Northern employees in the running for ‘railway Oscars’

They have been nominated in the Outstanding Personal Contribution category for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Affectionately known as the ‘rail industry Oscars’, the National Rail Awards recognise and reward people, companies and initiatives that demonstrate innovation and excellence in the industry.

They also seek to promote the industry’s longer-term success and sustainability, which relies on a highly skilled, diverse, motivated and engaged workforce.

The nominees from Northern are:

• Adam Mansbridge – a conductor from Leeds who demonstrated exceptional vigilance and quick-thinking that ensured the safe return of two missing children to their family
• Andrew Williamson – a deputy station manager at Barrow-in-Furness who stepped-up to help customers affected by the storms that caused widespread disruption in Cumbria
• Gemma Gronous – a driver from Hull whose intervention helped save the life of a person in distress in a field adjacent to the railway
• Graham Blake – a customer service assistant at Holmes Chapel station who has worked with the local parish council to help ‘Stylers’ (fans of the singer Harry Styles) when visiting the musician’s hometown
• Martin Rodger – a driver team manager from Newcastle who has been recognised for his 39-year service as the lead investigator for safety in the North East
• Paul Wilkinson – a conductor from Blackpool who identified two schoolgirls as ‘at risk’ and was able to alert British Transport Police and reunite them with their parents.

Darin Astbury and Stewart Hall have received a joint nomination for their work as customer service assistants at Brinnington station in Stockport, where they created a ‘Swap Shop’ that provides food, clothes, books and other household items for those in need in the local community.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on Thursday, 12 September 2024. For more information about the awards, visit: awards.railbusinessevents.co.uk.

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.