Pete Waterman, music mogel and rail enthusiast, explains his lifelong passion for the railways and the need to ensure there is a new generation ready to make a positive difference by embracing High Speed rail, innovation and the digital railway. 

The railway is in my blood. In a sense it’s anchored me.

Since trainspotting as a kid hanging around Leamington Spa station, then getting my first BR pay packet – just as Dr Beeching was getting into his stride more than half a century ago – rail has been the constant in my life.

It’s helped keep my feet on the ground when the music business might otherwise have become rather too distracting.  

"The pragmatic recognition that wishlists of what could be done are not the same as the reality of finite cash resources set against competing budgets. "

A passion for this industry does bring with it the risk of becoming pigeon-holed: seen by some as part of a sentimental heritage sector, not part of today’s commercial railway reality.

That notion could not be more wrong.  Which is why I’m delighted to be chairing the advisory board for Tomorrows Rail - something that sets out to chart a positive future for rail. It’s something I’ve fought for at every turn.

I’m proud, for instance, to be the very first entrepreneur to take a commercial stake in the earliest business opportunities privatisation created.

Completing the deal on the Special Trains Unit 20 plus years ago created a strong business base maintaining and restoring rolling stock – in turn the employment opportunities that have followed have opened a route out of despair and joblessness for young people who didn’t have the breaks I had as a kid.

Some of them will, I hope, go on to build successful careers of their own and, who knows, one of them may one day play a big part in a transformed and revitalised rail network throughout the Midlands and the North. That’s where the rail story began, but the regions are also inextricably linked with the capital city. 

The Tomorrow's Rail event will be held on 8 July in London. www.tomorrowsrail.com for details and to book your place.

As solutions to the key network questions begin to take shape here, and elsewhere, we must never lose sight of the importance of maintaining confidence in rail’s ability to keep pace with London’s economic wellbeing. 

Working with members of the Advisory Board behind our inaugural conference, I was struck by two recurring themes: rail’s role as catalyst bringing about positive transformation – whether by creating skilled job opportunities where there were none – or helping secure a sense of community cohesion through investment in smart, efficient, long-term infrastructure. 

"Priorities, chronology and building a persuasive case into compelling logic have never been as complex in transport as they are now."

Secondly, the pragmatic recognition that wishlists of what could be done are not the same as the reality of finite cash resources set against competing budgets. Priorities, chronology and building a persuasive case into compelling logic have never been as complex in transport as they are now. 

That’s why Tomorrows Rail exists: to help drive that debate, to help unravel some of the complexity.    

The Board has worked hard to shape a programme that looks at many of the most important issues we face. I am passionate about the jobs and skills agenda: what we can do to ensure there is a new generation attracted by the potential to make a positive and rewarding difference to this industry.

Colleagues feel just as strongly on High Speed rail; innovation and the digital railway; accessibility, and the risk that employees who actually deliver the railway safely to millions of people every day are involved in these decisions, not taken for granted. The same goes for all in our vital supply chain. 

There is much more to debate, including the opportunities and challenges devolved empowerment creates for those who will carry the burden of turning their decisions into reality. 

Above all, I see our role as drawing on experience in bringing clarity to that decision-making process.  

I really hope to see you on 8th July as together we look to build our view of Tomorrow’s Rail. 

Pete Waterman is chairman of Tomorrow’s Rail Advisory Board. www.tomorrowsrail.com