Dear Readers
Last week over 7,500 visitors and delegates attended the largest AusRAIL PLUS Conference and Exhibition ever held, hearing from almost 200 industry leaders, government officials and experts over three days of speeches, presentations and panel discussions, pitches of industry-disrupting ideas from the next generations of rail employees, visiting the exhibition hall and attending numerous networking events.
David Hyland and Jackie Hendry were there and met a number of colleagues over the three days. They found the exhibition and from the papers presented at the conference were able to get a very good idea of what is happening in Australia and New Zealand. Conclusion a good time to be in rail. Particularly of interest were the presentations made in the Young Professionals Pitching Competition especially Jonathan Chan’s ideas for attracting young people to rail under the banner #MakeARailDifference.
This week, we have four exciting Jobs of the Week. In Sydney, Australia, we're looking for a Project Manager, Production for the Tangara Technology Upgrade; and in India, we're looking for Deputy Team Leader Resident Project Manager Electrical and Deputy Chief Track Design and Specification Engineer, both in New Delhi. In Vietnam, we're looking for a Deputy MMS Manager to work in Ho Chi Minh City.
This is the final issue of RailNews for 2019. We will be back on 13 January 2020.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year!
Regards
Ceri Taylor
Editor
This Week's Headlines:
13 Dec 2019. New Zealand. Government committed to rebuilding rail network
The Government has released its long term vision for a sustainable 21st Century rail network that gets cities moving, connects regions and gets more freight off the roads.
Source: Devdiscourse
12 Dec 2019. France. Alstom delivers trains for the French-Swiss CEVA line
Alstom's Coradia Polyvalent regional trains have transported their first passengers at the official inauguration of the Franco-Swiss CEVA line, Europe's largest cross-border regional express network.
Source: Alstom
12 Dec 2019. Finland. Nokia to test first 5G-based network for driverless trains
Nokia has won a tender to test and deliver the world’s first stand alone 5G system for automated rail operation in Hamburg, Germany.
Source: Global Newswire
12 Dec 2019. Germany. Bombardier inaugurates rolling stock test facility
Bombardier Transportation has inaugurated a €16m rolling stock testing facility at its Bautzen factory.
12 Dec 2019. Australia. Trains for Metronet expansion to be built in Perth
The Western government has formally signed a 10-year, A$1.3bn contract with global train manufacturer Alstom to build 246 new rail cars to service the Metronet project.
Source: ABC
Jobs of the Week:
Project Manager, Production - Tangara Technology Upgrade Sydney, Australia
Job ID#: 12862
Discipline: Mechanical
Position Type: Contract
Job Description
Our client is seeking a Project Manager, Production - Tangara Technology Upgrade to work on a 12-month contract in Sydney, New South Wales.
Specifically, the focus of this role will be to manage the production scope of work for the Tangara Technology Upgrade (TTU) project ensuring the production team performs the works and services in a safe, quality and on time manner. This requires a high level of understanding of maintenance processes and procedures as well as safety, quality and configuration management.
This role will oversee the receipt of trains into the production cycle, the upgrade of multiple systems to specification, and the delivery of the upgraded train to the Test and Commissioning team. The Production teams will be a combination of TfNSW, Sydney Trains, and Labour hire resources. The reporting will be through TfNSW; however, collaboration and communications will be essential with Sydney Trains stakeholders.
Job Requirements
Key challenges
- Ensuring that the project meets all milestones and deadlines without compromising on safety and client values
- Dealing with a diverse range of complex matters and highly conceptual issues, in order to recommend practical solutions, often within limited time frames
- Managing diverse range of stakeholders who have different and often divergent needs and requirements.
Contact: David Hyland (davidh@railpersonnel.com)
Deputy Team Leader Resident Project Manager Electrical New Delhi, India
Job ID#: 12850
Discipline: Electrical
Position Type: Contract
Job Description
One of the esteemed client is looking
Sr. No Description of Requirement
1 Academic Qualification:
Position- B. Tech/ B.E. (Electrical).
Any other degree should submit with evidence of equivalent to B. Tech/ B.E. and M. Tech/ M.E./ MBA.
2 General Work Experience: More than 15 Years.
3 Experience in Railway /Transport/ Infrastructure Project: More than 10 Years.
Although minimum experience in any Infrastructure project is required more than 10 Years, Experience in Railway projects for more than 15 Years would be preferable.
4 Experience in Similar Position: More than 5 Years.
5 International Experience in Railway Projects with modern technology:
More than 5 Years and 2 Railway Projects.
Job Requirements
1. Name of the Project: Project Management Consultancy Services for Bhaupur - Khurja Section of Eastern DFC Project -1.
2. Nature of Services: PMC
3. Balance Input: Approx. 24 months ? Including Maintenance Period
(which may change as per project requirement)
4. Vacant Positions & Criteria:
Dy. Team Leader/ Resident Project Manager (Electrical) - at Tundla (at Uttar Pradesh, India)
Contact: Varun Pershad (varun@railpersonnel.com)
Deputy Chief Track Design and Specification Engineer New Delhi, India
Job ID#: 12849
Discipline: Civil
Position Type: Permanent
Job Description
An Esteemed client is looking for Deputy Chief Track Design & Specification Engineer- Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited ( Earlier MEGA )
Job Profile : NK-114, Dy. Chief Track Design & Specification Engineer
Dy. Chief Track Design & Specification Engineer will be responsible for assisting the Chief Track Design & Specification Engineer in review DPR. He will be responsible for preliminary designs for the track structure including track bed, track superstructure, rails, turnouts, concrete sleepers, expansion joints etc. for ballasted track on main line and ballast less track on depots. He will work with Chief Experts of other system discipline to ensure consistency & integration. He will be responsible for preparation of tender documents, evaluation of bids received by MEGA in response to the call of tender. Review the final specification, designs of all components as submitted by the Design Build Contractor and monitor the manufacturing, installation, testing & commissioning
Job Requirements
Job Profile
Review & supplement of the detailed project report/concept report and all design reports as available Assistance in preparation of Tender Document for procurement of system, rolling stock and depot equipment
Review & proof checking of the detailed design and construction design
Assistance in supervision & monitoring
Assistance in Training & Commissioning
Minimum Qualification and experience required
Bachelor’s Degree in engineering and preferably an MBA.
Should have a working knowledge of Windows and MS Office and email conversant.
20 years of total experience
7 years of relevant experience
Contact: Varun Pershad (varun@railpersonnel.com)
Deputy MMS Manager Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Job ID#: 12562
Discipline: Electrical
Position Type: Contract
Job Description
Our client is seeking a Deputy MMS Manager to be based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Within the Depot and Workshop Equipment specification there is a requirement to supply a comprehensive, system-wide, computerized Maintenance Management System (MMS) consisting of software, hardware and installation for the planning and management of all maintenance work and associated functions of the Line 1 railway. The MMS is required to provide effective decision support for the management of maintenance including for the following functions:
- Asset and Resource Management
- Preventive and Corrective Maintenance
- Inventory management and Procurement
- Contract management
- Staff resource management and rosters
- Track possession management
- Life cycle costing
- Work Orders
- Warranty administration analyses and reports
- Performance history and Key Performance Indicators
Job Requirements
1. Bachelor degree in Engineering or Information Technology.
2. Experience in large scale E&M system implementations in the transportation sector.
3. Good general understanding of the elements that constitute the railway E&M system breakdown structure.
4. Strong computer skills with above average proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
5. Experienced with using databases and preferably with IBM Maximo.
Contact: Saras Jay (saras@railpersonnel.com)
Rail News
13 Dec 2019. New Zealand. Government committed to rebuilding rail network
The Government has released its long term vision for a sustainable 21st Century rail network that gets cities moving, connects regions and gets more freight off the roads. Deputy Prime Minister and State-Owned Enterprises Minister Winston Peter said the Government is committed to rebuilding New Zealand's rail network." Since coming to office we have already allocated more than NZ2.8bn in rail. "We need our rail network to be able to cope with New Zealand's growing freight needs. Freight is expected to increase by 55% by 2042. Freight carried by rail not only reduces wear and tear on our roads, but it also reduces carbon emissions by 66%, Mr Peters said. The Draft Rail Plan will enable new long-term planning and funding system for rail. The Land Transport (Rail) Legislation Bill will have its first reading in Parliament next week and will enable the rail network to be funded through the National Land Transport Fund, with support of ongoing Crown funding. It also introduces track user charges.
Source: Devdiscourse
12 Dec 2019. France. Alstom delivers trains for the French-Swiss CEVA line
Alstom's Coradia Polyvalent regional trains have transported their first passengers at the official inauguration of the Franco-Swiss CEVA line, Europe's largest cross-border regional express network. Alstom deployed the complete on-board digital solution on all 17 trains delivered by Alstom and on 23 other trains ordered in Switzerland. Full commercial service by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region begins on 15 December. The trains have been adapted to the specific characteristics of the Franco-Swiss cross-border CEVA line: configured in their suburban version, each 72-metre-long train can carry up to 204 seated passengers at a maximum authorised speed of 140 km/h in Switzerland. Designed to ensure cross-border connections with ERTMS technology, the Coradia Polyvalent Léman Express trains can run on 3 types of network voltages.
Source: Alstom
12 Dec 2019. Finland. Nokia to test first 5G-based network for driverless trains
Nokia has won a tender to test and deliver the world’s first stand alone 5G system for automated rail operation in Hamburg, Germany. The project is part of Deutsche Bahn’s highly automated S-Bahn operation project. The proof-of-concept will test whether 5G technology is mature enough to be used as the connectivity layer for future, digitalised rail operations. By 2021, as part of the project “Digitale S-Bahn Hamburg”, highly automated trains are expected to operate on a 23-km section of the S-Bahn Line 21, starting at Berliner Tor, one of the main transport hubs in Hamburg. Part of the demonstration will include fully driverless shunting of empty trains in an area near Bergedorf station, based on the transmission of train control information over the Nokia 5G mobile network. The Nokia 5G solution is based on 3GPP standards for 5G mobile networks, allowing highly or fully automated trains to exchange relevant data with trackside equipment by 5G radio.
Source: Global Newswire
12 Dec 2019. Germany. Bombardier inaugurates rolling stock test facility
Bombardier Transportation has inaugurated a €16m rolling stock testing facility at its Bautzen factory. Around 50 employees can work in three shifts at the test centre, which can undertake simultaneous testing of three different types of vehicle up to 120 m long. Facilities include a waterproof testing system which automatically adapts to the shape of the carbody, corner load measuring with a combined four-axle wheel load scale, a track for test runs and a separate customer acceptance hall. Michael Fohrer, Chairman of the German management board of Bombardier Transportation, said: ‘The site has a solid workload and is taking on a pioneering role at Bombardier Transportation as a competence centre for the series production of regional and long-distance trains as well as trams and metros.’
Source: Bombardier Transportation
12 Dec 2019. Australia. Trains for Metronet expansion to be built in Perth
The Western Australian (WA) government has formally signed a 10-year, A$1.3bn contract with global train manufacturer Alstom to build 246 new rail cars to service the Metronet project. The deal fulfils an election commitment to return local rail car manufacturing to WA, following the closure of the Midland Railway Workshops in 1994. The new rail cars will each have capacity for 1,200 passengers, with USB ports to charge electronic devices, extra doors to improve passenger flow and improved seating options and information displays. Alstom said improved traction technology would ensure smoother acceleration and braking throughout the rail journey. The contract also includes six diesel rail cars to replace existing rolling stock on the Australind rail service, along with a new manufacturing and assembly plant in Bellevue, a short distance from the original railway workshops. The plant will also be
Source: ABC
11 Dec 2019. Ireland. Global rail asset management market set to grow
The global rail asset management market size is projected to grow from US$ 9bn in 2019 to US$12.3bn by 2024, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 6.4% from 2019 to 2024. The fast growth of rail infrastructure and rolling stock has given rise to an increased demand for efficient rail operations. Rail asset management solutions help in the timely monitoring and efficient scheduling of assets, which minimises downtime. Condition-based and predictive maintenance work on real-time analytics helps reduces the dependence on manual diagnostics. Asia Pacific (APAC) is estimated to be the fastest-growing region in terms of the growth of the rail asset management market, owing to the increase in the adoption of new technologies, higher investments for digital transformation, and the increasing Gross Domestic in the APAC countries.
Source: Global Newswire
11 Dec 2019. Spain. RENFE to launch affordable cost high speed rail
National operator RENFE has unveiled the Avlo branding for its future low-cost high speed train service. Avlo is to be launched on the Madrid – Zaragoza – Barcelona corridor on April 6 2020, with tickets to go on sale in January. Avlo aims to make high speed rail more inclusive, competitive and sustainable, with services being for everyone and ‘no longer a product focused on business trips, The services will be operated using Talgo Class 112 trainsets which are being modified at workshops in Madrid, La Sagra, Málaga and Valladolid. These trainsets will have 438 seats, 20% more than the current configuration. As the network expands, Series 106 trainsets offering 581 seats would also be used.
Source: Railway Gazette
11 Dec 2019. Saudi Arabia. Haramain High Speed resumes services
The Haramain High Speed Railway has resumed service between the Madinah stations, King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) in Rabigh, and the New King Abdulaziz International Airport station. The Director General of Operations and Maintenance of the Haramain Speed Railway Eng. Rayan Al-Harbi confirmed that the railway is ready for operation after completion of all the necessary tests via test runs and ensuring everything is functioning according to standards and specifications, to guarantee safe operation. Haramain services were interrupted on September 29 after a fire at Jeddah station caused serious damage.
Source: SPA
11 Dec 2019. Australia. Tunnelling history made under Sydney Harbour
Tunnelling contractor, John Holland/CPB/Ghella has completed boring the first of two metro railway tunnels up to 40m deep under Sydney Harbour. Herrenknecht Mixshield, Kathleen, which is being used to create the twin sub harbour railway tunnels, was launched in June from the new Barangaroo Station site and took almost four months to tunnel nearly one kilometre to the northern side of the harbour at Blues Point. The machine has been disassembled and barged back across Sydney Harbour, where it is currently being reassembled to start boring the second tunnel. The 975 tonne machine removed 87,400 tonnes of sandstone, clay and marine sediments to dig the first tunnel. Four other Herrenknecht double-shield, hard-rock TBMs are be used on the 31km of 6m i.d. tunnel for Sydney Metro City & Southwest. TBM Wendy has reached the harbour’s edge at Blues Point, making her the first of the five mega borers to officially finish tunnelling on the project. John Holland/ CPB/Ghella was awarded the $2.81bn contract in June 2017.
Source: Tunnelling Journal
10 Dec 2019. Qatar. All Doha Metro lines open for public
Doha Metro's Green Line has commenced passenger service. The line extends from Al Mansoura to Al Riffa (Mall of Qatar). This completes the pilot operation of all Doha Metro lines. Doha Metro has also started its service for Hamad International Airport station and for Katara, Qatar University and Lusail on the Red line. The Green Line, which runs across east to west of Doha, includes 11 stations. Doha Metro users can switch between the Red Line, Gold Line and Green line at Musheireb Station. The three Doha metro lines and the four-line Lusail light rail network are operated and maintained by the RKH Qitari a joint venture between Keolis, RATP Dev and the Hamad Group.
Source: Peninsula Qatar
10 Dec 2019. South Africa. Prasa placed under administration
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has announced that the Passenger Agency of South Africa (Prasa) has been placed under administration. Mbalula also dissolved Prasa’s interim board with immediate effect, saying the rail agency had deep-rooted problems and merely replacing the interim board with a permanent one would not solve its challenges. This intervention will continue for 12 months, after which a permanent board will be appointed to run the affairs of Prasa. Bongisizwe Mpondo has been appointed as the new administrator with immediate effect. The announcement came after as Auditor-General announced that Prasa had regressed in its audit outcomes and moved from a qualified audit in 2017/2018 to a disclaimer of the audit opinion. Makwetu singled Prasa out as one of the top offenders when it came to irregular expenditure in the public sector.
Source: EWM
10 Dec 2019. India. Alstom start Mumbai Metro Line 3 rolling stock build
Alstom have commenced the manufacturing of metro trainsets for Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) at its factory in SriCity, Andhra Pradesh. The first metro train after testing will be delivered by November 2020. Alstom’s overall contract with MMRC for Line 3 is worth €452m. The order includes manufacturing of 31 lightweight, fully-furnished modern metro trains of 8 cars each. 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. The scope of the signalling contract includes unattended train operation (UTO), computer-based interlocking and centralised train supervision; an integrated telecom solution comprising of CCTV, passenger information, passenger announcement and Giga bit network; platform screen doors, as well as the electrical and mechanical supervisory control and data acquisition system (E&M SCADA).
Source: Alstom
10 Dec 2019. Macau. Taipa metro line starts operating
The Taipa line of the Macau light railway has started operating, after being inaugurated by the Chief Executive, Chui Sai On. Sociedade do Metro Ligeiro de Macau (SMLT) also said that residents can travel for free on the new line until 31 December. The Taipa line, which is 9.3 kilometres long and has 11 stations, not only covers the main residential areas in the centre of Taipa, the old districts and tourist areas, but also connects the three important border posts by sea, land and air into Macau. The construction of a further extension of the Taipa line that connects the route to the Seac Pai Van area, in Coloane is under consideration. The work now completed began in 2013.
Source: Macauhub
10 Dec 2019. Australia. Lendlease, Acciona Win $744m Melbourne Rail Contract
New rail contracts worth A$910m to remove level crossings across Melbourne have been were awarded by the state government of Victoria. The state government awarded the contracts to remove five level crossings on the Frankston line and the Clyde Road crossing on the Pakenham line. A A$744m contract for work at Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach was given to an alliance of Lendlease, Acciona Coleman Rail, WSP and Metro Trains Melbourne—with major work to start next year. A further A$166m was awarded to the alliance comprising Fulton Hogan and Metro Trains Melbourne to remove the Clyde Road level crossing in Berwick by lowering the road under the Pakenham line.
Source: Urban Developer
9 Dec 2019. UK. Rail union publishes plan to end guards dispute
The union at the centre of the dispute over guards on trains has set out six points it wants sorted to reach a deal. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union on South Western Railway (SWR) began 27 days of strike action on Monday, 2 December. The union says the dispute now centres on whether guards should have a few seconds to ensure the safe despatch of trains from stations. SWR said it welcomed RMT's ideas but said it had yet to receive the plans. In over two years of strikes the two sides have not budged on the matter. On new trains due to start running next year, SWR wants drivers to operate the doors at every stop to save time. The RMT said the plan showed "just how achievable a settlement is if the company agrees to add a few seconds to the despatch time".
Source: BBC
9 Dec 2019. Japan. Shinkansen yards to be raised 10 metres
Stung by the experience of October's powerful Typhoon Hagibis, East Japan Railway (JR East) will lift key parts of a holding yard for Shinkansen trains next year to prevent damage from floods. The work at the rail yard in Nagano, northwest of Tokyo, could run into the billions of yen, according to construction-industry estimates. A section of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line connecting Tokyo with Kanazawa was shut down for about two weeks because of damaged electrical equipment. To prevent a repeat, JR East will raise facilities housing transformer substations and communications equipment by 10 metres. This height aligns with the city of Nagano's hazard map, which points to the potential for such a flood once a millennium. JR East leases the Nagano yard from the Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency. A portion of repair costs will be covered by insurance taken out by JR East, with the public agency picking up the rest.
Source: Nikkei Asian Review
9 Dec 2019. Australia. Melbourne Metro tunnel works grind to a halt
Tunnel digging on Melbourne's A$11bn Metro rail project has stopped as a dispute looms over costs. Tensions have been growing between the Victorian government and the consortium building the project over the cost, and mediators are now involved. Cross Yarra Partnership was awarded the main tunnelling contract in 2017 after a tender process. The consortium comprises companies John Holland, LendLease, Bouygues Construction and Capella Capital. "Operational matters on the Metro Tunnel Project are a decision for Cross Yarra Partnership and Rail Projects Victoria," a government spokeswoman said in a statement. "There is a contract in place to build the Metro Tunnel by 2025 and we expect them to deliver." The construction union put the blame for the stoppage on engineering contractors John Holland.
Source: 7 News
