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Rail News

20th March 2025. Volume 3, Issue 3

2 days ago by Rail Personnel

Dear Readers

 

We are pleased to be supporting the 2nd Edition Thailand Rail which will take place from 10th to 11th April 2025 at the Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park in Thailand.

 

The 2nd Edition Thailand Rail Conference will explore the development of rail infrastructure in Thailand and neighbouring countries, focusing on planning, execution, and future expansion. It will explore rail's digital landscape, giving all the dignitaries an opportunity to learn, meet, and be inspired by fresh ideas from connecting rail to a wider network in smart cities to connecting countries from visions of the sector’s future to attracting the investment needed to make them a reality.

 

Highlights of the Conference:

·        Rail Development in ASEAN Region

·        Thailand’s Rail Transport Push

·        Role of Technology in Railway Sector

·        Land Transport Master Plan – Singapore

·        Philippines DOTr Vision 2030

 

For more information and to register to attend, visit: https://thailandrail.bricsaconsulting.com/

 

We have 2x exciting Jobs of the Week this week. In Manila, Philippines we are looking for a Project Manager E&M and Rolling Stock and in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, we are looking for a Chief Engineer, Passenger Experience (AFC Systems).

 

Best Regards

Rail Personnel

Rail News

18 March 2025. Australia. Inland Rail ticks off another project

The Beveridge to Albury section of Inland Rail is one step closer to completion, with the company completing work on the Beaconsfield Parade bridge in Glenrowan. The Beveridge to Albury section of Inland Rail is one step closer to completion, with the company completing work on the Beaconsfield Parade bridge in Glenrowan. The project is the second of 12 construction sites to be completed as part of the Beveridge to Albury section.

Source: Infrastructure Magazine

17 March 2025. United States. California High-Speed Rail Provides 2025 Project Update

The California High-Speed Rail Authority’s 2025 Project Update Report was submitted to the state legislature at the beginning of this month. The report outlines key developments in the ongoing high-speed rail project. Notable updates include progress on the Merced to Bakersfield segment, funding adjustments, and changes to procurement and project management strategies aimed at accelerating construction. The report also details the Authority’s efforts to engage with industry experts and secure stable funding for full system connectivity

Source: Railway News

17 March 2025. India. State government evaluates Chennai metro expansion plans

In February, Chennai Metro Rail submitted two detailed project reports to the government of Tamil Nadu for the expansion of Chennai’s metro. A new 21·8 km line west from Koyambedu to Ambattur, Avadia, and Pattabiram on the Outer Ring Road is designated Line 5b and would serve 19 elevated stations. The project report submitted on February 21 estimates a completion cost of Rs97·44bn, which includes rebuilding three road junctions with flyovers. At Koyambedu the line would feed into the 44·6 km Line 5 under construction for expected opening in 2028, as well as the existing Line 2.

Source: Metro Report International

17 March 2025. Estonia. Consortia Selected for Rail Baltica Mainline Construction in Estonia

Two international consortia have been selected to construct Rail Baltica’s mainline in Estonia, marking a key step in the project’s progress. These consortia will build two major sections of the high-speed railway, ensuring full coverage of the Estonian passenger mainline. This moves Rail Baltica closer to its goal of creating a continuous rail corridor between Tallinn and Warsaw by 2030.

Selected Consortia:

Part 1: GRK Eesti AS, GRK Suomi Oy, Aktsiaselts Merko Ehitus Eesti, NGE CONTRACTING, Sweco Finland Oy, Sweco Sverige AB, TSO SAS.

Part 2: Bouygues Travaux Public, Budimex S.A., INGEROP Conseil et Ingenierie (ICI), KMG Infra OÜ, WSP Finland Oy.

Source: Railway News

17 March 2025. Sweden. Implenia wins $147m contract for East Link railway project in Sweden

The 8km Bibana Nykoping section will link Nykoping and Skavsta to the East Link's double-track mainline. Implenia has secured a contract worth SFr130m ($146.8m) from the Swedish transport infrastructure authority Trafikverket for a section of the new East Link railway project. The Bibana Nykoping section, running approximately 8km in length, will connect the town centers of Nykoping and Skavsta to the double-track mainline of the East Link. This contract encompasses the construction of several bridges, laying of railway tracks, refurbishment of existing structures, and additional works along the route.

Source: Railway Technology

 

14 March 2025. Australia. Albanese Government Pledges $1 Billion for Rail Connections in Sydney

The Albanese Government has announced a 1 billion AUD investment into a future rail connection between Leppington and the new Bradfield City Centre, joining the new Western Sydney International Airport to Sydney’s southwestern side. The connection, which was previously shelved under the Coalition Government in 2014 due to cuts in public transport funding, will see an expected delivery date finalized with the New South Wales Government. In addition to the connection between Leppington and Bradfield City Centre, the government has also stated that it intends to secure a new rail corridor between the latter and the suburban areas of the Macarthur region.

Source: Railway News

14 March 2025. United States. OmniTRAX, Coast Belle Rail form Santa Maria Valley Railroad JV

OmniTRAX has expanded its operations by entering a joint venture with Coast Belle Rail on the Santa Maria Valley Railroad. Rail management company OmniTRAX has expanded its operations by entering into a joint venture (JV) with Coast Belle Rail for the Santa Maria Valley Railroad in California, US. The partnership aims to enhance freight logistics in the region by leveraging OmniTRAX’s rail and real estate expertise. The Santa Maria Valley Railroad is on California’s Central Coast, 250 miles south of San Francisco and 175 miles north of Los Angeles.

Source: Railway Technology

Job of the Week

Project Manager E&M and Rolling Stock, Manila, Philippines

Job ID#: 15023

Discipline: Systems

Position Type: Contract

Language: English

Job Description:

Our client is the General Consultant on the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) Phase 1 (Valenzuela to Paranaque). They are looking for someone to take on the role of Project Manager—E&M and Rolling Stock to manage the E&M and Rolling Stock Design, approve it, and ensure that it complies with safety and technical requirements.

General Duties:

- Leadership of a team of technical experts for Track, Rolling Stock, Power, Train Control, Communications, PSDs, AFC, SCADA, and MMIS systems.

- Within the Engineer's remit, as defined by the FIDIC Yellow Book, responsible for reviewing and approving the design, installation, testing, commissioning, and handover of the E&M Systems and Rolling Stock.

- Define and implement engineering controls related to design assurance, design change, systems integration, system-system interfaces, and civil-system interfaces.

- Define department strategy and prepare associated strategic papers.

Specific Duties:

- Manage the E&M, track works, and roll stock contractors.

- Manage and lead technical meetings, workshops, and forums related to the department's remit.

- Ensure that the department maintains accurate and comprehensive records related to the department's activities, decisions, and correspondence.

- Oversee the preparation of the System Safety Case and compliance with relevant standards including EN50126/50128/50129.

- Establish design baselines and metrics to monitor design progress, review, and approval.

- Assure technical compliance with Employer's Requirements.

- Issue Engineer's Instructions.

- Define, prepare, implement, and be accountable for the Department's Engineering Management Plan.

- Establish the department's Standard Operating Procedures and oversee their development and implementation.

- Establish and implement Design progress metrics.

- Liaise with the Engineer's Contracts Team and provide technical input to contractual matters.

- Liaise with the Engineer's other departments and provide technical input to issues arising.

Documentation / Records:

- Engineering Management Plan.

- Departmental SOPs.

- Design Progress.

- Design Review Documents.

- Maintain accurate records of meetings, technical decisions, and actions performed.

Job Requirements:

- Engineering Degree

- Minimum 15 years experience in systems engineering leading Rail Engineering Systems teams in the development, implementation and support of Engineering tools and techniques and providing systems engineering expertise and advice to projects and project teams.

- Can demonstrate how he or she has been able to recognize the Project's trouble spots and devise ways and means to overcome them.

​Contact: David Hyland (davidh@railpersonnel.com)

Chief Engineer, Passenger Experience (AFC Systems), Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Job ID#: 15009

Discipline: Automatic Fare Collection

Position Type: Permanent

Language: English

Job Description:

Our client is a global leader in transport innovation and they are seeking a Chief Engineer, Passenger Experience (AFC Systems) to work in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This role involves leading the development, integration, and enhancement of the Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) system across Dubai's world-class Railway network. You'll oversee major AFC projects, collaborate with key stakeholders, and drive innovation to elevate passenger experience.

Job Requirements:

- Bachelor's degree in Engineering related field

- Minimum 8 years of experience

- Expertise in Railway AFC system project developments, installations, testing & commissioning, AFC system enhancements, revenue operations advancement and integration of fare systems

- Actual operational experience for day-to-day operation run and passenger interaction improving the solution from operational issues

- Strong skills in AFC ABT projects and more recent developments

Contact: Jackie Hendry (jackie@railpersonnel.com)