ONTRACK has appointed Phil McQueen, currently its Northern Regional Manager, as Project Director for the electrification of Auckland’s rail network.
Mr McQueen has more than 20 years experience in senior management, technical and project roles in the rail industry. One of his first jobs in the industry was working on the electrification of the North Island Main Trunk in the 1980s.
In announcing the appointment Acting Chief Executive of ONTRACK William Peet says Mr McQueen’s previous roles include signalling and electrical engineering, covering all aspects appropriate for this project.
“His most recent role ensures a good knowledge of Auckland, and our existing upgrading activities. He also has good relationships with the regional organisations with which he will be working closely to deliver the project with the least possible disruption to passenger and freight services and the community.”
“Significant planning is already underway within ONTRACK for the project. With this appointment now confirmed we can continue to work towards building a modern, sustainable rail network for Auckland,” Mr Peet says.
Mr McQueen has been northern regional manager since 2004. Before the rail network came back into public ownership he was National Manager Infrastructure for Tranz Rail, and subsequently Toll NZ.
He joined the rail industry in 1982, after gaining a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) from Canterbury University. In 1984 he won a Confederation of British Industry scholarship and spent 12 months working in the United Kingdom with GEC General Signals Ltd and British Rail.
In 1992 he was appointed the National Manager Signals for NZ Rail Ltd, and two years later was seconded to the Wisconsin Central Ltd rail company when it became part owner of the newly privatised NZ Rail.