Thank You, Michael Horgan

Q: Congrats on your retirement, Michael! Let’s take it back to the beginning. How did you get your start in rolling stock engineering?

Michael: I completed high school at a time when there were more supported training opportunities available. I applied for several engineering cadetships and was successful in securing one with the then State Rail Authority of NSW. I was allocated to the Mechanical Branch, which meant I started and remained in rolling stock engineering for the bulk of my career.

Q: Can you tell us about a few of your roles before Rail Confidence?

Michael: Commencing as an electrical engineering cadet back in 1981, for the first 6 years, I circulated around different railway workshops and offices while I completed my degree at UTS.

My first big gig was as the Depot Engineer at Lithgow, which at the time was a major locomotive maintenance facility. This was a great time where I learned quickly and contributed to improving the performance of various locomotive fleets.

I then returned to our maintenance group head office where I performed various roles, including Manager, Maintenance and Planning. I was here when the freight rail group of State Rail was firstly corporatised to form FreightCorp, then sold at the formation of Pacific National.

At Pacific National, I took a temporary diversion into the commercial world before finishing my time there in asset management roles.

In 2011, I took the jump into the consulting world, joining Interfleet, which was then acquired by SNC-Lavalin (now AtkinsRéalis). For me, the consulting world provided the variation in projects that I was looking for after spending too much time feeling confined within the asset management and maintenance aspects of rolling stock engineering.

I commenced with Rail Confidence in 2023, wanting to finish my career in a smaller consultancy.

Q:  Saved the best for last, I see! What were your three proudest achievements or projects you worked on?

Michael: My favourite project I worked on was as the Stabling and Maintenance Lead in the early design stages for the Western Sydney Airport Metro. SNC-Lavalin was a subcontractor to Arup, with several of our team taking on key roles.

I led the process of selecting the location of the Stabling and Maintenance Facility, working with people across many disciplines to ensure we chose the right site, considering many salient factors, including the integration with the railway itself. I was also involved in some of the early operations studies. Working on a project like that, where you get to interact with such a large group of people, is something special.

In my early career at Lithgow, I also enjoyed having the freedom to structure my own work to a large degree. I was young, learnt quickly and was able to put many modifications and processes in place that resulted in significant performance improvements, especially on the 85/86 class and 80 class locomotives.

At Rail Confidence, I have really enjoyed aspects of the ICP for the new CBH narrow gauge locomotives. Once again, it has been working with SMEs with different areas of specialty, being able to integrate with their skills and learn from them at the same time, which has been great.

Q:  What were your greatest lessons?

Michael: The greatest issues you find in your career tend to be interpersonal. Technical issues are often the easier ones to deal with. I was given a book to read by Hugh Mackay in the early 90s, and it was all about understanding that everyone sees the world through their own filter. To understand why someone is behaving in a certain way, you need to understand what forms their filter. Since then, I have always tried to understand where a person is coming from before I respond to them.

My other key learning is similar. I am a holistic thinker, always trying to see how what I am working on fits into the whole. Seek the greater success, so that what you have done will stand the test of time.

Q:  What advice would you give to the next generation of engineers in this industry?

Michael: Always be willing to learn. Never be arrogant or think you know it all – none of us do. Learn from others and be willing to help others on their journey.

Q:  What are the most important aspects of having a fulfilling career?

Michael: I think I have been searching for this elusive work/life balance for most of my career. We are finite and can only do what we can do. Profound, hey! Set yourself targets, but make sure they are realistic. Honestly, I have been too hard on myself at times.

Q:  What are you looking forward to most in retirement?

Michael: I am definitely looking forward to doing more things with my wife, family and friends. But I have also started volunteering with Compassion Australia.

I travelled to the Philippines in September, where my wife and I visited three of the children we sponsor and had a great time. We also loved seeing the magnificent work of the churches there with children and their families. I want to expand the scope of my volunteering with Compassion in my retirement. •

Seek the greater success, so that what you have done will stand the test of time.

Michael Horgan