Gavin Lambley of First Capital Connect has won this year’s Train Driver of the Year Award at the RailStaff Awards 2012.
Gavin Lambley was driving a train between Shepreth and Foxton on the Baldock-Cambridge line when he realised the overhead power supply line was faulty. He stopped the train thus preventing further damage to the overhead equipment. The train was damaged and Gavin Lambley kept passengers informed and walked through the train to reassure them.
However, several foolhardy travellers had left the train and started walking up the tracks. Gavin took immediate action contacting the signaller and placing emergency protection on the adjacent line which was open to rail traffic.
The award was accepted on Gavin’s behalf.
Tom O’Connor, managing director of the Rail Media Group which organises the RailStaff Awards, said: “Gavin’s prompt and professional action saved lives and equipment. His further attention to individual passengers marks him out as a great ambassador for rail. This award is richly deserved.”
First Capital Connect operates trains between London, Brighton, Bedford, Peterborough, Cambridge and King’s Lynn carrying 150,000 people everyday.
Currently £6 billion is being invested to transform the network with new and longer trains, better stations and more frequent services.
