Norfolk astronomer Mark Thompson – Pic credit JMA photography Norfolk astronomer Mark Thompson talks about why East Anglia is perfect for stargazing in a new episode of Greater Anglia’s Life on Rails podcast. Mark, a One Show and BBC Stargazing Live regular, reveals how he became interested in astronomy and science thanks to a visit to Norwich Astronomical Society as a ten-year-old boy. In the episode, Life on Rail hosts Juliette Maxam and Lucy Wright, from the rail company’s PR team, chat with him and then recommend somewhere astronomy-related for him to visit on the Greater Anglia network. The podcast also includes an interview with Greater Anglia’s managing director Jamie Burles, who talks about what it’s like to run a big train company and how bad he feels whenever there is disruption on the railway. Jamie has driven improvements in performance over the past few years, with the company now regularly achieving record-breaking punctuality, as well as overseeing the replacement of every single train on the Greater Anglia network with new trains. Network Rail’s head of communications for the Anglia region, Kate Snowden, talks about engineering works on the railway – why they are crucial for safety and performance and factors determining when they are carried out. Other slots on the podcast cover how Greater Anglia is making stations more energy efficient in an interview with head of facilities management Mark Ellis, and tips on travelling for less with the company’s fares guru, Ken Strong. Network Rail’s head of communications for the Anglia region, Kate Snowden, talks about engineering works on the railway – why they are crucial for safety and performance and factors determining when they are carried out. Other slots on the podcast cover how Greater Anglia is making stations more energy efficient in an interview with head of facilities management Mark Ellis, and tips on travelling for less with the company’s fares guru, Ken Strong.
