Spencer Rail Engineering has been recognised for its commitment to delivering exceptional service to rail passengers with a prestigious national award.
The Hull-based multi-disciplinary engineering specialist was honoured in the Spotlight Rail Awards held at the London Hilton in Park Lane.
The awards shine a light on the people, teams and businesses driving transformation across the UK rail industry and aim to showcase innovation, impact and leadership in the sector.
Spencer Rail Engineering scooped the Delivering for the Customer award alongside its client, West Midlands Railway, for work to enhance Tyseley Depot in Birmingham, which delivered better outcomes for the taxpayer and minimal disruption to rail passengers.
The award recognises projects or services that have placed the customer at the heart of delivery – with clear evidence of improved satisfaction, trust, or accessibility.
The Tyseley Depot Enhancement Project provided upgrades at the West Midlands Railway facility to significantly increase capacity for the next generation of trains. The extension works are a critical part of West Midlands Railway’s future operations, as the former depot was too small to house the train operator’s newest fleet of trains, which are four carriages long.
Completed over a three-year-period, the circa £43m project saw Spencer Rail Engineering extend and upgrade facilities at the depot, while maintaining live operations to minimise disruption to passengers.
The Tyseley Depot Enhancement Project impressed award judges due to the incorporation of Early Contractor Involvement (ECI), a strategy which sees contractors involved from an earlier stage to resolve design issues upfront, align fully with operational requirements, and provide cost and programme certainty.
The awards entry highlighted that the decision to extend the ECI phase into the main delivery stages of the project “was a deliberate investment in the success of the scheme”, which paid dividends in financial savings, time reductions, and customer confidence.
The project was completed on time, within budget, with no unplanned disruption, and with significant long-term operational and environmental benefits.
Spencer Rail Engineering was also recognised for its collaborative spirit and commitment to prioritising openness and inclusivity between the client and key stakeholder, Network Rail.
As part of the collaborative working efforts, workshops were organised to bring together engineers, operators, and depot staff to identify smarter, more efficient solutions, while clear communication and joint working created a culture of trust and accountability throughout the project.
The awards organisers said the project stood out for the way that it embraced ECI, proving that taking time to get the design right and plan effectively can deliver better outcomes for the taxpayer. It was also praised for the way in which it was delivered while maintaining normal depot operations, to ensure minimal disruption to passengers.
Spencer Rail Engineering Managing Director, Mike Halliday, said: “This recognition reflects the strength of collaboration, trust and shared commitment that has driven the project forward from the outset.
“It has been a fantastic example of what can be achieved through Early Contractor Involvement. By engaging early and working closely with our partners, we were able to shape the delivery approach together, unlock efficiencies, and ensure the best possible outcomes for West Midlands Railway and the wider rail network.
“Thank you to everyone involved who contributed to making the Tyseley Depot project such a success.”
John Doughty, West Midlands Railway Engineering Director, said: “Delivering for the customer is always our priority, so it’s fantastic to have our efforts recognised by this award.
“Tyseley Depot is key to our operations across the West Midlands, so these new facilities mean we can deliver the best possible service for customers by efficiently maintaining our fleets and improving our reliability as a result.
“I want to thank our colleagues at West Midlands Railway and Spencer Rail Engineering for their dedication to completing these upgrades to the highest standard, both on time and within budget.”
