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Rail News

9 September 2019. Volume 9, Issue 2

over 4 years ago by Rail Personnel

Dear Readers,

We have four great Jobs of the Week located in Asia and New Zealand.

On behalf of an international Project Management & QS consultancy company, we are seeking a Senior Interface Manager for a major new airport project in Southeast Asia.

Our client is seeking a Principal Advisor Road Rail Interface to influence outcomes 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).

An international power company is seeking a Project Control Engineer to assist their team in the area of program and scheduling work. Candidates must understand all aspects of system engineering and be able to match their client's overall programme. The role is located in Taipei, Taiwan.

And we have a further role for an experienced Chief Rolling Stock Expert to work in Mumbai. India.

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

6 Sep 2019. UK. Plans for two new train stations in Merseyside will go ahead

Major investment in Merseyside's transport system that will help bring two new stations to the Merseyrail network has been approved.

Source: Liverpool Echo

5 Sep 2019. Japan. One dead, 32 injured in train, truck collision in Yokohama

A commuter train and a truck loaded with citrus fruit have collided at a rail crossing in Yokohama, killing the truck driver and injuring at least 32 people on the train.

Source: Japan Today

5 Sep 2019. New Zealand. Upgrade Northland to Auckland rail line announced

The Government is investing NZ$94.8m through the Provincial Growth Fund for much needed work on the 181km rail line between Whangarei, above, and Swanson, in Auckland.

Source: New Zealand Herald

4 Sep 2019. Switzerland. Stadler wins LRV contract for Bern

Bern transport authority Bernmobil has selected Stadler to supply its next generation of trams, placing a framework contract for up to 50 vehicles and a firm order for 27.

Source: Metro Report International

4 Sep 2019. China. First driverless train for Shanghai Metro Line 14 rolls out

The first driverless metro train for Shanghai Metro's Line 14, equipped with Bombardier Mitrac propulsion and control system, has rolled off the assembly line at CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Ltd.

Source: Globe Newswire

Jobs of the Week:

Job Title: Senior Interface Manager ( #12762 )

Discipline: Interface Coordination; Construction Management

Role: Interface Engineer; Construction Management; Project Management

Position Type: Contract

Country: Southeast Asia, Singapore

Languages: English

Job Description:

On behalf of an international Project Management & QS consultancy company, we are seeking a Senior Interface Manager for a major new airport project in Southeast Asia.

This role will be employed on a long-term contract (circa 30 months) to commence November/December 2019.

As Senior Interface Manager, you will responsible for ensuring that all contractor and sub-contractor activities are coordinated to the schedules set out by the Project Management team. You will organise all necessary coordination meetings between contractors, engineers, architects, and project management personnel.

Full information on the role, project, and its location will be provided prior to any interviews taking place.

Requirements

- Must have experience as an Interface Manager/Senior Manager on a major infrastructure project

- Literacy in project management software is essential

- Previous experience of working on airport projects if preferred (as such, candidates with airports experience will be shortlisted as a priority)

- Experience of on-site construction interfacing, stakeholder management, and BIM design coordination can also be considered for other roles in this project.

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 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 (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.

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

- Strong project or programme management experience

- Stakeholder and relationship management experience, preferably in a central or local government role

- Tertiary qualification or relevant experience in a regulatory compliance or stakeholder management role.

Contact: sarasj@railpersonnel.com

Job Title: Project Control Engineer ( #12673 )

Discipline: Scheduling; Project Controls

Role: Scheduling; Project Management

Position Type: Contract

Country: Taipei, Taiwan

Languages: Mandarin; English

Job Description:

This international power company is seeking a strong individual to assist their team in the area of program and scheduling work.

Candidates must understand all aspects of system engineering and be able to match their client's overall programme.

Suitable candidates must be familiar with scheduling and understand about engineering related items.

Requirements

- Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering preferred but experience may be considered in lieu

- Working proficiency in Primavera Software 6

- Strong written, communication, and problem solving skills

- Computer proficient and the ability to adapt to new innovations and processes

- Broad understanding of industry

- Ability to multi-task

- Functions effectively as part of a team

- Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality at all times

- 5-10 years of related experience in power plant projects required.

Contact: patricia@railpersonnel.com

Job Title: Chief Rolling Stock Expert ( #12757 )

Discipline: Rolling Stock

Role: Expert

Position Type: Permanent

Country: Mumbai, India

Languages: English

Job Description:

Our client is looking for a chief Rolling Stock Expert to work in Mumbai.

Responsibilities:

- Review of tender documents and recommendations

- Design specification, tender documents for rolling stock Procurement of rolling stock

- Design of rolling stock systems, including management of Contractor's design activities and program

- Design review

- Supervision of manufacture, test & commissioning of equipment and completed train sets. Factory approval testing

- Integration of Automatic Train Control into rolling stock

- Review and approval of Driving Simulator

- Testing and commissioning.

Requirements

- Graduate in Electrical Engineering

- At least 20 years of experience as a Railway Engineer, minimum 10 years' experience as a Design Reviewer

- Five years' experience in similar activities at the same position or equivalent as the proposed position for any rail based transit system

- Have worked on at least five different Metro projects

- At least one year experience in a developing country

- Fluency in English

- Resilient, flexible, independent and well-structured and service-oriented working approach.

Contact: varun@railpersonnel.com

More Rail News:

6 Sep 2019. UK. Plans for two new train stations in Merseyside will go ahead

Major investment in Merseyside's transport system that will help bring two new stations to the Merseyrail network has been approved. The move will kickstart work towards two new Merseyrail stations being built, one on Kirby's Headbolt Lane and the other in Liverpool's Baltic Triangle. Metro Mayor, Steve Rotherham said the GBP172.5m transport investment would 'help to drive economic growth that benefits everyone in our region'. There are 18 projects set to be progressed using the money, which aims to make the region's transport network more environmentally sustainable, though each project will have to go through further assessments and potentially receive further funding before being fully approved.

Source: Liverpool Echo

5 Sep 2019. Japan. One dead, 32 injured in train, truck collision in Yokohama

A commuter train and a truck loaded with citrus fruit have collided at a rail crossing in Yokohama, killing the truck driver and injuring at least 32 people on the train. Police and fire department officials said the collision occurred. on the crossing on the Keikyu Line between Kanagawa-Shimmachi and Nakakido stations. Witnesses said the truck entered the crossing from a narrow road parallel to the tracks and became stuck. A spokesperson for train operator Keikyu Corp said the driver applied the emergency brake after he saw the truck but couldn't stop in time. The train was traveling at about 120kmph. The first three carriages of the eight-car train were derailed. The train's front window was smashed and the truck was pushed against a wall before bursting into flames.

Source: Japan Today

5 Sep 2019. New Zealand. Upgrade Northland to Auckland rail line announced

The Government is investing NZ$94.8m through the Provincial Growth Fund for much needed work on the 181km rail line between Whangarei, above, and Swanson, in Auckland. The planned work will include replacing or upgrading almost a third of the line, maintenance work on 13 tunnels, replacing five aging bridges, improving numerous drains and culverts, strengthening embankments and making safety and efficiency improvements at the Whangarei rail yard. The investment to maintain and upgrade the rail line to Whangarei will help get more freight onto trains and open up Northland's economy, KiwiRail Group Chief Executive Greg Miller said. Miller said the line improvements will cut down train travel times and make the line more resilient to weather events. While there was no announcement on a rail spur from the line to Northport, the deep water port at Marsden Point, that decision could be made by the end of the year. Totally upgrading Northland's rail line to Auckland and building a spur to Marsden Point would cost around NZ$1.3bn over the next 40 years.

Source: New Zealand Herald

4 Sep 2019. Switzerland. Stadler wins LRV contract for Bern

Bern transport authority Bernmobil has selected Stadler to supply its next generation of trams, placing a framework contract for up to 50 vehicles and a firm order for 27. Bernmobil had invited tenders in October 2018 for 20 new trams with an option for 30, receiving bids from CAF, Siemens and Stadler. Valued at SFr125m including spare parts, the initial firm order covers 20 bidirectional and seven unidirectional vehicles from Stadler's Tramlink family. All will be 42.5m long, with 100% low floors. All doors will be equipped with retractable steps for accessible boarding. Scheduled for delivery between the beginning of 2023 and mid-2025, the new vehicles will replace 12 Vevey and nine RBS trams that are approaching the end of their service life. The order will also provide additional vehicles for Route 9, supporting an increase in frequency and the extension from Wabern to a new S-Bahn interchange at Kleinwabern. The remaining options in the framework contract would provide vehicles for the Tram Bern Ostermundigen project, as well as further service enhancements from 2027 onwards.

Source: Metro Report International

4 Sep 2019. China. First driverless train for Shanghai Metro Line 14 rolls out

The first driverless metro train for Shanghai Metro's Line 14, equipped with Bombardier Mitrac propulsion and control system, has rolled off the assembly line at CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Ltd. Provided by Bombardier's Chinese joint venture, Bombardier NUG Propulsion System Co. Ltd. (BNP), under an order placed by Shanghai Shentong Metro Group Co. Ltd. in 2018, the Mitrac propulsion and control equipment is currently being installed on the remaining 48 metro trains for Shanghai Metro's Line 14. With a total length of 38,514 km and 31 stations, Shanghai Metro's Line 14 will connect Fengbang in the Jiading District in the west to Pudong District's Jinqiao in the east and highlight the strong potential of GOA4 driverless GOA4 metro systems. As a sub-contractor to New United Group, BNP provided engineering, manufacturing, testing, commissioning as well as the initial delivery of spare parts for the propulsion systems for the Line 14 trains. This includes propulsion and electric braking systems, auxiliary power supply systems, train control systems and other components.

Source: Globe Newswire

4 Sep 2019. China. Thai-Chinese high-speed rail to start operating in 2023

The first phase of an 873-km (542 mile) high-speed railway between Thailand and China is expected to begin operating within four years, according to deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul. The first 252-km leg connecting the Bangkok, and the north-eastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima will start service in 2023. Thailand will shoulder the total construction cost of 179bn baht (US$5.85bn) for the first phase, with China responsible for installing systems, design and the procurement of trains. The project - part of China's planned network of rail links across Southeast Asia that would eventually connect Kunming in southwest China with Singapore - was delayed in 2016 when Thailand rejected Chinese financing due to high interest rates. The next phase of the line will connect Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai province, which borders Laos and will eventually link up to China, Traisuree said. Construction and bidding contracts will be finalised this year.

Source: Reuters

3 Sep 2019. UK. HS2 railway to be delayed by up to five years

The first phase of the HS2 high-speed railway between London and Birmingham will be delayed by up to five years, Transport Minister Grant Shapps says. That section of the line was due to open at the end of 2026, but it could now be between 2028 and 2031 before the first trains run on the route. HS2's total cost has also risen from GBP62bn to between GBP81bn and GBP88bn, but Mr Shapps said he was keeping an "open mind" about the project's future. The second phase has also been delayed. The route - from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds - was due to open in 2032-33, but that has been pushed back to 2035-2040. Mr Shapps' statement was based on a report from chairman of HS2, Allan Cook which concluded that the new railway could not be delivered within the current budget. Mr Cook said the delay had occurred because the original plans did not account for the effect of building through densely populated areas with difficult geographical features.

Source: BBC

3 Sep 2019. UK. Extra trains arrive for Transport for Wales

Transport for Wales has taken delivery of the first Class 170 Turbostar from Greater Anglia. The three-car train has 186 seats and will shortly be joined by a further seven three car-units and four two-car units that each provide seating for 110 passengers. Driver training is scheduled to begin on 16 September with the units expected in to service on the Cheltenham to Maesteg line in December 2019. Subject to route clearance, Transport for Wales are also exploring future options to run the trains on the Ebbw Vale line and Heart of Wales. Speaking about the arrival of the new fleet, Rolling Stock Director Sara Holland said: "This is an GBP800m programme that will transform the experience for our customers and colleagues alike; the average age of the fleet will drop from 25 years to seven years by 2024 and 95% of journeys will be made on a new fleet of 148 trains by 2023."

Source: Transport for Wales

3 Sep 2019. Chile. Rail network investment plan presented

President Sebastian Pinera has announced the Chile on Rails plan (Chile sobre Rieles), the largest railway investment in the country's history, with investments of over US$5bn, which will modernise and expand the train network, providing new services. The program includes 25 projects and over 1000km of railways that will triple the number of users to 150mn by 2027 and double rail freight to 21Mt per annum. The program entails eight new trains for both the Nos and Rancaqua Metrotren, as well as the construction of the Almeda-Milpilla section, which will be 61km long and will transport 50 million passengers per year faster, more safely and in a more ecologically and environmentally friendly manner. Meanwhile, the Santiago=Batuco-Tiltil Metrotren will allow six districts to be connected with eight new stations on an extension of 48km. In the Biobio region, the train will be extended from Concepcion to Lirquen, passing through Penco and benefiting 872,000 people. A new section will also be extended from Colonel to Lota, which will connect the two with a 45-minute journey, reducing travel times by almost an hour.

Source: BNAmericas

3 Sep 2019. Australia. Route locked in for Melbourne's suburban rail loop

The locations of potential interchange stations and "super hubs" for the $A50bn, 90-km Suburban Rail Loop have been revealed. The government confirmed on it had chosen the "station precinct locations" and established a Suburban Rail Loop Authority to deliver the project which it announced before last November's state election. The three super hub stations, which will allow passengers travelling on regional rail services to get on to suburban loop trains, will be at Clayton, Broadmeadows and Sunshine. The interchange precincts will be at Glen Waverley, Cheltenham, Clayton, Box Hill, Heidelberg, Reservoir, Fawkner, Broadmeadows, Sunshine, Wyndham Vale and Werribee. Premier Daniel Andrews said the loop would open in stages. The rail loop will run from Cheltenham to Werribee with construction to begin in 2022. The stretch from Cheltenham to Box Hill will form the first part of the project. The loop will also form part of the rail link with Melbourne Airport.

Source: The Age

2 Sep 2019. USA. Work soon to commence on Las Vegas to LA rail link

Virgin Trains USA are to begin work on the $4bn Las Vegas to Los Angeles rail link in 2020. Virgin is aiming for completion by 2023. Virgin Trains USA Vice President Bob O'Malley has told delegates at the Nevada Economic Development Conference that design work was 30% complete and that the proposed line between the Las Vega strip and Victorville, on the northeast outskirts of Los Angeles, would be using the Virgin Trains' Florida project as its model. The line will span 298km with trains travelling up to 240km per hour, which would clock a journey time of approximately 75 minutes. O'Malley said the company was currently seeking financing for a line that could serve up to 22 million travellers per year, offering transport between cities that are "too close to fly, too far to drive".

Source: Construction Global

2 Sep 2019. UK Newly refurbished SWR trains pulled from service

South Western Railway's (SWR) newly refurbished Class 442 trains have been taken out of service over fears they are accidentally turning signals red or yellow as they go through Earlsfield station in south west London. SWR reintroduced the 30-year-old trains in June after giving them a GBP45m upgrade. Class 442 trains, which are nicknamed 'plastic pigs', have been running on routes from London to Bournemouth and Portsmouth. SWR are working with Network Rail to correct the issue but have confirmed that two services will need to be temporarily cancelled. Shorter trains will also run on five daily services between London and Farnham, Guildford, Haslemere and Woking, SWR said.

Source: The Telegraph

2 Sep 2019. UK. Bradford's rail service upgrade is delayed

Rail services linking Bradford to key destinations such as Manchester Airport and Liverpool will not be introduced in December as planned. The services, along with an extra hourly Sunday service on the Calder line, are to be supplied by Northern. But a report to West Yorkshire Combined Authority's transport committee shows a shortage of trains and staffing issues on Sundays are hampering the changes. West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce said it was "disappointing". The same report reveals that despite promises from the government that the criticized Pacer trains would not be operating after Christmas, at least 23 Pacers would still be used, with a phasing out now expected by Summer 2020.

Source: BBC

2 Sep 2019. Sweden. Varberg rail tunnels contract awarded

Swiss company Implenia has won a SEK3.5bn (GBP284m) contract for detailed planning and execution of a rail project that involves tunnelling beneath the city of Varberg. The scheme for Trafikverket, the Swedish Transport Administration involves the twin-track expansion of the railway between Varberg and Hamra on the country's west coast. The work includes the planning and construction of a 2.8km conventional tunnel, a 450m cut-and-cover tunnel, a 1.3km cutting, several bridges, a new railway station and a total of 2.7km of track, plus a freight train station. The building work will take about six years, during which time the railway line will continue to operate. From 2024, trains should be running on the new tracks beneath Varberg's city centre. Implenia had already been working on initial planning and preparation for the project under a contract worth SEK200m that was awarded last year.

Source: Construction Index

30 Aug 2019. Germany. Siemens wins Smartron orders from Romania and Bulgaria

Available in Germany since March 2018, Siemens Mobility's Smartron locomotive has now been ordered by operators in Bulgaria and Romania. Romanian open-access rail freight operator E-P Rail has ordered four Smartrons, while Bulgaria's PIMK is set to receive three units. The 25kV 50Hz locomotives will be equipped with the PZB train control system. The Smartron is based on proven components of the Vectron locomotive, which has already demonstrated its reliability in over 220 million kilometres of service. The Smartron has a 1,435m gauge and weighs approximately 83 tonnes. The Smartron for Bulgaria and Romania operates on the 25kV AC power system and is equipped with the PZB train control system.

Source: Global Railway Review