I applied for a job I didn't even know existed
After finishing university and starting job searching I found the Operational Planner job advertised and decided it sounded like a job I could do so I applied. Before applying I hadn't really given much thought to how the railway timetable was planned or even just how complicated it is. I joined the North West and Central Amended planning team and began being trained to plan trains. There was a lot to learn but all the training was given, after a while I was planning on my own and dealing with trains for engineering diversions or extra trains for special events.
After about a year of working on the Amended timetable I was asked if I wanted to join a new team that was being set up to look at future large timetable changes. I decided if they were asking me to join then I was probably a good fit so I said yes, even if I wasn't quite sure what this new team would be doing. Since then I have worked in advanced timetabling helping to develop future timetables as well as inform on future infrastructure for the railway.
I help to influence industry decisions to make the future better
I currently am a Lead Advanced Timetable Analyst. My days vary, some days I am supporting other analysts in the team with there work ensuring that we are providing the right answers for our customers. Other days I am looking at applications for operators for new services on the network and providing answers as to if we could accommodate them in the timetable. I also work on major schemes such as HS2 and EWR looking at the best ways to make use of the new infrastructure.
Keeping the railways future heading in the right direction
My motivation for working for Network Rail particularly in planning is knowing each day I am making a difference to the future of the railway. Some days that is making sure we are doing the right thing by providing analysis and insight into a solution. Others it is making sure we don't do the wrong thing for the railway though checking and challenging assumptions that have been made are correct.
In the early days of working on the amended plan I could see how trains I have planned ran knowing that they were carrying people to where they wanted to go. In advanced timetabling partially when working on a big timetable change its the new opportunities for travel that are being opened up for people.
Don't be afraid to ask questions
When I first started in planning I was always turning around and asking questions to those more experienced about circumstances I found. It stopped me from just sitting there not sure what to do or just doing what I thought was right and doing it wrong. My colleagues were always very helpful and willing to answer my questions which is something I hope I continue to do today by helping answer peoples questions and always giving time to help.
Despite being in a more senior position from when I first started it's advice I still use, if I'm not sure of an answer (particularly of one of the analysts has asked me) I'll go and find someone that might know and ask them so that I'm always learning.
Working in the Dec 2022 Timetable change for North West and Central
One of the Timetable changes that I have been involved with was when we changed the timetable in most of the North West and Central region. The timetable change involved us working very closely with some of the operators on the route and even involved us planning in the same system together. A first for a project of its type that has now been replicated by other timetable changes. We manged to identify additional capacity on the already very busy west coast as well as make interventions in Manchester to improve performance as well as build in capacity for East West Rail services to operate into Milton Keynes Central.
