About Us
Providing innovative design solutions to improve Britain’s railways.
We are a railway design consultancy based in North Yorkshire, specialising in track and drainage design. We are a team of experienced consultants that are dedicated to delivering innovative and sustainable solutions to enhance the nation’s railway infrastructure.
Our Story
Guided Rail was established in 2020 with an aim to collaborate with clients on their railway project requirements. From initiation to detailed designs through to on-site engineering and management, we deliver projects for Network Rail under Project Acceleration in a Controlled Environment (PACE). For none Network Rail projects, we deliver the work under client’s specific structures of delivery or using our own system.
Our team may be small, but that doesn’t mean we lack the knowledge and commitment required to develop quality solutions. Our directors both bring a unique set of skills and experience to every project. They are both members of the Permanent Way Institution (PWI) and have decades of combined experience of track and drainage design within the rail industry.
Over the years, we have been involved in a wide range of successful projects and builds. From complex PWay designs to large site surveys to playing our part in the remodelling of London Kings Cross, each project has ensured we’ve provided a solution that was tailored to our clients’ needs. We strive to engage in continuous professional development in order to provide high levels of service to our customers.
What Can We Help With?
We work closely with you, partners and key stakeholders to provide effective solutions that enhance railway infrastructure nationwide. Our expertise and experience spans all project phases, including site surveying, detailed design and on-site engineering and management. The final result is always high-quality and sustainable infrastructure that meets the highest industry standards and regulations.
Permanent Way Design Services
Civils Design Services
Rail Surveying Services
Drainage Design Services
Engineering Management & Consultancy Services
Our Approch
At Guided Rail, we take a proactive and collaborative approach to any project we undertake. We begin by thoroughly understanding your unique needs and goals, allowing us to tailor our services to meet their requirements. We aim to anticipate and address potential challenges early to prevent delays or complications to projects, ensuring they are delivered on schedule and within budget.
Our team works closely with stakeholders and third parties involved in the project to ensure seamless communication and execution. By leveraging advanced technology and adhering to industry standards and regulations, we deliver innovative, high-quality and sustainable results that not only meet, but exceed expectations.
Meet the Team
James Backhurst
Founder
Neil Andrews
Design Director
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James has 25 years’ experience in Civil and Transportation Engineering, with 18 plus years in the railways. He is a CAT 3 Checker for track schemes GRIP 1 to 8 and a competent user of AutoCAD and MicroStation; design software (MX Rail & BRT); and ClearRoute 2 gauging software.
His experience includes serving as the Contractors Responsible Engineer (CRE) on the Transpennine Route Upgrade for west of Leeds. James has worked as principal track designer on several of the Inner Northern Hub schemes including Ordsall Chord and Ordsall Lane, delivering a track alignment from GRIP 3 through to GRIP 5 detailed design.
Contact James:
T: 07872107811
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Neil has over 15 years permanent way surveying and design experience with extensive experience of gauging projects, depot design, S&C renewals and multidisciplinary schemes.
Neil has also carried out CRE and CEM duties on a number of multidisciplinary projects ranging from domestic S&C to large scale station remodel. Most recently, he completed the GRIP 3 - 6 design work for the Kings Cross remodelling project as CRE and during certain stages as CEM.
Contact Neil:
T: 07791904426
E: