Dear Readers,
For the second time in less than a month, Japan's normally immaculate record for punctuality has been shattered by a small creature - this time a turtle.
The turtle wasn't hit by a train, but was still too slow to get out of the way of another source of danger, a set of points (or railroad switch as they are called in Japan).
On Sunday morning, a train left Nagoya Station and began heading west along the Kansai Line, bound for Kameyama Station. The train reached Kasado Station in Mie Prefeture, just two stops away from Kameyama. However, before it could get underway again a railroad switch had to be engaged. When this failed to happen, Japan Railway workers went to investigate, and found a turtle had become caught in the switch.
Unfortunately, the attempt to engage the switch crushed the turtle, killing the animal. The incident stopped trains along the line for 45 minutes while the animal was removed and the tracks.
Turtles getting stuck in the switches is not uncommon, commented a JR employee, revealing that the sad turn of events is something the company has had to deal with in the past.
Hopefully experts can come up with some sort of countermeasure, like has been done to keep deer off the train tracks, to let both swift-running trains and slow-moving turtles get around Japan safely.
We have four fabulous Jobs of the Week. They are based in the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, Singapore and New Zealand.
Our client is seeking an Engineering Safety Assurance Expert (Heavy Rail) to be responsible for establishing and leading the safety engineering and rail safety assurance function within the client's projects organisation. This role is based in Abu Dhabi.
In Taipei we require a qualified Senior Structural Engineer to be responsible for all pre-contract aspects of the development, planning and administration of the power plants efforts, including administrating program, and facilitating change, implement plans and procedures at all levels. The client is looking for local candidates who are fluent in Mandarin and English.
Our client in Singapore (a Smart Transit Systems equipment provider) is seeking to talk with candidates with strong experience in ICT systems development related to mass transit infrastructure networks. They are able to offer a route to senior management and an environment where cutting edge technologies are backed with investment and support.
We are also looking for a Principal Advisor Road Rail Interface to influence outcomes and provide expert advice and direction to the rail community and the client. Location is Auckland but can be in Wellington or Christchurch.
For further information and other opportunities worldwide, visit our website at www.railpersonnel.com.
Regards
Ceri Taylor
Editor
ceri@railpersonnel.com
This Week's Headlines:
5 Jul 2019. China. Alstom to supply traction systems for Xi'an Metro Line 5
Alstom has secured contracts with total value of about E42m Xi'an supplying traction systems for 222 metro cars for Xi'an Line 5 phase one, and for 180 metro cars for Xi'an Line 5 phase two respectively.
Source: Alstom
4 Jul 2019. Germany. Munich orders more trams from Siemens
Stadtwerke Munchen (SWM) have ordered 73 additional Avenio trams worth more than E200m from Siemens Mobility.
Source: Siemens
3 Jul 2019. Denmark. Nomad Digital, Alstom to provide Wi-Fi system for trains
Nomad Digital will design and supply an onboard, passenger Wi-Fi system to Danish railway operator DSB under a six-year agreement that was awarded in September 2018.
Source: Telecompaper
3 Jul 2019. Australia. UGL secures extension with Sydney Trains
CIMIC Group company UGL has secured a five-year extension to its contract with Sydney Trains for the delivery of maintenance and logistics services for a portion of Sydney's metropolitan passenger rail fleet.
Source: Finance News Network
2 Jul 2019. USA. MTBA breaks ground on South Coast commuter rail project
State and local officials have celebrated a ground breaking ceremony on the first phase of the long-awaited South Coast Rail line.
Source: WCVB5
Jobs of the Week:
Job Title: Engineering Safety Assurance Expert (Heavy Rail) ( #12652 )
Discipline: System Safety; Systems Assurance
Role: Systems Assurance; Management
Position Type: Contract
Country: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Languages: English
Job Description:
Our client is seeking an Engineering Safety Assurance Expert (Heavy Rail) to be responsible for establishing and leading the safety engineering and rail safety assurance function within the client's projects organisation, in accordance with industry standards, targets, established methods and best practice, and securing the timely acceptance of rail systems and products, throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring the requirements of the project team, regulators, customers, suppliers and other key stakeholders are met in an effective and efficient manner.
Requirements
- Graduate Degree in Science, Engineering or related subject essential
- Masters Degree preferred (e.g. Safety Engineering, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering)
- Certifications in Project Management / Rail Management desirable (e.g. Yellow Book)
- Certification through internationally established safety assurance programmes
- Chartered Member of IOSH (or equivalent) preferred
- Chartered Mechanical or Electrical Engineer desirable
- 15+ years experience working on large, multi-disciplinary heavy rail infrastructure rail projects and operational railways
- Proven experience as a rail safety engineer/systems assurance manager on at least three successfully completed rail projects
- Proven experience in performing system wide activity hazard analysis and safety risk assessment of a railway network.
Contact: jackie@railpersonnel.com
Job Title: Civil Structural Engineer ( #12645 )
Discipline: Civil; Structural
Role: Project Management; Design; Construction Management
Position Type: Contract
Country: Patratu, India
Languages: Taipei, Taiwan
Job Description:
We require a qualified Senior Structural Engineer to be responsible for all pre-contract aspects of the development, planning and administration of the power plants efforts, including but not limited to administrating program, and facilitating change, implement plans and procedures at all levels.
Responsible for the pre-contract expert review and comments in the design of above-ground underground stations including via duct. Provide full supports to the Planning & Development Department in carrying out their duties. Provide support and involvement to all other Directorates.
Requirements
- Must have the civil/structure license/qualifications in Taiwan
- Bachelor Degree in Civil or Structural Engineering from a recognised university required. Master or PhD degree is advantageous or equivalent years of relevant experience based on the requirements of the post
- Excellent knowledge and intensive experience with international civil infrastructure architecture projects, functions, systems, procedures and knowledge of management software such as primavera is advantageous
- Minimum 5-10 years of experience on major infrastructure works with particular emphases on power plant projects
- This is not an expat position. The client is looking for local candidates who are fluent in Mandarin and English.
Contact: patricia@railpersonnel.com
Job Title: Smart Transit Specialist - ICT & Contactless Technologies ( #12649 )
Discipline: Quantity Surveying; Commercial
Role: Contracts
Position Type: Permanent
Country: Changhua, Taiwan
Languages: Mandarin; English
Job Description:
Our client (a Smart Transit Systems equipment provider) is seeking to talk with candidates with strong experience in ICT systems development related to mass transit infrastructure networks i.e. rail, bus, road. They are able to offer a route to senior management and an environment where cutting edge technologies are backed with investment and support.
This is, potentially, an international role which may involve travel to any location investing into their current or future transport industries.
As well as delivering new equipment, you will (ideally) be able manage and motivate teams to drive forward with the creation of new technologies and innovations. Client-facing business development and negotiating skills would also be an asset.
Requirements
This is an open vacancy for candidates with strong ICT systems knowledge in relation to mass transit systems.
Proven experience of designing and implement state-of-the-art Automated Fare Systems (AFC) is preferred, along with any relevant knowledge of Smart Transit Systems, which may include;
- Contactless fare systems (AFC)
- Computational technologies
- Floating car data/floating cellular data
- Sensing technologies
- Inductive loop detection
- Video vehicle detection
- Bluetooth detection
- Information fusion from multiple traffic sensing modalities
- Intelligent transportation applications
- Emergency vehicle notification systems
- Automatic road enforcement.
Contact: jon@railpersonnel.com
Job Title: Principal Advisor Road Rail Interface ( #12633 )
Discipline: Safety; Civil
Role: Management
Position Type: Permanent
Country: Auckland, New Zealand
Languages: English
Job Description:
Our client is seeking a Principal Advisor Road Rail Interface to influence outcomes and and provide expert advice and direction to the rail community and the client. It connects operational needs with organisational and government strategic outcomes, and champions innovation, taking the lead on controversial issues when necessary.
Location is Auckland, New Zealand (but can be in Wellington or Christchurch).
The role will provide thought and practice leadership in the area of level rail crossing safety.
The purpose of this role is to deliver effective regulatory management and oversight of road rail interface activities. A key function of this role is the management of stakeholders contributing to the continual improvement of rail level crossing safety in New Zealand, and the development and roll out of innovations to improve safety performance at this critical transport interface.
The roles requires you to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and provide timely advice to management on key road/rail interface matters.
Requirements
- 10+ Years applied experience and knowledge in a relevant industry - Strong investigative, risk assurance or lead audit experience
- Significant regulatory compliance experience
- Expert level experience and knowledge in a relevant industry
- Tertiary qualification or relevant experience in a regulatory compliance or stakeholder management role.
Contact: sarasj@railpersonnel.com
More Rail News:
5 Jul 2019. China. Alstom to supply traction systems for Xi'an Metro Line 5
Alstom has secured contracts with total value of about E42m Xi'an supplying traction systems for 222 metro cars (37 trains) for Xi'an Line 5 phase one, and for 180 metro cars (30 trains) for Xi'an Line 5 phase two respectively. Alstom will provide the OptONIX traction system for both phase one and phase two, including VVVF, CVS and motors. OptONIX was designed and developed specifically for the Chinese market. Before this, Alstom has supplied traction systems for 246 metro cars (41 trains) of Xi'an Line 3 phase one. Xi'an Line 5 is 45km long in total with 34 stations. Xi’an Line 5 is 45km long in total with 34 stations. It is the backbone metro line connecting Xi'an city with Xixian New District. Alstom's joint venture, Shanghai Alstom Transport Electrical Equipment Co. Ltd. will manufacture the traction systems. Alstom's joint venture in Xi'an, Xi'an Alstom Yongji Electric Equipment Co., Ltd will supply traction motors for the traction system.
Source: Alstom
4 Jul 2019. Germany. Munich orders more trams from Siemens
Stadtwerke München (SWM) have ordered 73 additional Avenio trams worth more than E200m from Siemens Mobility. The trams will supplement those of the same type already in service in the city. Delivery of the first vehicles is planned for 2021. The four-module trams will operate throughout the Munich tram network. They provide space for around 218 passengers. The car body is based on a welded steel frame. The entire body shell is also given a cathodic dip painting to provide optimal protection against corrosion. The spacious and bright interior has two large multi-functional areas for parking strollers and wheelchairs. Ergonomic seats and grab handles and infotainment monitors enhance passenger comfort and convenience. The eight double doors along the entrance side enable smooth and quick entries and exits.
Source: Siemens
3 Jul 2019. Denmark. Nomad Digital, Alstom to provide Wi-Fi system for trains
Nomad Digital will design and supply an onboard, passenger Wi-Fi system to Danish railway operator DSB under a six-year agreement that was awarded in September 2018. Delivery is already under way and Nomad intends to modernise the entire fleet scope of more than 250 trains by the end of 2019, using its R5001 platform and Nomad Connect software. Nomad said it will provide a multi-mobile network operating Wi-Fi system, to that passenger and train staff will be more connected than ever before. Connectivity will be free of charge to passengers. The contract is being carried out in conjunction with Alstom Transport.
Source: Telecompaper
3 Jul 2019. Australia. UGL secures extension with Sydney Trains
CIMIC Group company UGL has secured a five-year extension to its contract with Sydney Trains for the delivery of maintenance and logistics services for a portion of Sydney's metropolitan passenger rail fleet. Effective from 1 July, the contract replaces the two-year extension announced in January. They will provide heavy maintenance, component overhaul and supply chain capabilities, coupled with engineering and depot-related support. The extension will generate revenue of approximately A$630m to UGL, replacing the A$277m million of revenue announced in January. The services will be delivered through UGL Unipart, a 70:30 joint venture between UGL and Unipart Rail UK. Owned by Transport for NSW, Sydney Trains is the suburban rail network in the city. Overall, it encompasses 815km of track and 178 stations across nine lines.
Source: Finance News Network
2 Jul 2019. USA. MTBA breaks ground on South Coast commuter rail project
State and local officials have celebrated a ground breaking ceremony on the first phase of the long-awaited South Coast Rail line. Phase 1 of the project will connect Taunton, Fall River, New Bedford, and the surrounding areas to Boston. Early action projects underway include infrastructure work on track, culverts, and bridges as well as the acquisition of land for stations. The project will also rebuild 17.3 miles of the New Bedford main line and 11.7 miles of the Fall River secondary line, as well as upgrade 7.1 miles of existing Middleborough secondary track from Pilgrim Junction to Cotley Junction. The project also includes the construction of two new layover facilities and constructing six new stations. Service is anticipated to begin in 2023.
Source: WCVB5
2 Jul 2019. UK. DJI Partner Heliguy awarded Network Rail drone contract
UK-based Heliguy has been awarded a nationwide contract with Network Rail as part of a drone services framework worth up to GBP2.6mn. Heliguy will supply, maintain, repair and service Network Rail's drones, as well as delivering training courses to the infrastructure group's team of in-house pilots. The three-year contract, which can be extended to five years, will help Network Rail use drones to inspect and maintain an estimated 20,000 miles of track and 40,000 bridges and tunnels throughout its network. The Network Rail Unmanned Aircraft Services framework contract will focus on structures and bridge surveys, embankment checks, overhead line equipment inspections and post-incident condition examinations. As part of Network Rail's five-year, GBP42billion program to improve the reliability of Britain's railways, Heliguy is set to provide a tailored and automated fleet maintenance system. The service will include a guaranteed 72-hours turnaround time and courtesy equipment where required.
Source:
2 Jul 2019. Australia. Brookfield to haul MIRA into rail unit merger talks
Macquarie Group's infrastructure arm (MIRA) is tipped to buy out Hunter Valley coal carrier and Darwin-to-Adelaide rail operator, Genesee Wyoming Australia (GWA), in a deal likely to value the business at more than A$2 bn. Up for grabs is a 51.1 per cent stake in the Australian rail business, which for now is owned by Genesee Wyoming Australia and is set to fall into the hands of Canadian giant Brookfield Infrastructure Partners as part of a wider $US8.4bn takeover (see separate story). While Brookfield has big plans for Genesee & Wyoming's North American business, it wants to divest the Australian arm GWA. Brookfield already has a number of similar and even competing assets in Australia, including a Western Australian rail network, Queensland coal port and Asciano's Patrick shipping container terminal business, and isn't proposing to double down on these.
Source: Financial Review
2 Jul 2019. USA. Brookfield buys rail operator Genesee for $8.4 Billion
An affiliate of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. has agreed to buy Genesee & Wyoming Inc. for about US$6.3bn, expanding its global portfolio of rail companies with a 120-line network. The deal is valued at US$8.4 bn including debt. Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC Pte will join Brookfield and other partners in a consortium to manage the rail lines that come with 3,000 customers. Activist investor Blue Harbour Group LP also has built a 4% stake in G&W, which trades under the ticker symbol GRW. The railroad operator controls small connecting lines that don't compete directly with the largest North American railroads, such as Union Pacific Corp., CSX Corp. and Canadian National Railway Co. It has operations in Australia, the U.K. and continental Europe, as well. The transaction is expected to close by early 2020.
Source: Bloomberg
1 Jul 2019. UK Northern's new CAF trains enter service
The first nine trains in a GBP500m new fleet for rail operator Northern have started carrying passengers on routes between Doncaster and Leeds, Cumbria and Manchester Airport, Liverpool and Manchester Airport. The rest of the 101-strong fleet of diesel and electric multiple-units will be introduced at monthly intervals through 2019 and into 2020, with more routes benefiting from the new trains over time. Each of the new trains features free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, at-seat power and customer information/media screens with real-time information. They are also more spacious for customers and are fully accessible with spaces for wheel chairs and cycles. The new trains have been funded by Eversholt Rail Group and built in Spain and in Wales by CAF.
Source: Bradford Telegraph & Argus
1 Jul 2019. UK. Rail booking website will reduce fares
Train booking platform Loco2 has launched a money-saving feature that it says could reduce the costs of one-way tickets by up to 50%. Pricehack works by splitting journeys into smaller legs and working out the cheapest price for each leg. Split-ticketing is already available on small, niche sites such as trainsplit.com, splitticketing.com and ticketysplit.com. but Loco2 says it is the first to make it more accessible to passengers by making the feature an integrated part of its booking process. The company says it will apply to around 200 million UK train journeys. It currently applies to one-way routes only, including first class fares, but it will launch on return journeys over the summer. A GBP1.50 fee is charged on journeys that cost less than GBP100 and GBP6 on journeys over GBP100. Loco2 was created in 2012 by a sister and brother hoping to encourage more people to choose rail travel over flying. The company was acquired by French rail network SNCF in 2017.
Source: The Guardian
1 Jul 2019. Spain. RENFE to target French high-speed market
RENFE Operadora has confirmed its intention to enter the French high-speed passenger market, saying it had lodged the relevant applications with regulator Arafer, safety authority EPSF and infrastructure manager SNCF Reseau. RENFE would compete with incumbent SNCF on high speed routes initially using a fleet of 10 S100 trainsets which were built by Alstom in 1991-93 and are derived from the TGV Atlantique design. These already run into France on services from Spain which the two national operators run as a partnership. RENFE is reported to be targeting the Lyon - Montpellier and Lyon - Marseille routes with between two and five trains each way per day; these could start in December 2020 under the current plans. RENFE also says it is working to have its S106 high speed train approved for use in France. This is Talgo's Avril design of which it has 30 on order; 10 are expected to be approved for international use.
Source: Railway Gazette
1 Jul 2019. Thailand. Train service from Bangkok to Cambodia border resumes
A train service running between Bangkok to the Baan Khlong Luek station bordering Cambodia has commenced operation. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) launched the service with four trains per day, two in each direction. The SRT has provided four diesel-powered trains for the service. The route runs from Aranyaprathet railway station in eastern Thailand's Sa Kaew Province to the Baan Khlong Luek border checkpoint, also known as Rong Kluea Market. The extension of the route follows an agreement signed by Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen in April to jointly operate the train service linking the two countries.
Source: Xinhua
1 Jul 2019. Australia. Key contract signed for Brisbane Cross River Rail
The Queensland state government has signed a key construction contract as part of the planned Cross River Rail project, a move the deputy premier believes "guarantees" the project will go ahead. The deal has been sealed with Pulse, a consortium that will deliver tunnel stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street. They will also upgrade Dutton Park station and develop above the new stations. The A$5.4bn project includes a 10.2 km stretch of rail track, with 5.9 kms of tunnels, and incorporate four underground stations. The Pulse Consortium consists of the CIMIC Group companies, Pacific Partnerships, CPB Contractors, and UGL with international partners DIF, BAM, and Ghella Investments & Partnerships. UNITY is responsible for the rail integration systems, the track through the tunnels, incorporating the new rail with the existing network and a major upgrade at the Ekka station. Hitachi Rail will bring a $634m European Train Control System to the project, which will improve the safety and service frequency in the entire city rail network upon completion.
Source: Brisbane Times
30 Jun 2019. USA. Partnership to build rail connection between Alaska and Canada
The Alaska Railroad Corp and the Alaska to Alberta Railway Development Corp (A2A Rail) have signed an historic agreement to pursue a $13 billion, 1,500-mile rail connection between Alaska and Canada. The project would also link to the rest of the United States. "A rail connection between Alaska and Canada and the rest of the United States is a project that has been talked and dreamed about for close to a century," said Alaska Railroad President and CEO Bill O'Leary. A2A Rail was founded in 2015 to help accelerate progress toward a rail link connecting Alaska and Canada. Plenty of work remains before construction can get underway. The corporate partners must conduct environmental reviews, apply for right-of-way guaranteed under state law for a rail connection into Canada and identify upgrades to existing facilities, bridges and track on the 512-mainline running from Seward to the North Pole.
Source: FreightWaves
30 Jun 2019. UK. Network Rail bids for part of British Steel
Network Rail is looking to buy part of British Steel, as bidders have until the end of Sunday to put in offers for all or part of the troubled firm. The railway infrastructure company has bid for British Steel's rail services business. State-owned Network Rail wants to take over the division responsible for the welding, finishing and storing of rails for the UK's train network. British Steel was placed in compulsory liquidation in May. The move by Network Rail is just one of about 10 bids likely to be submitted to the Official Receiver, which took control of British Steel last month. The UK government and the receiver are keen to sell British Steel in its entirety to one buyer. Should a buyer not be found, the firm would be wound up. However, any further bids received next week could be considered.
Source: BBC
