Celebrating 45 years in the rail industry

By Ganymede

​Celebrating 45 years in the rail industry

As we celebrate 200 years of the modern railway in 2025, we also take the time to honour individuals who have dedicated their careers to advancing this incredible industry. For Gary Lobue, what began as a stop-gap role with British Rail has evolved into a remarkable 45-year journey shaped by a passion for safety, innovation, and excellence in the rail sector. Joining Ganymede in 2017 as Head of HSEQ, Gary has been an integral part of the team, and we want to highlight his career in the rail industry.

Gary's British Rail ID Card

From Stop-Gap to Lifelong Career

Gary’s journey into the rail industry wasn’t planned; it was by chance he joined British Rail in 1980. A conversation with his ganger early in his career planted the seed for what would become a lifelong career. His ganger’s story of surviving a train strike left a mark, inspiring Gary to prioritise safety in every aspect of his work.

As his career progressed, Gary took on roles as a union and safety representative, eventually transitioning into supervisor and management positions. From this point on, Gary was very safety conscious in his work, whilst ensuring he got the operational and safety balance right to meet project and programme demand. A natural progression was to them become a trainer/assessor in track safety, then moving into HSEQ to pursue his career further.

The Evolution of Safety in Rail

Reflecting on the changes in rail safety over the years, Gary highlights how far the industry has come. “Track safety has improved immensely,” he explains, mentioning risk minimisation being implemented in 2002 and the development of standards like the 019 Safety of People at Work on or Near the Line. Rule Books and Standards are regularly reviewed, updated, renewed and the introduction of RISQS and Sentinel have ensured the industry, and its suppliers are compliant to meet Network Rail requirements, enhancing a collective stance on safety.

Gary's Rail Competency Cards

The Role of Technology in HSEQ

As you would expect, Gary has witnessed significant advancements in technology that have transformed rail safety. On-track machinery for engineering maintenance and construction have come a long way, and innovation of such machines has eliminated the need for a large workforce using mechanical methods to carryout engineering works. This reduces the risk of injury to workers and damage to the infrastructure. Similarly, personal protective equipment (PPE) from 45 years ago is worlds apart from what we expect in 2025, as shown in the picture below! Innovation has reshaped the industry, with all of these changes improving productivity and reliability, but most importantly, ensuring a safer railway.

PPE in the 1980s on Beighton Depot, British Rail

A Lifetime of Achievement

Over the past 45 years, Gary has achieved numerous milestones, but some stand out as particularly meaningful. He became one of the youngest supervisors in British Rail’s Electrification Construction Department and earned a Trainer/Teacher Qualification as well as a Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety.

However, being nominated for awards by his peers holds a special place in Gary’s heart. He says, “The most satisfying was being overwhelmingly nominated by my colleagues at Ganymede for the Safety First, Safety Always Award,” an award named after Ganymede's company ethos and one of our core values.

Advice for the Next Generation

To those starting their careers in rail safety, Gary offers invaluable advice:

  • Seek real-world experience: Gary believes individuals looking to start a career in a health and safety within rail should get experience where they can, to help them see how the business operates and understand the operational demands on a business.

  • Observe human behaviour: Reflect on why people take risks and engage in unsafe acts, understand that safety and operations must be evenly balanced and can work together.

  • Be approachable: Put the clipboard away, don’t be too judgmental, and remember that people rarely intend harm. People generally have best intentions but will have slips, lapses and make mistakes.

  • Prioritise risk assessments: Two words: Risk Assessment, they are an integral part of health and safety.

A thank you to Gary

Gary Lobue’s career is a testament to the power of dedication, continuous learning, and a commitment to safety. As we celebrate his 45 years of service, we’re reminded of the profound impact one individual can have on an industry.

From all of us at Ganymede and your friends across the rail industry, thank you, Gary, for your remarkable contributions to rail safety.

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