Celebrating railway engineering this National Engineering Day

As a leading authority on the wheel-rail and vehicle-track interfaces, Bridget provides input to both GB and international standards connected to the interfaces between railway vehicles and infrastructure. She also supports research projects in related fields and contributes to cross-industry railway groups. Who better, then, as RSSB marks National Engineering Day on 02 November, to speak on how engineers across the organisation – and, indeed, the wider rail industry – improve everyday lives?

“The theme of this year’s campaign – how engineers improve everyday lives – is a great opportunity to raise awareness of our rail network and its invaluable role in Great Britain,” says Bridget. “Even though the railways transport vast numbers of passengers and goods every day, many people might not appreciate how critical they are to our everyday lives.” And Bridget cannot stress enough that none of this would be possible without engineers.

At RSSB, Bridget is a part of a team of seven engineers that focuses on infrastructure. There are more engineers across the organisation, specialising in rolling stock, energy, research and development, risk, sustainability and other areas. But for Bridget and her teammates, their priority is to develop standards to help rail organisations, and Network Rail, meet their legal requirements, manage risk, improve efficiency, and make the best use of available resources. Often, this will see the team work closely with other engineers across the industry.

For Bridget, working with engineering colleagues – within RSSB and the wider industry – to improve the railways is one of the many things she continues to enjoy about her role. She has been enthusiastic about this aspect of railway engineering since she started in rail after graduating from university. She is concerned, though, that too few young people who are strong in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, maths) share her interest in engineering, especially within the rail industry.

“Far too many young people who excel in STEM subjects don’t consider engineering,” she says. “This is a concern because the need for engineers is increasing but there aren’t enough around, particularly in rail; and those the industry does have are getting older.” She adds: “RSSB is doing its bit by recruiting graduates; but to get the numbers the industry needs, we must raise the profile of engineering as a profession where people can help to make life better. I’m pleased, therefore, that we’re getting behind this year’s National Engineering Day campaign.”