Ten minutes with...
Right Track editor Greg Morse
Greg MorseRight Track Editor
Greg usually interviews rail professionals from across the network to get stories that’ll inform, inspire, and encourage readers. As rail celebrates its 200th anniversary, his colleague Naomi Osinnowo, who helps him on Right Track, thought it was time to put him in the hot seat. He’s known at RSSB, and among our members, for his passion for rail’s history and retaining its corporate memory. So there’s no time like now to spend 10 minutes with him.
How long have you been on the railway? I’ve worked for the railway for nearly 20 years, always at RSSB, initially (in effect) to teach English. A couple of years in, I applied to work in a new area, learning from operational experience. The purpose of the role was to help rail share and keep hold of lessons learnt from accidents and incidents. The idea was that something learnt in Perth could be useful in Preston or Penzance, but only if they knew about it.
What brought you to RSSB?Sometime in 1970, Mum told my dad that they were having a baby. He said, ‘Oh good, the baby can have a train set.’ And I did, so maybe working on the railway was inevitable. But I’ve always thought railways were about families. Both of my grandfathers were ‘inside’ Swindon Works, while my great-uncle was the station master at Powerstock in the 1920s. I later learned to love words, too. When the original job came up at RSSB, it seemed to combine both, so I applied and was pleased to get the role. I’d like to think Dad would be pleased with how things ended up.
What do you do at RSSB?Editing Right Track is an honour and a time-consuming joy. RED, our safety video series, is in the same bracket. I also chair the cross-industry group that guides both ‘products’ to completion. It’s a real team effort and plugs into that idea about helping share lessons and good practice.
That’s not all, though, is it?More and more, I get to visit companies to remind rail staff that corporate memory matters. That’s why we have a regular feature in Right Track. The past is the bedrock of the present, so they’re keen lessons aren’t lost or forgotten. As the recent incidents at South Wingfield and Dalwhinnie had similar causal chains to the Clapham accident of 1988, I’d say their keenness is justified.
What do these sessions entail?I tell the stories of some of these accidents to draw out the lessons learnt at the time and draw a line to the present where there are lessons that we need to take forward. Clapham is one; the Ladbroke Grove accident of 1999 is another. Knowing these stories helps add competence to compliance but builds confidence, too. If you know why something is the way it is, you can challenge when something seems wrong.
What advice can you offer from your work?As a lover of railways, I didn’t come to the industry with no knowledge at all. But in comparison to my colleagues, I knew nothing. To help myself, I talked to people who had forgotten more than I would ever know. And I listened to them. That’s the best piece of advice I can give anyone, really: when you ask a question, listen to the answer before asking another one.
Right Track is one of many safety resources Greg produces for RSSB members. Log in to our website and make use of the others.
Using real rail accidents in the UK, Greg unpacks learning points for today's railway staff. He also explores how teams might better retain rail's corporate memory.
Award-winning videos that explore operational safety issues. Experts discuss key learning points, and an impactful drama supports learning.
A brief incident synopsis, along with the main causes and recommendations from each investigation. Complete with practical actions and recommendations.
Thought-provoking articles and updates on the latest developments in research. Plus, important lessons from the past that today’s railway needs to remember.
A monthly report that provides a summary of safety and safety-related incidents from across the globe.
Analysis of incidents in other industries, plus identified learning points for operators and other rail organisation.
