Dear Readers
We are pleased to be supporting Eurasia Rail which will take place from 18th – 20th June 2025 at the IFM (Istanbul Expo Center) in Turkey.
The biennial event brings together global rolling stock manufacturers, infrastructure technology suppliers, and rail logistics companies for 3 days of business at networking. It is the key international trade platform for connecting sector giants with professional visitors under one roof. Eurasia Rail not only determines the regional rail pulse, but it’s also the ideal tool for forging new relationships and developing existing relationships.
A comprehensive conference and seminar programme is held alongside each event edition. With guest talks from industry experts and practical sessions, it keeps visitors and exhibitors abreast with the latest rail developments, innovations and technologies, as well as the biggest challenges facing the industry as well as their potential solutions.
For more information, visit: https://eurasiarail.eu/en/main
Our Jobs of the Week this week….
We have 3x exciting Jobs of the Week this week. In Malaysia, we are looking for a Senior Contracts Manager and a Senior Rolling Stock Design Engineer and in Taiwan, we are looking for a Power Supply Engineer (must speak Mandarin).
Best Regards
Rail Personnel
Rail News
13 January 2025. Australia. Ballarat Station upgrade begins
Early work is underway on an accessibility upgrade at Ballarat Station in Victoria that is set to provide all users with a smoother journey. Crews will begin site establishment from 14 January to prepare for the start of works later in the month. Plans to improve accessibility at Ballarat Station include installing a pedestrian overpass with a passenger lift and stairs to both platforms, a new ramp and stairs to the northern station entrance, lighting and tactile upgrades, and landscaping.
Source: Infrastructure Magazine
13 January 2025. United States. FRA Announces $1.1 Billion in Grants for 123 Rail Projects
The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has announced over 1.1 billion USD in funding as part of its Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program. The grants have been awarded to 123 rail projects that aim to improve or study more than 1,000 highway-rail crossings across the country. The announcement, which is the largest single investment into grade crossing safety in FRA’s history, brings funding provided by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to 48.5 billion USD in over 445 rail projects across the country, as well as Amtrak.
Source: Railway News
13 January 2025. Malaysia. SRS Consortium secures contract for LRT Mutiara Line in Malaysia
Scheduled to be commissioned by 2031, the 29.5km LRT line will feature 21 stations. SRS Consortium has secured a RM8.3bn ($1.84bn) design and build contract for the civil and structural works of the first segment of LRT Mutiara Line project in the Malaysian state of Penang. The 29.5km LRT Mutiara Line will extend from Penang South Reclamation Island A (PSR-A) connecting Penang Sentral and Georgetown’s Komtar Station and featuring 21 stations.
Source: Railway Technology
13 January 2025. United States. Red Line Extension project in Chicago secures $1.97bn federal grant
The extension aims to bolster transit links to key areas including the Rosalind Medical District and Chicago State University. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has secured a federal grant of $1.97bn for the Red Line Extension project to enhance connectivity to the Far South Side area. The funding, part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will allow the Red Line to be extended by an additional 5.5 miles connecting the L system to the Far South Side for the first time.
Source: Railway Technology
9 January 2025. Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabian trains blend modern aesthetics and advanced technology
The National operator Saudi Arabia Railways has selected Swiss design consultancy Nose Design Experience to support the development of its next generation of inter-city trainsets. In February 2024 SAR awarded Stadler contracts worth SFr600m to supply and maintain 10 trainsets for use on the East line linking Riyadh with Dammam, with options for 10 more. Nose will be responsible for the complete interior and exterior design, collaborating with engineers at Stadler’s Bussnang plant to meet the technical standards and constraints.
Source: Railway Gazette International
9 January 2025. United Kingdom. Siemens Mobility secures £560 million HS2 contracts
Siemens Mobility has been awarded four significant contracts by HS2 Ltd and will join key contractors under the Rail Systems Alliance. Siemens Mobility will play a crucial role in the delivery and operation of the new 225-kilometre-long British high-speed railway that will connect London and the West Midlands.
Source: Rail UK
Job of the Week
Senior Contracts Manager, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Job ID#: 14998
Discipline: Contracts
Position Type: Permanent
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is Malaysia's leading railway rolling stocks maintenance and engineering services provider serving the ASEAN region and beyond. They have been awarded two major contracts one to do the mid life refurbishment of vehicles supplied by Siemens for Line 1 of the Kuala Lumpur Metro and the other to refurbish locomotives and wagons for the Malaysian Railways and to then maintain them.
They are looking for a Senior Contracts Manager with strong commercial and experience dealing with claims and variations and to handle legal aspects of all contracts. The person must have legal degree and experience in contracts and claims preferably in rolling stock.
The Senior Contracts Manager is to contribute to the leadership of the client's team to achieve business goals that meet shareholder expectations in terms of profitability and value creation with focus on safety, continuous improvement and good corporate governance.
This role is based in Kuala Lumpur and will report to the Director Project Management
Duties and Responsibilities:
- In conjunction with the Director Project Management develop and implement the overall contracts and commercial management and administration objectives and strategies for the refurbishment of vehicles supplied by Siemens for Line 1 of the Kuala Lumpur Metro.
- In conjunction with the Director Project Management develop and implement the project milestones and costing and ensure timely and effective cost projection, cost management and monitoring processes are in place.
- Develop Conditions of Contract for implementation of all Contracts
- Monitor and ensure all work is in accordance with the contract document.
- To verify and validate any variation orders and ensure it is reported and approvals are obtained from the Director Project Management as per the Limits of Authority (LOA).
- To ensure timely and accurate report submission to the Management and other relevant parties.
- To conduct project audit with regards to Contract document compliance at regular interval.
- Responsible to report to the Management any variances on costs and scheduling that impact the project.
- To analyze and attend contractual disputes and arbitration.
- Ensure timely award of subcontracts.
- To comply with legal and other requirements applicable to the project.
- Attend all meetings.
- Actively support planning, risk, design and construction activities
Job Requirements
- Candidate must possess Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or equivalent and also have a legal degree
- Minimum 20 years of working experience in contract formulation, procurement and administration on large railway projects and have successfully delivered a railway project in the last 10 years.
- Computer literate especially with Microsoft Office.
- Good knowledge on contract administration and construction claim
- Knowledge of arbitration and adjudication
- Leadership style and interpersonal skills suitable for directing, training and motivating subordinate.
- Preferably has experience in dealing with rolling stock contracts.
Contact: David Hyland (davidh@railpersonnel.com)
Senior Rolling Stock Design Engineer, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Job ID#: 14964
Discipline: Rolling Stock
Language: English
Positions Available: 3
Job Description:
Our client in Malaysia is looking for a highly skilled and experienced Locomotive Senior Design Engineer to Lead the design and development of locomotive systems, including propulsion, braking, and control systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in mechanical and electrical engineering with a focus on locomotive systems. This role is crucial for the design and development of cutting-edge locomotive technologies, ensuring performance, efficiency, and safety standards are met.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the design and development of locomotive systems, including propulsion, braking, and control systems.
- Create detailed engineering drawings and specifications using CAD software.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate systems and components.
- Manage engineering projects from concept to implementation.
- Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
- Coordinate with suppliers and contractors for component design and procurement.
- Provide expert advice on mechanical and electrical locomotive design.
- Stay updated with the latest industry trends, technologies, and regulations.
- Conduct technical analyses and simulations to optimize design performance
- Develop and oversee testing protocols to ensure design integrity and compliance with safety standards.
- Analyze test data and make necessary adjustments to designs and processes.
- Mentor junior engineers and provide guidance and support for their professional development.
- Foster a collaborative and innovative engineering culture within the team.
Job Requirements
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in locomotive design or a related engineering field.
- Proficiency in CAD software and engineering tools.
- Strong knowledge of locomotive systems and industry standards.
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Proven project management experience.
Contact: David Hyland (davidh@railpersonnel.com)
Power Supply Engineer, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Job ID#: 14997
Discipline: Power Supply & Distribution
Language: Mandarin, English
Job Description:
Our client is seeking a Power Supply Engineer for a 31-month contract in Taiwan. Candidates must speak both Taiwanese and English, have knowledge of power and be able to use CAD, if possible.
Employment period: 31 months from February 2025 to August 2027 (in principle, there is a 3-month trial period)
Work location: Kaohsiung (from March or April, until then, worked in Taipei)
Under the instruction of Power Supply Sub System Manager (Power Supply SSM), Power Supply Engineer will perform implementation of the design and coordination with Construction Group. The Power Supply Engineer will report to the Power Supply Sub System Manager (Power Supply SSM). Specific tasks include
Main Activities
- Performing functional requirements and analyses for various aspects of the PowerSupply
- Providing design options
- Supporting coordination of multiple design / development groups, other contractors,and the owner from initial design through to commissioning
- Supporting coordination activities for interfaces, design data, tests and other sub-systems engineering functions
- Preparation of documents and drawings for the Power Supply and OCS
- Supporting purchase of the Power Supply Equipment and some OCS Equipment
- Supporting interfaces and work scope between various design / development /construction groups, other contractors, and the owner from the viewpoint of PowerSupply
- Liaison with counterparts in other groups, other contractors, and the client
- Preparation of reports and analyses
- Supervision of construction for the Power Supply and OCS
- Performing inspections and tests for the Power Supply and OCS
- Supporting trainings
- Other duties as assigned by Power Supply SSM
Field work will be required during the installation and commissioning stages of the project. Limited offshore travel, primarily to Japan, may be required.
Job Requirements:
1: can speak both Taiwanese and English
2: have knowledge of power
3: can use CAD, if possible
Contact: Patricia Hsiao (patricia@railpersonnel.com)
