Dear Readers
We are pleased to be supporting Railwaytech Indonesia which will be held on 29 – 31 July 2025 at JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta – Indonesia.
Returning in its 7th edition, Railwaytech Indonesia 2025 will be hosted by MASKA (Indonesia Railway Society) and supported by Indonesian Ministry of Transportation. As a global B2B and B2G railway event, the exhibition will be the golden opportunity for professional to interact with pioneering industry players, discuss business matters, and find the latest information in the relevant industry.
Railwaytech Indonesia 2025 is the most prospective event for the entire rail transport ecosystem in the Southeast Asia. The exhibition will highlight rail infrastructure, railway technology, rolling stock manufacture, rail operator, signaling & control system, passenger service and components & parts.
For more information and to register to attend, visit: https://www.railwaytech-indonesia.com/
Our Jobs of the Week this week are in Malaysia where we are looking for a Senior Contracts Manager and a Senior Rolling Stock Design Engineer.
Best Regards
Rail Personnel
Rail News
21 January 2025. Australia. First train for Perth’s new metro line
The 17.5km METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link has welcomed its first test train, marking the start of an extensive testing and commissioning program. Perth’s first east-west line connection includes two new stations, at Nicholson Road and Ranford Rd, and upgrades to the Thornlie and Cockburn Central stations. Connecting the Mandurah and Armadale lines through the Thornlie-Cockburn Link will support growth and accessibility across the south-eastern suburbs by providing access to employment, unlock long-term housing development opportunities in Canning Vale, and provide a direct line for Mandurah Line passengers to Perth Stadium Station for the first time.
Source: Infrastructure Magazine
21 January 2025. India. Siemens Mobility wins Sivok-Rangpo rail electrification contract
Siemens Mobility has been awarded a Rs2.1bn ($24.3m) contract by IRCON International for the electrification of the Sivok-Rangpo rail line in India. The project is part of the North East region’s first electrified rail line, linking Sikkim to the national rail grid. The project will incorporate sustainable rail technologies such as rigid overhead catenary systems for tunnels, SCADA systems for centralised management of electrification infrastructure, predictive maintenance, and various “eco-friendly” infrastructure practices.
Source: Railway Technology
21 January 2025. Canada. Contract Awarded for Gatineau-Ottawa Tramway Project
The Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) has contracted Groupe Porteur to deliver professional, technical, and multidisciplinary services for the Gatineau-Ottawa tramway project in Canada. The consortium consists of SYSTRA Canada, Egis, and EXP. This 24-kilometre tramway will connect downtown Gatineau to Ottawa, Canada’s capital, enhancing urban mobility and fostering sustainable connections between the two cities.
Source: Railway-News
20 January 2025. United Kingdom. GBRf’s first Class 99 heads to test track
GB Railfreight’s (GBRf) first Class 99 (99001) left Stadler’s factory in Valencia last week, and is making its way to Velim in the Czech Republic where it will undergo a rigorous programme of testing and commissioning. After testing in Velim, it is expected that 99001 will be in the UK in the early summer of this year. GBRf unveiled its new hybrid Class 99 locomotive at InnoTrans in Berlin on Wednesday 25 September. The new Class 99s are expected to reduce emissions by up to 58% per journey compared to the industry norm (the Class 66s) and are being offered exclusively to GBRf customers as a new solution for the sustainable movement of goods across the UK.
Source: Rail UK
20 January 2025. Australia. Canberra light rail charges ahead
Construction is set to commence on the next stage of Canberra’s light rail from February 2025. The ACT Government is partnering with the Federal Government and Canberra Metro to deliver the light rail to Commonwealth Park. With Canberra expected to grow to more than 780,000 people by 2060, this asset will support the continued growth of the city and avoid future traffic congestion. The next stage of construction will expand light rail with three new stops at Edinburgh Avenue, City South and Commonwealth Park.
Source: Infrastructure Magazine
20 January 2025. Spain. Alstom to Deliver Madrid’s First Driverless Metro Line
Alstom has signed a contract with Metro de Madrid to upgrade the signalling system of Line 6, making it the first fully driverless metro line in Madrid. This 23.5-kilometre circular line, with 28 stations, is the busiest in the network, serving nearly 400,000 passengers daily. The project represents a major milestone in modernising Madrid’s urban transit system, enhancing reliability, efficiency, and safety for commuters.
Source: Railway-News
20 January 2025. Hitachi Rail to Acquire Omnicom for Digital Asset Management
Hitachi Rail has announced an agreement to acquire Omnicom, a digital rail monitoring business currently owned by Balfour Beatty. The acquisition forms a key part of Hitachi Rail’s strategy to expand its digital asset management capabilities through its HMAX platform. Omnicom specialises in software and hardware solutions for surveying, inspecting, and monitoring rail infrastructure assets.
Source: Railway-News
17 January 2025. Canada. Canadian National Railway launches hybrid locomotive pilot project
The hybrid locomotive is planned to be deployed in phases across various CN yards and branch lines in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Canadian National Railway (CN) has initiated a pilot project to evaluate a new medium horsepower hybrid electric locomotive to advance its efforts towards more sustainable rail operations. Developed in collaboration with Knoxville Locomotive Works, the locomotive is planned to be tested in different conditions across CN’s network to assess its potential for improving efficiency and fuel savings.
Source: Railway Technology
More cities on the Chinese mainland have got direct rail links to and from Hong Kong under CR’s latest timetable, while the national rail network continues to grow with another flurry of year-end openings. Through high speed services between Xi’an, Wuhan and Kowloon were formally launched on January 5, when China Railways introduced its latest national timetable.
Source: Railway Gazette
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)
