Dear Readers,
If you are still uncertain about what to get as a Christmas gift for the ferroequinologist in your life, hop on-line and got to the UK's Railway Museum Shop website at https://shop.railwaymuseum.org.uk/.
They have something for everyone - from clothes and accessories, signs, cushion, books to the National Collection in miniature.
Jobs of the Week are based in Singapore.
Our client is a major rolling stock and equipment supplier. They are seeking a Head of Bids & Tenders, focused on delivering bids for work in Singapore.
We are also seeking a Telecommunication Expert and a SCADA Systems Engineer.
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:
17 Nov 2019. Israel. Daily test runs begin on high-speed Tel Aviv-Jerusalem railway
The long-awaited high-speed railway connecting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem has taken a major step toward beginning full operations as Israel Railways have commenced daily test runs on the electric line.
Source: The Jerusalem Post
15 Nov 2019. USA. MARTA confirms award for 127 METRO trains to Stadler
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and Stadler have signed the contract for the delivery of 127 Metro trains with two options for 25 additional trains each.
Source: Stadler Rail
15 Nov 2019. Germany. Siemens to supply Avenio trams to Nurnberg
VAG Nurnberg has ordered 12 Siemens Avenio trams with options for 75 more.
Source: Metro Report International
15 Nov 2019. Turkey. Konya metro project approved
The mayor of the Turkish city of Konya, Mr Ugor Ibrahim Altay, has announced the go-ahead for the construction of the city's first metro line. second underground east-west line is planned which would expand the metro to 45km.
Source: International Railway Journal
15 Nov 2019. China. Beijing to Zhangjiakou high speed line to open this year
Automated operations are due to start before the end of this year on the 174 km high speed line linking Beijing with Zhangjiakou in Hebei province, one of the host cities for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
Source: Railway Gazette
Jobs of the Week:
Job Title: Head of Bids & Tenders (Rolling Stock & Railway Systems) ( #12831 )
Discipline: Bid Management; Tendering
Role: Sales and Marketing; Power Systems; Benchmarking
Position Type:
Country: Singapore
Languages: English
Job Description:
Our client is a major rolling stock and equipment supplier. They are seeking a Head of Bids & Tenders to be based in their Singapore office, focused on delivering bids for work in Singapore.
As Head of Bids & Tenders, your will manage a team of Bid Managers and Bid Engineers and report into a Head of Sales, whilst also liaising closely with other project managers and senior management in the company (including the railways technologies CEO). This is a fast-paced role which requires the ability to go the extra mile to deliver bids on time and on budget.
Requirements
- Circa 10 years' experience in bids costing and preparation
- Experience focused on bids and tenders to supply railways rolling stock and equipment
- Previous experience of working in Singapore is preferred, but overseas candidates will be considered
- Bachelors degree qualified (as a minimum) preferred.
Contact: jon@railpersonnel.com
Job Title: Telecommunication Expert ( #12834 )
Discipline: Telecommunications
Role: Expert
Position Type:
Country: Singapore
Languages: English
Job Description:
Our client is bidding to prepare and deliver a number ot training programs for their client in Singapore over a one to two years period. Class size 24 maximum.
For one of the programs they are looking for a Telecommunications Expert to prepare and deliver four one day classes covering data networking that needs to address circuit switching and packet switching; ethernet (wired and wireless); LAN and WAN hierarchy; modulation, multiplexing and media access control; DSSS, FHSS, OFDM, COFDM; MIMO scheme; OSI model, TCP/IP, CSMA/CA, VPN, tunneling, VLAN, unicast, multicast; hub, repeater, switch, router, gateway, CAT5, CAT6; broadband data transmission for big data; network design issues; software defined networking; IT security.
Requirements
- 8 years' experience in the relevant domain
- 8 years' experience in delivering training.
Contact: davidh@railpersonnel.com
Job Title: SCADA Systems Engineer ( #12835 )
Discipline: Signalling
Role: Systems Engineer
Position Type:
Country: Singapore
Languages: English
Job Description:
Our client is bidding to prepare and deliver a number of training programs for their client in Singapore over a one to two years period. Class size 24 maximum.
For one of the programs, they are looking for a SCADA expert for road, rail and tunnel (1 Day X 4 classes) covering system architecture; system administration; network management; LAN, serial, hardwire interface and protocol; PLC and RTU; trends and technologies; cybersecurity threats; international and local standards; case study.
Requirements
- 8 years' experience in the relevant domain
- 8 years' experience in delivering training.
Contact: davidh@railpersonnel.com
More Rail News:
17 Nov 2019. Israel. Daily test runs begin on high-speed Tel Aviv-Jerusalem railway
The long-awaited high-speed railway connecting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem has taken a major step toward beginning full operations as Israel Railways commenced daily test runs on the electric line. Authorities expect to welcome before the end of the year the first passengers on the extended line, which will connect Tel Aviv's Hahagana Station to Jerusalem's Yitzhak Navon Station. Trains are slated to reach a maximum speed of 160 kph (99 mph) and carry passengers between the two cities within approximately 28 minutes when work is eventually completed. The project, which has required the construction of nine bridges and five tunnels, is expected to cost a total of NIS7bn, more than double its original estimate.
Source: The Jerusalem Post
15 Nov 2019. USA. MARTA confirms award for 127 METRO trains to Stadler
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and Stadler have signed the contract for the delivery of 127 Metro trains with two options for 25 additional trains each. MARTA had awarded the contract to Stadler in spring of this year. As already announced, the contract is worth over US$600m. The new trains are scheduled for service at the world's largest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The contract contains two options for 25 additional trains each. The first vehicles will be in passenger service from 2023.
Source: Stadler Rai
15 Nov 2019. Germany. Siemens to supply Avenio trams to Nürnberg
VAG Nürnberg has ordered 12 Siemens Avenio trams with options for 75 more. The E44m contract would be 40% funded by the Land of Bayern. Entry into passenger service is scheduled for the end of 2022. The four-section 100% low-floor trams will be 36.9 m long, 2 300 mm wide and 3 550 mm high with six double doors. They will be equipped with LED lighting, multi-function spaces, regenerative braking and wi-fi. The options would be exercised if planned network expansions are approved. If exercised, and the additional trams would be in service by 2034.
Source: Metro Report International
15 Nov 2019. Turkey. Konya metro project approved
The mayor of the Turkish city of Konya, Mr Ugor Ibrahim Altay, has announced the go-ahead for the construction of the city's first metro line. The Konya metro will be entirely underground. The initial 21.1km underground line with 22 stations will run from Necmettin Erbakan University via Hastane, the new high-speed station, the existing main line station and Fatah Street to Meram Belediyesi. An end-to-end journey time of 35 minutes is envisaged with trains operating at headways of between 4 minutes and 2min 43s.A consortium of China National Machinery (CMC) and Taşyapı, Turkey, will implement the E1.19bn project. The Ministry of Transport will be responsible for procuring the four-car trains at an estimated cost of Lire 1bn ($US 174m). A second underground east-west line is planned which would expand the metro to 45km.
Source: International Railway Journal
15 Nov 2019. China. Beijing to Zhangjiakou high speed line to open this year
Automated operations are due to start before the end of this year on the 174 km high speed line linking Beijing with Zhangjiakou in Hebei province, one of the host cities for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. Journey times will be cut to around 50 min compared with about 3 hours. Mo Zhisong, Chief Engineer responsible for train control systems at China State Railway Group, said tests had shown that the smart railway improved operational safety and comfort, enhanced on-time performance and cut energy costs. Automatic driving and dispatching systems and intelligent substations are among 67 'smart technology projects' deployed on the line. The line includes 10 tunnels, one of which is 1.2 km long, and 64 bridges. One of the 10 stations will serve the Great Wall visitor site at Badaling and is located up to 102 m below the surface.
Source: Railway Gazette
14 Nov 2019. USA. Stadler and SBCTA sign contract for hydrogen-powered train
Stadler and San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) signed the first ever contract to supply a hydrogen-powered train, to run in the United States. SBCTA awarded the contract with an option to order four more vehicles in the future. The hydrogen-powered FLIRT H2 vehicle is planned to be introduced in 2024 as part of the Redlands Passenger Rail Project, a nine-mile connector between Redlands and San Bernardino’s Metrolink station. The ordered vehicle consists of two cars with a power pack in between. This holds the fuel cells and the hydrogen tanks. The train is expected to have seating space for 108 passengers and in addition generous standing room. The FLIRT H2 is projected transport passengers with a maximum speed of up to 79 mph (130 km/h).
Source: Stadler Rail
14 Nov 2019. Germany. Alstom to supply 19 regional trains to Baden-Wurttemberg.
Alstom will deliver 19 Coradia Continental electric regional trains to the state of Baden-Wurttemberg. The contract, signed with DB Regio, is worth approximately E120m. Beginning in December 2022, the new trains will be gradually deployed on the routes from Karlsruhe to Heilbronn, Achern, as well as via Freudenstadt to Herrenberg. The trains are specifically designed to cope with the steep gradients that punctuate the tracks running through the Black Forest. The new vehicles will be procured by DB Regio AG on behalf of the Ministry of Transport of the state of Baden-Württemberg as the responsible public transport authority for this network. After delivery of the vehicles, they become the property of the Landesanstalt Schienenfahrzeuge Baden-Württemberg (SFBW) and are leased by DB Regio for the term of the 13-year transport contract.
Source: Alstom
14 Nov 2019. France. SNCF selects Klas Telecom for onboard train comms systems
State-owned railway operator Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer (SNCF) has chosen Klas Telecom and its partner Seolane Innovation to deliver an onboard connectivity solution. The firms will install the TRX R6 Connected Transportation Platform on trains managed and operated by SNCF. TRX R6 is capable of supporting 6 cellular modems, Wi-Fi and GPS. It also supports third-party virtual machines for information and entertainment, hotspot management, and operational data processing.
Source: Railway Technology
13 Nov 2019. UK. Network Rail unveils SME action plan
Network Rail has published a SME action plan as it seeks to increase investment in smaller rail businesses. The plan has been published as Network Rail seeks to fulfil its commitment of achieving the government target of 33% of its annual expenditure to be spent via SMEs by 2022. Through the action plan Network Rail has made commitments to do with SME engagement, pre-procurement, procurement, contract management, supplier management and innovation. The action plan was published by Network Rail after it received feedback from SME focus groups with the Rail Industry Association (RIA), Railway Industry Contractors Association (RICA), the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA), the Rail Safety & Standards Board (RSSB) and both the Department for Transport and the Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy.
Source: New Civil Engineer
13 Nov 2019. Belgium. Infrabel completes Brussels Midi signalling upgrade
Infrastructure manager Infrabel has successfully completed a major upgrade to the signalling at Brussels Midi station, as part of a €24m project to prepare for the introduction of ETCS on the cross-city Brussels Junction line. In two blockades over the long weekends of November 1-3 and 9-11, 300 staff from Infrabel and its contractors replaced the electric drives to 170 turnouts and renewed 65 signals in the station area. Existing 150 V point machines were replaced by 400 V three-phase drives, while the 50-year-old relay controls were replaced by solid-state technology able to interface with the future ETCS. Alstom supplied the new turnout drive modules, while Siemens Mobility provided the axle counters and point controls. During the blockades, all trains turned back at Brussels Midi, with no services able to use the north-south connection which normally sees 1 200 trains and 128 000 passengers per day.. Full services resumed on 12 November without any reported failures.
Source: Railway Gazette
13 Nov 2019. Italy. Alstom begins delivery of new trains to Veneto and Liguria
Alstom has delivered the first Coradia Stream "Pop" trains destined for operation in Italian regions of Veneto and Liguria. The trains are part of the framework agreement signed in 2016 between Alstom and Trenitalia for a total of 150 new medium-capacity regional trains. Veneto will receive a total of 31 trains, Liguria 15. Deliveries will continue into 2020. Fourteen Coradia Stream trains are already in passenger service in Emilia Romagna, the first region to have placed a firm order under the 2016 agreement. The new trains are part of a wider relaunch plan initiated by Trenitalia (FS Italian Group) to develop regional transport. This plan foresees a total investment of around E6 billion for 600 new trains, leading to the renewal of 80% of the fleet within 5 years. The Coradia Stream, dubbed "Pop" by the Italian customer, is a single-deck electric multiple unit (EMU) designed for regional lines. It can transport 300 passengers seated, has a top speed of 160 km/h, and offers easy accessibility thanks to its low floor. Designed to be eco-friendly, Coradia Stream consumes 30% less energy than previous train generation.
Source: Alstom
13 Nov 2019. Australia. Mott MacDonald JV picked for Sydney rail project
A joint venture (JV) of Mott MacDonald and SMEC has been appointed as technical advisor for a 10-year programme to improve rail services in Sydney. FutureRail JV was awarded the contract for the planning of future stages of the 'More Trains, More Services' programme by Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW). More Trains, More Services is intended to roll out technology over the next ten years to transform the rail network and provide customers with more reliable, high-capacity services. Significant investment is being provided through the More Trains, More Services programme. Digital systems technology will increase capacity on each line to up to 24 trains an hour to bring Sydney’s transport system in line with other major cities around the world. The FutureRail JV will assist with delivery of the infrastructure upgrade plan through tasks including transport modelling and planning, feasibility studies, business case support, design, procurement assistance and delivery support.
Source: The Construction Index
12 Nov 2019. Germany. DB to expand long distant fleet
DB's Supervisory Board has also approved the further expansion of the long-distance fleet, providing a E1bn investment to allow for the order of 137 ICE 4, 23 ECx, and 17 KISS trains. The purchase of 30 additional high-speed trains was also approved, which will result in a significant increase in the number of seats available on the high-speed Cologne-Rhine-Main and Munich-Berlin lines, amongst others. An estimated 11,400 seats will be available on long-distance trains beginning in December 2022, as well as eight bicycle spaces per train. In addition to this investment, DB Long Distance will be investing E500m into expanding its ICE maintenance depots. Both investments are expected to create hundreds of new jobs as a result, benefiting the economy as well as the company.
Source: Global Railway Review
12 Nov 2019. Nigeria. China starts building rolling-stock factory
China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) will build Nigeria's first rolling stock assembly plant to produce wagons for the country's railway modernisation project. A ground-breaking ceremony was held at the town of Kajola, in the south-western state of Ogun, where the plant will generate around 5,000 jobs, Nigerian transport minister Rotimi Amaechi said. Amaechi said the plant would be able to produce 500 wagons a year. Nigeria's vice president Yemi Osinbajo said "When completed, it is expected that the plant will produce some wagons for the Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kaduna rail line… and to satisfy the needs of other rail operators within the West African sub-region and indeed within the African continent.
Source: Global Construction Review
12 Nov 2019. Bangladesh. 16 dead, 58 injured in train collision
Two packed trains have crashed at Mondobhag station in the town of Kasba when a Dhaka-bound train collided with one heading to Chittagong At least 16 people have been killed and nearly 60 injured. Cranes and other lifting gear were brought in to rescue trapped passengers, many of whom were asleep when the early morning crash took place. Hayatud Doula Khan, a government official in the district, said the Dhaka-bound Turna Nishitha train should have waited outside the station to let the other one pass. A Bangladesh railway official told reporters faulty signals could be to blame. Train accidents are common in Bangladesh and are often caused by poor signalling or other rundown infrastructure.
Source: AFP
