Dear Readers
We are pleased to be supporting the 8th Edition Rail India Conference and Expo which will take place on the 25th of April 2025 at the LaLiT, New Delhi, India.
Since its inception in 2016, the Rail India Conference & Expo has firmly established itself as one of the most significant events in the railway sector. Over the years, it has successfully brought together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to discuss the future of Indian Railways. Now in its 8th edition, this event has proven to be an invaluable platform for gaining insights on the current and upcoming Indian Railway projects, forging new partnerships, and exploring ground-breaking opportunities in the railway sector.
For more information and to register to attend, visit: https://rail-india.com/
We have 3x exciting Jobs of the Week this week. In Thailand, we are looking for a Head of Business Development and Bid Management and in Malaysia, we are looking for a Sales & Marketing Manager and a Design Manager.
Best Regards
Rail Personnel
Rail News
14 April 2025. Australia. Melbourne marks Metro Tunnel handover
Three of Melbourne’s new Metro Tunnel underground stations – Arden, Parkville, and Anzac – have officially been handed over to Metro Trains, marking a major step towards the opening of the $12 billion project later this year. The latest step follows extensive testing, with trains now having clocked more than 100,000 kilometers through the twin tunnels since mid-2023 – the equivalent of two-and-a-half times around the Earth. The handover, announced by Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams.
Source: Infrastructure Magazine
13 April 2025. Thailand. KTMB to operate inland port on Thai border
The Malaysia National railway KTMB has signed a strategic agreement for the operation and maintenance of the future Perlis Inland Port at Padang Besar on the border with Thailand. Phase one of PIP is expected to be completed by Q3 2025, as part of a plan to increase container handling capacity and develop a logistics and business centre for cross-border trade. ‘The PIP is being developed through a strategic alliance between the government and the private sector where the government has spent more than 300m ringgits on supporting infrastructure, including a 5 km road and a railway track’, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
Source: Railway Gazette International
12 April 2025. Turkey. Rigid Overhead Catenary System ordered for Turkish tunnel
The Turkey Electrification contractor RESA Yapi Elektromekanik has awarded Alstom a contract to supply rigid overhead catenary for a 7 km tunnel on a new alignment which will enable 200 km/h running on the route between Istanbul and the Bulgarian border. The new alignment is being built by a consortium of local construction companies Gülermak Ağır Sanayı, Yapı & Yapı Inşaat and Taşyapı Inşaat. Alstom’s Rigid Overhead Catenary System will be installed in the twin 8·3 m diameter bores of a tunnel under residential areas and Lake Küçükçekmece.
Source: Railway Gazette International
11 April 2025. Taiwan. ST Engineering wins $1bn contract for Taichung MRT Blue Line in Taiwan
The project is projected to last about 14 years, with operations slated to start in the second quarter of 2025.ST Engineering’s Urban Solutions business has secured a contract worth S$1.4bn ($1.03bn) from the Rapid Transit System Bureau of Taichung City Government in Taiwan to deliver comprehensive rail services for the upcoming Taichung MRT Blue Line. This agreement is part of a collaboration with consortium partners Alstom Transport, CTCI, and Hyundai Rotem, who will be responsible for the signalling system, power supply, and rolling stock, respectively.
Source: Railway Technology
11 April 2025. United States. US, Egypt finalize $235m railway modernisation contracts
The agreements include the refurbishment of 1,000 diesel-electric locomotives. The US Embassy in Cairo has confirmed the finalization of three contracts between US-based firm Progress Rail and Egyptian National Railways, aimed at enhancing railway infrastructure in Egypt. The total value of these contracts exceeds $235m and is expected to bolster economic relations between the two nations while generating employment opportunities. The signing event occurred at the Ministry of Transportation, located in the New Administrative Capital.
Source: Railway Technology
11 April 2025. Europe. Hitachi Rail Gains Contract Extension to Maintain Class 385 Fleet in Scotland
Hitachi Rail has secured a seven-year extension to its maintenance contract for ScotRail’s Class 385 electric train fleet. The agreement covers both heavy and light maintenance of the 70-strong commuter fleet, as well as a strengthened service quality regime aimed at sustaining reliability and availability. The Class 385 fleet operates primarily between Edinburgh and Glasgow as part of a wider modernisation and decarbonisation programme supported by the Scottish Government. Introduced in 2018, the electric trains were deployed following the electrification of the Edinburgh-Glasgow mainline.
Source: Railway News
11 April 2025. Africa. CRRC Ziyang Delivers Diesel Locomotives to Mozambique
CRRC Ziyang has delivered a batch of SDD1 diesel locomotives to Mozambique, marking the first time that Chinese-manufactured diesel locomotives will be used in the country’s railway system. Shipped on 10 March, the SDD1 locomotives have been developed with features tailored to meet the operational demands of African rail networks. CRRC Ziyang has introduced several technical adaptations, including a lightweight structural design, an efficient cooling system, a modular air intake unit, and a newly developed corrugated louver to improve airflow and durability.
Source: Railway News
11 April 2025. United Kingdom. Balfour Beatty's £23M Annual Network Rail Deal
Balfour Beatty has announced that it has been reappointed as a key delivery partner on Network Rail’s eight-year Supply Chain Services framework, having first been appointed in 2018. There is an option to extend the framework for a further two years. Through the framework, valued at approximately £23 million per year, Balfour Beatty will supply, operate, and maintain a fleet of high-performance tamping machines to support track renewal and maintenance projects across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Source: Railway Technology Magazine
Job of the Week
Head of Business Development and Bid Management, Bangkok, Thailand
Job ID#: 15070
Discipline: Transportation
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is an international player active in the consulting, construction engineering, and mobility service sectors. They are looking for someone to take on the role of Head of Business Development and Bid Management, Business Line Transportation, Region Asia, based in Bangkok, Thailand.
The role is to lead and manage the front end of the business process - from Strategy, Business Development, Marketing, Sales and Bid process to Order Intake including lessons learnt to ensure both efficiency and effectiveness of the strategy, sales process & tools and communications in the Asian region and to lead and support strategic initiatives and the development of new markets/business, with special emphasis on Major Projects. The role will also manage the Bid/Commercial team and related resources working for the company in Asia.
The position will be based in Bangkok (Thailand), and travel in the Asia region as required and as possible.
Job Requirements:
The candidate should have:
- Minimum of 15 years' experience in the field of Transportation engineering and consultancy;
- Experience in Commercial, Strategy, and Bid activities; Minimum 5 years in a similar role.
- Demonstrates excellent communication and commercial drive;
- International experience;
- Good knowledge of Asia;
- Leadership skills with willingness to lead, take on responsibilities, and challenges;
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Fluent in English
Contact: David Hyland (davidh@railpersonnel.com)
Sales & Marketing Manager, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Job ID#: 15073
Discipline: Business Development
Language: English, Malay
Job Description:
Our client in Malaysia has been delivering Power Plant Automation & Electrification Solutions and Railway System work packages, including Rail Electrification, Signalling & Communication systems for many years.
They are currently looking for a Sales & Marketing Manager to do Tender/Proposals.
Job Requirements:
- Must have an electrical background with rail/power projects and experience doing proposals.
- Malaysian candidate preferred
Contact: David Hyland (davidh@railpersonnel.com)
Design Manager, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Job ID#: 15074
Discipline: Electrical
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client in Malaysia has been delivering Power Plant Automation & Electrification Solutions and Railway System work packages, including Rail Electrification, Signalling & Communication system for many years.
They are currently looking for a Design Manager to manage TPS / Power SCADA Designs.
Job Requirements:
- Must have an electrical background with experience managing TPS / Power SCADA Designs.
- Malaysian candidate preferred
Contact: David Hyland (davidh@railpersonnel.com)
