Alstom has celebrated Movements Manager Ken Davies’ 50-year railway career by naming a locomotive after him.
Ken from Liverpool was surprised by colleagues at the Alstom Transport Technology Centre in Widnes, where the site’s Class 08 locomotive, 08721, had been fitted with a plaque bearing his name.
“The rail industry has named locomotives after military regiments, football teams, ocean liners and big cities, so to be held in the same regard for giving the industry 50 years’ service – which has been a pleasure – is a total honour,” said Ken, who now lives in Ashton-in-Makerfield.
The 66-year-old began his career on the Wirral, progressing quickly through signalling and traincrew roles, before moving in to senior traffic management positions. Ken joined Alstom in 2002, where he managed the company’s operations along the West Coast Main Line, as well as the Old Dalby Test Track.
Ken added: “The railway has many great assets and the size of the network allows you to visit the whole of the country. Plus, with Alstom being global, a job can take you around the world to be part of a different team or community, and there is always something new to learn, even after 50 years!”
Today, Ken’s role at Alstom is to mitigate risks when operational procedures are changed, particularly when a new fleet is introduced. Launched in 2012, the Alstom Zero Deviation Plan (AZDP) focuses on high-risk activities to protect all employees and contractors from the risks they may face, and Ken is instrumental in implementing this across the UK and Ireland.
“Ken’s experience is second to none, which he applies in a measured way to teach others, using real examples to enhance the learning. He is always willing to go the extra mile to support business-critical projects. I am so happy for him that he has a Class 08 named after him – well deserved. A true railway man through and through,” said Liz Lumber, Head of Operations – Depot Drivers, at Alstom
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the modern railway and Ken’s family have made their mark during this period, sharing 157 years’ service between them. His grandfather worked at Tuebrook Sidings in Liverpool, while his father was a driver. Meanwhile, his sister worked on the railways for 20 years, retiring from her role as a guard in Par, Cornwall.
Image credit: Alstom
