George Barclay has been appointed as the Bluebell Railway’s new safety and assurance director.
He joined British Rail Scottish Region at 16 years of age as a Train Register Boy at a signal box just outside Glasgow Queen Street station and became Operations Manager for the West Highlands Line. He also served as Station Manager at Edinburgh Waverley station.
George later worked for North American Railways and joined an American construction company before returning to the UK to become senior Environment Health & Safety Manager on the M25 highway widening development project.
He said: “What I would like to put across to members of the Bluebell Railway is that they should keep the fantastic heritage product but also know they are living within a modern, legal, moral and systematic structure.
“Heritage railways are an ageing asset, and people understand that. We need to build on the existing values of Bluebell Railway people, while being mindful of significant risks that come with the territory.”
Bluebell Railway plc chairman Geoff Mee said: “We are delighted George Barclay has joined the board. Operating a safe railway is our top priority and it is paramount that everyone has safety at the forefront of their mind – staff, volunteers and visitors.
“George brings his experience of the railway safety sector to our way of working and we are sure he will embed the safety culture even further within the Bluebell Railway’s operations.”
George replaces Martin Cresswell who has stood down from the board after 3 years following his retirement from his role of operational safety adviser to one of Network Rail’s key engineering suppliers.
The appointment was confirmed at the Bluebell Railway’s board meeting on 29 September.
Photo credit: Bluebell Railway
