on notice-boards in all worksites and see a renewed

KiwiRail pledges to improve workplace health and safety focus on health and safety teams in each site. A

copy of the pledge is on pages 11-12.

“We need to challenge ourselves to ensure that all of our team are always able to go home at the end of their work day in the state they came to work and that they are healthy,” he said.

“As we look to the investment in the business through the Turnaround Plan we must ensure that it is being made in a way that best improves our safety across the business while still meeting our commercial business goals.”

The pledge includes two personal undertakings for Jim Quinn, four for KiwiRail and three for the Forum.

Jim Quinn’s pledges involve taking responsibility for making health and safety a vital part of the KiwiRail business and creating a workplace in which everyone views health and safety as a natural and important part of the business.

KiwiRail Health and Safety General Manager Paul Anderson welcomed the Forum’s initiative.

“Having our chief executive publicly commit to high standards of occupational safety shows the seriousness with which we take this issue. While we have made great progress over recent years, having won two major awards, we can never be complacent about this issue.”

Green MP David Clendon was shown around the KiwiRail

Westfield Depot in Auckland last Friday by Manager Colin Vickery,

ending his week long secondment to KiwiRail.

Making beer

KiwiRail will be playing a more active role in New Zealand’s brewing industry. We recently secured direct business from the world leader in malt supply, helping to move barley for Malteurop, which supplies New Zealand and international brewers. Read about it on page 5.

Watching for trains

Academic research has confirmed what many in rail already thought – that trains approach level crossings faster than many people think. The study looks at eye movements and how people perceive the speed of approaching vehicles. Read how the findings might be used in future public safety campaigns on page 5.

Two stalwarts retire

KiwiRail marked the retirement of two long serving members of the business recently – Greg Hight and Tony Bascand. After more than 40 years in rail Greg was hoping to see a bit more of the golf course but he just couldn’t stay away and is already back working part time. Tony will finish up at the end of this month, almost 50 years since he started working with ferries. Respective stories on page 6 and 7.

Striking trouble

A truck which struck a rail over-bridge near New Plymouth caused trouble for both road and rail users this week. While customers have moved their freight by road, KiwiRail engineers have put in place a temporary fix so the bridge could be re-opened this morning. See the damage on page 3.

Kung Fu Panda?

The Northern Region structures team is obviously a soft touch – feeling sorry for a toy bear they found abandoned under a bridge, they’ve picked it up as their new mascot. Awh shucks guys – see the proof on page 6.

KiwiRail Staff Newsletter 2

ExpressoBond’s the name

Auckland Super City Mayoral hopeful John Banks believes infrastructure bonds would be a way of funding major infrastructure projects such as the CBD loop rail tunnel that’s been one of his campaign planks for several months. He concedes he would need to work with the Government to get approval for Auckland to raise its own finance by way of bonds, but he advances the argument that money would be better invested in infrastructure than in finance companies. For “the elderly who have lost about $6 billion in shonky finance companies over the last few years, that money could well have been invested in Auckland’s economic infrastructure bonds in a project like the tunnel up Albert Street,” he said. Apart from the CBD loop tunnel, Mr Banks nominated ferries as another candidate for investment. “It makes more sense to have people with their life savings invested in ferry services on our beautiful harbour than on flash houses on Paritai Drive,” he said.

Technical glitchWellington’s Dominion Post newspaper could

take a leaf out of Kuala Lumpur’s New Straits Times pages when it comes to reporting train disruptions. Service disruptions in Wellington have been known to make the front page of the city’s morning daily along with comments from disgruntled passengers. KiwiRail Network GM Engineering and Standards, Peter Steel brought back from KL a copy of the paper reporting on a two-hour delay for passengers on the city’s light rail transit system. Things went wrong at 5.45 pm – right in the middle of the evening peak and normal services weren’t restored until about 7.30 pm. Passengers were delayed between 20 minutes

and two hours but the delays only rated a single column mention on the inside pages of the Straits Times’ city section. A spokesperson for the railway attributed the delays to a “technical glitch”. We’ve made a mental note to try that one.

Can you believe it?The New Zealand Herald’s Sideswipe column

carried an item on Monday that would have had many rail people shaking their heads. Sideswipe is a daily column which sets out to cover the humorous, satirical and simply strange stories. A contributor identified only as Joshua wrote to Sideswipe, “To the father and his three children I saw outside McDonald’s while traveling through Matamata on the weekend – it’s probably not the best idea to encourage your kids to lie down on the train tracks and then to take half a dozen photographs of them doing so. There are easier ways to get rid of your kids and the photographic evidence would just aid the police.”

Heavenly tripChance conversations can be annoying,

particularly when they lead to a search through the memory banks for information that is stored somewhere in the deeper recesses. South Island Passenger Manager Tony McManus had one of those moments recently in conversation with a travel consultant. It was all about people’s names. The TranzAlpine carries people of many nationalities, religions, sizes and ages. One of the most bizarre moments was the day that a group with the family name of Koran was on the Christchurch-Greymouth leg while a group with the family name of Bible was traveling Greymouth-Christchurch. It took a check in the archives to determine that the date was 8 November 2007. The archives don’t record whether the two families met, and if they did, what they said to each other.

Taranaki FlyerA group of Taranaki heritage rail enthusiasts

have their eyes on the Stratford-Okahukura Line. They are hoping that when they have restored an 88-year-old, 50 tonne steam engine that lay buried after derailing near Hawera in 1956, they can run trips for tourists between Stratford and Whangamomona. They belong to the Taranaki Flyer Society, a group dedicated to restoring the big AB locomotive in a Stratford goods shed. Project manager Harry Hessell estimates the restoration could take up to seven years. “If we could get a dedicated line we would have quite a tourist attraction on our hands,” he says. “It could be a great boost for central Taranaki. It would be amazing if we could get the use of a section of the line or even buy a section.” The society admits there’s a long way to go but is looking at the model of the Ngongotaha Rail Trust which they say was gifted a section of the disused Rotorua branch line.

Ride northA far-north rival to the Central Otago Rail Trail

starts to take shape this week when bulldozers and volunteers move onto a section of former railway line between Kawakawa and Okaihau. The land is leased from KiwiRail and the $4 million cost of developing the cycle-way comes from funding allocated by the Government. The 47 kilometre route was identified by the Western (Kaikohe/Hokianga) Community Board with the support of the Far North District Council. Mayor Wayne Brown believes the cycle-way can bring the same benefits to the far north that it has brought to Central Otago. “We’ve grasped this opportunity because of its tourism and job creation potential in our district,” he says. The Community Board Chair Tracy Dalton says: “our trail will tell the story of an emerging nation, capturing the heritage of our pioneers and Maori and telling their stories along the way”.

Many of us have enjoyed two great games of rugby recently. Beating the Springboks two weekends in a row is extremely satisfying.

It’s also satisfying that KiwiRail has given a good account of itself in two “tests” of its own – moving rugby fans to and from Eden Park and Westpac Stadium.

Where sporting venues are served by rail, trains can bring large numbers of fans to within walking distance of a stadium in a way that no other transport mode can.

Next year’s Rugby World Cup is now looming large – for both the organisers and ourselves. Auckland and Wellington are the major focus but we are likely to be running trains to a number of other venues.

KiwiRail and passenger transport generally is being challenged to make sure we get it right. This is true of many aspects around the events including new security processes and a number of other changes.

In Auckland the new Kingsland Station was opened with much celebration in time for the big match on 10 July and it was put through its paces - as was our network on match day. It was a credit to all our team that it went very well.

I know we had team members on standby ready to respond if there had been problems but our planning worked well so there was little need for game day response.

We will be further tested next year when the new signalling is rolled out in that area. I am confident we will continue to do a great job.

In Wellington this last weekend we were also under the spotlight. The Westpac Stadium is well used to major events but again there are new procedures being tested across the board.

For KiwiRail there was the specific challenge of a CTC outage from Pukerua Bay to Otaki that hit us on the Friday before the game. The minutes and hours ticked by on Friday afternoon and the gloom deepened when we had related traction overhead problems.

We were staring down the barrel of not only severe disruption on the Friday evening peak but the following day, stations brimming with fans wanting to get to the

match and no way of getting them all to the stadium for kick-off.

Our team really stepped up, made Friday night peak work as effectively as we could and had the problem sorted by Saturday morning. The game and party goers were blissfully unaware that there had been an issue due to the dedication of our team.

In both cities, the commuting around the games went really well. But we can’t afford to be complacent. There is a lot at stake so we will be testing our response further in the new year around the Super15 games.

Thanks to all of you who made it all work. I know in Wellington the need to overcome the CTC outage and traction problems had different parts of KiwiRail working together to achieve the best outcome.

Keep thinking about what we can do to manage the risk of issues around these events next year and what we can do to make the trip a great part of the overall experience of the World Cup next year.

Love your work!!!

Jim Quinn, Chief Executive

QUINN“EXPRESSED”

KiwiRail wins its own two test matches, one against the odds

KiwiRail Staff Newsletter 3

That’s the message from the Chris Cairns Foundation as it prepares to launch its latest rail safety campaign at KiwiRail.

Timed to coordinate with National Rail Safety Week in August, the CALL IT IN campaign is a blitz on the reporting of near collisions.

Staff throughout KiwiRail will be involved in the campaign – from locomotive engineers, to train controllers, to gangers out on the network.

“Whatever your role is in the company - if you see a driver not obeying the warning signs at a level crossing or acting illegally on the corridor, we want you to report it to Train Control, and complete the Level Crossing Complaint Form, says Foundation Manager Megan Drayton.

Megan says the campaign, which kicks off on 1 August, is aimed at improving driver behaviour around level crossings. “We

Call it in Campaign

know from talking to the guys out there that there are so many near collisions on a daily basis, and we hope that this campaign will help reduce these incidents.

“We’ll be keeping in close touch with the depots throughout the campaign, and the statistics that are fed back to us will be used to generate publicity during National Rail Safety Week.

“We’ll be driving home the message to motorists that if they break the law, it will be reported, and the Police will take action.”

Megan also says that rumours of Lance Cairns visiting some depots may just be true. “Keep an eye on upcoming issues of Express to find out how you can have a sausage roll with one of New Zealand’s greatest and most crowd-pleasing former cricketers.”

You don’t have to be driving a train to report a near collision - everyone can CALL IT IN.

Step 1 Report all near collisions to Train Control

Step 2 Complete the Rail Level Crossing Complaint Form at end of shift

Step 3 Hand the completed form to your manager

Truck closes road and railA truck carrying a digger closed a road and railway line after it hit a rail over-bridge on Tuesday morning.

The collision severely damaged one of four concrete beams, with more minor damage to another. The incident closed the bridge for two days while KiwiRail Network engineers assessed its structural strength and installed a temporary fix.

All rail traffic to and from New Plymouth port was moved by road until the bridge was re-opened about 9.30am this morning. KiwiRail staff and contractors worked throughout the night last night to prop up the bridge from the road underneath. The track will be shifted slightly so more load is placed on the undamaged side of the bridge.

The road underneath has been reduced to one lane while the ‘temporary fix’ is in place. A permanent replacement for the bridge span may be several months away.

Photo courtesy of Taranaki Daily News.

Auckland’s new trains a step closerKiwiRail has announced a short list of four potential suppliers to build Auckland’s new electric trains.

The four rolling stock manufacturers are Hitachi Limited; Hyundai Rotem; Bombardier Transportation Australia Pty Limited; and a consortium of Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, SA. (CAF) and Mitsubishi Corporation.

Each of the short-listed manufacturers will now have the opportunity to provide feedback into the technical requirements and specifications for the rolling stock before a full set of RFP (Request for Proposal) documents are released to them in August.

They will then have until November to submit their final bids.

KiwiRail Chief Executive Jim Quinn confirmed that there were no New Zealand-led bids.

“However all bidders are aware of the capacity for local content here in New Zealand and the full extent to which this is included will be understood in the next step of the process.”

The decision on the successful bidder is expected late in the first quarter or early in the second quarter of next year.

Jim Quinn says the team was delighted with the industry response to KiwiRail’s Call for Expressions of Interest, which was issued in May.

“The number of responses has reinforced the high level of interest in this, given the relatively small number of suppliers world-wide with the skills and resources to meet the tight timeframes of the project.”

KiwiRail is working closely with the Auckland Regional Transport Authority on the procurement process.

KiwiRail Staff Newsletter 4

The Midland Line is home not only to an iconic railway journey, the TranzAlpine, but another iconic national treasure too – the Great Spotted Kiwi.

A team of residents from Arthurs Pass is carrying out preservation work alongside the railway to protect the kiwi, according to local Gerald Bruce-Smith.

“Whilst the Midland Line provides carriageway for the popular TranzAlpine and coal trains through Arthur’s Pass National Park’s Bealey Valley, it also provides access for one of the greatest threat to the

resident Great Spotted Kiwi – the Stoat.“

The Arthur’s Pass community operate a recovery project for the great spotted kiwi, between Klondyke Corner and the upper Otira Valley. Predator trapping work primarily focuses on the capture of stoats and weasels. As

part of their research on this kiwi species, they have transmitters on 27 local kiwi which provides feedback on activity levels and incubation trends.

“KiwiRail drivers, guards, passengers and maintenance crew will often catch glimpses of the volunteers undertaking their monthly checks of the trapping lines, several of which are adjacent to the railway, checking for catches and replacing baits,” says Gerald. The traps are spaced at 100m intervals.

“The Great Spotted Kiwi, as the name implies, is the largest of the Kiwi family, and are seriously big birds – one of the locals is 3.5 kilos,” Gerald adds. “The chicks, however, are particularly vulnerable to predation until they get past one kilo, hence the need for a high density of traps in the Valley to meet the population recovery goal.”

Further information on this project can be found in the DOC Visitors Centre in Arthur’s Pass, or by visiting their website www.wilddata.org.nz/apkiwi/ .

Kiwi Spotting

Volunteer Christina, checking a trap near the Midland Line.

RATS!In the quiet hours of last Friday morning a cold rat caused havoc when it took refuge in the KiwiRail communications shelter at Paraparaumu Station north of Wellington.

The rat made himself at home and peed on critical communications equipment – it might sound funny but destroying this important gear had the potential to cause significant disruption to peak commuter traffic later that morning.

As KiwiRail Network Signals and Telecommunications Manager John Skilton explains the equipment was “toast” so a rescue mission was launched to try and minimise the impact on Tranz Metro passengers and get a fix in place as soon as possible.

The pressure was on throughout the day as the damaged equipment provided the link for signaling, and at the same time communications to a network of traction substations looked like it too might fail. Concern grew as everyone was aware of the crowds expecting a smooth ride to the rugby on Saturday.

To manage the morning peak, staff were sent out early on Friday to manually control signals and points at key sites on the lower North Island Main Trunk.

Their efforts reduced the delay to peak Tranz Metro services, but these still crept up to 30 minutes on the Paraparaumu Line with flow-on disruptions to other lines. The Capital Connection was bussed between Otaki and Wellington.

"Most people are just rushing off to work when they arrive," says Teresa Geldenhuis from Tranz Metro's Customer Service office at Wellington Station. "But we did get some people complaining on Friday and they are generally unhappy about delays."

With the morning peak over signals and telecommunications experts Mark Bell and Greg Hackett got to work rebuilding the system using spare parts they had on hand – with more being flown in from around the country just in case.

As a back up, John spent the day setting up a remote system at Paraparaumu to replicate the necessary train control system – and he got Plan B working just two minutes before Mark and Greg had the main system back working again that night!

Staff heading out to do manual operations again during the evening peak meant disruptions were limited and went almost unnoticed by passengers.

The otherwise reliable equipment is 20 years old and due to be replaced as part of the Wellington rail upgrade. Once new equipment is in place next year the risk of another incident like Friday’s will reduce – but in the meantime the feedback has been great for a stand out effort from all the different parts of the KiwiRail business to minimise disruptions to our passengers.

KiwiRail Staff Newsletter 5

Container revolution The release of a ‘world-first’ transport container is set to revolutionise the rail industry across Australia and the world, according to transport equipment supplier, SFC Group. The group claims its 40 foot side-door container which uses moulded plastic bi-fold doors are the first of their kind. The company says they are light, durable and provide easy access to the container.

“This design is the only one of its kind in the world and has already generated a lot of interest here in Australia,” SCF group director Richard Sykes said.

He says Queensland Rail and Toll Group are keen to use the container as an alternative to curtain containers, with Toll to trial the prototype this month.

The container is said to be ideal for palletised freight because of its ability to access and load products along the length of the container rather than only having access from the rear doors.

Brisbane undergroundBrisbane CBD is set to receive its first new train station in 100 years, as part of the Queensland Government’s $8bn Cross River Rail project, Australia’s Rail Express reports.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said the new Albert Street underground station was a genuine city-building opportunity that was a “game changer” for rail in South East Queensland.

“South East Queensland is a growing region, with the population expected to grow from approximately 3 million now to around 4.4 million by 2031,” Bligh said. “To manage that growth and maintain our liveability we must continue investing in better public transport.”

The Albert Street Station is one of four new underground stations including Roma Street, the Boggo Road Urban Village and Woolloongabba. It will have subway style portal entries from various Street locations on the surface above the new underground station.

Barley BusinessEven if they are not drinking our beer, it could still have New Zealand ingredients – and now even more KiwiRail involvement.

KiwiRail has recently gained the direct business with Malteurop, the world’s leading malt supplier.

We will be expanding our grain hopper wagon fleet to 13, to move barley from their Ashburton storage facility to their malting plant at Marton, from where they supply both New Zealand and international brewers.

KiwiRail Mechanical Services are currently converting five CA coal wagons to CG grain wagons for the business. The work involves fitting the wagons with hungry boards, a platform and roll back tarpaulin, and weather proof seals.

Malteurop is a world leader in the malt industry and the leading supplier to the brewing industry, with 23 plants and a production capacity of 2,200,000 tons across 12 countries.

Our southern hemisphere location makes New Zealand ideally situated to conduct ‘off season’ barley breeding activities and trials for their other global operations, and new strains of barley have been developed that are in demand for the new generation ‘pure’ beers.

Academic proof that people misjudge train speeds New research from a Waikato University masters student proves what many in the rail industry have suspected for a long time – trains go a lot faster than people think.

The research was completed by Helen Clark (no relation to the former Prime Minister) who recently submitted her completed thesis. The study looked at the role that eye movements play in how people perceive an approaching train.

Using a computer simulator, Ms Clark tested how fast people thought trains were traveling towards them compared to cars and motorbikes and she considered the distances where participants said at what point they would not cross.

She also used eye tracking equipment to test people’s eye movements and responses at level crossings protected by passive signs.

The results of the research were that people thought the trains were traveling a lot slower than they really were – sometimes 20 kilometres slower.

Megan Drayton of the Chris Cairns Foundation says the research has potential implications for future public awareness and advertising campaigns.

“Even though we have long suspected that people misjudge the speed of an approaching train, we now have academic proof that this is the case,” she says.

“This research can help us tailor our messages and campaigns. We will be continuing to urge motorists to always wait for an approaching train no matter how fast they think it is travelling.”

Ms Clark is currently considering whether to pursue further PhD study around the issue.

She says her study looked at people’s perceptions of approaching trains from a stationary position and it would be interesting to conduct further research to assess motorists’ perceptions of moving trains as they are actually driving towards the crossing.

Chris Cairns of CCF with Helen Clark.

KiwiRail Staff Newsletter 6

Bridge PandaThere has been some debate in the media this week about New Zealand adopting a panda from China, with a stoush brewing between Auckland, Wellington and Napier as to which city will play host to the furry creature.

Little do they know that KiwiRail has beaten them all to it – adopting our own ‘Bridge Panda’.

KiwiRail Network Structures Inspector Barry Rattray was carrying out a survey recently of Bridge 298 on the North Island Main Trunk, just south of the Waikato town of Mercer, when he found our lonely panda discarded in the bushes nearby.

With the full agreement of his fellow Northern Region Structures Inspectors, the little guy was recruited as the Structures mascot, complete with his own hi viz vest.

Retirement announced by Tony BascandTony Bascand’s career is as old as Interislander itself. Now the long-serving Picton Terminal Manager has announced he is to retire at the end of this month.

Tony’s career began in 1962 as a Clerk with the Union Steam Ship Company, which saw him involved with the management of the Waterfront Industry Commission and setting up the Cook Strait rail ferries -- namely the Aramoana and Aranui.

When the Government took over the management of the rail ferries in late 1971, Tony joined New Zealand Railways, which involved such tasks as signalling of trains, making up the rail tonnage for the ferries and selling tickets. He was ultimately promoted to Stationmaster at Picton and then transferred to the Terminal as Manager when the station closed.

Tony says there have been many “good and bad memories” during his career -- including a ten-day strike on his first day and a nine-month intermittent industrial dispute in 1984 -- which both “took a lot out” of him physically and mentally. The fast ferries also brought challenges -- “they were a new ‘era’ in transportation and created a lot of operational headaches and controversy”, he says.

On the positive side, the job has enabled him to meet “a lot of wonderful people” such as Billy Connolly, Ray Columbus, the Governor General, the All Blacks and the United States Ambassador.

“The greatest pleasure of all has been working with great staff over the years -- they have been a great team to work with.

“I wish the company well and staff all over the company I have come to know.

“I would like to see KiwiRail and Interislander become the number one freight carrier in New Zealand. I will always take an interest in the future of the company.”

Tony and his wife, artist Sydney Bryant, are off on a Pacific Cruise in August and on return intend travelling the South Island to spend time with their children and grandchildren.

In addition to pursuing his hobbies of travel, photography and voluntary work, Tony says there will also be more time to enjoy golf and follow sport … “and to spend more time in the caravan parking up wherever Sydney wants to do her paintings. Life is too short, you have to enjoy life while you can!”

TranzScenic Passenger Services Manager Tony McManus recalls working together in Picton back in the 1970s.

“In those days we worked for New Zealand Railways out of the Picton Station,” he says.

“Our duties included completing the boat manifests for railway wagons and train lists for trains departing Picton.

“The terminal was very small and Railways had a small ticket office that was attended for the sailing times only… we had insufficient desks at the station for the staff required and between ships staff had to entertain themselves – like make themselves scarce!

“Tony was the only local lad working at the station while the rest of the staff were imports.

“To work for over 40 years in the one location is a major achievement and during his career he must have dealt with many different scenarios -- some good and others not so good!”

Despite being in the same town for almost 50 years of working life, Tony has ventured out of Picton although the memories are not always pleasant. A profile in the Marlborough Express notes that he was on the Wahine two days before disaster struck. “It was a familiarisation trip but luckily I was in Picton when she went down. I knew a lot of crew on the ship. It was a terrible time for everyone.”

Like his career, he finishes the interview on a high note; “I love ships, loved working here. I’m sure I will miss it.”

KiwiRail Staff Newsletter 7

Greg’s Hight’s contribution to KiwiRail recognised Well known Freight Risk and Compliance Manager Greg Hight, who retired at the end of June, was honoured at a function in Auckland to recognise his contribution to rail.

Greg joined what was then the Railways Department on 21 January 1969 as a Traffic Branch Cadet at Trentham. Decimal currency had only been in use since the previous July and cadets were employed on a princely salary of $1195 per annum.

After completing the required internal examinations Greg took a direction that would shape his future career - relocating to a Train Control role in Ohakune. He subsequently worked at Taumarunui and relieved at Te Kuiti Train Control before moving to Wanganui in late 1979.

Further operations training followed before he moved back to Wellington for the next 20 years. During this time in the capital Greg was involved with repositioning projects including single person crewing, remote controlled shunting and centralisation of locomotive crew calling and rostering.

In 2001 Greg moved with the company to Takapuna. This lifestyle change saw Greg take up paddling with the Grizzlies in Takapuna along with his rail colleagues Lance Richards and Steve Muir.

In the last twenty years Greg has made a significant contribution to the shape of the company and the operating systems in use today.

Greg (centre) was presented with a boxed locomotive set, DA 1969 (year joining) and DX 2010 (year retired). The inscription reads: Presented to Greg Hight on retirement from KiwiRail in recognition of your significant contribution to rail safety, service and efficiency. Left is Lloyd Major and right is Paul Ashton.

His passion for the business, sense of fairness and eye for detail in the investigation area, have left a legacy for future generations of rail personnel.

Although Greg has retired from fulltime work and hopefully will get to see a lot more of the golf course, he is currently back with us part time assisting Woburn training Centre in the training development area.

NEW LE IN MIDDLETONMiddleton’s latest and youngest addition to its team of Locomotive Engineers is following a family tradition.

Last Friday, 16 July, 23-year-old Kyle Swainson was certified as an LE, based in Middleton. Kyle’s father and brother also work in the Middleton yard.

Kyle started in the rail industry in 2006 as a TXO in Middleton. While he had no intentions of following in his father Paul’s footsteps when he first started, he quickly changed his mind.

Paul Swainson is a Locomotive Engineer who celebrated 40 years service with rail earlier this year. Kyle’s brother Cory also works in rail, in the Mechanical team based at Middleton.

Kyle enjoys the outdoors and is certainly not a city boy, Kyle enjoys camping, 4WD and social events. Kyle and his father Paul play a big role in organising the yearly event at Cass called the Cass Bash.

All the best Kyle in your new role as a Locomotive Engineer!

Top: Kyle sitting pretty.

Left: from left to right; Brother

Cory Swainson (Mechanical

Servicing Middleton), father

Paul Swainson (Locomotive Engineer Middleton), and Kyle.

KiwiRail Staff Newsletter 8

To apply for these vacancies please submit your CV and covering letter to http://careers.kiwirail.co.nz or contact the relevant Recruitment Advisor.

Vacancies MORE INFORMATION

KiwiRail NetworkSheronika Shandil, 04 498 3315, sheronika.shandil@ontrack.govt.nz

KiwiRail Corporate, Interislander and PassengerMarcelle Roberts, 04 498 3396, marcelle.roberts@kiwirail.co.nz

KiwiRail Freight and Mechanical Rowena Foster, 09 363 7328, rowena.foster@kiwirail.co.nz

KiwiRail CorporateFollowing on from the announcement of the CFOs direct reports and a period of consultation, a decision has been made to restructure the Corporate Finance team with the new roles to be based in Wellington.

GROUP FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING MANAGER, WLG, 5 Aug, Ref 19205Working closely with the Financial Controller, the Group Financial Accounting Manager is responsible for the Group Financial accounting team, ensuring all internal and external reporting deadlines are met. This role is responsible for consolidated management reporting and external reporting. A full position description is available on our careers site.

(2x) FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT, WLG, 5 Aug, Ref 19206Working as part of the Group Financial Accounting team and reporting to the Group Financial Accounting Manager, the Financial Accountants will be responsible for a range of responsibilities in the areas of management reporting and external reporting. A full position description is available on our careers site.

ASSISTANT FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT, WLG, 5 Aug, Ref 19207Predominantly working as part of the Group Financial Accounting team, the Assistant Financial Accountant will also provide assistance to the Budgeting and Corporate Accounting and Tax teams. Reporting to the Group Financial Accounting Manager, this role is responsible for journal preparation, balance sheet reconciliation and report generation. Please visit our careers site for a full position description.

GROUP BUDGETING AND FORECASTING MANAGER, WLG, 5 Aug, Ref 19208Working closely with the Financial Controller and the Group Financial Accounting Manager, the Group Budgeting and Forecasting Manager is responsible for the running the budgeting and forecasting processes within the KiwiRail Group. In addition this role will also oversee the Corporate Accounting function. Reporting to the Group Financial Controller, this role is responsible for the preparation of the consolidated budget, preparation of the consolidated forecasts, corporate accounting activities and analysis of Group Financial results. A full position description is available on our careers site.

TAX MANAGER, WLG, 5 Aug, Ref 19209Reporting to the Group Financial Controller, the Tax manager is responsible for providing timely advice to the business on all tax matters and ensuring the KiwiRail Group complies with all its direct and indirect tax obligations. In addition this role will also oversee the activities performed by the Tax Accountant. Full position description online.

TAX ACCOUNTANT, WLG, 5 Aug, Ref 19210Reporting to the Tax Manager, this role is responsible for the tax compliance and accounting functions within the KiwiRail Group as well as providing day to day advice to business units as directed by the Tax Manager. Please visit our careers site for a full position description.

SAP FUNCTIONAL ANALYST - Logistics, WLG, 5 Aug, Ref 19214SAP Logistics functional expert sought to support Production Planning, Materials Management and Plant Maintenance modules. The SAP Functional Analyst - Logistics role is based in Wellington and is permanent and full time. The function of this role includes troubleshooting application of software issues; call management, resolution and escalation; software enhancement through functional configuration, assisting in design, development, and testing of new applications and functionality delivered via the SAP Programme of Work. In addition, this role is responsible for assisting the design, delivery, and improvement of internal SAP training programs and related courseware. The ideal candidate for this role will have a minimum of 5 years SAP Logistics experience supporting users within large organisations, possess exceptional communication skills at all levels and be process oriented. Functional configuration capability should be attained at a high level, with SAP certification preferred. Full position description online.

ICT OPERATIONS MANAGER, AKL, 29 Jul, Ref 19105This is a new role which will provide leadership to the Operations Team in its day to day operations. The Operations Team provides support to the Service Desk for computer related issues and also assists the Infrastructure team with operational server tasks. The Auckland Operations Manager will manage and prioritise the team’s workload and task requirements, while ensuring compliance with operational policies and procedures. The role is a critical part of the overall ICT operational management team and provides client facing skills, on-site escalation and support to the IS Managers. A full position description is available on our careers web site.

INFORMATION AND RECORDS ADVISOR, WLG, 29 Jul, Ref 19106Reporting to the Information and Records Manager, this role is based in Wellington and full time. This role will administer an information and records management framework for KiwiRail, which maximises efficient storage and retrieval of information and records and which meets industry best practice, quality and legislative requirements. A full position description is available on our careers web site.

KiwiRail Interislander JobsTRAINING MANAGER, WLG, 5 Aug, Ref 19211Based in Wellington this is a new role which reports directly to (and will work closely with) the Human Resources Manager – Interislander. This role will manage all aspects of Interislander Business Unit’s training requirements, to ensure training programmes are designed and delivered to meet the business requirements and develop the skills of its employee’s. Full position description online.

KiwiRail Network Jobs(2x) ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROTECTOR - WRRP (Fixed Term until 30/6/2011), WLG, 4 Aug, Ref 19225We are currently looking for a practical and reliable individual, who has the ability to self manage and motivate staff through long unsupervised periods. As Electrical Safety Protector you will be part of the team based in and around the Wellington area, which is undergoing significant change and development at present. You will be responsible for providing onsite safety protection, working with contractors to conduct safety inductions and assisting with the preparation of safety plans and land entry permits. You will be physically fit as labouring is required as is some shift work. If you are looking for a job that gives you the ability to build on your health and safety knowledge as well as provides excellent practical skills then we want to hear from you!

STORE PERSON, WLG Woburn, 4 Aug, Ref 19213The warehouse carries a wide range of railways related stock and is the only warehouse in New Zealand which customers can order from. As the Store Person you will be responsible for ensuring that all stock and non-stock materials are stored and made available as required by customers, both internal and external.

ENGINEERING INSPECTOR (Track), South Island, 3 Aug, Ref 18928An interesting role has arisen for an experienced track person within the Southern Region. The role of Engineering Inspector encompasses physical inspection of track assets, provision of advise on safety and code compliance, mentoring of staff, involvement in the preparation of renewal programs and monitoring and delivery of work programs. Ideally you will have extensive experience in track engineering, maintenance and construction and will have a detailed knowledge of code requirements.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROTECTOR, Taihape, 2 Aug, Ref 17852As an Electrical Safety Observer you will be responsible for providing onsite electrical safety protection, working with contractors to conduct safety inductions and assisting with the preparation of safety plans and land entry permits. Ideally we are looking for individuals who have basic electrical knowledge, attention to detail, a current full class 1 licence and able to work varied rosters including some weekend and night work.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROTECTOR, PNth, 2 Aug, Ref 17851As Electrical Safety Observers you will be responsible for providing onsite electrical safety protection, working with contractors to conduct safety inductions and assisting with the preparation of safety plans and land entry permits. Ideally we are looking for individuals who have basic electrical knowledge, attention to detail, a current full class 1 licence and able to work varied rosters including some weekend and night work.

KiwiRail Staff Newsletter 9

To apply for these vacancies please submit your CV and covering letter to http://careers.kiwirail.co.nz or contact the relevant Recruitment Advisor.

Vacancies MORE INFORMATION

KiwiRail NetworkSheronika Shandil, 04 498 3315, sheronika.shandil@ontrack.govt.nz

KiwiRail Corporate, Interislander and PassengerMarcelle Roberts, 04 498 3396, marcelle.roberts@kiwirail.co.nz

KiwiRail Freight and Mechanical Rowena Foster, 09 363 7328, rowena.foster@kiwirail.co.nz

KiwiRail Freight JobsOPERATIONAL RISK AND COMPLIANCE MANAGER, AKL Takapuna/ Parnell, 29 Jul, Ref 17720Reporting to the HSQE Manager for KiwiRail Freight you will lead the development of the rail risk management system and significant rail occurrence investigations across the spectrum of operational safety and occupational health. Additional critical components of this role are timely and accurate response to requests for information from external agencies and representing KiwiRail as a technical expert. You will already have the skills and knowledge that will enable you to identify opportunities for improved business performance and be capable of leading safety improvement projects.

CONTAINER TERMINAL MANAGER (Large), HAM, 4 Aug, Ref 17686As the Container Terminal Manager your primary responsibility is the management of the people and functions associated with the delivery of all customer’s container cargo. This involves managing your team in all aspects of the job continually being aware of workplace safety of your team and yourself. You will need to have strong planning abilities and high attention to detail to facilitate effective management of work activities. Does this sound like the perfect job for you? Call us today!

Events Calendar & Notices

Send news, contributions & photos by 5pm each Tuesday to theexpress@kiwirail.co.nz.

KiwiRail Staff Newsletter 10

CORE 201012 – 14 September 2010 Wellington, New Zealand

The Conference on Railway Engineering (CORE) is the biennial conference organised by the Railway Technical Society of Australasia (RTSA). CORE has become an important technical event in the international railway industry calendar and in 2010 the RTSA takes CORE to Wellington, New Zealand.

CORE 2010 will continue to provide CORE delegates from across the railway industry with a programme of high quality railway technical papers and ample opportunity to network.

KiwiRail is pleased to be a major Sponsor.

http://www.core2010.org.nzAndrew Hunt can also be contacted for more information extn

42281 or andrew.hunt@kiwirail.co.nz.

JULY GRAND ANNIVERSARIES06/07/70 Phillip Nimmo, Ganger, Springfield,

Network, 40 years07/07/70 Teeiva Metuariki, Rail Passenger, 40

years08/07/90 Michael Martin, Interislander, 20 years09/07/90 Walter Rota, Rail Freight, 20 years17/07/70 Vernon Antunovich, Rail Freight, 40 years21/07/80 Raymond (Buzz) Terrey, Structures

Inspector, Christchurch Area, Network, 30 years

28/07/00 Dion Harwood, Rail Passenger, 10 years30/07/70 Graeme Leys, Mechanical, 40 years

Leadership course on offerFollowing great feedback from past leadership courses, KiwiRail are continuing to offer the course in 2010. Places in the courses are filling up quickly so if you are interested please contact Michelle (details below).The four day programme, run by THINKTANKZ, is designed to develop potential or existing leaders within the business. Tony Williams from THINKTANZ explains that while the course doesn’t currently form part of the NZQA programmes being offered across the organisation it is part of the overall support matrix for leadership training. He describes it as a potentially “life changing event”.“The first two days are designed to stimulate – participants have fun while challenging their preconceptions, beliefs and values that can limit effectiveness. Day three provides an opportunity to percolate as participants experience the wonderful nature of GR8 Leadership in action,”Tony says. “The final day is to create certainty and understanding from the participants around who they are, where they are going and how they are going to get there.”Places are currently available:• 14 – 17 September• 05 – 08 October• 16 – 19 NovemberIf you are interested in attend these courses please ask your manager and then contact Michelle Burton: michelle.burton@ kiwirail.co.nz or ext 43374 or DDI 04 498 3374. There other courses at different times so if you’d like to join a waiting list, please contact Michelle Burton.

INTRODUCING THE ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM

The Organisational Development team was set up specifically to provide all business units with resources that focus on the following areas:

• Self development and team skills through experiential workshops• Leadershiptrainingatintroductorylevelforfirsttimeorprospectiveteamleaders

right through to -• Leadership training options for current and prospective senior managers• Training ‘on job’ trainers (those who require some training so they can assist

others on job)• Training for trainers (those whose core role includes training others)• Providing basic workplace communications skills training for staff at all levels

across the organisation• Individual assistance with core communication skills such as speaking, listening,

reading, writing and numeracy• Assistance with NZQA and ITO (industry training organisation) related matters.

To talk to us about any of the areas listed above, or to explore any developmental options not already listed, please contact us:Chris Suggate - Project Manager for Core Communications: DDI 04 4982297 or ext 42297, chris.suggate@kiwirail.co.nz, 021 578686.Michelle Burton - Administrator and Coordinator of Self Development Workshops: DDI 04 4983374 or ext 43374, michelle.burton@kiwirail.co.nzKerry Pritchard - Leadership Training Consultant: DDI 04 4983227 or ext 43227, kerry.pritchard@kiwirail.co.nz, 027 2161757

Chris Suggate Michelle Burton Kerry Pritchard

Sign-up for Network’s Induction programme KiwiRail Network is all set to launch its first induction programme, and is looking for new recruits to sign-up to this intensive two-week course aimed at turning rail greenhorns into operations-ready staff.

The programme, which is open to trainee track workers, signal technicians and traction linemen, provides training in health and safety, electrical awareness, manual handling as well as the specialised skills they will need to do their jobs on a day-to-day basis.

The course runs from 9 to 20 August at the Woburn Training Centre, Wellington. For more information, please contact Nicole Wijngaarden by email at nicole.wijngaarden@kiwirail.co.nz.