Each month, AREMA features one of our committee chairs or members. We are pleased to announce that the July featured member is Lucas A. Bathurst, chair of Committee 17 - High Speed Rail Systems.

AREMA: Why did you choose a career in railway engineering?BATHURST: My interest was initiated and inspired by the late Dr. Arnold Kerr when applying to the civil engineering graduate program at the University of Delaware. Dr. Kerr was a renowned expert in the field of railway engineering, contributing to practical applications of design, maintenance and operations within the industry. I originally intended to focus my studies on structures, but I was so impressed by Dr. Kerr, his work and his former graduate students, many of whom have made great contributions to the railway industry. AREMA: How did you get started? BATHURST: My first experience in railroading was actually as a laborer with the Patapsco and Back Rivers Railroad (PBR), a Class 3 switching and terminal railroad that served Bethlehem Steel in Sparrows Point, Md. I worked with PBR during college for a summer. I came home completely exhausted each day; it gave me respect for those that did the work each and every day for their career. I began to seriously consider a career in the railway industry in graduate school. With my thesis and research focused on railway engineering, I had a chance to work with some incredibly knowledgeable and motivating people at Amtrak. An opportunity to continue working with Amtrak and officially begin my railroad career presented itself and I jumped at the chance to become par t of the engineer ing track staff. I began my career as a geotechnical engineer and completed graduate school with a focus on railway and structural engineering, so I felt I offered a well-rounded engineering-knowledge-base to be a contributing member of Amtrak’s staff.

AREMA: How did you get involved in both AREMA and your committee?BATHURST: I first joined AREMA as a student member while at the University of Delaware. I began attending the annual meetings and expositions, participating in as many of the technical sessions and exhibits as possible. I was then approached by senior Amtrak staff to consider joining a committee in an area that interested me. With an interest in so many different aspects of railway engineering, coupled with my work experience at Amtrak, I applied to be a member of Committee 17 - High Speed Rail Systems. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of Student Chapters to AREMA. Students represent the future of the organization and bring the technology, innovation and enthusiasm to enhance and advance our industry. AREMA: What are your hobbies outside of your work?BATHURST: Outside of the time I spend with my family, I enjoy playing, coaching and watching soccer, as well as fly fishing. Since moving to Texas, I had to adjust my fly fishing time to planned excursions, although I have ventured onto some local rivers. I look a bit out of place next to the bass fishermen. AREMA: Tell us about your family.BATHURST: Al though we a re not native Texans, my family and I currently reside in Fort Worth after relocating from Philadelphia 10 years ago. I took an opportunity to lead a rail group in Texas with HDR Engineering and have thoroughly enjoyed living and working in Texas. I have been married to my wife Nancy for nearly 20 years. We met during our undergraduate studies at Lafayette College (Go Pards!) and managed to successfully navigate her veterinary studies at University of Pennsylvania and my graduate program at the University of Delaware, prior to being married in 1999. Nancy leads a clinical program for a veter inary pharmaceutical company. We have twin 13-year-old girls who will enter 8th grade in the

fall. Their interests in sports and music keep Nancy and me busy.AREMA: What i s your b iggest achievement so far? BATHURST: Professionally, my biggest achievement has to be advancing the careers of my staff. I try to provide opportunity for skills development and career growth, to inspire them to challenge themselves in all aspects of what they do and to lead by example.AREMA: What advice would you give to someone who is trying to pursue a career in the railway industry? BATHURST: Get involved and be a sponge. The railway industry is relatively small compared to others within engineering and the opportunities to make a difference are plentiful. The industry provides numerous avenues to get involved, such as operations, construction, maintenance, engineering, research and education; each one is critical to the sustainability of the industry. Listen to those within the industry, as there is so much to learn and identify opportunities to improve and enhance how railroading is done.

Getting to knowLucas A. Bathurst

LUCAS A. BATHURST, PECHAIR, CommIttee 17 - HIgH speed RAIl systems VICe pResIdeNtHdR

www.rtands.com Reprinted with Permission from: Railway Track & Structures July 2017 35

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