Matt Atkins

Rail Live returned to Porterbrook's Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre (LMIRC) on 17-18 June, once again bringing together the UK rail industry for two days of innovation, networking, and debate.

At just 23 years' old, Brook Randall has already made his mark at Transport for London (TfL). Starting as a bus driver at 18, he progressed to bus station controller before swapping vehicles and qualifying as a Piccadilly line driver at 22. He is currently TfL's youngest ever Tube driver. Brook took some time out from his busy day to discuss his career journey, experiences, and ambitions for the future.

Listen to this article The scale of HS2's recruitment ambitions is increasingly being matched by the breadth of opportunities emerging around the project.

From frontline staff to behind-the-scenes specialists, the RailStaff Awards recognise all those whose professionalism and expertise make a real difference every day. Though there are similar events dotted throughout the calendar, none focuses squarely on the people who matter most, and few can match the sheer scale and spectacle of the occasion.

Every person nominated for a RailStaff Award has gone above and beyond in their role. Whether they've delivered exceptional customer service, championed equality, or driven innovation, each nominee has made a lasting contribution to the railway.

Our industry is lucky enough to include thousands of staff who've devoted their entire working lives to the railway. Many of those now reaching retirement age can boast decades of dedication and it's not unheard of for employees to leave with 50 years or more under their belt.

The success of the railway comes down to its people. From the engineers who build and maintain the network to the frontline staff who support passengers and keep services running safely, it is the dedication and commitment of individuals and teams that keep railway services moving every day.

The countdown to the RailStaff Awards 2026 has officially started and there's not long to wait before the industry comes together for its biggest celebration.

The railway is adapting to a new challenge as increasingly frequent periods of extreme heat test infrastructure, operations, and resilience across the network.

Extreme heat has long been something the railway has had to manage, but this summer has underlined just how quickly that challenge is changing.