The inaugural meeting of the PWI Heritage and Industrial Technical Board (HITB) was held on 2 November 2023. The meeting was held virtually and was attended by the majority of our heritage members and the ORR. It was agreed that the HITB would operate on a quarterly basis in a similar manner to the PWI Technical Board as a mainly online forum. However, the opportunity to visit a heritage railway at least once a year would be welcomed. 

Steven Barber, PWI CEO, gave a corporate update covering the operation of the PWI, the programme of seminars and training planned over the next couple of years and the licence granted to the PWI by the Engineering Council to award professional registration to railway engineers. 

The meeting then outlined the issues currently causing concern to the heritage community focusing on 4 main areas: 

• Lack of uniform standard for heritage railway track assets, recognising the range of asset types across the heritage sector. A heritage RSSB is currently being formulated and will look at addressing this issue. 

• Ensuring the competence of individuals making decisions to interpret, understand and apply standards. There is no consistent way to ensure understanding of responsibilities for safety and quality. 

• The challenge in sourcing contractors who can provide services aligned with the requirements of a low speed railway. 

• Attracting volunteers who are able to undertake manual work required on a HR. 

The meeting then covered PWI services currently offered to heritage members 

• Permanent Way guidance documents on the PWI website specifically for HR’s. 

• Active local committees hosting regular section meetings presenting topics of interest. 

• Access to advanced technical education training courses, workshops, technical seminars and events. 

• Access to our online Knowledge Hub – over 500 unique technical resources. 

• Routes to professional registration at all levels – with expert support and guidance. 

• Regular newsletters and social media presence to keep up to date on what’s happening. 

This was followed by exploring services the PWI could provide for our heritage members if the members considered the suggestion of value. These included: 

• Assistance with the appointment & training of a Professional Head of Track (PHoT). 

• Training in annual inspections. 

• Publishing the following information on the PWI website: 

• Older versions of British Railway Track and British Rail training material 

• 109lb/110lb FB design drawings 

• Handbook 46 

• Track Maintenance Handbook 

• Good Practice Guides 

• Bullhead maintenance manuals. 

• Guidance to HRs on maintenance of jointed track. 

• Assist with the HRSSB in editing TRK001 to remove unnecessary information and create a uniform standard. 

• Heritage railway updates for the PWI journal and monthly newsletters. 

• Linking the heritage and the wider PWI community to assist with attracting suitable volunteers. 

Some of these suggestions were of more interest to specific members than others but it was agreed that each would be pursued.