c2c’s Brian Lees celebrates 30 years on the rails

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c2c Engineer Brian Lees is celebrating his 30th anniversary of working in the rail industry.

Brian began his career as an apprentice at Finsbury Park Depot, before transferring to Bounds Green Depot, then Hornsey on completion of his apprenticeship.

After a spell as a Wheel Lathe Supervisor, Brian soon became a Quality Engineer in charge of the infrastructure at Hornsey Depot, Welwyn Garden City, Letchworth and Chingford sidings before becoming ‘Services Engineer for ‘Wagn’ Railways.

In 2002 Brian moved to c2c’s East Ham Depot as Engineering Manager to work on the new fleet of 357 trains, with his old boss, Fleet Manager Tony Smith. Brian later became Fleet Development Engineer for c2c.

He loves working on the railway due to the interest and variety it offers him. Brian lives in central London and his interests include Industrial Archaeology and Geology.

Ben Ackroyd c2c’s Engineering Director said:

“Brian is an integral and valued member of the c2c team, who has contributed a great deal to c2c’s industry-leading performance over the years.

“I’d like to offer him my thanks for his incredible contribution to the business and congratulations on completing 30 years on the rails.”

Brian Lees is one of approximately 650 employees who help to make c2c an industry-leading train operator. Over the years the team at East Ham Depot, has achieved great things for c2c including winning numerous rail industry awards and holding several industry records.

In 2009, c2c trains achieved an average of 74,000 miles – that’s 3 times around the world – between any technical or mechanical failure of its trains – a record not bettered by any other train operator.

For two years in a row, the East Ham Depot team of which Brian is part won the ‘Maintenance Team of the Year’ Award at the National Rail Awards (2005 & 2006).

c2c also holds the UK records for the highest annual punctuality by a franchised train operator at 96.7% and the record for any 4-week performance period at 98.8% – making them more punctual than the Swiss Federal Railway.

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