At CWE, we’re proud to be part of the UK rail industry. We believe it’s a great place to work and that our friendly team showcases the best of the sector. In this series, Life at CWE, we’ll be providing a glimpse into the life of our staff. We hope this will give readers a sense of the work our brilliant people do and the diverse range of talents and skills that make up the world of rail engineering.
In this month’s episode, we follow long serving employee Andrew Bonar, who has has spent five decades in engineering, including 19 years with CWE.
What do you enjoy about your job?
After 19 years with the company and over five decades in engineering, you might think the spark would fade, but truth is, I still get a real sense of satisfaction from solving problems. I’ve always enjoyed figuring out how things work, how they break, and how to fix them better. What I enjoy most now, though, is working alongside the younger generation. Watching their skills develop and knowing I can pass along what I’ve learned—that’s what keeps me coming in each day with purpose.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Every single day here is different, today I’m building some buffers as part of a contract with a customer, so I’ll strip them, clean them check everything meets spec and build it back together. Tomorrow I could be building couplers, HSTs, tight locks, drop heads or anything really, every single day is truly different. These days, my role is a bit more advisory too, I’ll meet with a few engineers or apprentices, troubleshoot where needed, or share stories that (hopefully) still have a lesson buried in them.
What do you find most rewarding about your job?
It’s rewarding to see something you helped design still running ten, fifteen years later. But more than that, I think it’s seeing people grow. Watching someone who started as an unsure apprentice turn into a confident, capable engineer, that’s special. I’ve had the privilege of mentoring a few of those, and it feels like I’m leaving behind something that’ll outlast me.
What advice would you give to an apprentice just starting out?
This isn’t a line of work to be messed with, my battered hands show how hard this job has been, so make sure you truly ready for it before you begin. Be curious, be patient, and don’t be afraid to ask questions especially the “dumb” ones (they’re usually the important ones). Learn how to listen, really listen, to the folks who’ve been around a while. There’s a lot of wisdom in greasy hands and worn-out boots. And lastly, take pride in your work. Whether it’s a big system or a single bolt, do it right. Reputation sticks with you in this line of work—make sure yours says something good.
Tell me something interesting about yourself!
I have never been any good at standing still – I always have to be doing something, keeping my mind and body moving and I’m pushing 72 now so that’s getting harder to occupy a hobby! I do go target shooting every week and like to swim. I’ll do those things for as long as I can!
