Skip to content

Q&A with Kamini Edgley, acting chief engineer

As acting chief engineer, Kamini Edgley is one of Network Rail’s most senior employees.

She looks after the engineering functions within Network Rail, acting as technical authority.

We spend 60 seconds finding out what the railway means to her and the best advice she has ever received.  

Why do you love your job?

Having the ability to make a difference.

What excites you about working in rail?

Both the challenges and opportunities it offers.

What inspires you do work in this industry?

The contribution the industry makes to society by moving people and freight.

What’s been your most exciting project while working at Network Rail?

The West-Coast Modernisation project, especially the re-modelling of Milton Keynes where we are based. [It was] seeing the transformation and being part of it, where you are injecting more capacity, reliability and making journeys a lot more enjoyable for passengers.

What are some of the challenges with your role?

From a technical perspective – we receive the hardest challenges that no one else can resolve within the company, so it’s about bringing in cutting edge technology to change the way of working. The challenge is making an old Victorian infrastructure meet today’s needs and demands. The opportunity is how, with the use of technology and modern advances, you are changing the experience of passengers and also making it a much safer place for people to work.

What did you want to be when you were a child?

An engineer as I always enjoyed problem solving. It’s the unknown and the art of the possible; engineering and technology changes so much. I remember being fascinated with planes as a child and also with Lego, which granted, was a lot simpler than the one my six-year old plays with nowadays.

How do you motivate yourself when you feel under pressure?

I excel under pressure – it’s achieving the end goal that motivates me.

What drives you to succeed at anything you do?

The effort will be worth the outcome.

Do you have any mantras?

Trust your instincts and believe in yourself.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

It’s not work/life balance, it’s life balance.

What advice would you give girls and young women today?

Never give up and dream big.

Read more:

Network Rail celebrates International Women’s Day

Visit our careers page

We have offices and operations all over Britain – find out more

Equality, diversity and inclusion at Network Rail

Visit the International Women’s Day website

Together we can end domestic abuse