Dear Readers
Happy New Year of the Dragon!
Our Job of the Week this week is in Malaysia where we are looking for a Commissioning Manager.
Best Regards
Rail Personnel
Rail News
9 February 2024. Czech Republic. CRRC’s Sirius EMU carries passengers with RegioJet
RegioJet has started passenger-carrying trial operations of one of the CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Class 665 Sirius electric multiple-units which was ordered but not accepted by Leo Express. Since February 5, one trainset is being used on two return trips a day on the R23 Ústí nad Labem – Mělník – Lysá nad Labem – Nymburk – Kolín route that RegioJet runs under a public service obligation contract on the route. A second trainset is available as a spare. The two trainsets have not yet been certified for commercial operation, but they have a permit enabling use on temporary services.
Source: Railway Gazette International
8 February 2024. India. Alstom Starts Production of Driverless Trainsets for Chennai Metro Phase II
Alstom has started the production of its Metropolis trainsets for the Chennai Metro Phase II at its manufacturing facility in Sricity. Alstom will deliver 36 three-car metro trainsets that have a maximum operating speed of 80km/h. The trains will run on the 26km corridor – a segment of Phase II – that links Poonamallee Bypass to Light House via 28 stations, of which 18 are elevated and 10 are under ground. The start of production was commemorated with a ceremony led by leaders from Chennai Metro Rail Ltd and Alstom India.
Source: Railway News
8 February 2024. Taiwan. Taichung metro Blue Line approved
The Ministry of Transportation &Communications approved plans to build the Blue Line metro in Taichung on January 29. The city’s second metro line would run from Taichung Port in the west to Shalu and Xitun in central Taichung, along the busy Taiwan Avenue. It would serve 20 stations, including an interchange to the Green Line at Taichung City Hall. The total budget for the scheme is estimated at NT$161·5bn, of which the central government would provide NT$67·6bn. It is expected to open in 10 years after approval.
Source: Metro Report International
8 February 2024. United Kingdom. Elizabeth Line to Get Greener with Real-Time Driver Advisory System
Transport for London (TfL) and Alstom, the train manufacturer, have announced a collaboration to bring a state-of-the-art driver advisory system to the Elizabeth line. This system, called GreenSpeed promises to make train journeys on the Elizabeth line more energy-efficient and smoother. The Elizabeth line, which opened in 2022 has rapidly become a key artery connecting east and west London, and now serves over 4.3 million passengers weekly. With up to 24 trains per hour during peak times, optimising efficiency has become crucial.
Source: Rail Technology Magazine
7 February 2024. United States. Amtrak awards construction contract for Frederick Douglass tunnel
mtrak’s new Frederick Douglass Tunnel in Maryland, US has taken another step forward with the awarding of the primary construction contract to a Kiewit/J.F. Shea joint venture. The joint venture will be responsible for building the two parallel, single track tunnel tubes, both around two miles long, for the tunnel, which is part of a wider multi-billion dollar programme to transform the national railroad’s Northeast Corridor and will replace the 150-year-old B&P tunnel.
Source: Railway Technology
6 February 2024. Australia. Fed Gov approves Inland Rail project
The Inland Rail Narromine to Narrabri project has been approved by the Federal Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This follows approval by the New South Wales Government and is a key step in the staged approach agreed to by the Federal Government in its response to the recommendations made by Dr Kerry Schott for getting the delivery of Inland Rail back on track.
Source: Infrastructure Magazine
Hitachi Rail has completed the first dynamic testing of its digital interlocking signalling system on the high-speed railway line between Paris and Lyon. This is an important milestone in the company’s deployment of its latest-generation interlocking system and means the project is on target to enter operational service in autumn 2024. Working with SNCF Reseau, the French rail infrastructure manager, Hitachi Rail is modernising the Paris-Lyon high-speed line by replacing the existing signal boxes with its computerised interlocking systems, known as SEI+.
Source: Railway-News
5 February 2024. Saudi Arabia. Stadler to Supply 10 Intercity Trains to Saudi Arabia
Stadler has been contracted to supply 10 next-generation intercity passenger trains to Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR). This contract, valued at approximately 600 million CHF (642 million EUR), includes 10 years of maintenance for the new rolling stock, alongside the option for SAR to order an additional 10 units in the future. The order is part of SAR’s VISION 2030 development for Saudi Arabia’s growing railway network. It also marks the first time that Stadler has received an order from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
Source: Railway-News
5 February 2024. Luxembourg. Luxembourg approves €135m tram extensions
The city of Luxembourg in the country of Luxembourg will construct more than 3km of extensions to its tram lines in a project costing around €135m ($145m) approved by the country’s Chamber of Deputies (CoD). The project will include one 1.1km extension connecting the city’s central station to the Nei Hollerich district by 2028 and another 2.3km line branching off from Rout Bréck-Pafendall station to connect to the new Laangfur district in Kirchberg by 2027. Additionally, the bill approved by the CoD confirmed future stages that would include further extensions to the new Porte de Hollerich and Kuebebierg districts.
Source: Railway Technology
Job of the Week
Commissioning Manager, Johor, Malaysia
Job ID#: 14857
Discipline: Signalling
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client in Malaysia is responsible for the design and managing the installation and supply of all systems including rolling stock for the international cross-border rapid transit system that will connect Johor Bahru, Malaysia and Woodlands, Singapore, crossing the Strait of Johor. It will consist of two stations, with the Malaysian terminus at Bukit Chagar station and the Singaporean terminus at Woodlands North station, which also interchanges with Singapore's Thomson-East Coast MRT line.
They are looking for a Commissioning Manager to manage the installation and testing of all systems for the project.
Job Requirements
* Experience in commissioning systems for rail
Contact: David Hyland (davidh@railpersonnel.com)
