Doc Frank chats with Craig Evans from Ipswich in England about the impact of introducing the European Train Control System (ETCS) to a freight and logistics company. Craig’s organisation Freightliner operates a fleet of nearly 200 locomotives to be gradually equipped with ETCS, and employs around 700 locomotive drivers to be accustomed and trained on driving freight trains under ETCS control. The discussion covers the structure of the British railway industry, the ETCS introduction to the East Coast Main Line, project delivery structures that support collaboration, the challenges of locomotive fitout and driver training, and much more.

If you like this podcast and want to support it, please share it with others that may be interested and check out the training courses recommended at the beginning and end of the episode which may be of use for you or your coworkers. Thank you.

Show notes:

1.       “Understanding CBTC Fundamentals” is a more explanatory title for the brand-new 2024 update of the legendary CBTC Kickstarter online training. Get the latest version of the arguably most comprehensive and longest-running CBTC training worldwide here: https://docfranktraining.podia.com/cbtc

2.       The East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP) is set to introduce the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 to the East Coast Main Line, one of the busiest railway lines in Great Britain.

3.       Here is the link to the Freightliner website on ERTMS that Craig mentioned:
 https://ertms.freightliner.co.uk/

4.       “Digital Signalling Interoperability” is a pivotal topic in 2024 and the subject of a brand-new training that launches in March. With eye-opening lessons on CBTC interoperability, ETCS interoperability and cross-technology interoperability, this training is a treasure trove for anyone involved with interoperability challenges for modern signalling. Get access to this worldwide unique training here: https://docfranktraining.podia.com/interoperability.

Doc Frank chats with Sita Brown from Sydney in Australia. Sita managed very successfully to build a career in both corporate and charity organisations while prioritising her growing family. This conversation provides great tips how to balance one’s professional career with other important aspects of life and will be insightful for listeners of both genders.

If you like this podcast and want to support it, please share it with others that may be interested and check out the training courses recommended at the beginning and end of the episode which may be of use for you or your coworkers. Thank you.

Show notes:

1.       “Understanding CBTC Fundamentals” is a more explanatory title for the brand-new 2024 update of the legendary CBTC Kickstarter online training. Get the latest version of the arguably most comprehensive and longest-running CBTC training worldwide here: https://docfranktraining.podia.com/cbtc

2.       “Digital Signalling Interoperability” is a pivotal topic in 2024 and the subject of a brand-new training that launches in March. With eye-opening lessons on CBTC interoperability, ETCS interoperability and cross-technology interoperability, this training is a treasure trove for anyone involved with interoperability challenges for modern signalling. Get access to this worldwide unique training here: https://docfranktraining.podia.com/interoperability.

Andy Harrison is back! After our quite deep conversation in episode 6 this is a follow-up to reflect a few things happening during 2023 in the railway industry. We cover why an open mind is important in railways, cross-fertilisation of the industry from new employees and suppliers, how to introduce new technologies and associated philosophies without losing the original railway identity, industry partnering models most conducive for ETCS delivery, the drive for ongoing change and innovation, how to combat industry scepticism, the importance of business cases and aligned stars, how ETCS implementation can be made repeatable to drive costs down, whether AI is rather fascinating or terrifying, and much more.

You can support this show best by subscribing, telling your friends about it and checking out the world-class trainings mentioned before and after the conversation (and in the show notes below). Thank you!

Show notes:

1.       “Understanding CBTC Fundamentals” is a more explanatory title for the brand-new 2024 update of the legendary CBTC Kickstarter online training. Get the latest version of the arguably most comprehensive CBTC training worldwide here: https://docfranktraining.podia.com/cbtc

2.       The East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP) is set to introduce the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 to the East Coast Main Line, one of the busiest railway lines in Great Britain.

3.       Here is the YouTube link to the very recommendable previous episode with Andy Harrison:
 https://youtu.be/KMkjrXGbKzo

4.       “Digital Signalling Interoperability” is a pivotal topic in 2024 and the subject of a brand-new training that launches in March. With eye-opening lessons on CBTC interoperability, ETCS interoperability and cross-technology interoperability, this training is a treasure trove for anyone involved with interoperability challenges for modern signalling. Get access to this worldwide unique training here: https://docfranktraining.podia.com/interoperability.

Doc Frank chats with Sonny Kaur from Perth in Western Australia. Sonny collected vast project management experience in Australia, the USA and Europe while managing to coordinate her career with her partner’s. We talk about the importance of small actions in projects, the work culture compared between Australia and the USA, spicy relationships between project managers and project engineers, how to get projects back on track, the value of women on the project team, the Women in Technology initiative, David Goggins’ cookie jar, and much more. 

Subscribing to the podcast helps this show greatly, so please do so and thank you if you are already subscribed. Also, you will surely have friends that would enjoy this podcast too. Remember, sharing is caring. 

Show notes: 

1.       “Understanding CBTC Fundamentals” is a more explanatory title for the brand-new 2024 update of the legendary CBTC Kickstarter online training. Get the latest version of the arguably most comprehensive CBTC training worldwide here: https://docfranktraining.podia.com/cbtc 

2.       Doc Frank referred to the BART project which Sonny worked on while in California. BART stands for Bay Area Rapid Transit and is the commuter train network in the San Francisco area. 

3.       For any female railway worker interested in the Women in Technology initiative, Sonny recommended joining this group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/120870 

4.       “Digital Signalling Interoperability” is a pivotal topic in 2024 and the subject of a brand-new training that launches in March. With eye-opening lessons on CBTC interoperability, ETCS interoperability and cross-technology interoperability, this training is a treasure trove for anyone involved with interoperability challenges for modern signalling. Get access to this worldwide unique training here: https://docfranktraining.podia.com/interoperability. 

Doc Frank chats with Tony Eid from Sydney, Australia, who presently works as Deputy Project Director on the prestigious Cross River Rail project in Brisbane. Tony shares from his vast experience why 2024 is a special year for his project, the difference between line and project management, what shutdown fatigue is, the difference between change and transformational change, the three most important questions in change management, what makes a good project sponsor, and a great leader, and much more.

Do not miss this most insightful episode and if you like it tell your friends about it.

Show notes:

1.       “Digital Signalling Interoperability” is a pivotal topic in 2024 and the subject of a brand-new training that launches in March. With eye-opening lessons on CBTC interoperability, ETCS interoperability and cross-technology interoperability, this training is a treasure trove for anyone involved with interoperability challenges for modern signalling. Get access to this worldwide unique training here: https://docfranktraining.podia.com/interoperability.

2.       Tony talks about the SEQ network where SEQ stands for South East Queensland, the most populated area in Australia except for Sydney and Melbourne, including Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and everything in between.

3.       Woolloongabba (“Gabba”) and Exhibition are two of the new stations delivered by the Cross River Rail project in Brisbane. The Gabba is Brisbane’s famous football stadium, and at Exhibition station are the Brisbane Showgrounds.

4.       Mayne Yard is a large train stabling and maintenance yard near Brisbane’s city centre, and Tony compares it with two similarly large yards in Sydney, at Auburn and at Clyde.

5.       Tony mentions DDA requirements which are related to the Disability Discrimination Act.

6.       The online training program “High Capacity Railway Mindset” is based on cutting-edge research and presents monthly training modules over an entire year. Every module includes a “Transformation Guide” lesson with coaching how to facilitate change and learning, and also five examples of an outdated legacy mindset with an associated new mindset more conducive for a high-capacity railway and tips how to get there.
This online training course is the only one of its kind worldwide, so use this opportunity to get an edge and join the program at https://docfranktraining.podia.com/mindset. 

Doc Frank explains the concept of ‘Regional Fast Rail’ as a third pillar of passenger rail apart from city metros and intercity high speed services. He discusses characteristics of Regional Fast Rail, the suitability of candidate lines in Australia and a case study from India.

Subscribe to the show and share it with your friends and coworkers helps the impact of this podcast to the railway industry and motivates work on further exciting episodes. Thank you.

Show notes:

1.       “Understanding CBTC Fundamentals” is a more explanatory title for the brand-new 2024 update of the legendary CBTC Kickstarter online training. Get the latest version of the arguably most comprehensive CBTC training worldwide here: https://docfranktraining.podia.com/cbtc

2.       “Digital Signalling Interoperability” is the training this podcast episode (and soon the wider railway industry) is talking about in 2024. Fully revised and expanded with eye-opening lessons on CBTC interoperability and ETCS interoperability, this training is a treasure trove for anyone involved with interoperability challenges for modern signalling. Get access to this worldwide unique training here: https://docfranktraining.podia.com/interoperability

Doc Frank discusses a critical topic for the railway industry, not just in Australia but arguably everywhere else where interoperability between advanced digital signalling technologies is required. Frank talks about his experience with interoperability from Europe and Australia, risk factors that may prevent interoperability, how he developed a training on interoperability, the recent update of this training to make it contemporary in 2024, and how he sees the future of digital signalling interoperability in Australia.

A must-watch (or listen) episode, not just if you work in Australian railways.

Subscribing and sharing with friends and coworkers helps the impact of this podcast to the railway industry and motivates work on further exciting episodes. Thank you.

Show notes:

1.       “Understanding CBTC Fundamentals” is a more explanatory title for the brand-new 2024 update of the legendary CBTC Kickstarter online training. Get the latest version of the arguably most comprehensive CBTC training worldwide here: https://docfranktraining.podia.com/cbtc

2.       “Digital Signalling Interoperability” is the training this podcast episode (and soon the wider railway industry) is talking about in 2024. Fully revised and expanded with eye-opening lessons on CBTC interoperability and ETCS interoperability, this training is a treasure trove for anyone involved with interoperability challenges for modern signalling. Get access to this worldwide unique training here: https://docfranktraining.podia.com/interoperability

Doc Frank explains why signalling knowledge becomes relevant for the wider railway organisation as it transitions from conventional signalling to high performance operations under CBTC. The podcast includes part of a presentation from the CBTC World Summit 2023 which illustrates that challenge.

Show notes:

1.       The official recording of the entire CBTC World Summit 2023, arguably the best global CBTC conference in history, is available for lifelong on-demand viewing on
https://docfranktraining.podia.com/cbtcworldsummit2023

2.       Podcast listeners now enjoy a special discount for the top-class CBTC Kickstarter Online training, the most comprehensive CBTC course in the world. Listen through the episode to find out how to claim it, then go here for access:
https://docfranktraining.podia.com/cbtckickstarter-online2023

Doc Frank chats with Steve Boshier from Melbourne in Australia, the current global president of the IRSE (Institution of Railway Signal Engineers). The open and deep discussion covers differences between the railway industries in New Zealand and Australia, the specifics of big and small projects, what it means to be an IRSE president, and much more.

If you like this podcast, please subscribe and tell a friend about it. That helps keeping this show going. Thank you.

Show notes:

1.       CBTC and enhanced varieties of ETCS promise an increase of signalling capacity, but fulfillment falls short if not applied properly. The “High Capacity Signalling Blueprint” training teaches how it is done properly. More information here:
https://docfranktraining.podia.com/hcsblueprint

2.       The online training program “High Capacity Railway Mindset” is based on cutting-edge research and presents monthly training modules over an entire year. Every module includes a “Transformation Guide” lesson with coaching how to facilitate change and learning, as well as five examples of an outdated legacy mindset with an associated new mindset more conducive for a high-capacity railway and tips how to get there.
This online training course is the only one of its kind worldwide, so use this opportunity to get an edge and join the program at https://docfranktraining.podia.com/mindset. 

Here is the link to the podcast episode with Steve’s predecessor as IRSE president, Andy Knight.
 Audio version: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110625/12843102
Video version: https://youtu.be/_eTTmolP8GA 

The first episode of 2024 presents the first-ever guest from the USA. Hares Rahimzei from San Francisco joined the railway industry just six months ago, and he picked the supposedly difficult field of CBTC for his first role.

This conversation explores the motivation for joining the railway industry and some tips how to get in. We also discuss why one should either change role or industry but not both at the same time, the importance of building confidence in addition to knowledge, the value of eliminating misunderstandings and confusion, the pros and cons of in-person and virtual conferences, and much more. Please enjoy and share this podcast with a friend or two – thank you.

Show notes:

1.       The CBTC Kickstarter is arguably the world’s longest-running, and most comprehensive, CBTC training. Check out the online version here:
https://docfranktraining.podia.com/cbtckickstarter-online2023

2.       The CBTC World Summit 2023 was praised by participants as the best international CBTC conference of all times. The official recording provides lifetime on-demand access to all 18 top-class presentations from around the world. Sign-up for this treasure trove of the latest global CBTC insights here:
https://docfranktraining.podia.com/cbtcworldsummit2023