Celebrating Railway 200: The People Powering the Future of Rail

Christian Stickland – Head of Technical Service

As part of our Railway 200 celebrations, we’re sharing the stories of the people at the heart of Mercury3 Consult – the individuals who are shaping the future of the industry.

This week, we hear from Christian Stickland, who leads our Technical Services team, encompassing Operations & Maintenance and Engineering & Asset Management. As a highly accomplished expert in railway operations, Christian brings strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, consistently delivering results in complex, fast-paced environments.

Christian is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Railway Operators (CIRO) and has dedicated his entire career to rail operations, starting his journey at Network Rail as an Operations Apprentice and soon after becoming a Signaller.

After advancing to Operational Management, his drive and leadership skills enabled him to develop high-performing teams, earning special recognition for his achievements. Christian has always had a passion for project delivery, supporting teams on major initiatives including the Sheffield Tram Train, Kings Cross Re-modelling, and the re-control of Sheffield and Kings Cross Power Signal Boxes.

Since joining Mercury3 Consult in June 2022, he has contributed his operational expertise to the Transpennine Route Upgrade within the West of Leeds Alliance team, playing a crucial role in all aspects of this major programme.

Below, Christian shares his story, including standout memories, proud moments, and his vision for the future of rail.

👉 How it All Started 

Growing up, my ambition was to become an airline pilot. I joined the Air Cadets when I was 13, and aviation was the only career I ever envisioned for myself. After finishing my A-Levels, I was eager to take the next step and started looking into pilot scholarship programmes. However, following 9/11, most airlines suspended these opportunities. As a result, I began exploring other industries, seeking a path that would allow for career progression.

That’s when my dad pointed out two job advertisements in the Daily Mail, one for Railtrack and the other for NATS (National Air Traffic Services). I decided to apply for both and was invited to the subsequent stages of their recruitment processes. Railtrack’s process was quicker, consisting of a single interview, and I ultimately received an offer to join their Operations Apprenticeship Programme.

At that point, I had only been on a train a handful of times and knew very little about the rail industry. However, I accepted the role, thinking it could involve anything from driving trains to repairing tracks. The first year provided me with a solid foundation in the industry, and as they say, the rest is history (history contained within my CV).

💬 A Memorable Railway Moment 

After more than twenty years in the industry, I have many memorable experiences, but one that stands out is my first solo shift as a competent signaller at the Larbert Junction Signal Box. Another unforgettable event was when I had to deal with a polar bear blocking a train, as Greenpeace activists had stopped a coal train from entering Cottam Power Station.

However, my most cherished memory has to be the day I proposed to my now-wife, Claire. I took over the PA system on a train to London and recited a cheesy love poem from the film “A Room for Romeo Brass” before returning to our seat to pop the question. Thankfully, she said yes, and the rest of the carriage erupted in cheers, which was followed by a complimentary bottle of champagne.

Although I had pre-planned the proposal, the media coverage that followed was unexpected. Since then, I have appeared on BBC Radio Sheffield several times for segments on love and romance. On one of those shows, I was dubbed the “Railway Romeo,” something which I use from time to time during icebreaker games, such as “Two Truths and a Lie.”

🚅 Looking Ahead: The Future of Rail 

There is much to celebrate in our industry, from the dedicated professionals who keep it running to the ambitious projects currently underway, such as the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR). It’s encouraging to see these initiatives continue to receive government support, even amidst the political and economic changes of the past 18 months.

While none of us can predict the next 200 years, let alone what I’ll have for dinner tomorrow, I hope the railway continues to attract passionate, skilled individuals. These future professionals will be the custodians of the legacy we are building today, preserving and enhancing the network for generations to come.

In terms of attending Railway 200 events, I live close to Barrow Hill Roundhouse, so I am likely to attend their celebration event later in the year. There will also be some great volunteering opportunities that our Social Value team are busy arranging. Last year, we spent a day painting fences on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which was a wonderful experience. It was great to spend a day with my colleagues from Mercury3 Consult in a different environment, helping out our heritage colleagues while having fun at the same time. I’m really looking forward to it!