The award is aimed at all young rail specialists, not just young engineers.
What’s at stake?
Winners receive up to $10K to attend an international rail or transport conference of their choice.
The Emerging Rail Specialist Award is open to individuals who are:
- Employees of current Corporate RTAA members or Personal members; and (JOIN HERE)
- Under the age of 35 as at 1 January 2019; and
- Demonstrate their personal key involvement in the rail industry either locally or internationally in one or more areas of railway practice; and
- Australian or New Zealand citizens or residents.
The winner is announced at the Australian Rail Industry Awards.
The 2019 winner is Simon Lehman
Simon Lehman of John Holland being announced as this years winner for his contribution to the Development of the Essential Services Distribution System (ESDS) for the Mernda Rail Extension Project (MREP's). MREP’s ESDS is the first system to not only provide reliable power for the Signalling System but extend this reliability to other critical railway services at stations and along the corridor. Congratulations Simon!
Runner Up was Brooke Shaw, Roy Hill and the Highly Commended Award was awarded to Cong Qiu, Institute of Railway Technology.
The 2018 winner is Andrew Kelly
Andrew Kelly, Engineering Manager for CPB Contractors was the winner of the 2018 Frank Franklyn Award for his submission – Caulfield to Dandenong Level Crossing Removal Project.
The 2017 winner is James Donovan.
James, a graduate engineer with Metro Trains Melbourne made an impressive win with his entry entitled:THE REMOTE ISOLATION SYSTEM: STREAMLINED SWITCHING IN MELBOURNE.
James has won travel costs valued up to $10,000 to attend a rail conference/exhibition overseas to Munster, Germany as well as an opportunity sit on the management committee of the RTAA. All winners receive three year's free personal membership of the RTAA. All winners are also invited to present their submissions at a Technical Session and Networking Meeting.
The 2016 winner is Paul Trask.
Paul, a project engineer with Coleman Rail impressed the judging panel with his entry entitled: Yarra Trams, Preston Workshop Yard Management System
Paul has won travel costs valued up to $10,000 to attend a rail conference/exhibition overseas to Munster, Germany as well as an opportunity sit on the management committee of the RTAA. All winners receive three year's free personal membership of the RTAA. All winners are also invited to present their submissions at a Technical Session and Networking Meeting.
2nd place winner - Shane Peirce - personal member and employee of LCRP Lendlease (prize - travel to the value of $2,000)
3rd place winner - Esther Warren, Metro Trains Melbourne (prize - travel to the value of $1,000)
Runner-up - Michelle Bakich, John Holland Rail
The Award was presented at the Australasian Rail Industry Award dinner in Melbourne on 7 July 2016. Four hundred guests attended this prestigious rail industry dinner. As in previous years, the RTAA judging committee will be selecting the winner or winners.The Award was first established in 2008 in memory of one of the RTAA’s founding members, Frank Franklyn. Information on Frank’s inspirational life is provided below.
Winners 2015
The Frank Franklyn Award winners in 2015 are as follows:
|
Prize
|
Name
|
Employer
|
Paper
|
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Hassan Boussi | Sydney Trains | Bridge Renewal Granville |
| Second | Daniel Cassar | Vossloh Cogifer Australia | |
| Third | Alex Pullman | Metro Trains Melbourne | |
| Highly Commended | Esther Warren | Metro Trains Melbourne |
Winners 2014
The Frank Franklyn Award winners in 2014 are as follows:
|
Prize
|
Name
|
Employer
|
Paper
|
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Thomas Kerr | Sydney Trains | Track Reconstruction Works 2011 - 2014 Delivery Programme |
| Second | Kathryn Crestan | Sydney Trains | |
| Third | David Nguyen | Trackwork Services Alliance | |
| Highly Commended | Jarrad Stephens | Sydney Trains |
Winners 2013
The Frank Franklyn Award winners in 2013 are as follows:
|
Prize
|
Name
|
Employer
|
Paper
|
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Andrew Bressanutti | John Holland Rail Link | Track Reconstruction Works 2011 - 2014 Delivery Programme |
| Second | Ian Maydew | ARTC | |
| Third | Sakdirat Kaewunruen | Sydney Trains | |
| Highly Commended | Daniel Thomson | Sydney Trains |
Winners 2012
The Frank Franklyn Award winners in 2012 are as follows:
|
Prize
|
Name
|
Employer
|
Paper
|
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Rimmy Chahal | John Holland Rail Link | Track Reconstruction Works 2011 - 2014 Delivery Programme |
| Second | Danial Thomson | RailCorp | |
| Third | Gareth Beynon | Laing O'Rourke | |
| Highly Commended | Greg Salisbury | Leighton Contractors |
Who was Frank Franklyn?
Francis Gustave Franklyn was born in Lismore in 1911. He began his career in the railways as a cadet draftsman and, over a career spanning 47 years, he was promoted to the role of General Manager, Way and Works Branch, Public Transport Commission of NSW. This role has more recently been known as the Chief Civil Engineer.
In 1979 he was elected as Vice President of the Rail Track Association, a position he held until 1987. He continued to attend meetings until 1990, when he officially retired from the Association. He was awarded Honorary Life Member of the RTAA, and remained very active in the organisation until 2007. He passed away in September 2008.
Frank earned the respect and admiration of others for his leadership skills, knowledge of the industry, courage and determination. In his memory, the RTAA established the Young Rail Track Specialist Award in 2008.
