Dear Readers
We are pleased to be supporting Urban Rail which will take place from 25-26 June 2025 at the Grand Hyatt, Melbourne, Australia.
Urban Rail 2025 will showcase the transformative work shaping the future of urban rail/mobility, making it an invaluable experience for Government Agencies, Rail Operators, Developers, Contractors and Rolling Stock Manufacturers.
Bringing together stakeholders across every level of the light rail, suburban rail, metro, and high-speed rail passenger sectors, the event will feature cutting-edge case studies and valuable lessons learned from both local and global projects. Attendees benefit from the collaborative atmosphere, with industry experts readily sharing their expertise and perspectives.
For more information and to register to attend, visit: https://www.informa.com.au/event/conference/transport-logistics/urban-rail/
Our Job of the Week this week is in Belgrade, Serbia where we are looking for a Geotechnical Engineer with at least 9 years of experience in the supervision of underground metro construction projects.
Best Regards
Rail Personnel
Rail News
3 February 2025. Japan. Baseball branded trainset to ‘raise excitement and enthusiasm’
Seibu Railway has ordered three Mitsubishi Heavy Industries rubber-tire Automated Guideway Transit trainsets for use on its 2·8 km three-station Yamaguchi Line people mover which connects Tamako to Seibukyujo-mae in the greater Tokyo area. The four-car sets are to be delivered in 2025-27 to replace the existing 40-year-old Series 8500 cars. Changes will include longitudinal seating to increase capacity to serve Seibu Group’s Belluna Dome and Seibu Amusement Park, as well as the provision of wheelchair spaces, children’s seats, and information displays.
Source: Metro Report International
3 February 2025. United Kingdom. Motspur Park station receives upgrades in its centenary year
As Motspur Park approaches its 100th anniversary in July, it has received an early gift: the station is now step-free, thanks to an £11.4 million investment aimed at improving accessibility on Network Rail’s Wessex route. A new covered footbridge has been installed, replacing the old structure and providing step-free access to the central platform via lifts or stairs from both sides of the station. Additionally, new lighting and security cameras have been added around the lifts and bridge. The station now also boasts a new waiting room, accessible toilet, and ticket office.
Source: Rail Technology Magazine
3 February 2025. New Zealand. New Zealand’s Pukekohe Station reopens with electric train services
The station upgrade was completed after a two-year overhaul with rail electrification. Passenger trains have resumed on the refurbished Pukekohe Station in New Zealand, providing a direct link to various areas of Auckland and reaching the city center in 75 minutes. Direct trains from Pukekohe to Waitemata Station (Britomart) will run along the Southern Line every 20 minutes. This development follows two years of work during which the station underwent extensive upgrades, including the electrification of the rail line.
Source: Railway Technology
3 February 2025. Australia. SA trains return to public control
South Australian train operations have returned to government control, with trams expected to follow in mid-2025. The return of train services to public hands realizes a major State Government election commitment. On 2 April 2023, the State Government announced it had reached agreements with private operators to bring train and tram services back into public hands. As part of the agreement with the private operators, the State Government will not pay any break fees and transition costs are minimal. A trained and skilled workforce will deliver a smooth transition for customers.
Source: Infrastructure Magazine
The Transpennine Route Upgrade will deliver faster, more frequent, and more reliable journeys across the North of England. Jacobs has been selected by Network Rail as Technical Services Integration Delivery Partner for the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), a transformative, major program of railway improvements planned to deliver faster, more frequent, and more reliable journeys along a 70-mile route with 23 stations stretching from York to Manchester, via Leeds and Huddersfield.
Source: Rail UK
3 February 2025. United States. MARTA Unveils New CQ400 Railcars for Atlanta
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has announced a slew of initiatives set to transform public transit networks throughout Atlanta at its recent State of MARTA event. As part of plans to modernize its network, the operator has also unveiled a fleet of brand-new, open-gangway CQ400 Railcars, all of which are fitted with upgraded lighting, seating, digital display units, charging stations, and improved safety measures.
Source: Railway News
31 January 2025. Australia. Prototype of New Western Sydney Airport Metro Train Unveiled
Siemens Mobility has unveiled a full-scale prototype of the new metro train for the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport line. The model provides a representation of the train’s design and layout ahead of its introduction on the new 23-kilometre metro line in Greater Western Sydney. The prototype was assembled in a Western Sydney warehouse and closely reflects the final train in terms of dimensions, shape, and key design features.
Source: Railway News
31 January 2025. United Kingdom. Alstom to Display Historic Locomotives at Railway 200 Celebration
Later this year, Alstom is set to open its Litchurch Lane site in Derby to the public as part of the Railway 200 celebrations. The event, named The Greatest Gathering, will take place on Friday 1, Saturday 2, and Sunday 3 August 2025. More than 50 rolling stock exhibits, representing the past, present, and future of rail, will be on display. The event is part of Railway 200, a year-long commemoration marking the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) on 27 September 1825.
Source: Railway News
31 January 2025. China. Tanzania, Burundi sign $2.15bn railway construction deal with Chinese firms
The project will be carried out by China Railway Engineering Group in collaboration with China Railway Engineering Design and Consulting Group. Tanzania and Burundi have entered into an agreement with two Chinese companies to construct a railway line to transport metals, including nickel, to the port city of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. The $2.15bn project will be developed by China Railway Engineering Group and China Railway Engineering Design and Consulting Group, with financing support from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Source: Railway Technology
Job of the Week
Geotechnical Engineer, Belgrade, Serbia
Job ID#: 15007
Discipline: Geotechnical
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is a leading engineering and consulting group specializing in public transport and mobility solutions. They are looking for a Geotechnical Engineer to support activities on the Belgrade Metro project in Serbia.
Main tasks and responsibilities, inter alia:
* Controls the compliance of the performed works with the design and technical documentation and conducts control tests of the used materials and performed works, organizes and conducts measurements of the performed quantities of works, and is responsible for maintaining the documentation on the performed works;
* During construction, at locations where a new danger of geological hazard or environmental threat is identified and foreseen, due to the interaction of the geological environment and engineering works, alerts the Contractor to immediately take preventive measures, establish monitoring and conduct additional engineering-geological surveys, and reports this to the Construction Manager, the Client and the Investor;
* Conducts a detailed review of the Contractor's plans and programs and gives recommendations to the Client, who ultimately decides on these matters. Participates in the activities of the Contractor in the planning and preparation of the dynamic work schedule by providing advice, recommendations, references to specifications, etc. Gives an opinion to the Construction Manager on the Contractor's plans and programs Organizes the monitoring of the progress of works in accordance with the plans and programs.
* Issues orders to the Contractor to correct defects. Ensures that the Contractor receives instructions, recommendations, approvals, etc. on time in order to avoid the delay of works and claims by the Contractor;
* Checks whether the installed materials are provided with the necessary attestations, certificates, as well as other documentation proving the quality and whether they meet the appropriate standards;
* Supervises the quality of works and the accuracy of measurements of all quantities of engineering- geological works; performs control tests in accordance with the specifications and regulations of the Republic of Serbia in the laboratory for control;
* Continuously monitors the actual costs and quantities of all works performed by the Contractor;
Job Requirements:
Education: University degree in a relevant discipline
Background:
* Knowledge of the English language
* Advanced knowledge of working in Office packages and other software packages (e.g. AutoCAD, etc.)
* Geotechnical Engineer must prove that he has spent at least 5 years in the position of responsible contractor and/or expert supervision on underground metro construction projects.
* Geotechnical Engineer must prove that he has spent at least 9 years in the position of responsible contractor and/or expert supervision on underground metro construction projects.
Contact: Jackie Hendry (jackie@railpersonnel.com)
