Dear Readers,
It is with sadness that we report the death of the Hon Timothy Andrew Fischer AC, former Deputy Prime Minister and the Australia's most well-known train spotter.
According to Mr Fischer's obituary in The Guardian, Fischer said he was never a trainspotter in the "classic British sense" but his lifelong fascination stemmed from wanting to understand the role trains, both passenger and freight, played in the development of modern economies.
After retiring from politics he continued his association with rail as Special Envoy to the Adelaide to Darwin railway line and travelled on the first freight train and first Ghan passenger train to Darwin in 2004. The V class GT46C locomotive V544, owned and operated by Pacific National, is named after him.
In 2007 he led the Rail Freight Network Review into rail freight in Victoria, as commissioned by the Victorian Government.
He also hosted the series of ABC podcasts "The Great Train Show", covering a wide range of railway topics from around the world and within Australia. He published several books on the subject including: Transcontinental Train Odyssey: the Ghan, the Khyber, the Globe. A personal guide to the great transcontinental railways of the world; Trains Unlimited; and Steam Australia: Locomotives that Galvanised the Nation.
During his diplomatic appointment at the Holy See from 2009-to 2012, Mr Fisher contributed to the Caritas Express - a steam train journey from the Vatican Gardens to Tuscany.
He was also patron to the TrackSAFE Foundation.
A state funeral to honour Tim Fischer will be held in the NSW town of Albury on Thursday, 29 August.
Jobs of the Week are located in Malaysia and India.
Our client is an international contractor offering services from concept and design through to building and fit out. They have an active presence in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, with completed and on-going projects in the UK, France, Japan, Australia, South Africa and Papua New Guinea. They are looking for an experienced BIM Manager to be based at both the site office and head office in Kuala Lumpur.
We are seeking a very experienced Switch Tamper operator who can also train staff, for a contract position with the company is responsible for the maintenance of the 57km of standard gauge railway connecting Kuala Lumpur to the Airport.
In India our client is preparing for a supervision general consultant contract for the High Speed Railway project, under Japanese ODA, between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. They require an experienced Quantity Surveyor and a Contracts Manager for this contract.
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:
23 Aug 2019. UK. World's first solar-powered railway line opens
The world's first ever railway line to be directly supplied with solar power has opened in Aldershot, Hampshire.
Source: The Independent
23 Aug 2019. Colombia. Airtificial awarded Red Ferrea de Atlantico contract
National infrastructure authority ANI has awarded Spanish engineering and technology consultancy Airtificial a E1.5m contract to optimise operations on the Red Ferrea de Atlantico.
Source: Railway Gazette
23 Aug 2019. New Zealand. Government to fund Hamilton to Auckland rail service
The Government has confirmed funding for the construction of the Hamilton to Auckland passenger rail service.
Source: Stuff
22 Aug 2019. Germany. Bombardier to supply and maintain trams for Dresden
Bombardier Transportation and Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe (DVB), have signed a contract to supply and maintain 30 Bombardier Flexity trams.
Source: Bombardier Transportation
22 Aug 2019. Slovenia. EU to fund rail upgrades
The European Union (EU) is investing E101m from the Cohesion Fund to upgrade the rail section between the Slovenian cities of Maribor and Sentilj, near the border with Austria.
Source: EU reporter
Jobs of the Week:
Job Title: BIM Manager ( #12713 )
Discipline: BMS; Management
Role: Drafting
Position Type: Permanent
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Languages: English
Job Description:
Our client is an international contractor offering services from concept and design through to building and fit out. They have an active presence in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, with completed and on-going projects in the UK, France, Japan, Australia, South Africa and Papua New Guinea.
They are looking for an experienced BIM Manager to be based at both the Site Office and Head Office in Kuala Lumpur with five to eight years rail experience working with a mix of buildings, track work civil.
This is a permanent position based in Kuala Lumpur and offers an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and energetic company.
Requirements
- Candidates should have at least 5 to 8 years of experience with BIM qualifications through a recognised institute
- Working knowledge of various BIM software
- Experience of managing and delivering BIM for railway projects or similar multi trade complex projects
- Capable of leading and managing a team and providing technical direction in relation to the development and management of BIM models
- Experience of putting a governance structure in place to manage clash detection and resolution of same.
Contact: jackie@railpersonnel.com
Job Title: Switch Tamper Operator ( #12499 )
Discipline: Permanent Way
Role: Maintenance
Position Type: Contract
Country: Selangor, Malaysia
Languages: English
Job Description:
Our client is responsible for the maintenance of the 57km of standard gauge railway connecting Kuala Lumpur to the Airport.
They are looking for a very experienced Switch Tamper operator who can also train their staff. They have purchased a switch and crossing tamper (Plasser 08-4x4)and would be needed to train the staff as well as advise on maintenance requirements and how to conduct non-major works fixing, identifying issues/faults and repair works.
Requirements
- Experienced Switch Tamper Operator.
Contact: sarasj@railpersonnel.com
Job Title: Quantity Surveyor ( #12742 )
Discipline: High Speed Rail Construction; Quantity Surveying
Role:
Position Type: Contract
Country: New Delhi, India
Languages: English
Job Description:
Our client is now working for preparation for a supervision general consultant contract for the High Speed Railway project under Japanese ODA between Mumbai and Ahmedabad approximately 500km long.
The planning and detailed design have almost been completed and bidding procedure for construction and D&B contracts have started , followed by the supervision general consultant contract.
The supervision contract is now under negotiation and they need to identify an experienced Quantity Surveyor for this contract.
Requirements
- Minimum 15 years experienced as a QS preferably with some High Speed rail experience.
Contact: davidh@railpersonnel.com
Job Title: Contracts Manager ( #12741 )
Discipline: High Speed Rail Construction; Contracts Management
Role: Contracts
Position Type: Contract
Country: New Delhi, India
Languages: English
Job Description:
Our client is now working for preparation for a supervision general consultant contract for the High Speed Railway project under Japanese ODA between Mumbai and Ahmedabad approximately 500km long.
The planning and detailed design have almost been completed and bidding procedure for construction and D&B contracts have started , followed by the supervision general consultant contract.
The supervision contract is now under negotiation and they need to find an experienced Contracts Manager for this project Surveyors.
If interested in being considered please submit your resume and contact details.
Requirements
- Minimum 15 years experienced preferably with some High Speed rail experience.
Contact: davidh@railpersonnel.com
More Rail News:
23 Aug 2019. UK. World's first solar-powered railway line opens
The world's first ever railway line to be directly supplied wit solar power has opened. The scheme in Aldershot sees signalling and lights being powered by a unit made up of around 100 solar panels, which is also supplying a small amount of energy to the track itself. Dubbed "Riding Sunbeams", the pilot project has been launched by climate change charity 10:10, Community Energy South and Network Rail with all data being analysed by the University of Birmingham to see how it might be possible to plug in much larger solar rigs to power the UK's trains. Communities living near railway lines and the passengers themselves will eventually have the chance to invest in the idea: by the end of 2020, the aim is to build and connect the world's first ever full-scale community and commuter-owned "solar traction farm".
Source: The Independent
23 Aug 2019. Colombia. Airtificial awarded Red Ferrea de Atlantico contract
National infrastructure authority ANI has awarded Spanish engineering and technology consultancy Airtificial a E1.5m contract to optimise operations on the Red Ferrea de Atlantico. The contract covers operations on the 876 route-km linking Bogota, Belencito, La Dorada and Chiriguna. Airtificial will supervise the operations and maintenance of both freight and passenger trains on these routes. Its contract is the latest in a series of packages awarded as part of the rehabilitation programme. In the first half of the year, a consortium of Gomez Cajiao and Setec Colombia was awarded a US$96m contract covering infrastructure enhancements, signalling renewals and the deployment of traffic management systems on the RFA network. This includes the branch from La Dorada to the port of Santa Marta in the north of the country, where upgrading work is still ongoing.
Source: Railway Gazette
23 Aug 2019. New Zealand. Government to fund Hamilton to Auckland rail service
The Government has confirmed funding for the construction of the Hamilton to Auckland passenger rail service. The release of the NZ$79.80m funding means parts of the service can now be built or developed. That includes Hamilton City Council making improvements to Frankton rail station and constructing the new Rotokauri transport hub, Waikato District Council upgrading the Huntly rail station, and Kiwi Rail starting on a carriage maintenance facility at Te Rapa. The funding also allows for installation of Wi-Fi on carriages and ticketing systems. Local authorities have committed $12.57m of funding. The rail service is due to start by June 2020, provided the rail stations are completed. Two return services will operate each weekday at peak travel times, with one return service on Saturday.
Source: Stuff
22 Aug 2019. Germany. Bombardier to supply and maintain trams for Dresden
Bombardier Transportation and Dresden's transport authority Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe (DVB), have signed a contract to supply and maintain 30 Bombardier Flexity trams, equipped with the Obstacle Detection and Assistance System (ODAS) for preventing collisions. The contract also includes the FlexCare maintenance management system for a 24-year period. The value of the order is 197 million euro ($219 million US). In addition, an option for ten additional Flexity trams and eight more years of servicing and maintenance are included in the contract. The new trams will be able to carry up to 290 passengers, which is about a 10 per cent increase. The new fleet will be delivered by the end of October 2023.
Source: Bombardier Transportation
22 Aug 2019. Slovenia. EU to fund rail upgrades
The European Union (EU) is investing E101m from the Cohesion Fund to upgrade the rail section between the Slovenian cities of Maribor and Sentilj, near the border with Austria in the direction of Graz. EU-funded works aim to reduce travel times, increase speed as well as railway safety and ensure greater freight-carrying capacity on the line. The project will increase the number of trains running between Maribor and Sentilj from 67 to 84 per day, taking into account projected increases in traffic volumes by 2039 on this part of the Baltic-Adriatic corridor, on the core Trans-European Transport Network. Works also include the refurbishment of the Maribor Tezno, Maribor, Pesnica and Sentilj stations, improvements at the Sentilj tunnel and the construction of the Pekel tunnel. The new railway line should be operational by February 2023.
Source: EU reporter
22 Aug 2019. Japan. Shinkansen runs with door completely open
A Japanese bullet train hurtling along at 280 kilometres per hour ran for nearly a minute with one of its doors completely open, its operator said. The accident, due to human error, was a rare mishap for the Shinkansen, which has a world-famous safety and punctuality record. The Tokyo-bound Hayabusa No. 46 train screeched to an emergency stop in a tunnel shortly after leaving Sendai station in northeastern Japan when the conductor saw a warning light that the door of the ninth carriage was open, East Japan Railway said. "The incident occurred after a janitor mistakenly left the carriage door unlocked so that they could manually open and close," a company spokesman said. "We sincerely apologise for the incident," he said, adding that the company will take steps to prevent it happening again.
Source: AFP
21 Aug 2019. UK. Government orders review into HS2
The GBP56bn HS2 rail project could be scrapped after the government ordered an independent review. At least GBP7.4billion has already been spent on Britain's biggest infrastructure project. But the review will consider whether it should continue, be cut back or cancelled altogether. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, who announced the inquiry, said: "Just because you've spent a lot of money on something shouldn't mean you go on ploughing in more and more.†The review will be chaired by former HS2 Ltd chairman Douglas Oakervee, prompting campaign group Stop HS2 to ask if it will be truly independent. Mr Oakervee's deputy will be HS2 critic Lord Berkeley. HS2 Ltd says phase one, from London to Birmingham, will cut journey times from 1hr 22min to just 45min. But as well as the cost, opponents object to the environmental damage the line would do. It also requires the demolition of hundreds of homes. Boris Johnson has expressed doubts about its viability in the past. The findings of the review are expected in the autumn. Stop HS2 said all work should stop in the meantime.
Source: Metro
21 Aug 2019. UK. Express rail service launched at London Luton Airport
Luton Airport (LLA) has announced a new partnership agreement with Abellio, which will operate the East Midlands Railway for the next eight years. The partnership will bring a package of more than GBP600m investment in improvements to rail services across the East Midlands and between Bedford, Corby, Wellingborough, Kettering, Luton Airport Parkway and London St Pancras. East Midlands Railway will oversee the delivery of improvements to improve customer experience, improve connections and drive economic growth including more regular services between London St Pancras station and Luton Airport, with a new 'Luton Airport Express' style-service operated by a new all-electric fleet of trains. This will come into service by December 2020, and will feature fast trains between St Pancras and Luton Airport Parkway every 30 minutes.
Source: International Airport Review
21 Aug 2019. Poland. PKP awards Stadler contract for more intercity trains
PKP Intercity has awarded Stadler the contract for the delivery of twelve electric multiple unit FLIRT trains including the maintenance for 15 years. The period for appeals expired unused on 22 July. This concludes the tender procedure announced in December 2017. The value of the contract, which includes the delivery of the vehicles and the 15-year maintenance, amounts to SF270m. The contract covers twelve eight-car electric multiple unit FLIRT trains in the long-distance version. The new fleet will complement the series of 20 ED160 vehicles which were delivered to PKP Intercity in 2015. The trains have been operating on the Polish railway network since December 2015, and have covered more than 23 million kilometres since then. The trains belong to the latest generation FLIRT in the long-distance version. Their lightweight, aluminium structure reduces operating, energy and maintenance costs, translating into tangible benefits for the carrier.
Source: Stadler
21 Aug 2019. Australia. Government funding boost for Inland Rail connectivity
The Liberal and Nationals Government is rolling out a A$44m program and enhancing its network of offices in the bush to support regional communities and industry to better connect to Inland Rail and the benefits that flow from fast, reliable and cost-competitive freight rail. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, said the Inland Rail Interface Improvement Program would create productive rail-based supply chains at regional centres and build capacity on key country rail lines to enhance regional connectivity. "To support new connections, we've allocated $24 million to assess the costs and benefits of proposed improvements to country lines that intersect with Inland Rail and a further $20 million for business cases looking at ways to enhance supply chain productivity," Mr McCormack said.
Source: Government Media Release
20 Aug 2019. UK. Bombardier confirms services contract for EMR franchise
Bombardier Transportation has announced that it has signed a new Train Services Agreement (TSA) with Abellio and Eversholt Rail for the new East Midlands Railway franchise (see separate story). Under the new agreement which lasts from today until 31 December 2022, Bombardier will maintain Bombardier class 222 diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU) trains at Derby Etches Park depot for use on East Midlands Railway mainline services. The new agreement follows Bombardier's previous role in maintaining the 125 miles per hour trains for the former East Midlands Trains franchise. The contract is valued at approximately GBP133m (US$161m).
Source: Bombardier Transportation
19 Aug 2019. New Zealand. Potential partners shortlisted for Auckland light rail
Transport Minister Phil Twyford says he will make a decision on who will build the Auckland light rail project early next year and has signalled he has shortlisted two potential partners - NZ Infra and the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA). NZ Infra is a joint venture between the NZ Super Fund and Canada's CDPQ Infra group. The two parties are now expected to develop their respective proposals before Twyford decides on which proposal to go with. But Twyford says no actual work building the project will take place in 2020. Last month the NZTA said it had produced an indicative business case for the first stage of the Auckland light rail project, but it couldn’t move onto the next stage until the transport minister accepted, or rejected the offer from the NZ Super Fund.
Source: Interest.co.nz
18 Aug 2019. UK. Abellio takes over East Midlands rail franchise
Abellio has taken over the East Midlands rail franchise, promising GBP600m of investment. It won the eight-year contract after Stagecoach was disqualified from bidding as it refused to take on pension liabilities. Abellio, owned by the state-owned operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen, has promised new trains, 165 new carriages, and improved infrastructure. East Midlands Trains will now be called East Midlands Railway (EMR). The company already operates five other rail franchises, including Scotrail and Greater Anglia services between Norwich and London. Part of Abellio's investment will include a complete overhaul of the rail stock, with new high-speed Hitachi intercity rail trains. It said GBP400m would be spent on 33 five-carriage trains, which will include air conditioning, wi-fi and plug sockets for passengers. The new intercity trains will begin serving cities and towns like Sheffield, Chesterfield, Derby, Leicester, London, and Lincoln by 2022.
Source: BBC
18 Aug 2019. UK. Network Rail pays GBP1m in five years for trips and falls at stations
Figures reveal that Network Rail has paid out nearly GBP1m in five years for trips and falls at its 20 UK stations. More than half of the payouts were made after accidents at Euston, Paddington, Victoria and Liverpool Street stations in London. In Scotland, during the same period, 13 passengers received a total of GBP16,589 for a variety of mishaps at Edinburgh Waverley. One commuter got GBP365 after tripping over a mat while another got GBP600 following a fall down an escalator. Glasgow Central was one of only two Network Rail stations not to have had a compensation claim paid out in the past five years, the other being Guildford in Surrey. Network Rail insisted only a small number of commuters experience a mishap. The highest single amount was GBP39,631 for a passenger who "slipped on some liquid" at Charing Cross station in London.
Source: The Sunday Post
18 Aug 2019. Australia. New trains for WA to be built at Bellevue
The government of Western Australia (WA) has announced that the state's new trains will be built at a new hub in Bellevue. Alstom will run the A$1.6bn build, but 50 per cent of the work must be sourced locally. The new rail cars will carry 1200 passengers and have wider doors, making it easier and faster for passengers to get on and off. As many as 250 rail cars will be built, with six cars on the existing Australind service to be replaced. It's the biggest order of rail cars in WA’s history, with the first new trains set to start running on the Joondalup and Mandurah lines in 2022. Trains have not been built in WA since the Midland Railway Workshops closed 25 years ago. Construction on the first stage of the Bellevue plant will begin next year and is due to be finished in 2021.
Source: Perth Now
