Dear Readers,
There may be six weeks until Christmas but there are only three weeks to secure your booking for this year's PLUS event, to be held at the Sydney International Convention Centre from 3-5 December. The biggest rail event in the southern hemisphere, this year's conference, technical sessions, exhibition and social functions are not to be missed. With the all-encompassing theme, 'Delivering Growth; Creating Opportunity; Embracing Technology', AusRAIL PLUS 2019 will explore the challenges and opportunities in all sectors of the rail industry. For further information go to:
https://duewrb8u3y1ks.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/LATEST_Informa-AusRAIL-Plus-Brochure-P19M01.pdf.
Our two Jobs of the Week are located in Beijing, China, and in Bangkok, Thailand.
In Beijing, the role we are seeking to fill is that of a Senior Rolling Stock Consultant to support our projects and deliverables in rolling stock from their China office.
Our client is working on the red line Metro project in Thailand and is looking for an experienced P3 planner for an eight month contract to work for them supporting the team they have in place.
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:
8 Nov 2019. UK. Crossrail delayed until 2021 with cost set to soar
The cost of the much-delayed Crossrail project is heading towards GBP20bn, and the railway through London will be more than two years late in opening.
Source: The Independent
7 Nov 2019. USA. Sound Transit awards Skanska light rail extension contract
Sound Transit has awarded Swedish company Skanska a US$778m contract to construct the Lynnwood Link Extension L300 Main Package in Washington.
Source: Railway Technology
7 Nov 2019. India. Six firms to bid for ETCS Level 2 pilot project
Six companies are to submit tenders to Indian Railways (IR) to install ETCS Level 2 on 650km of lines at an estimated cost of Rs15bn ($US211.4m).
Source: International Railway Journal
7 Nov 2019. Japan. Ten flood-damaged bullet trains are to be scrapped
Ten Japanese bullet trains partially submerged by floodwater from Typhoon Hagibis last month are to be scrapped.
Source: BBC
6 Nov 2019. UK. Contractor appointed for new Belfast Transport Hub
Work on a new GBP208m Belfast Transport Hub is set to begin after Northern Ireland construction firm Graham was selected as the contractor.
Source: Moose Gazette
Jobs of the Week:
Job Title: Rolling Stock Consultant / Senior Consultant (Beijing) ( #12824 )
Discipline: Rolling Stock; Systems Engineering
Role: Systems Engineer
Position Type:
Country: Beijing, China
Languages: Mandarin, English
Job Description:
The role we are seeking to fill is that of a Senior Rolling Stock Consultant to support our projects and deliverables in rolling stock from their China office. A good domain knowledge of railway rolling stock engineering (mechanical and electrical) is essential and a detailed understanding of rolling stock systems and how they interface and operate with each other at an engineering level is key.
Key Responsibilities:
Provide expertise and advice to client and external clients on rolling stock projects, engineering practice, potential solutions
To be a player in project teams preparing and/or reviewing project documentation
Liaise with consultants and contractors on project issues, and interface with clients on both a technical and contractual matters
Manage and lead projects as required, controlling budgets, quality and timeliness of deliverables and working with resource managers to utilise the right people.
Requirements:
At least 5-8 years design experience
3-5 years independent assessment experience
Rolling stock domain expertise, bogie or brake related is a must
Fluent in Mandarin and English.
Contact: davidh@railpersonnel.com
Job Title:Junior Schedule Controller ( #12825 )
Discipline: Scheduling; Project Controls
Role: Project Management; Planning; Scheduling
Position Type: Contract
Country: Bangkok, Thailand
Languages: English
Job Description:
Our client is working on the red line Metro project in Thailand and is looking for an experienced P3 planner to work for them supporting the team he has in place. Based in Bangkok looking at 8 months contract.
Requirements:
Degree in relevant field
P3 Experience
5+yrs relevant experience
Fluent English
Critical Path Technique competent
Good report writing skills
Problem solving skills required
Must be a team player
Ability to work with project manager and engineers to develop detailed programmes.
Contact: patricia@railpersonnel.com
Rail News:
8 Nov 2019. UK. Crossrail delayed until 2021 with cost set to soar
The cost of the much-delayed Crossrail project is heading towards GBP20bn, and the railway through London will be more than two years late in opening. The Elizabeth line, as the east-west link will be known when it finally opens, was due to start carrying commuters in December 2018. But Mark Wild, CEO of Crossrail, now says only that it "will open as soon as practically possible in 2021". Much of the scheme uses existing lines. But the largest part of the cost, and the cause of the delays, is the central core between Paddington and Whitechapel. While the tunnelling was finished in line with the original schedule, finishing the signalling and stations at Bond Street and Whitechapel is taking far longer than planned. "Crossrail Ltd will need further time to complete software development for the signalling and train systems and the safety approvals process for the railway. Trains will start trials at the earliest opportunity in 2020", he said.
Source: The Independent
7 Nov 2019. USA. Sound Transit awards Skanska light rail extension contract
Sound Transit, the public transit agency serving the Seattle metropolitan area, has awarded Swedish company Skanska a US$778m contract to construct the Lynnwood Link Extension L300 Main Package in Washington, US. The project is situated in Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood in Washington. According to the contract, Skanska will be responsible for the construction of a guideway from Shoreline to Lynnwood, which will span more than 6km (3.8miles). Lynnwood Link Extension is a 13.7km-long new light rail link between Northgate and Lynnwood in Seattle, Washington. The project will be completed by mid-2024 and Sound Transit plans to operate trains every four to six minutes at peak weekday hours.
Source: Railway Technology
7 Nov 2019. India. Six firms to bid for ETCS Level 2 pilot project
Six companies are to submit tenders to Indian Railways (IR) to install ETCS Level 2 on 650km of lines at an estimated cost of Rs15bn ($US211.4m). IR plans to install ETCS Level 2 on four lines as a pilot project. The companies who submitted bids comprise Alstom, Bombardier, CAF Signalling, Hitachi STS, Siemens and Thales. IR will select the winner after opening the financial bids next month. ETCS Level 2 will be installed on four lines as a pilot project comprising: Jhansi - Bina in North Central Zone, Yeraguntla - Renigunta in South Central Zone, Vijaynagaram - Palasa in East Coast Zone, and Nagpur - Budnera in Central Zone. Depending upon the trial results, IR will decide whether to extend ETCS to other lines. IR was planning to install ETCS Level 2 on its entire 65,000km broad-gauge network at a cost of around Rs 780bn.
Source: International Railway Journal
7 Nov 2019. Japan. Ten flood-damaged bullet trains are to be scrapped
Ten Japanese bullet trains partially submerged by floodwater from Typhoon Hagibis last month are to be scrapped. Some components could still be used but the loss to the book value of the trains could be between US$110m and US$135m (GBP85m-104m). The Hokuriku-Shinkansen line trains were parked in a yard in Nagano city. The trains each had 12 carriages. They ran on the Hokuriku-Shinkansen line connecting Tokyo with Kanazawa on the west coast. East Japan Railway Company's president Yuji Fukasawa said the floodwater had damaged many key components, including motors and braking systems. He said that "in terms of stability and safety it is appropriate" to scrap the trains and bring in new ones. His company owned eight of the trains. The other two, owned by the West Japan Railway Company, will also be scrapped. The trains at the time of the flooding made up one-third of the services on the line. "We aim to restore 100% services [on the line] by the end of the current business year [in March]," Mr Fukasawa said.
Source: BBC
6 Nov 2019. UK. Contractor appointed for new Belfast Transport Hub
Work on a new GBP208m Belfast Transport Hub is set to begin after Northern Ireland construction firm Graham was selected as the contractor. Translink's new proposed development is set to replace the Great Victoria Street train station complex and the Europa Bus Centre. The public transport provider said the "flagship project" will enhance connectivity, transforming the eight-hectare city centre site while offering high quality integrated transport hub for bus, coach and rail links. The hub will include a public area concourse, eight railway platforms, 26 bus stands and a new public square. Graham will work over the coming 18 months to prepare the site for construction to begin in 2021 with work scheduled to take five years. The main construction contract is to be awarded through a separate tender.
Source: Moose Gazette
6 Nov 2019. UK. South Western Railway staff to stage 27 day strike
Rail workers on one of Britain's biggest commuter networks, South Western Railway, are set to go on strike for almost all of December. The RMT union announced a total of 27 days of action for next month in the long-running dispute over the future role of guards on trains. Previous stoppages, over shorter periods, forced South Western to cut about half of timetabled services. A longer strike would likely mean even greater disruption in the run-up to Christmas. The union accused the train operator of failing to honour a potential deal, reached after a long standoff. It said South Western would not give assurances over the role of guards.
Source: The Guardian
6 Nov 2019. Uganda. Century-old rail network revamped after China delays funding
Uganda will begin refurbishing its century-old rail network this month to boost bulk cargo transportation, after failing to secure US$2.2bn in Chinese funding for a new standard-gauge line. The rehabilitation will be carried out in phases over several years and cost at least E241m (US$267m). The European Union has given a grant of E21.5m and the railway corporation is talking to international development lenders for the rest. French firm Sogea-Satom will undertake the works, which include installing rocks ballast on sections, re-laying of tracks, flattening sections and repairing about 500 freight wagons.
Source: Reuters
6 Nov 2019. Uruguay. CAF consortium wins Ferrocarril Central signalling contract
A consortium of CAF Signalling and Revenga Smart Solutions has been awarded a E50m contract to design, supply, install, test and commission the signalling and telecoms for the Ferrocarril Central project to modernise the 273 km route between the Port of Montevideo and Paso de los Toros. CAF's share of the contract announced on November 6 is worth E30m. This includes the supply of a centralised traffic control system, electronic interlockings and ETCS Level 1. The two-year route modernisation project is being undertaken through an 18-year design, finance, build and maintain PPP contract. The line is scheduled to reopen in March 2022. Freight trains will operate over the full corridor, with passenger services operating between Montevideo, Progresona and 25 de Agosto, 64 km from the capital.
Source: Railway Gazette
6 Nov 2019. Australia. CBH and Arc Infrastructure agree terms on rail deal
A new deal has been struck allowing CBH to run grain trains on the 15 freight lines it currently uses, including the Miling line that was recently plagued by derailments. The new seven-year will start on January 1, 2020 and conclude at the end of 2026. Arc Infrastructure was Brookfield Rail when the process started and remains part of the Canadian conglomerate Brookfield Infrastructure Partners. The dispute between CBH and Brookfield, triggered by hundreds of kilometres of line closures and a long-running row over access, took more than six years to resolve under WA's existing Rail Access Code. The long running impasse has provided ammunition for opponents of Brookfield's $US8.4bn (A$12.1 bn) purchase of the Genesee & Wyoming's rail business.
Source: Financial Review
5 Nov 2019. India. Green light for Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project
The long-pending Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project has received clearance from the Extended Railway Board (ERB). It will now be placed before Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs for final approval. As per the revised DPR, the suburban rail will have a 148-km network with 57 stations. The rail line will consist of four corridors: Kengeri-Whitefield, KSR Bengaluru City-Rajanukunte, Nelamangala-Baiyappanahalli and Heelalige-Devenahalli. The project is estimated to cost 15,900 crore (US$2.26bn) and is due for completion by 2025.
Source: The Hindu
5 Nov 2019. India. Alstom unveils life-sized mock-up of Mumbai Metro Line 3 train
Alstom and Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) have unveiled the life-sized mock-up of the trainset for Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Aqua Line). The design takes inspiration from the positive energy of Mumbai and architecture of the city--which is an amalgamation of different styles from around the world. The theme captures evolution of the city's architectural landscapes over the years Once operational, the Aqua Line will reduce vehicular congestion by offering a better alternative that will be fast, efficient and sustainable. MMRC awarded Alstom a contract worth E315m to supply 31 lightweight, fully-furnished modern passenger trainsets of 8 cars each (total 248 metro cars) for Mumbai Metro Line) in September 2018. Along with rolling stock, Alstom will also execute the power supply contract and equip Line 3 with Urbalis 400, its latest generation of CBTC signalling technology.
Source: Alstom
4 Nov 2019. USA. Brightline to build station at Port Miami
Virgin Trains USA has announced that Brightline will build a passenger-rail station at Port Miami by 2021.The Brightline high-speed passenger-rail service to the Port Miami station also will serve the Orlando International Airport, making it the only intercity rail system in the United States to connect an international airport directly to a major cruise port. Brightline will soon be rebranded to Virgin Trains USA. An additional station in Aventura has also been approved and Virgin Trains officials said they are working with the city of Boca Raton, Florida, to add a station in 2020.
Source: Progressive Railroading
4 Nov 2019. South Korea. Hyundai Rotem delivers Korail's first EMU-250 trainset
Hyundai Rotem has delivered to Korail the first EMU-250 electric trainset with distributed traction. The national operator ordered 19 six-car EMU-250 trainsets in two batches in 2016, with five scheduled to be delivered from the manufacturer's Changwon works by August 2020 and the remaining 14 by the end of 2020. The first of the 260 km/h trainsets are expected to enter service in early 2020. The fleet will be used on the Gyeongjeon, Seohae and Jungang lines. The EMU-250 design has been derived from Hyundai Rotem's HEMU-430x ultra-high speed train prototype unveiled in 2012.Each six-car unit will be 150 m long and 3 150 mm wide with capacity for 381 passengers.
Source: Railway Gazette
4 Nov 2019. Australia. Start Sydney to Canberra high speed rail now say CEOs
The CEO of Australia's largest property developer has joined calls for the federal government to commit to funding a Sydney to Canberra high-speed train and other rail projects, following persistent calls from the Reserve Bank and economists to fast-track infrastructure spending. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has committed A$5m in funding to investigate high-speed routes between Sydney and Canberra via the future Badgerys Creek Airport. ACT chief minister Andrew Barr has said he would call on the federal government to fund a high-speed rail link before the next election. while Federal Labor made a commitment in the last election campaign to fund a high-speed rail link between Melbourne and Brisbane via Sydney and Canberra with a A$1bn promise to start securing the land corridor. In March this year, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese told a transport forum there had been long-standing interest from China, Japan and Europe to build the rail line.
Source: Financial Review
2 Nov 2019. UK. Train firms backtrack over pledge to ban raw sewage on railway lines
A pledge to end the dumping of human waste on railway tracks in England and Wales by the end of the year will no longer be met, Network Rail and other and train firms have admitted. Although Network Rail's former CEO, Mark Carne, said in 2017 he had secured government agreement to end the disgusting practice by 2019, several companies will continue to use trains whose toilets flush directly onto the track. In 2017 the Department for Transport had said all franchises would compel firms to ensure trains had modern toilets but several operators have now applied for exemptions. East Midlands Railway, whose contract was awarded to Abellio only this year, may not phase out some offending rolling stock until 2023, it has emerged. ScotRail said it was fitting retention tanks to its high-speed InterCity trains during a refurbishment programme "as soon as possible". Transport for Wales said it was investing in new trains, phasing out the last offending rolling stock by 2023.
Source: The Guardian
