Date/Time
Date(s) - March 5 2027
9:00am - 4:30pm
Location
De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms
THE AWARDS
The Golden Whistle awards – in which the trophies feature that archetypal element of efficient railway operating, the Acme Thunderer whistle – celebrate the best of railway operating and are handed out to those companies making the greatest strides in punctuality and other key indicators.
AWARD CATEGORIES
• Right time arrivals – Inter-city TOCs. Gold Whistle for best in class, Silver Whistle for most improved. Based on Network Rail moving annual average On Time data to end of Period 9.
• Right time arrivals – London and South East TOCs. Gold Whistle for best in class, Silver Whistle for most improved. Based on Network Rail moving annual average On Time data to end of Period 9.
• Right time arrivals – Regional TOCs. Gold Whistle for best in class, Silver Whistle for most improved. Based on Network Rail moving annual average On Time data to end of Period 9.
• Freight performance – FOCs. Gold Whistle for best in class, Silver Whistle for most improved. Based on ‘A2F’ (Arrival to Fifteen) moving annual average scores of freight operating companies.
• Minimising delay minutes – operators. Gold Whistle for best in class, Silver Whistle for most improved. All passenger and freight operators assessed for reduction in ‘TOC/FOC on self’ delays, moving annual average to end of Period 9.
• Minimising delay minutes – Network Rail Routes. Gold Whistle for best in class, Silver Whistle for most improved. All Routes assessed for delay minutes caused to all operators, moving annual average to end of Period 9.
• London Underground Line performance. All Lines assessed for based on number of services operated to the end of Period 9. Gold Whistle for best in class, Silver for most improved.
• Irish Rail performance. Gold Whistles for right time punctuality and minimising delay minutes across all Irish Rail routes.
• Outstanding Operator/Operating Team. Awards for individuals and operating teams that have gone above and beyond. Gold Whistles for the winners, Silver for the runners-up and Highly Commended certificates for other shortlisted entrants.
• Special Award. Each year the CIRO judging panel chooses an individual or team and awards a Gold Whistle for an operating achievement deemed worthy of special recognition.
• Lifetime Achievement Award. A special award handed out each year to an individual who has made a major contribution to the improvement of railway operations across their career. Entrants in the operating ‘hall of fame’ so far include Chris Green, Chris Gibb, Gordon Pettitt, Howard Smith and John Smith.
HOW DO I ENTER?
Most of the Golden Whistle awards are made on the basis of statistical information compiled by the industry and do not require companies to enter. There is one category for which the winners are selected by a panel of CIRO judges and for which entries are invited: the Gold Whistle for the Best Individual Operator / Operating Team, awarded each year to an individual or team that has gone above and beyond in its contribution.
CALLING ALL OUTSTANDING OPERATORS!
Every year Golden Whistles are awarded to outstanding operators. Why not nominate your outstanding operator, or operating team for the next awards?
Entries for the 2027 awards are opening soon
TABLES AND SPONSORSHIP
Tables of 10 at this event cost £2,100 plus VAT, sponsorship details available on request. Contact Chris Shilling via email [email protected] or call on 07736 635916.