b'Member News November 2022 31ObituariesProfessor Brian Mellitt FREng BTech DIC DTech CEng FIEEMay 1940July 2022Professor Brian Mellitt sadly died at the age of 82 on Saturday, 9 July 2022. He was the President of the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) in 2001/2002, and was muchinvolved with the transition to the IET.He attended Preston Grammar Brian was a trueSchool before going to Loughborough University and Imperial College as an giant in the railwayEnglish electric apprentice. In 1968 he joined BR Research, working on industry, an engineerthe innovative but ill-fated Advanced Passenger Train which pioneered the of significant visionconcept of active tilinga feature which and passionate inis used on trains around the world. In 1971, Brian joined the electronic andProfessor Brian Mellitt FREng BTech DIC DTech CEng FIEEthe field of powerelectrical engineering department at common on metros and is still the electronics and trainthe University of Birmingham. He builtaspiration for many mainline railways.up research on power electronic control control systems. Hisapplied rail traction and its effect onIn 1995, the Government decided to signalling systems. Three decades afterbring forward the flotation of Railtrack research and supportBrian left the university, the foundationsPLC onto the stock market much he laid have been built on by others,earlier than previously envisaged. for these areas aremanifesting in the Birmingham CentreBrian was recruited to the Railtrack recognised globally. for Rail Research and Education and theBoard as Director of Engineering and recently opened UK Rail Research andProduction to bring in proven railway Innovation Network (UKRRIN). engineering experience. He was involved Brian was appointed Londonin Railtracks drive for improved train Undergrounds Engineering Directorpunctuality with the modernisation of in 1988 with a remit to set upthe West Coast mainline but decided to an intelligent client engineeringleave in 1999. Many of the innovations organisation and internal consultant/ he championed remain in use today.project engineering service. This, andHe was Chairman of the Building Research the Jubilee Line extension, led to manyEstablishment from 1998 until 2010 innovative ideas and modernisationand a Rail Advisor to N.M. Rothschild. processes being introduced. In 2001 he became the President of During this time, the first train with solidthe IEE with a mission to become a state traction equipment (DC chopper)qualifying body, a service provider was introduced into service on theand a promoter of the profession. Central Line, followed shortly by the firstMost people who worked with Brian variable frequency, variable voltage ACwould agree he was a great team leader drives on the Jubilee Line, now commonand brilliant engineer. His work ethic was technology. Brian oversaw the transitionlegendaryit was said that Brians job was to solid state signal interlockings, andfive until nine, rather than nine until five! his support for moving block signalling has been widely commented upon.Brian is survived by his wife, Lyn, and Despite early problems, this has becometheir son, John and daughter, Anna. Obituary provided by Professor Roderick I Muttram FREng FIET'