Education Programme

A new era for the Institution began in October when the students who have enrolled on our inaugural degree and diploma courses in railway operations met with Institution officers and tutors from Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU).

Speaking at the launch event in Derby, our chairman, Chris Leah said: “The launch of our degree and diploma courses is a milestone in the development of the Institution and a significant boost for railway operators everywhere.
“It is another important step towards achieving our vision to create academically based, third party accredited courses for railway operators that are relevant to and recognised by the rail industry.
“I want all parties to this exciting adventure to succeed – students, the Institution, operators throughout the railway and the industry itself – and I am very optimistic.”
In the impressively modern and surprisingly peaceful surroundings of Midland Mainline’s Customer Service Academy, students were able to hear about and discuss the course, their own expectations and those of both the GCU and the Institution.
Anyone harbouring thoughts that the courses would simply be a test of railway operational knowledge had them dispelled swiftly when GCU’s Vince Mills and Sabina Siebert spoke of the levels of planning, learning and achievement needed to get near the pass mark.
The pair also spoke of the huge resource that is their online and interactive ‘Blackboard’ virtual learning environment.
Having enrolled online, students gain access through Blackboard to a central resource of help and advice including information for new users, “How To” guides, whom to contact for help and details of their course work.
The series of concise “How To” guides are designed to help students develop and manage online modules. The topics chosen have been based on the most commonly asked questions.
Blackboard also hosts electronic discussion boards, where students can share help, experiences and information.
The network of support, help and guidance is an area the Institution is particularly keen to nurture and encourage, especially for the first time students.
“There are two major issues for students on our – or indeed any – distance learning course,” explained education programme administrator Mike Hill. “The first is finding time to fit course activity around an individual’s work and private life and the second is the feeling of isolation that some students may experience.
“A number of those going for the degree or diploma are not long out of university, so they will have a good idea of the academic requirements of their course, whereas others will be well into a railway career and may have either got out of the learning habit or simply never have experienced anything at this level.”
The key to success, explains Mike, is for students to understand exactly what each module requires and then plan their time to complete the work.
“It is vitally important that every person on these two courses makes
a realistic work plan that takes into account all of the outside pressures and demands he or she knows they will face.
“Although some may feel they can do without a plan and can manage their learning and course work in an ad hoc way, experience shows that it simply takes longer and produces lower quality results. Everyone should block off specific times of his or her week to fit in their course activity to make sure they do themselves justice and submit their module work in good time.
“Having planned and started work, there will inevitably come a time when students feel they have either lost their way or need guidance or explanation. That’s where the support network comes into effect
“Every one of our students will need and be offered support, help and guidance regardless of an individual’s academic experience. That support network is made up from clearly identifiable individuals from the University – the tutors – and from the Institution – the mentors and other officers.
“Importantly, we hope that students talk to each other because there is a lot of truth in the old adage that a trouble shared is a trouble halved!
“Modern technology means there is no reason for anyone to feel cut off. Blackboard offers a useful electronic networking opportunity and we are actively looking at creating a members’ forum on our new website where course participants – and other Institute members – can exchange information, concerns and best practice.
“But if anyone has any problems with an aspect of their course work, the material, a tutor, or indeed anything – no matter how small or daft you think it might be – just talk to me, to a mentor or to a tutor. We are really here to help you.”
The feedback from the launch day at Derby was very positive, with students, tutors and Institution officers all eager to get the ball rolling. With such a high level of enthusiasm and commitment to professional recognition the future for railway operators looks bright indeed.

The final date for applications to start the Institution’s Degree or Diploma on 4 February 2006 is Friday 9 December. Anyone applying after this date will be included in the October 2006 intake.

Change of address or job
Please remember to let us know promptly if you move house, change jobs, alter your email address(es) or phone and fax numbers, to enable us to keep in touch. There is no need to send a formal letter – just fax a note to: 01444 246392 or email Claire Wickes on admin@railwayoperators.org
If you prefer to write, the address is:
The Institution of Railway Operators
PO Box 128
BURGESS HILL
West Sussex
RH15 0RJ

This is to confirm that the 2005 Annual General Meeting will take place at 1700hrs on Tuesday 6th December 2005 at 40 Melton Street, London NW1. Members of all grades are entitled to attend and participate. For security reasons, however, you must advise us if you intend to be present so that we may add your name to the list held in Reception on the day. Please phone, fax or email us no later than Monday 5th December 2005.
Agenda
• Minutes of the last AGM, held Tuesday 7th December 2004
• Chairman’s Report
• Statement of Accounts
• Chief Executive’s Report
• Report on Retirement and Appointment of Directors
• Appointment of Auditors
• Any Other Business

This is a practical programme to stand alone or be used in conjunction with our distance learning modules. This is part classroom-based and part work-based and is designed for those who are fairly new to the subject or those who wish to further their career development and expertise in this field.
The course lasts four days over three weekends. (Weekends have been chosen to ensure availability of expert tutors and for ease of releasing staff). You need to be available for all four days on this course in order to be accepted.

Course Overview
Day 1
Introduction/Background/Objectives
The need for planning Timetables
Rolling Stock
Crew
Short Term v Permanent
Public v Working Timetable
Rules of the Plan Sectional
Running Times
Acceleration & Braking
Headways & Junction Margins
Dwell times
Allowances
Exercises within own company

Day 2
Report back
Track layouts
Syndicate work
The Planning Cycle
Guest Speaker
Hands on a Driver Simulator
Group Dinner in a local hotel

Day 3
Diagramming
Rolling Stock
Crew
Use of typical software
Capacity and Robustness
Exercises within own company

Day 4
Report back
The Business Context
Guest Speaker (TOC MD or similar)
Feedback and Conclusions

Cost
The course fee is £1,300.00 per person and will cover all direct costs. Travel and overnight accommodation
(if required) will be settled direct by delegates, but if overnight accommodation is required this can,
on request, be booked by the IRO.
Payment is to be made in advance by cheque payable to the Institution
of Railway Operators or by sending a purchase order to The Administration Officer. An invoice to your company will then be issued, so do come to an agreement beforehand with your manager about your attendance.

How to apply
Mike Hill, IRO Education Programme Administrator, is coordinating nominations and issuing documentation as required. If you are interested, please contact Mike and join the waiting list – we run courses on an “as required” basis and the dates and location of the course will be dictated by the demand from our membership.

Mike Hill
Education Programme Administrator
The Institution of Railway Operators
51 Cedar Drive
Sunningdale SL5 0UA

Email: education@railwayoperators.org
Phone: 01344 875328

All members are reminded that our monthly column in Rail Professional magazine is one of our main means of regular communication with the Institution’s membership. We have checked and verified that the whole IRO membership is now on the magazine’s mailing list, and we do ask you, please, to read our pages in it each month for forthcoming events and courses.

Those of you who check our website from time to time have already noticed its new look and content. www.railwayoperators.org should now prove a more useful and, eventually, interactive site which will enable you to keep up to date with our news, events, courses etc.
The Members’ Area is still under development and we will let you know as soon as it has viewable content. When it is ready we will alert you and please note that you will then need your membership number (and a password – more on that next time).

South East Area
All South East Area meetings take place at the Union Jack Club, Sandell Street, Waterloo. Doors open at 18:00 and the talks commence at 18:30. To contact the South East area on any subject please email: Southeast@railwayoperators.org

Scottish and Irish Area
For information on all Scottish events and matters, please contact Scottish@railwayoperators.org or phone Jim Summers, Acting Chairman on 01324 625284

North East Area
All North East Area meetings normally take place at 1730 for 1800, at York.
For further news on the IRO in the North East contact us by email at: Northeast@railwayoperators.org

North West Area
Future meeting dates Wednesdays 25th January, 22nd March & 24th May 2006.
To contact the North West area on any matter, please contact Clive Evans on 01270-629009 or email us at: Northwest@railwayoperators.org

Midlands Area
Mondays 23 January, 20 February, 20 March and 17 April 2006. Please note there will be no event in December 2005.
To contact the Midlands Area on any subject, please call Julia Stanyard on 0121 345 5030 or email: Midlands@railwayoperators.org

South West Area
The South West Area’s Christmas social event takes place on Wednesday 28th December 2005 and once again involves a visit to the popular West Somerset Railway. These trips have been well-subscribed in previous years and this year it is again open to all IRO members of all grades (and also to those who are interested in joining), including your partner or a guest.

The itinerary is as follows:
Assemble Bishops Lydeard station (near Taunton) from 1000 hrs onwards for 1025 train to Minehead
• Arrive Minehead 1138
• Conducted visits to WSR facilities (loco works, loco shed, signal box)
• Lunch and drinks in pub close to Minehead station
• Choice of 1400 or 1555 train back to Bishops Lydeard (arr. 1517/1711)
Once on the WSR, the only thing that we anticipate participants having to pay for is their lunch and drinks at Minehead, plus any refreshments on the trains. The W.S.R. is again kindly providing complimentary train travel for our party.

If you would like to go on this trip, please ring Tim Maddocks by 22/12/05 on 07771 672661 or
e-mail on tim.maddocks@networkrail.co.uk
If you need assistance with transport to Bishops Lydeard (eg. from Taunton station), please advise Tim when booking your place. This may be in someone’s private car, so places may be limited and allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Please also note that this year there are engineering works on the main line between Taunton and Bridgwater/
Castle Cary, where buses will be substituted for trains between the above stations, so if you are coming by rail to Taunton, please check the times and plan the journey accordingly!
More information on the West Somerset Railway is available on www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
For information on all other South West events and matters, contact Lawrie Hall on 01453 822150
or email us at Southwest@railwayoperators.org