First Engineering - the sixth in a series of IoRW Corporate Member company profile

First Engineering delivers renewals and enhancement work, asset management, turnkey projects and a variety of framework contracts, including some of Network Rail's most significant investment projects - such as the National Track Renewals and High Output Programmes, signalling improvements and multi-functional consultancy commissions. In addition to Network Rail, its clients include First ScotRail, GNER, Glasgow Underground, London Underground, Tyne and Wear Metro, local authorities and private depot, sidings and freight companies.

First Engineering Welding Group First Engineering Welding Group from left to right: Neil O'Reilly, Gerry Clarke, John Oates, John Glennon, Gerry Dineen, James Reid, Graham Phillips, Eric Worton, Keith Clarke, Ian Jackson

A company with a wealth of industry and project management experience, First Engineering's capability extends to feasibility, design, installation, construction, testing, commissioning, ongoing maintenance and repair of the full range of railway infrastructure, including:

  • Track
  • Signalling
  • Telecommunications
  • Customer information systems
  • Power systems, including overhead line electrification
  • Mechanical and electrical engineering
  • Facilities management
  • Civil engineering
  • Technical consultancy services
  • Surveying services

Our engineering heritage originates from British Rail's infrastructure service units, which were responsible for delivering the majority of works to the rail network prior to privatisation. We have since built on this and forged ahead to lead the field in innovation and industry best practice.

Mobile Flashbutt Welder at work on Stirling - Alloa Project
Mobile Flashbutt Welder at work on Stirling - Alloa Project
Part of the automatic finishing machine (AFM) showing dynamic track stabiliser (DTS) unit
Part of the automatic finishing machine (AFM)
View of the High Output System 2 train at work in the Western Territory
View of the High Output System 2 train at work in the Western Territory
Kirow Crane at Rutherglen Yard during training with the sleeper lifting beam
Kirow Crane at Rutherglen Yard during training with the sleeper lifting beam

Today, First Engineering's focus on multi-disciplinary rail infrastructure work makes us distinctive and, consequently, we have an in-depth understanding of the sectors in which we operate. We are committed to providing customers with a high quality integrated infrastructure design, construction and maintenance service at the most cost-effective price and our ability to integrate the full range of diverse disciplines and services involved enables us to deliver. With over 2000 staff, 19 offices and other operational bases throughout the UK, First Engineering can, and does, efficiently deliver the full range of rail infrastructure services to customers, nationwide.

First Engineering continually challenges itself to design new and innovative ways to improve delivery, investing in the latest plant, equipment and technology, as well as the right people, with the aim of supplying the best possible service.

With joint venture partners Swietelsky the company has recently made a major investment in introducing the latest and most efficient Track Renewals Technology to the UK. This investment included two AFM 2000 - RT Automatic Finishing Machines which are now successfully delivering improvements in track quality and three Kirow 250 Cranes. The AFMs which combine dynamic track stabilising, ballast regulating and track recording technologies in a single, state of the art machine, are successfully delivering improvements in track quality. The versatile Kirow 250 cranes which are already delivering efficiencies have a unique rotor head attachment which allows them to carry a variety of attachments for material handling, excavating and tamping as well as conventional lifting.

Part of the Babcock Group, First Engineering is determined to meet the challenges provided by the rail industry, no matter what that might be. Positively, with the financial backing and support provided by Babcock, First Engineering is usually able to meet any rail requirement.

Babcock is a highly experienced support services company with a wide range of technical skills. It combines these with commercial know-how, innovative ideas and industry best practice to deliver complete support contracts to a broad range of government and industrial customers. Undeniably, with six UK operating divisions, focused on defence, engineering, power and telecommunications, rail, infrastructure and naval services, the group has the proven ability to rapidly assemble and deploy skilled contract teams to meet the operationally critical outsourcing needs of customers.

John Oates
Professional Head of Civil Engineering