Gavin Lambley

A QUICK-THINKING train driver who helped stranded passengers to safety from his damaged train has won a Driver of the Year award.

Gavin Lambley, who works for train operator First Capital Connect (FCC) on the Cambridge-King’s Cross line, scooped the prize at the 2012 RailStaff Awards, which took place in Birmingham on Saturday.

He was nominated after his train was caught up in a problem with overhead lines between Shepreth and Foxton.

Colleague Richard Marchant who nominated him said: “Gavin showed great professionalism. He instinctively stopped the train to check out the abnormality. By doing this, he prevented substantial damage to the overhead line equipment.

“After seeing that the train was seriously damaged, he made frequent PA announcements to the customers and walked through the train advising them personally about the problem, even offering his own mobile phone for them to make calls to friends and relatives.”

After realising that some customers had got off the train and were walking along the track, Mr Lambley took immediate action by contacting the signaller and placing emergency protection on the adjacent line which was open to rail traffic.

“Finally, he helped all customers get off the train when it was safe to do so, assisting those with special needs and carrying heavy luggage,” said Mr Marchant.

FCC’s deputy managing director Jackie Townsend said Mr Lambley was a credit to the firm.