40 Up for Russell Herbert

KiwiRail Project DART Technical Manager Russell Herbert -- one of our organisation’s most experienced Track Engineers -- will celebrated 40 years in the rail industry on January 25 2011.

Beginning his career as an Engineering Cadet in Hamilton while studying through Canterbury University, Russell spent his first six years in the Resident Engineers Office learning the Way and Works business. Notable memories of this time included working with the track gangs and helping with an open day event which he then could not attend due to a truck hitting an overbridge!

In 1981 Russell was appointed Assistant District Engineer in Christchurch, which entailed looking after the structures side of the business. Seven years later he became Southern Track Engineer which included handling the upgrade of the many bridges on the Main North Line, the introduction of the C wagon fleet on the Coal Route and consequent start of major track upgrades on the Midland Line and Stillwater-Westport Line.

During the Cam River Bridge construction, Russell hired an explosives expert to demolish the old timber piers. However, an excessive use of explosives saw the “bang” not only destroy the targeted piers but also cause significant damage to the new bridge beams -- requiring months to sort out and repair. Although, Russell says the bridge engineer at the time suggested that at least it was a good test of his earthquake design!

In 1993 Russell was appointed Area Manager Operations in Christchurch, which encompassed all the operating divisions of civil, mechanical and train operations for the Christchurch, Picton and West Coast areas.

Russell moved to Auckland during the time of privatisation as Transfield Services Technical Manager overseeing the Non Destructive Testing of rails. When the business returned to Government ownership he moved to the Project DART team taking on a key role of managing various projects and the track design team, as well as providing technical advice. Highlights have since included the reopening of the Onehunga Branch and building a new yard at Henderson to stable the passenger units.

Russell says he has had a very varied and interesting career at KiwiRail, and has met some true characters and friends over the past four decades. Having already made a considerable contribution to the business, he has expressed a desire to continue for “quite a few more years”, with no plans to retire to the golf course as yet!