Dear Readers,
Announcements on trains are not know for their humour, but in the UK, a Great Western Railway's train manager, David Shelley, has decided to spice things up has become a hit with commuters for his announcements. Click on the link and have a listen...
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-bristol-49999610/gwr-train-manager-a-hit-for-funny-announcements
Jobs of the Week are based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Singapore; and Auckland, New Zealand.
Our client in partnership with various multinational engineering and construction companies and equipment manufacturers, undertakes EPC scope for railways control, automation and electrification. They are looking for a Construction Manager for a contract they have for power Supply and Distribution package on the Kuala Lumpur Metro Line 2.
We are seeking experienced rolling stock maintenance engineers and experienced signalling maintenance engineers for our client who is a public transport operator in Singapore operating bus, rail and taxi services.
We also have a role for an Architectural Design Manager to work with a strong family of connected brands and businesses partnering with customers to create spaces and places for the benefit of communities in New Zealand and the South Pacific.
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:
12 Oct 2019. India. Italian firm to prepare DPR of Mumbai Metro Line 14
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has appointed Italian firm MM SpA as a consultant to prepare detailed project report (and bid documents for appropriate mass rapid transit project for Kanjurmarg to Badlapur Corridor.
Source: Urban Transport News
10 Oct 2019. The Netherlands. Nightjet to expand routes
Regular overnight trains will return to from the December 2020 timetable change, with the launch of a daily service between Amsterdam, Munchen and Wien.
Source: Railway Gazette
10 Oct 2019. Latvia. EU to fund electric rail infrastructure
National rail company Latvijas Dzelzcels will receive E318m worth of European Union co-funding for a major railway electrification project under an agreement signed with the Central Finance and Contracting Agency of Latvia.
Source: Xinhua
9 Oct 2019. Germany. FlixTrain to add new destinations
Private open-access operator FlixTrain has announced plans to expand its long-distance rail services by adding seven new destinations to its nationwide long-distance rail network with the start of the new timetable on 15 December.
Source: International Railway Journal
9 Oct 2019. The Netherlands. NS to start testing automatic train operation
National passenger operator NS is to test attended automatic operation (AT)) on the 50 km Hanze Line between Lelystad and Zwolle by the end of this year.
Source: Railway Gazette
Jobs of the Week:
Job Title: Construction Manager ( #12474 )
Discipline: Construction Management
Role: Construction Manager
Position Type:
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Languages: English
Job Description:
Our client in partnership with various multinational engineering and construction companies and equipment manufacturers, undertakes EPC scope for railways control, automation and electrification. They provide project management, basic and detail engineering, supply, installation and commissioning of electrical equipment. They are looking for a Construction Manager for a contract they have for power Supply and Distribution package on the Kuala Lumpur Metro Line 2 (Package value MYR700M) to be based in Kuala Lumpur.
Requirements
- Minimum 15 years of experience.
Contact: sarasj@railpersonnel.com
Job Title: Rolling Stock Maintenance Engineer ( #12793 )
Discipline: Maintenance Management; Rolling Stock
Role: Maintenance
Position Type:
Country: Singapore
Languages:
Job Description:
Our client is a public transport operator in Singapore operating bus, rail and taxi services. They are looking for experienced rolling stock maintenance engineers.
They will have some night work at times. Good salary and conditions.
This is a good opportunity to join an exciting and vibrant company.
Requirements
- Experience in doing rolling stock maintenance in mass transit environment
- Degree qualification preferred.
Contact: davidh@railpersonnel.com
Job Title: Signalling Maintenance Engineer ( #12792 )
Discipline: Maintenance Management; Signalling
Role: Maintenance
Position Type:
Country: Singapore
Languages:
Job Description:
Our client is a public transport operator in Singapore operating bus, rail and taxi services. They are looking for experienced signalling maintenance engineers. They will have some night work at times.
Responsibilities:
- Manage, lead and ensure the effectiveness of the cyber-security controls and well-being of Downtown Line signalling system
- Develop and manage plans for monitoring security systems and response to signalling system related cyber security incidents
- Introduce and implement contingency and disaster recovery plans for signalling system related cyber security incidents
- Oversee information security processes and controls related to signalling system
- Review, analyze recurring faults, plot fault trends and highlight possible, uprising anomalies detrimental to the signalling system from an information security perspective.
Requirements
- Degree in Computer Science / Computer / Information Technology, preferably at least five years of relevant work experience in railway signalling
- Two years of relevant experience with implementation, deployment, administration or maintenance of Industrial Control Systems (ICS), Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems will be an added advantage
- Familiar with Rail Communication Based Signalling system, Automatic Train Control system, Signalling Interlocking and Platform Screen Door system will be beneficial.
Contact: davidh@railpersonnel.com
Job Title: Architectural Design Manager ( #12777 )
Discipline: Architecture; Design
Role: Management
Position Type: Permanent
Country: Auckland, New Zealand
Languages: English
Job Description:
Our client is a strong family of connected brands and businesses partnering with our customers to create spaces and places that work for people. Since 1909 they have planned, designed, built, maintained and managed significant national infrastructure for the benefit of communities in New Zealand and the South Pacific.
They are seeking expressions of interest for their Commercial Building division - particularly across the design space where they are looking to build their capability. Working across the business unit, and well supported by the division, the opportunities include Architectural Design Manager.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the Quality, Creativity and Delivery of architectural design on projects, and managing those across the business.
Requirements
- Tertiary qualification in Architecture, Engineering or Construction Management
- Previous experience in the above disciplines
- Strong, demonstrable knowledge of building methods and processes
- Strong people leadership, delivering a high performing team culture
- Excellent time management, prioritisation and interpersonal skills
- Desire to produce high quality support to building projects, with a leading contractor.
Contact: jackie@railpersonnel.com
More Rail News:
12 Oct 2019. India. Italian firm to prepare DPR of Mumbai Metro Line 14
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has appointed Italian firm MM SpA (owned by Municipality of Milan) as a consultant to prepare detailed project report (DPR) and bid documents for appropriate mass rapid transit project (MRTS) for Kanjurmarg to Badlapur Corridor (Mumbai Metro Line 14) on public-private partnership (PPP) model. Initially, two corridors - Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport - Navi Mumbai International Airport (Metro Line 8) and Kanjurmarg - Badlapur Corridor (Metro Line 14), have been considered for the preparation of Techno-Economic Feasibility Study (TEFS) and further steps on a PPP basis. MMRDA said that these two additional lines will improve connectivity between the two airports and reduce traffic on the Eastern Express Highway.
Source: Urban Transport News
10 Oct 2019. The Netherlands. Nightjet to expand routes
Regular overnight trains will return to from the December 2020 timetable change, with the launch of a daily service between Amsterdam, Munchen and Wien. Citing an increase in demand from international night train passengers, the Dutch government has allocated E6.7m to support the resumption of night train operations between 2021 and 2024. The last overnight train to Amsterdam was withdrawn in December 2016, when DB abandoned its CityNightLine network. Under a co-operation agreement between NS and OBB, the current Nightjet service from Wien to Düsseldorf will be extended to Amsterdam via Arnhem. End-to-end journey time is expected to be around 14 hours. Meanwhile, OBB CEO Andreas Matthä has confirmed the operator is looking to trial an extension of the Nightjet network to Brussels from January 2020. This would also be formed by an extension of the Wien/Innsbruck - Dusseldorf service, and would initially operate two days per week, with a view to launching a daily service from the end of next year in conjunction with the Amsterdam train.
Source: Railway Gazette
10 Oct 2019. Latvia. EU to fund electric rail infrastructure
National rail company Latvijas Dzelzcels (LDz) will receive E318m worth of European Union (EU) co-funding for a major railway electrification project under an agreement signed with the Central Finance and Contracting Agency of Latvia. A new network of traction substations and power lines will be constructed to renovate and upgrade Latvia's existing railway infrastructure, improve its safety, quality and capacity, as well as to make it more environmentally-friendly. The first stage of the project, scheduled for completion by 2023, provides for the electrification of three railway lines connecting the eastern Latvian city of Krustpils with the capital city Riga, Latvia's second largest city Daugavpils and the eastern Latvian city of Rezekne.Construction works are due to begin at the end of 2020 to upgrade 300 kms of railway lines.
Source: Xinhua
9 Oct 2019. Germany. FlixTrain to add new destinations
Private open-access operator FlixTrain has announced plans to expand its long-distance rail services by adding seven new destinations to its nationwide long-distance rail network with the start of the new timetable on 15 December. The Berlin - Stuttgart service will call additionally at Leipzig, Halle (Saale), Erfurt, Gotha, Eisenach, and Lutherstadt Wittenberg. Aachen to the west of Cologne will also be added to the network. FlixTrain will reduce the journey time for Hamburg - Cologne services from a minimum of 4h 8min to just over 3h 30min. A new Hamburg - Stuttgart service will go into operation in spring 2020, giving passengers the chance to travel between the two cities for the first time without changing trains. The service will call at Hannover, Göttingen, Kassel Wilhelmshöhe, Fulda, Frankfurt, Darmstadt and Heidelberg. By summer 2020, up to three departures per day and direction will be offered.
Source: International Railway Journal
9 Oct 2019. The Netherlands. NS to start testing automatic train operation
National passenger operator NS is to test attended automatic operation (AT)) on the 50 km Hanze Line between Lelystad and Zwolle by the end of this year. The tests are to be undertaken by NS in partnership with infrastructure manager ProRail and the Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management, as part of a wider programme to assess the potential impact of automated train operation on network capacity, sustainability and safety. A CAF Sprinter New Generation EMU is to be tested using attended ATO under Grade of Automation 2. An onboard computer will control movements using data from the train and infrastructure. Passengers will not be carried, and a driver will remain in the cab to supervise operations and intervene if necessary .NS and ProRail envisage that automated operation could enable headways to be reduced, providing an increase in line capacity to support a projected 45% growth in rail ridership by 2030.
Source: Railway Gazette
9 Oct 2019. Spain. Talgo to supply inspection train
Railway infrastructure manager, Adif, has awarded Talgo the contract for a state-of-the-art laboratory train designed specifically for the inspection and maintenance of AV railway lines throughout the country. The order includes not only the production of the train, but also a complete maintenance service for five years, the supply of systems, subsystems and parts of rolling stock, in addition to the internal equipment with dynamic detection tools and high-tech auscultation. The total value of the contract is E39m. With six coaches and two multi-system electric power cars, this variable-gauge train will have an output of 8,000 kW and can reach a top speed of 330kmph.
Source: Ferrovie.info
9 Oct 2019. UAE. Hitachi Rail win systems and integration contract
Etihad Rail has awarded a 1.6bn dirhams ($US436m) systems and integration contract to Hitachi Rail STS for stage two of the national railway network. Hitachi Rail will be responsible for the design and build of railway systems related to its subsystems, in coordination with other Stage Two works and contracts, as well as managing uptime and operation tests. Stage Two links the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia from Fujairah to Al Ghuweifat through Mussafah, Khalifa Port and Jebel Ali Port. Etihad Rail said the network would be equipped with a communications system and control centre with its main operations in Faya and another in Mirfa. The main operations centre will be able to pinpoint the location of a train on the network at any time, control its speed and even stop it where necessary. It will also house a crisis management unit.
Source: Reuters
9 Oct 2019. Australia. Sydney Trains' T6 Carlingford line to permanently close
Rail commuters in parts of western and northern Sydney will have a longer commute from January as the T6 Carlingford line, which opened in 1888, closes permanently. It will be scrubbed off the map to make way for the construction of a new light rail project with passengers looking at years of rail replacement buses while they wait for the trams. The route currently operates as a shuttle from Clyde in Sydney's west where it connects to T1 Western line trains to the city. The line heads north to Carlingford, on the other side of the harbour, via Rosehill Racecourse, Camellia, Rydalmere, Dundas and Telopea. The Carlingford line has around 500,000 annual users. That makes it Sydney's least used, with three times fewer passengers than the T7 Olympic Park line. There had been proposals to extend the Carlingford line north to the transport hub of Epping to create a more viable rail line, but they never came to fruition.
Source: News.com.au
9 Oct 2019. Thailand. Airport Rail Link hits another bump
The signing of the 224-billion-baht contract between the State Railway of Thailand and Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) for the rail link between the three main international airports has run into another delay following the resignation of the entire SRT board. Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said that the Transport Ministry had decided to defer the signing of the contract from 15 October to 25 October after the SRT board members all stepped down last Tuesday. The ministry needs a new SRT board to be in place first, to avoid the possibility of the contract being invalidated if the agreement is inked in its absence, he said. The SRT is impatient for the consortium to sign the contract for construction of the high-speed train linking Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and U-Tapao airports, after repeated delays. The delays are due to concerns by the bid winners over land expropriation and eviction problems.
Source: Bangkok Post
8 Oct 2019. USA. FRA makes $396 million available for rail capital projects
A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Program (Partnership Program), which includes US$396m in grant funding, has been issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).The Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) Partnership Program will fund projects that repair, replace or rehabilitate qualified railroad assets to reduce the state of good repair backlog and improve intercity passenger rail performance. Eligible applications will address projects that may include track, ballast, switches and interlockings, bridges, communication and signal systems, power systems, grade crossings, station buildings, support systems, signage, track and platform areas, passenger cars, locomotives, maintenance-of-way equipment, yards, terminal areas and maintenance shops. applications for funding are due 9 December, 2019. Following publication, FRA will offer web-based training and technical assistance for eligible applicants.
Source: Mass Transit
8 October 2019. UK. Dry ice 'could stop leaves on line rail delays'
Dry ice could save rail passengers from delays by removing leaves from the tracks, researchers have said. Every autumn, about 50 million leaves land on the UK's railway lines, making them slippery and forcing trains to go slower, Network Rail has said. It says leaves act "like black ice" and cost the industry GBP345m a year. Engineers at the University of Sheffield have developed dry ice for removing leaves and will test this system on five routes this autumn. These include: Stocksbridge, South Yorkshire, and Sutton Park, West Midlands, for freight; and Blackpool, West Highlands and Swansea passenger services. When trains run over leaves they become compacted and smooth, causing trains to lose their grip. Currently, a mix of sand and steel particles is sprayed on the tracks, from water tanks mounted on trains, to rid them of leaves. The University of Sheffield's cryogenic method, developed with Icetech Technologies, uses dry ice pellets. They are blasted onto the tracks with air which causes the leaves to freeze and become brittle. The pellets then turn back into gas and increase in size, blasting the leaves off the line, the university said. Professor Roger Lewis said the method means "more predictable braking and traction than current technology" and does not damage the wheels or rails, as trains are not required to carry heavy water tanks.
Source: BBC
7 Oct 2019. UK. Virgin Trains to roll our more body-worn cameras
Virgin Trains are increasing the number of body worn cameras for station staff and on-board teams to use after successfully introducing the scheme last year. After becoming the first UK train operator to provide the cameras to cover all its frontline teams, the train operator is equipping a further 250 of its people with cameras bringing the total to over 500. These will primarily be used by staff working across the network - including station staff and on-board teams. Following a pilot scheme, Virgin Trains initially introduced 275 cameras in September last year. The pilot between February 2018 and September 2018, saw a reduction in assaults on Virgin Trains staff. In another first for the rail industry, Virgin Trains granted the British Transport Police direct access to footage from the cameras to carry out investigations where needed, thanks to a state-of-the-art cloud-based system. This allows footage to be viewed when the cameras are docked - speeding up investigations and possible prosecutions.
Source: Virgin Trains
7 Oct 2019. UK. Extra capacity and improved trains for rail passengers across Wales
Transport for Wales has announced plans to provide space for up to 6,500 more commuters a week from December this year, whilst introducing additional trains right across the Wales and Borders rail network. The Valley Lines will receive additional four-carriage trains during peak hours, which will help it transport additional 6,500 passengers per week. Modern Class 170 trains will be introduced on the line between Cheltenham and Maesteg, as well as between Cardiff and Ebbw Vale. Long distance passengers on some services between North Wales and Manchester will be travelling on more modern 'Mark 4 intercity' carriages. As part of the updated plan for December, Porterbrook, the supplier of the delayed Class 769s, will provide additional Class 153 trains until the previously ordered Class 769s are available.
Source: Wales Online
7 Oct 2019. Spain. Alstom to supply 42 Metropolis trains for Barcelona Metro
Alstom has signed a contract with Barcelona Metro operator TMB (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona) to supply 42 Metropolis trains to replace those currently running on lines 1 and 3 of the network. The contract valued at over E260m, includes the design, manufacturing and commissioning of the trains. The five-car trains will be manufactured in Alstom’s Barcelona site and delivered to TMB within two and a half years. According to the specifications, the new Metropolis trains will meet strict sustainability criteria; light structure, low energy consumption, high levels of recoverability and recyclability, technical reliability and ease of maintenance. The trains will also be equipped with remote sensors for optimal maintenance. The trains for Barcelona will be built with the comfort of passengers in mind, offering accessibility, wide doors and spaces to facilitate passenger flow, acoustic comfort, vibration mitigation and passenger information in real time.
Source: Alstom
7 Oct 2019. Malaysia.: Gamuda to buy 50 per cent of Martinus Rail Group
Gamuda Bhd is buying a 50 per cent stake in Australia-based Martinus Rail Pty Ltd, allowing it to take advantage of significant pipeline of construction projects in the country. Martinus Rail is the largest independent, privately owned, specialist rail constructor in Australia. Gamuda said its unit Gamuda Engineering Australia and Martinus Rail would jointly tender for infrastructure jobs immediately. Martinus Rail has built up a strong brand in the rail space, with the successful delivery of large rail projects exceeding A$200m in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.
Source: Straits Times
