Derek Holmes

Railwayman and chairman of Institution of Rail Operators.
Born: 12 June, 1959, in Dundee.

Died: 13 January, 2010, in Wiltshire, aged 50.

FOR someone who never set out to be a railwayman, Derek Holmes enjoyed a phenomenally successful career after ditching his paint pots to become a signaller. It was a move that took him from painter and decorator, via a crossing keeper's house, to running the entire country's Network Rail operations.

And it earned him the respect of colleagues across the board, who admired his leadership, bravery and passion for the job, not to mention his immaculate dress and Windsor-knotted ties. He was wise, insightful and courageous, and his love of railways – inherited from his father – was unrivalled in an industry full of people passionate about the job. Holmes was commended for his rescue work in the 2005 London bombings, and his optimism, enthusiasm, knowledge and professionalism were renowned in the industry and beyond.

Born in Dundee to Helen and Bill, a signaller in the Dundee area, he decided when he left school that painting and decorating was the career for him. One of his jobs was refurbishing the crossing keeper's house at Templehall, Longforgan.

Soon afterwards, having caught the railway bug from his father, he joined the Dundee area signalling team in 1981, starting at Broughty Ferry signal box. Over the next seven years he went from box to box and was promoted to supervisor at Edinburgh signalling centre. In 1988, he became Intercity's traffic manager, ending up in 1992 at Scotland's rail headquarters as performance planning manager.

He joined the newly formed Railtrack in 1994 as its performance manager for Scotland, moving south of the Border as production manager for Great Western in 1997, where he became zone director in 2001. He then moved to its headquarters as operations director for the entire country, a role he retained and made his own when Network Rail took over from Railtrack in October 2002.

Colin Weir, an operations manager, remembers him as an inspirational leader. He says: "Derek was always supportive of those who wanted to progress and learn and would coach many staff to strive to be the best they could be and not allow where they came from affect what they achieved.

"His support, achievement and positive approach touched not only me, but many others, and inspired them to attempt things they may not otherwise have done," he adds. "There are many thousands of people working in the rail industry, but very few who contributed as much, inspired as much and will be missed as much.

"He came from the grassroots as an operator and understood the challenges faced by the frontline teams and drove major contributions to operational safety, such as the voice communications protocols that have made a real difference."

Derek Simpson, Scotland's route director, first knew Holmes when they were both performance managers at Railtrack. "Even back then he was renowned for his immaculate appearance and also for his knowledge and his willingness to support others," he says.

"I recall a management meeting in Birmingham shortly after Network Rail had taken over from Railtrack, at which observations were made about the industry. The then chief executive, John Armitt, piped up: 'What the railway needs is more Derek Holmeses.' This underlined Derek's reputation."

Holmes, who lived in Chippenham, Wiltshire, was also chairman of the Institution of Railway Operators. Chief executive Chris Daughton said he was "a hard-working and inspirational chairman, who enriched the lives of all with whom he came into contact, within and outwith the railway industry".

Iain Coucher, Network Rail's chief executive, said the team was devastated by Holmes's death. "We aren't the only people who feel like this, as after 30 years with the business, many people liked, respected and valued his great qualities."

When Holmes, who suffered from cancer, became ill only a few weeks before his death, staff recalled that he had never taken a day off sick. "I would like to pay tribute to the great personal courage he displayed, right to the end," said Coucher. "Derek was a brave man professionally also, commended for his rescue work during the London bombings in 2005. The whole team are proud he worked at our company and to have known him."

Jim Brown, who worked closely with Holmes in the early Railtrack days, added: "Much truth has been spoken of Derek's bravery; however, it should be remembered of the man that he was very much a people person and looked after his staff both professionally and personally, and a railwayman through and through."

Derek Holmes is survived by his wife and two daughters.