Rail organisations have a little extra time to get their entries in for the UK Rail Industry Awards.

The deadline has been extended to 15 November 2013, in response to requests from organisations needing a little more time to co-ordinate their entries.

The UK Rail Industry Awards recognise the hard work and achievement of organisations, teams and individuals working tirelessly to deliver an efficient, robust rail transportation network – which continues to be one of the safest in Europe. The event also looks forward to the future workforce of the industry, because the UK Rail Industry Awards is also a fundraising spectacular for the UK Rail Industry Training Trust (UKRITT), a charity that inspires 12 to 19-year-olds to pursue the range of fascinating career opportunities in rail.

Richard Parry-Jones, chairman of Network Rail, will give the keynote address at the UK Rail Industry Awards.

The judging panel is:

· Terry Morgan, chairman, Crossrail

· Gil Howarth, chief executive, NSARE

· Ian Prosser, chief inspector of railways, ORR

· Ben Ackroyd, engineering director, c2c

· George McInulty, programme director of infrastructure, Transport for London

· Guy Woodroffe, head of research and development, RSSB

· Iain Stewart, MP for Milton Keynes South and member of the Commons Transport Select Committee

· Amanda White, senior route engineer, HS2

· Philippa Oldham, head of transport and manufacturing, Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

· Fiona Tordoff, chief executive, Institution of Railway Operators (IRO)

· Simon Iwnicki, professor of railway engineering, University of Huddersfield

· Guy Wilmshurst-Smith, head of professional development and training, Network Rail

· Martyn Chymera, chairman & founding member, Young Railway Professionals (YRP)

· David Hawkins, operations director, Institute for Collaborative Working

There are 18 award categories covering everything from electrification to social media, plus individual ‘lifetime achievement’ and ‘young rail professional’ awards.