FROM TAKEUCHI TO TRACK Quattro RRV Op Ted Ogden Follows in His Father’s Footsteps as ‘one to watch’

At just 22 years old, Quattro operator Ted Ogden has already achieved more than many twice his age. By 21, he was Quattro’s youngest OTP excavator operator, and since then he has gone on to master a range of attachments, making him a highly skilled and versatile RRV operator. Based in Manchester, Ted has been guided and inspired by his dad, Aidy, who has proudly worked at Quattro for 20 years.

Ted Ogden was named after his grandad, also called Ted, and says he’s been around machines for as long as he can remember. His dad owned a small 1.5-ton Takeuchi machine for driveway and garden jobs, and young Ted was never far away.

“I’ve been in the cab since I was about ten,” Ted recalls. “Dad would take me out with him in the summer holidays. I loved watching a job take shape from start to finish, and he’d always let me have a go. I just picked it up from watching and learning.”

While his mum had hoped he would take the college route, studying civil engineering, Ted knew early on that the classroom wasn’t for him. “I’m not an office person,” he laughs. “I like being outdoors, being hands-on, and seeing the results of what I do.”

By 18, Ted had gained his CPCS ticket, just weeks after his birthday. After two years on his red card and working on civils, he earned his blue card and soon after he joined the Quattro family.

“I did my RRV training in February at QOTA in Doncaster,” Ted explains. “It was a nine-day course with trainer Ian, and since then I’ve been getting as much variety as possible. In civils you can be shifting muck for nine hours, but on rail you’ve got all these different attachments and it keeps things interesting.”

From drainage and track renewals to ballast jobs and lifting works, Ted has quickly built a strong reputation on site. “No two days are the same,” he says. “That’s what I love about it.”

Currently, he’s working a Doosan DX140 at the docks in Grimsby. “It’s a nice view out there. I’ve been digging out while another operator lays sleepers, and yesterday I was stoning up the shoulders with ballast.”

Ted has never forgotten who got him started. “Doing ten mentor shifts with Dad was brilliant,” he says. “It is fun being on rail together. He’s definitely proud, and that means a lot to me.”

His dad, Aidy, couldn’t agree more:

“From the word go Ted has been flying at Quattro. I’m absolutely so proud of him to be out there on his own. He’s not relying on his dad; I knew he’d be an asset.”

Rail Manager Callum Jardine has also been impressed:


“Since completing his initial PTS, RRV training and mentor shifts, Ted has successfully moved on to a range of jobs, including drainage and track renewals. He has a natural aptitude for the work, and his positive, can-do attitude makes him a great addition to the team.”

For Ted, the ambition is simple: to keep learning, keep improving, and eventually master every attachment and machine going. “I’ve used hydraulic grabs, log grabs, flails, tree cutters, cable drum carriers, manipulators, you name it. I really want to learn the thimble next. The more you know, the smoother the job runs.”

Away from work, Ted lives with his parents, trains daily at the gym, and enjoys swimming. His brother has just returned from Thailand where he was teaching, and his sister has already flown the nest.

Ted feels most at home on the track with Quattro. At just 22, his enthusiasm, quick learning, ambition, and strong work ethic already mark him as a rising talent to watch.

John Murphy, Managing Director:
“The Q-Army is lucky to have both Ogdens - representing two generations of dedication and skill. Ted has a hunger for the learning and it’s great to see. If he can follow in his dad’s footsteps, there’s every chance he’ll be part of Quattro Plant for decades to come. Rail runs in our family!”

WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRAIN WITH QUATTRO? We have training depots in England, Scotland and Wales, and spaces available for November. Contact: 0845 307 3999 or email us training@qota.co.uk