CIRO has launched a new suite of short, animated learning resources designed to support improved operational performance across Britain’s railway.
Produced by CIRO at the request of Network Rail, through the Industry Performance Innovation Fund (IPIF), the Operational Performance briefing materials have been created to help build a shared, whole-system understanding of how everyday decisions, behaviours and communication directly influence the safety, punctuality and reliability of railway operations.
The materials are designed for use across the rail industry and are intentionally generic and white label, enabling organisations to adopt them locally while complementing, not replacing existing company standards, processes and methods of working.
The Delivering Operational Performance collection consists of eight short, role-focused animated videos, each exploring why performance matters and how individual actions can have system-wide consequences.
The videos focus on the following operational areas:
Stations
Highlighting how effective passenger management, communication, and safe, timely dispatch at stations can prevent small delays from escalating across the network.
Depots and stabling locations
Exploring how preparation, defect management, and strong communication between depot teams, drivers and control underpin reliable service delivery.
Infrastructure
Focusing on proactive maintenance, on-site decision-making, and coordination with control to maintain safety while minimising disruption.
On-board staff
Demonstrating how actions on trains influence dwell times, punctuality, customer experience, and the smooth operation of services throughout the journey.
Drivers
Emphasising the importance of preparation, train management, and communication in supporting safe, punctual running and effective response to emerging issues.
Signalling and control
Illustrating how timely decisions, prioritisation, and clear communication help manage disruption and prevent minor delays from becoming major incidents.
Planning and resourcing
Showing how robust planning, anticipation of resource constraints, and collaboration with delivery teams support a resilient and recoverable timetable.
Freight operations
Highlighting the importance of coordination across operators, terminals, fleet and control to protect tightly timed freight paths and avoid knock-on impacts across the wider network.
Across all eight topics, a consistent message is reinforced: operational performance is a team effort, and every role – front-line, operational, and support, plays a part in delivering a railway that works effectively for passengers, freight customers and colleagues.
The videos are supported by structured briefing materials designed to be delivered in person by local line managers, encouraging interactive discussion rather than one-way briefings.
This approach helps teams:
Explore real local challenges and scenarios
Understand how decisions affect colleagues and customers
Identify practical actions to improve performance
Strengthen cross-functional understanding and teamwork
The materials promote ownership of performance at a local level, while reinforcing safety as the overriding priority.
All eight Operational Performance videos are available to view online now: https://www.ciro.org/deop/
The collection will also be available on the Network Rail and Rail Delivery Group websites.
CIRO is proud to support projects that bring the industry together, improve understanding across interfaces, and deliver practical benefits for railway operations.
If you are interested in collaborating with CIRO on projects that benefit the railway industry, or would like to discuss future opportunities, please get in touch with:
Holly Hancock – Business Development & Projects Manager, CIRO – holly@railwayoperators.co.uk
