Network Rail


We own, operate and develop Britain’s railway infrastructure; that’s 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of Britain’s largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country’s train operating companies. Our role is to deliver a safe and reliable railway and to get people and goods where they need to be and support our country’s economic prosperity.
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Case Studies

Role: Senior Freight Strategy Specialist
Conor Murrells – Network Rail

Conor Murrells – Network Rail
Company: Network Rail
Role: Senior Freight Strategy Specialist
Conor is currently on his secondment with GBRTT: he works in the Rail freight Team which has been tasked with delivering industry reform for rail freight. His area of focus is developing strategic advice to inform decision-making across the sector, most notably the industry’s long-term rail freight growth target. This involves understanding the needs and priorities of a wide range of stakeholders, including the Department for Transport, Freight Operating Companies, and end customers who use rail as part of their business operating model.
There are not any specific qualifications needed, but of course an understanding of the freight and logistics sector is important. In particular, the role of rail freight and how rail integrates with other transport modes. I would say that report writing, effective communication, and relationship management skills are essential for the role.
Conor started his career at Network Rail in Train Planning which he found on a local job website. He was responsible for planning passenger services for operators on the London North Eastern and East Midlands route. His favourite thing about his role is the exposure to both the private and public sector elements of the freight and logistics sector. Conor also loves how passionate people are about the sector and how willing they are to share their knowledge.
Without a doubt, the highlight of Conor’s career so far has been the Government announcing the Rail Freight Growth Target. He is proud to have led this work for GBRTT and grateful for the opportunities it created: it led to his nomination for the RFG Young Rail Professional Award!

Role: Apprentice On-track Machine (OTM) Driver
Sam Roper – Network Rail

Sam Roper – Network Rail
Company: Network Rail
Role: Apprentice On-track Machine (OTM) Driver
“Continuing to challenge all forms of bias, discrimination and gender stereotyping is making the railway a more inclusive place to work. There’s still a long way to go but I hope that my role as an Apprentice On-track Machine (OTM) Driver can go some way to inspiring other women to consider careers in engineering and maintenance.”
Sam shows there are no barriers to a new career path.
After more than a decade serving her country, there are few challenges that would phase Sam Roper. Having left the Royal Navy in 2019, a role as stores person in Supply Chain Operations (SCO) for Network Rail proved a good opportunity. But it was clear she didn’t want to stop there. Sam has now set her sights on training for a role that will see her achieve a significant first for Network Rail.
Sam has started an apprenticeship to become a train driver. While that’s not remarkable in itself – there are many female drivers working for train operators – Sam would become the only female driver operating Network Rail’s tamper trains.
Tampers are used in track maintenance to make sure the track is correctly aligned and has a smooth level along the rail. “I’m looking forward to the challenge and I’m excited to get on board and do it” she says.
Sam joined the Navy from school, and spent 14 years working as a survival equipment specialist. It’s a role she said developed her confidence and sense of discipline as well as an understanding of safety critical activity and the importance of following procedures.
“It’s a bit different to your normal day-to-day job,” she says. “You have to be ready for anything.”
Following the birth of her two children, Sam then decided it was time for a career change and joined Network Rail in September 2019. She explains: “it was a role quite close to home, which suited me at the time. I hadn’t really thought about a railway career before but after I joined, I realised there were a lot of opportunities. I had the chance to interact with other drivers and this got me thinking about becoming one myself.”