Dear Readers,
The Heavy Haul Rail Conference will take place from 13th to 14th March at the Crown Perth in Western Australia.
Bringing together key decision makers, the agenda will showcase the best in local and international project expertise, giving attendees an understanding of the strategic directions of major players together with critical industry and market updates to ensure efficient, safe and, reliable operations.
To view the Agenda and to register to attend, visit: https://www.informa.com.au/event/conference/transport-logistics/heavy-haul-rail/
Our Jobs of the Week this week are in Dubai where we are looking for a Chief Specialist Rolling Stock and a Chief Specialist Telecommunications.
Best Regards,
Rail Personnel
Rail News
28 February 2024. Turkey. Izmir metro extension opens
Passenger-carrying pre-operation started on the 6·5 km western extension of Izmir metro Line 1 from Fahrettin Altay to Sehitlik on February 24 with a ceremony attended by Izmir Mayor Tunç Soyer. Passengers can travel free of charge until April 15. A remaining, one-station, 1 km section from Sehitlik further west to Kaymakamlık is due to open ‘in the coming days’ according to Izmir municipality. The extension is initially being operated with a 15 min frequency; headways are expected to be reduced further once the whole line is fully operational.
Source: Metro Report International
27 February 2024. New Zealand. Stadler to Supply 33 Locomotives to KiwiRail
KiwiRail and Stadler have signed an additional two contracts for the supply of 33 locomotives in New Zealand. These orders expand Stadler’s presence in New Zealand and strengthen its partnership with KiwiRail as part of the operator’s 1.7 billion NZD investment in rolling stock. Adele Wilson, KiwiRail's chief customer and growth officer, said: “New mainline locomotives and shunting locomotives mean less maintenance time in the depots and more time on the route to reliably serve our customers. We look forward to the benefits of cutting-edge technology that our long-term relationship with Stadler brings, particularly in light of our goal of decarbonisation.”
Source: Railway-News
27 February 2024. France. HyperloopTT relocates European operations to Italy
Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HyperloopTT), a pioneering company in the development of sustainable high-speed travel, announced from Toulouse, France to Veneto, Italy, marking a shift in its European operations. The decision comes after the recent signing of the contract for “Hyper Transfer,” which laid the groundwork for the relocation. The move signifies the end of an era in Toulouse, where HyperloopTT had its research and development centre. HyperloopTT’s move to Italy follows its successful bid for the Italian tender in 2023, with the contract for Hyper Transfer officially signed in January 2024, initiating the project.
Source: RailTech.com
27 February 2024. Australia. $2.75B committed to direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line
The Sunshine Coast is set to receive a new heavy rail connection which could provide trips to Brisbane that are at least 45 minutes faster than travelling by car. The Queensland Government is committing an initial $2.75 billion to deliver Stage 1 of the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line project, which includes protection of the updated rail alignment all the way to Maroochydore. The first stage will see a 19km dual track built from Beerwah to Caloundra, the longest spur line in the south-east passenger network.
Source: Infrastructure Magazine
27 February 2024. Indonesia. L&T unit secures contract to construct Jakarta MRT Phase 2 section
The Railways Business Group, a unit of Larsen and Toubro Limited (L&T), has secured the construction contract for works on the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Project Phase 2A in Indonesia through Japan-based Sojitz Corporation. Works under Contract Package CP205 include the delivery of tracks and key railway systems comprising overhead contact systems, substation systems, power distribution systems, signalling, SCADA facility, and platform screen doors. It will also cover modification to the equipment installed in the existing operation control centre (OCC) at Lebak Bulus Depot as well as stations/train sets from Phase 1.
Source: Southeast Asia Infrastructure
27 February 2024. Australia. Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 receives planning approval
The Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 project has received planning approval, marking a major step forward for the Western Sydney rail network. The approval comes after the New South Wales Government invested $200 million in the 2023-24 NSW Budget to expedite the project’s planning processes so construction can begin this term of Parliament. Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 will connect Parramatta CBD to Sydney Olympic Park via the growing communities of Camellia, Rydalmere, Ermington, Melrose Park and Wentworth Point.
Source: Infrastructure Magazine
26 February 2024. United Kingdom. HS2 launches third giant tunnelling machine under capital
HS2’s London tunnels programme passed a major milestone as the third tunnel boring machine (TBM) being used as part of the project was launched. TBM Emily, named after Emily Sophia Taylor who helped establish the Perivale Maternity Hospital in 1937 before becoming Ealing’s first female mayor in 1938, will be used to dig almost half of the 8.4-mile Northolt Tunnel. She will bore 3.4 miles under Ealing from Victoria Road Crossover Box, near HS2’s new Old Oak Common station, to Greenpark Way in Greenford.
Source: Rail UK
26 February 2024. India. Alstom Commences Trainset Production for Delhi Metro Phase IV
Alstom has commenced production for an order of 52 six-car trainsets for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Phase IV. These modern Metropolis metro trainsets are being manufactured at Alstom’s facility in Sri City, India under a contract awarded in November 2022. The units will operate on three DMRC lines, including two extensions of the existing lines 7 and 8 and the new Gold Line 10. The new Gold Line will connect Aerocity to Tughlakabad across 64.67 kilometres.
Source: Railway-News
23 February 2024. Canada. Elevated Guideway and Stations Contract Awarded for Toronto’s Ontario Line
Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx have signed a contract with Trillium Guideway Partners (TGP) to deliver the Ontario Line Elevated Guideway and Stations contract. Following a Requests for Proposal (RFP) issued last year, TGP has signed a Development and Master Construction Agreement (DMCA). Under this contract, the team will contribute to the construction of the 15.6-kilometre Ontario Line, which will provide a rapid transit service connecting the Ontario Science Centre to Exhibition/Ontario Place in Toronto via 15 stations.
Source: Railway-News
23 February 2024. United States. US DOT grants $631m for new rail vehicles
The US Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will give $631m in grants towards the purchase of new rail cars as part of its Rail Vehicle Replacement Programme (RVRP). The grants will support three state transportation departments with the purchase of 300 new, American-built railcars in Chicago, Illinois; Baltimore, Maryland; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Source: Railway Technology
23 February 2024. Israel. Haifa – Nazareth light rail contract winner announced
The Ministry of Transport & Road Safety and project promoter Trans Israel have selected the Group Three consortium of Alstom, Electra and Minrav for a PPP contract to finance, design and construct the railway systems and rolling stock for the Nofit Light Rail line and operate it for 25 years. The 41 km inter-urban tram-train style line will run from Haifa to Nof HaGalil and Nazareth, with 20 stations including park-and-ride sites. Services will run every 4 min at peak times, with speeds up to 100 km/h. Ridership is estimated at about 100 000 passengers/day.
Source: Metro Report International
Job of the Week
Chief Specialist Rolling Stock, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Job ID#: 14835
Discipline: Rolling Stock
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is seeking a Chief Specialist Rolling Stock to be responsible for the management and follow up of Rolling Stock aspects in terms of planning, Design, implementation, Testing, validation, and verification and follow up on the management and supervision of functions and activities of Rolling Stock to ensure safe and optimum overall system implementation, operation, and integrity.
Key Accountabilities:
* Provide technical support and advice to the management and participate in decision making in rolling stock and other relevant subsystems.
* Provide progress status / issues of Rolling Stock and prepare reports to the director and management as required.
* Monitor the Consultant & Contractor performance and ensure resources competency and adequacy as per the contract.
* Conduct value engineering throughout the project and advise direct manager on feasibility and implementation.
* Study and propose optimization opportunities, innovative solutions and efficiency improvements related to various engineering aspects of Rolling Stock.
* Provide full support to the design development and implementation of the Rail Agency standards, guidelines, and manuals as required and necessary.
* Review and provide advice on the latest international best practices for the betterment of Rolling Stock through liaison with International Specialist Consultants and other rail industry organizations.
* Responsible for monitoring all Rolling Stock design specifications and standards preparation for electrical and Mechanical subsystems (e.g. collector shoe, HVAC, door control, propulsion system and control, auxiliary power, wiring, Train Control and Monitoring system (TCMS), car body, Brakes, VAC, Bogies, etc.).
* Monitor and assist in all Rolling Stock related interfaces with other disciplines (Signaling, SCADA, communication, Power supply, KE, Wheel/Rail, Noise, Vibration, depot design and maintenance vehicle specification etc.).
* Provide specialist review to Rolling Stock Design for the preparation of the functional requirement and detailed specification for Rolling Stock.
Job Requirements
* Bachelor's or Master's Degree Mechanical/Electrical engineering
* Highly analytical thinking with demonstrated talent for identifying, scrutinizing, improving, and streamlining complex work processes.
* 10 years of working experience
* Computer-literate performer with extensive software proficiency covering wide variety of applications.
* Exceptional listener and communicator who effectively conveys information verbally and in writing.
* Resourceful team player who excels at building trusting relationships with customers and colleagues.
* Flexible team player who thrives in environments requiring ability to effectively prioritize and juggle multiple concurrent projects.
* Innovative problem-solver who can generate workable solutions and resolve complaints
Contact: Jackie Hendry (jackie@railpersonnel.com)
Chief Specialist Telecommunications, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Job ID#: 14836
Discipline: Telecommunications
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client has asked us to find a Communications Engineer for the role of Chief Specialist Telecommunications to be responsible for all aspects of the development and administration of the implementation of telecommunication systems, including but not limited to administrating the telecommunication program, and facilitating change, implement actions, and procedures at all levels of telecommunication functions.
Key Results Accountabilities:
* Prepare reports on design issues/problems, perform analysis and evaluate options.
* Provide and organize support to appointed external consultancies related to design and implementation of Telecommunications Systems.
* Ensure proper delivery of equipment and proper storage as per standards on timely manner.
* Ensure all risk and safety case for Telecommunications Systems are met as per the contract and international standards.
* Assist the project team in monitoring progress of the Telecommunication Systems (e.g. Fiber Optics Network, Telephone System requirements, and Radio systems (Tetra), CCTV and Telecom Equipment Rooms (TER)).
* Monitor and control Telecommunication system design, implementation, equipments selection and
specification, installation and testing and commissioning.
* Contribute in the management of interface related matters in the overall systems.
* Ensure Telecommunications Systems in conformance with project requirements and local authority specifications and regulations as well as Rail planning & Design Guidelines
* Manage all telecommunication system (11 systems) related Project Requirements and perform Technical Study for the Telecommunications Systems in accordance to the Project Requirements Documents for new railway projects.
* Responsible for coordination & resolution of telecom related issues with all stakeholders and third partiessuch s DEWA, Dubai Police, Etisalat, Du, Needa, etc
Job Requirements
Education
* Master degree in Electrical Engineering from a recognized university.
Skills
* Goal-driven leader who maintains a productive climate and confidently motivates, mobilizes, and coaches employees to meet high performance standards.
* Results-driven achiever with exemplary planning and organizational skills, along with a high degree of detail orientation.
* Flexible team player who thrives in environments requiring ability to effectively prioritize and juggle multiple concurrent projects.
* Innovative problem-solver who can generate workable solutions and resolve complaints.
* Excellent Knowledge & Experience in exercising strict cost control, working in a cross-cultural environment is desirable.
* Experience of working within a QA system would be an advantage.
* Excellent knowledge and intensive experience with international telecommunication programs and standards, functions, systems, procedures, and knowledge of quality & safety standards and project management. Good knowledge of Tetra radio system.
* Computer-literate performer with extensive software proficiency covering wide variety of applications.
* 10 years of experience in telecommunication systems works and railway applications.
* Exceptional listener and communicator who effectively conveys information verbally and in writing.
* Resourceful team player who excels at building trusting relationships with customers and colleagues.
* Highly analytical thinking with demonstrated talent for identifying, scrutinizing, improving, and eamliningcomplex work processes.
Contact: Jackie Hendry (jackie@railpersonnel.com)
