The electrification programme in the North West will see over 300km of lines electrified, improving connections between towns and cities in our region and beyond. The first four phases of electrification are now operational with passengers enjoying new electric services from Manchester Airport to Scotland, Liverpool, Blackpool and Bolton.


The engineering team will give an overview of the background to the programme, how the option development and designs have been progressed, an overview of the finalised designs, what we’ve learnt during delivery of the schemes and what the next steps are for the programme.


Ryan Duff is as Project Delivery Engineering Manager leading the rail systems integration for the Preston-Blackpool electrification and re-signalling project. Ryan obtained an MEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Imperial College London and graduated in 2006. Ryan joined the rail industry from university working for various design and construction organisations before joining Network Rail in 2010 to work on the Northern Hub and North West Electrification programme.

John Thompson is a Project Delivery Engineering Manager leading the rail systems integration for the Manchester to Preston electrification, journey time improvement and re-signalling project. John obtained an MSc in Railway Infrastructure Engineering from Sheffield Hallam University in 2013 having previously gained a BEng (Hons) in Telecommunications Engineering from Lancaster University in 2005. John joined the rail industry in 2007 having previously operated as an electrical engineer in a range of industries including, automotive, defence and utilities. John joined Network Rail in 2009 working on various enhancements schemes prior to the Northern Hub and North West Electrification programme