The AEGIS Group of companies deliversindependent engineering and certification

services across railway rolling stock, plant,infrastructure and operations. Whilst AEGISEngineering Systems is in its 23rd year, AEGISCertification Services was formed andaccredited as a Plant Assessment Body (PAB)in early 2018, shortly after being appointed byNetwork Rail to undertake Product Acceptance(PA) review on its behalf. AEGIS is also anaccredited Notified Body, Designated Body andAssessment Body. This means AEGIS can offerthe full suite of third party certificationrequired for plant to be used on the NetworkRail Managed Infrastructure (NRMI).

Following an increased demand, the teamhas increased from three to seven people.AEGIS’ PAB activity is focused on assessmentof conformance with applicable Rail IndustryStandards (RIS-1710-PLT, RIS-1702-PLT andRIS-1530-PLT). This technical review of thedesign and build of the machine covers allaspects including stability, control systems,software systems, EMC, structural integrityand prevention of derailment.

By contrast, the PA review ensures that theproduct is fit for purpose for the NRMI; its focusis on demonstrating safety, performance andcompatibility. Areas of review include riskmanagement systems, training material andoperational outputs. The team also offersIndependent Competent Person verification forclients where RIS-1710-PLT is not mandated bythe infrastructure manager; for example HS1,Eurotunnel and Northern Ireland Railways.

Projects and case studiesThe team has worked on a wide range ofproducts in the relatively short time it hasexisted, working with global OEMs, upgradersand component suppliers. Project types include:n On-Track Plant (OTP) seven-year upgrades.n New build OTP and On-Track Machines (OTMs).n Engineering changes to OTP and OTMs.n PA reviews covering OTP, OTMs andportable plant.

During 2019, the AEGIS PAB issued inexcess of 250 certificates including:n A new RCI system.n An excavator with hydraulic winchingcapabilities including an RCI software updateto control backwards stability when loweringloads to the floor using the winch.n A software update after a runaway incident.n Replacement road axle following an in-service failure.

Meet the teamn Alastair Roberts - the Head of Certification(Plant) who also undertakes assessor andsignatory duties. He has worked in the railindustry for over 20 years for rolling stock andinfrastructure OEMs, joining AEGIS CertificationServices soon after the company was formed in2018. Alastair has a degree in mechanicalengineering and is a chartered engineer as wellas a Fellow of the IMechE and PWI.n Alastair Clarke - a senior engineerundertaking assessor and signatory duties. Hehas over 38 years’ experience in the railindustry, starting his career as an apprentice at

BREL Doncaster before joining the British RailPlant team. After expanding his experience withEngineering Link, AEA Technology and Deltarail,where he became a signatory for OTP andOTMs, Alastair joined Network Rail as a seniorportable plant engineer before moving to therole of rail plant support engineer. He has aHND in mechanical and production engineeringand is an incorporated engineer with the IET.n Andrew Allen - a senior engineer whoundertakes assessor activities. He is also alevel crossing risk assessment specialist.Andrew has 13 years’ rail industry experience,previously working as a trackbed engineer forScott Wilson before moving to Network Rail asa gauging engineer and scheme projectmanager. At AEGIS, Andrew has facilitated CSMHazard Identification workshops and authoredrisk assessment reports approved by the ORR.He has a degree in civil engineering and is achartered engineer with the IMechE.n Karen Ruff - a document controller forAEGIS Certification Services. She supports allcertification and independent verificationprojects, providing management support to theproject team and managing her own projects.Karen controls and maintains the registers forcertification, impartiality, competency andinternal standards. She has 10 years’experience in the rail industry, previously workingat SNC-Lavalin Rail & Transit in thedocumentation section of the AMMS team andat Bombardier Transportation Central RiversDepot. Karen is a qualified internal auditor.n Sam Barrett - a senior engineer whoundertakes assessor and signatory duties.He has seven years’ experience in the railindustry, working previously in the NetworkRail plant engineering team and the AtkinsPAB team. Sam joined AEGIS in 2017 toassist with gaining PAB accreditation. He alsosat on the panel responsible for implementingthe Network Rail Product Acceptanceoutsourcing scheme and introducedprocesses that led to AEGIS being accreditedby Network Rail as part of the scheme. Samhas a degree in mechanical engineering and isa chartered engineer with the IMechE.n Steve Curphey - a senior engineer whoundertakes assessor activities. He has 10years’ rail industry experience working withinfrastructure OEMs. Steve started with LBFoster where he installed and evaluated the

performance of friction managementequipment. Subsequently, he worked withPandrol Track Systems, developing railfastenings systems and managing new productintroduction projects globally while workingclosely with rail authorities, manufacturers andcontractors. Steve is a qualified internalauditor. He has a degree in mechanicalengineering and is working towards becoming achartered engineer with the IMechE.n Tony Dawson - a senior engineer whoundertakes assessor activities with 19 years’experience in the rail industry including as afitter with Maintrain/East Midland Trains. Hejoined Network Rail where he became anengineer and worked in mechanicalmaintenance, depot plant, internal andexternal auditing, vehicle assessment andcertification. Tony is a qualified internal andexternal lead auditor. He has a foundationdegree in railway engineering and is aSTEM ambassador for AEGIS.

AEGIS Certification Services

34 RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE

Company Profile

For further information, please contact:AEGIS Certification Services,

29 Brunel Parkway, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8HR. Tel: 01332 384302

Email: info@aegis-cert.co.uk Website: www.aegis-cert.co.uk

Alastair Roberts, Head of Certification (Plant), introduces the organisation and its accredited PAB team.

AEGIS Certification Services PAB team (leftto right): Andrew Allen, Alastair Clarke, TonyDawson, Karen Ruff, Sam Barrett, SteveCurphey and Alastair Roberts.