This episode reveals some lessons learned from 2023 and tips how to improve things sustainably for the new year 2024.

Show notes:

1.       Those were the two books recommended during the podcast:
 Measure What Matters by John Doerr
 Atomic Habits by James Clear

2.       Here is the link for the recordings of the CBTC World Summit 2023 which participants called the best international CBTC conference of all times. Lifetime on-demand access to all 18 top-class presentations from around the world!
 https://docfranktraining.podia.com/cbtcworldsummit2023

In this end-of-year episode Doc Frank talks about some industry highlights in 2023, both from a personal and global perspective. Topics covered include:

·       The (shocking) independent review of the Inland Rail project

·       The independent review of the Sydney Trains network

·       The creation of not one but two worldwide unique railway training courses

·       The long-awaited publishing of the new ETCS Baseline 4

·       The most affordable (and international) CBTC conference ever

·       The descoping of the High Speed Two project in England

·       The independent review of the Sydney Metro projects

·       And Doc Frank’s biggest wish for the rail industry entering 2024

Please enjoy and if you do, subscribe to the show on your platform(s) of choice and tell a friend (or two) about it. Thank you!

Show notes:

1.       The independent review report for the Inland Rail project can be found here:
 https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/media/publications/delivery-inland-rail-independent-review 

2.       The interim report of the independent review for the Sydney Trains network can be found here:
 https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/system/files/media/documents/2023/Sydney-Trains_Review-Phase-One_Initial-Report_12-May-2023.pdf

3.       These two globally unique trainings are currently available to podcast listeners at a 23% discount (listen in to find out how to get that discount):
 High Capacity Signalling Blueprint (https://docfranktraining.podia.com/hcsblueprint)
High Capacity Railway Mindset (https://docfranktraining.podia.com/mindset) 

4.       The Technical Specification for Interoperability that governs the new Baseline 4 for the European Train Control System can be found here:
 https://www.era.europa.eu/domains/technical-specifications-interoperability/control-command-and-signalling-tsi_en

5.       Here are the links to the full episode 7 with Rodrigo Alvarez, if the clips from that episode made appetite for more:
 Video: https://youtu.be/3mTXIUHL7RM
Audio: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110625/12257610 

6.       The official recordings of the outstanding virtual CBTC conference CBTC World Summit can be found here (apply coupon code BOXING23 before 31/12/2023 for a 20% discount):
 https://docfranktraining.podia.com/cbtcworldsummit2023

7.       A good overview about the descoping of the High Speed Two project in Britain can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Speed_2

8.       Here are the links to the full episode 27 with Roy Unny, if the clips from that episode made you want to listen to more of that:
 Video: https://youtu.be/IZkbrUgJpug
Audio: https://www.buzzsprout.com/21106

This episode presents end-of-year highlights from the first six episodes of this podcast. In case you missed some and find the highlights intriguing, there are links to all full episodes in the show notes below. The highlights include:

·       Likely reasons for the industry discourse regarding CBTC interoperability

·       How a supply strategy can tackle two major challenges to project success, interoperability and shortage of resources

·       Insights into the dedicated mindset of a signalling design engineer

·       Tips and tools to keep complex projects on track

·       Four keys for successful project delivery (legendary!)

·       Is there at all demand for CBTC interoperability?

·       Will interoperable CBTC standards be usable for metro operators with diverse requirements?

·       State and major change triggers for the railway industry as it transitions to digital train control

·       The optimistic outlook for generational change

Please enjoy and if you do, thank you for recommending the podcast to a friend or two.

Show notes:

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

2.       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

3.       Audio version of Episode 1 with Matthew Tan: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110625/12091374 

4.       Video version of Episode 1 with Matthew Tan: https://youtu.be/dAb2pWznSDo

5.       Audio version of Episode 2 with Stephen Lemon: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110625/12092224 

6.       Video version of Episode 2 with Stephen Lemon: https://youtu.be/DcnvRc6293w

7.       Audio version of Episode 3 with Ben Stockton: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110625/12097831 

8.       Video version of Episode 3 with Ben Stockton: https://youtu.be/HIStn6QOWUw

9.       Audio version of Episode 4 with Vinay Kumar Singh: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110625/12100359 

10.   Video version of Episode 4 with Vinay Kumar Singh: https://youtu.be/DAEq8SB1YTU

11.   Audio version of Episode 5 with Alan Rumsey: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110625/12162323 

12.   Video version of Episode 5 with Alan Rumsey: https://youtu.be/8qd82Itk8h4

13.   Audio version of Episode 6 with Andy Harrison: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110625/12192731 

14.   Video version of Episode 6 with Andy Harrison: https://youtu.be/KMkjrXGbKzo

Today’s guest is Melbourne-based railway manager and leadership coach Teeshal Bal who was already featured before in episode 28 and the leadership episode 44. This conversation emphasises the importance of people in our industry, including their need to take over and operate large projects developed and built over many years by others. Topics of this deep conversation include:

* How to transition a railway organisation to new technology and new ways of operating

* How to make the world a better place

* What is “mind engineering”

* Initiatives to foster the role of women in the railway workforce

* The importance of gratitude and living in the present

And much more. Please enjoy and tell a friend about this podcast. And if you’d like to subscribe (or already have), I thank you.

Show notes:

1)      ‘High Capacity Signalling’ is a trendy term used not just in Melbourne but many other places where the increase of signalling capacity is needed to make the business case for new technology viable.
 But how is High Capacity Signalling defined, how is it achieved with CBTC technology, how can it be achieved with enhanced varieties of ETCS technology, and how do CBTC or ETCS need to be applied to really achieve high signalling capacity?
 All of those questions are comprehensively addressed in the online training course “High Capacity Signalling Blueprint” which is now available to podcast listeners at a special end-of-year discount (listen in to find out how).
More information on this globally unique training course is available here:
https://docfranktraining.podia.com/hcsblueprint
 
 

2)      As discussed in the podcast, MINDSET is critical for general success (or lack thereof) in life, but also more specifically for success with signalling technology projects that are meant to transform a railway to the next higher level of high capacity metro-style operation.
 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. Podcast listeners now enjoy a special end-of-year discount (listen in to find out how to claim it).
 
 

3)      South Morang to Mernda was a recent conventional network extension project in Melbourne.
 
 

4)      MTM in the context of this episode stands for Melbourne’s rail operator Metro Trains Melbourne (sometimes just referred to as “Metro” by Teeshal).
 
 

5)      The Melbourne Metro Tunnel Project delivers a new twin railway tunnel underneath the city centre of Melbourne, introducing five new underground stations and connecting two lines of the existing suburban network, the Dandenong line and the Sunbury line.
 
 

6)      The other railway podcast that Doc Frank referred to is the “Railway Transportation Systems” podcast by Sydney-based Rahiman Shaik. Here is a link if you want to check it out:
 https://railwaytransportationsystemsrtspodcast.buzzsprout.com/ 
 
 

7)      The initiative to support young girls that was mentioned in the podcast is “Flourish Gi

This episode is a special about the need for mindset shifts when a railway transitions from a legacy environment with conventional fixed-block signalling to a high capacity metro-style service. It contains three elements of the cutting-edge High Capacity Railway Mindset training: the training introduction for understanding the context, and each one clip for each of the two types of lessons which form part of each training module – a “Transformation Guide” and a “Mindset Shift Example”.

Please enjoy this free training, and if you like this podcast, please subscribe on the platform you listen or watch it, and also please tell your friends about it. Thank you!

Show notes:

1)      Tune in to the latest railway research to explore the ultimate frontier to success for technology projects: MINDSET. The brand-new training “High Capacity Railway Mindset” will present five examples of an outdated legacy mindset every month for a year, totalling 60 of those examples. For every example, a new mindset more conducive for a high-capacity railway will be suggested, and a way to get there. Additional coaching lessons for adapting to change will be included in this training as well, and those may help you greatly not just in your career but in your private life too.
This is cutting-edge research which you find in no other training course anywhere in the world, so use this opportunity and join at https://docfranktraining.podia.com/mindset.

Doc Frank chats again with Steve Allday from Sydney, Australia, a previous guest from episode 16. Following the great success of that episode, this conversation spans across a wide range of topics including the professionalism of the railway industry, keeping commitments, risk aversion versus risk awareness, risk management in project budgeting and scheduling, Sydney Metro Southwest and much more. Please enjoy, and if you do, subscribe and share with a friend.

Show notes:

1)      Doc Frank Training offers great savings for Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2023. The official recording of the CBTC World Summit 2023, according to speakers and live attendees the best CBTC conference ever held, is now available in combination with a FREE online training on High Capacity Signalling which regularly sells for AUD 500. You can redeem this offer on https://docfranktraining.podia.com/blackfriday-confplus.

2)      A second one-time offer for Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2023 is the complete CBTC education package, comprising of the CBTC Kickstarter Online training, a formal CBTC Certification after that training, the recording of the CBTC World Summit conference for latest practical CBTC insights from around the world and the High Capacity Signalling Blueprint training. All four components sell regularly for AUD 2,200 but until Cyber Monday only the entire package is given away for less than half of that. A truly unique opportunity for anyone wanting to boost their CBTC education, and hand down the best training offer this industry has ever seen. This CBTComplete package can be redeemed at https://docfranktraining.podia.com/blackfriday-cbtcomplete.

This is a highlight reel of previous episodes 28 with Teeshal Bal and 31 with Mick Spiers, both living in Melbourne/Australia. Both are involved in leadership training, although in quite different ways, and in this episode they take turns in sharing some instructive insights. Please enjoy and share with your friends and coworkers.

Show notes:

1)      High Capacity Signalling is a major trend for city railways that outgrow their existing capacity limits, commonly due to the legacy signalling system. The new training “High Capacity Signalling Blueprint” will explain the basic concepts of High Capacity Signalling, the two main technologies that can provide it, and application tips how to get real capacity gains out of those technologies. This training is suitable for any railway professional regardless of the extent of signalling knowledge and will launch on Friday 7/7/23. The sign up link available from that date is https://docfranktraining.podia.com/hcsblueprint. 
 
 

2)      Join in with the latest railway research to explore the ultimate frontier to success for technology projects: MINDSET. The brand-new training “High Capacity Railway Mindset” will present five examples of an outdated legacy mindset every month for a year, totalling 60 of those examples. For every example, a new mindset more conducive for a high-capacity railway will be suggested, and a way to get there. Additional coaching lessons for adapting to change will be included in this training as well, and those may help you greatly not just in your career but in your private life too.
This is cutting-edge research which you find in no other training course anywhere in the world, so use this opportunity and join at https://docfranktraining.podia.com/mindset.
 
 

Here are the links to the full episodes with today’s providers of leadership highlights.
 
 Episode 28 Audio: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110625/13243809
Episode 28 Video: https://youtu.be/lAuyjHyH-_I

Episode 31 Audio: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110625/13369110
Episode 31 Video: https://youtu.be/tSlXQcB0oRE

In this episode we have a role reversal where Doc Frank is interviewed by Rahiman Shaik from Sydney, Australia on Rahiman’s Railway Transportation Systems podcast. Many good insights in there, and if you like this podcast, please tell your friends about it.

The Railway Transportation Systems podcast is not available as video version which will impact the visual experience a bit if you watch this episode on YouTube. Hope you are okay with that.

Show notes:

1)      The CBTC Kickstarter course is the longest-running CBTC training in the world. The new online version of this training allows people from all over the world to improve their understanding of the most sophisticated technology for signalling and train control, regardless of time zone or preferred learning rhythm. This training is specifically targeted at railway professionals with little or no prior signalling knowledge whose jobs are now impacted by the introduction of CBTC for improving capacity and performance of the railway. But experience has shown that “signalling people” and even seasoned CBTC specialists can benefit from this training, too.
Information and sign-up for this CBTC Kickstarter Online training is available on https://docfranktraining.podia.com/cbtckickstarter-online2023. 

2)      The CBTC World Summit 2023 is the first truly global CBTC conference that does not require travel around the world to attend. Three sessions from different global regions with 18 international speakers of the highest calibre makes it an unmissable event if you are interested in the latest CBTC insights from around the world. The official recording is now available for lifelong on-demand viewing, regardless of the time zone you are in, from the comfort of a place of your choice. The recording includes all 18 presentations of the conference, all Q&A sessions, and also all VIP fireside chats. Secure this treasure chest of nearly 20 hours of top-level CBTC insights at
https://docfranktraining.podia.com/cbtcworldsummit2023.
 
 

3)      The very recommendable Railway Transportation Systems podcast hosted by Rahiman Shaik can be found on most popular podcast platforms and is always worth listening to (no video version of that one though).
 Here is the link to the RTS podcast on Apple Podcast:
 https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/railway-transportation-systems-rts-podcast/id1627708260
And here is the show link on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2QxO5nstvtGyg5I85dQuqE?si=nm8lDinGThuihAAIXqAKgw&nd=1 
 
 

This episode is a real treat for fans of Communications-Based Train Control or short CBTC. The first part of this episode is a recap of a CBTC presentation that Doc Frank gave at a conference in June 2023. The second part gives a background story what happened after that conference presentation and how a red-hot update of New York’s CBTC strategy got presented at the CBTC World Summit 2023. Please enjoy and share with your friends and colleagues.

Show notes:

1)      The CBTC Kickstarter course is the longest-running CBTC training in the world. The new online version of this training allows people from all over the world to improve their understanding of the most sophisticated technology for signalling and train control, regardless of time zone or preferred learning rhythm. This training is specifically targeted at railway professionals with little or no prior signalling knowledge whose jobs are now impacted by the introduction of CBTC for improving capacity and performance of the railway. But experience has shown that “signalling people” and even seasoned CBTC specialists can benefit from this training, too.
Information and sign-up for this CBTC Kickstarter Online training is available on https://docfranktraining.podia.com/cbtckickstarter-online2023. 

2)      The CBTC World Summit 2023 is the first truly global CBTC conference that does not require travel around the world to attend. Three sessions from different global regions with 18 international speakers of the highest calibre makes it an unmissable event if you are interested in the latest CBTC insights from around the world. The official recording is now available for lifelong on-demand viewing, regardless of the time zone you are in, from the comfort of a place of your choice. The recording includes all 18 presentations of the conference, all Q&A sessions, and also all VIP fireside chats. Secure this treasure chest of nearly 20 hours of top-level CBTC insights at
https://docfranktraining.podia.com/cbtcworldsummit2023.

Doc Frank chats with Tiff Lykke, a railway project manager from Melbourne in Australia. We talk about how to start a career in railways, even when coming from a completely non-railway background and specifically as a woman. It shows that there is an opportunity for the railway industry to attract talent from the outside, but at the same time the industry has a responsibility to nurture such talent too.

Please enjoy and share this podcast with your friends and colleagues.

Show notes:

1)      The CBTC World Summit 2023 is the first truly global CBTC conference that does not require travel around the world to attend. Three sessions from different global regions with 18 international speakers of the highest calibre makes it an unmissable event if you are interested in the latest CBTC insights from around the world. The official recording is now available for lifelong on-demand viewing, regardless of the time zone you are in, from the comfort of a place of your choice. The recording includes all 18 presentations of the conference, all Q&A sessions, and also all VIP fireside chats. Secure this treasure chest of nearly 20 hours of top-level CBTC insights at
https://docfranktraining.podia.com/cbtcworldsummit2023.
 

2)      Join in with the latest railway research to explore the ultimate frontier to success for technology projects: MINDSET. The brand-new training “High Capacity Railway Mindset” will present five examples of an outdated legacy mindset every month for a year, totalling 60 of those examples. For every example, a new mindset more conducive for a high-capacity railway will be suggested, and a way to get there. Additional coaching lessons for adapting to change will be included in this training as well, and those may help you greatly not just in your career but in your private life too.
This is cutting-edge research which you find in no other training course anywhere in the world, so use this opportunity and join at https://docfranktraining.podia.com/mindset.
  

3)     The previous podcast episode 24 with Lisa Hogben was mentioned repeatedly in my talk with Tiff. If you want to listen to that one as well, here are the links:
 Audio: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110625/13044630
Video: https://youtu.be/EE0q-XBhzMA