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Rail News

19th September 2024. Volume 9, Issue 2

23 days ago by Rail Personnel

​Dear Readers,

​We are pleased to be supporting the Global Rail Transport & Infrastructure Conference & Exhibition which will take place from 8-10 October at the ADNEC Centre, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Hosted by Etihad Rail, the UAE’s national railway operator, Global Rail 2024 is welcoming visionary leaders, industry experts, and policymakers to ignite the conversation on the future of rail transport worldwide.

With 10,000+ attendees, 100+ exhibitors showcasing transformative rail innovations, and 40+ conference sessions sharing global success stories, Global Rail is driving the shift toward efficient, sustainable, and interconnected mobility.

At its heart is a powerful vision: sustainable mobility through strategic partnerships within integrated transport ecosystems. Join the conversation and be part of the flagship event that’s revolutionizing the movement of people and goods worldwide.

For more information, visit: https://www.grtiec.com/

Register now to attend: https://rb.gy/c9s1n3

Recently David Hyland attended the HSR Asia 2024 Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as organised by Stratcoms Events and he had this to say about the event:

“I have to say the High Speed Rail Conference in Malaysia that I attended earlier this month was one of the best conferences I have attended. The papers were interesting and very relevant with the discussions during the conference provided all who that were there with some very interesting insights. If you get a chance, you should try and get copies of the papers from the organisers.”

For details, please visit: https://stratcomsevents.com/index.html#gsc.tab=0

​Our Jobs of the Week this week are in Australia and the Philippines. In Perth, we are looking for Communications Systems Technicians and in the Philippines, we are looking for an Estimation Manager.

Best Regards,

Rail Personnel

Rail News

16 September 2024. Australia. Southern Highlands ramping up

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) is undertaking major works on the Southern Highlands Overtaking Opportunities project. The $54.1 million rail project will deliver overtaking opportunities for trains at Werai in the Southern Highlands, and Joppa Junction near Goulburn. When completed, the Southern Highlands Overtaking Opportunities project will allow for more efficient movement of freight and passenger rail services, enabling freight trains up to 1,800m in length to be overtaken by faster services on the crucial Sydney to Melbourne rail line.

Source: Infrastructure Magazine

16 September 2024. United Kingdom. TfL celebrates the launch of the London Overground Lioness line

Transport for London (TfL) hosted a football festival on Saturday 14 September alongside Regent’s Park Youth League and Middlesex FA Pan-Disability League to mark the launch of the London Overground between Euston and Watford Junction, which will become the Lioness line this autumn. Aspiring young footballers were met by surprise guest former Lioness Ellen Maggs, who spoke with the young players and awarded trophies to the winning teams.

Source: Rail UK

16 September 2024. France. Strasbourg Trials Parcel Delivery by Tram

From 16 September to 26 October 2024, La Poste, Alstom, Eurométropole de Strasbourg (EMS), and transport company, CTS are testing the use of trams to deliver parcels in Strasbourg, France. The companies have partnered to explore the use of existing transport infrastructure for urban parcel delivery on the city’s Line B tramway. Here, Colissimo parcels will be transported from Hœnheim Gare to Broglie station. A postman will accompany the parcels, which will be transferred to a cargo bike for inner-city delivery. The route will operate in the morning and the afternoon.

Source: Railway News

16 September 2024. United Kingdom. Hitachi Rail Delivers 300th UK Passenger Train

Hitachi Rail has delivered its 300th train for UK passengers with the latest Class 807 for Avanti West Coast. This unit was delivered as part of Hitachi’s contribution to modernizing UK rolling stock, which began with the introduction of the Class 395 Javelin in 2009. Hitachi’s UK fleet includes Scotland’s fastest commuter train (Class 385), the intercity Class 800 on the East Coast Mainline, and the UK’s fastest passenger train (Class 395) on HS1.

Source: Railway News

16 September 2024. Korea. Robots and Hyper Tube among KRRI research projects on show at InnoTrans

INNOTRANS: Korea Railroad Research Institute is to highlight eight of its latest innovations and research programs during the upcoming Berlin fair. Evacuation robot KRRI’s Evacuation Guide Robot is designed for rapid response to disasters such as fires and floods in mainline and metro tunnels. Mounted on a guide rail adjacent to the track, the robot would arrive on-site within 5 min and guide passengers via audio and LED indicators to a safe zone while providing critical site information to the control center.

Source: Railway Gazette

13 September 2024. France. RATP Dev awarded Caen public transport operating contract

FRANCE The Caen la Mer local authority has awarded RATP Dev a contract to operate its Twisto-branded public transport services for six years from January 1, 2025. Currently operated by Keolis under a series of contracts which began in 2002, the Twisto network serves 275000 people in 48 municipalities. It includes three tram and 72 bus routes, transport-on-demand, services for people with reduced mobility, bicycle parking and rental, car-sharing and park-and-ride facilities.

Source: Railway Gazette

13 September 2024. Austria. Plasser & Theurer begins construction of €60m assembly and commissioning workshop

Plasser & Theurer held a ground-breaking ceremony for a €60m track machine final assembly and commissioning facility at its Pummererstrasse site in Linz on September 11. Production capacities that are currently separated will be brought closer together, with the integration of commissioning significantly increasing efficiency. The 12 000 m2 facility will have 15 final assembly stations each 8·5 m by 30 m, with three 91 m tracks and one 56 m track for commissioning.

Source: Railway Gazette International

12 September 2024. Europe. Estonia Rail Baltica Awards Construction Contract for Trench Section

Rail Baltica has awarded a construction contract for one of the project’s most unique sections of railway in Estonia. This 9.2-kilometre stretch of the main line, located between Soodevahe and Kangru in Rae Parish, will cost 70.8 million EUR to construct. Here, the railway will partially run through a trench, with tracks reaching depths of up to 10 meters below ground level. A joint bid from OÜ Verston and OÜ Järelpinge Inseneribüroo secured the contract.

Source: Railway News

12 September. Egypt. Cairo Metro Line 1 to be modernised

The National Authority for Tunnels has awarded a €850m contract for renovation of Cairo Metro’s Line 1 to a consortium led by Colas Rail with Orascom Construction and Hitachi Rail. Colas Rail and Orascom will modernise power supplies, catenary and electromechanical systems, with Hitachi Rail modernising the signalling, control and telecommunications infrastructure. Work is scheduled to be carried out during operating hours with normal service maintained.

Source: Metro Report International

11 September 2024. United States. LA light rail project receives $893m federal grant

The project will connect communities in the Van Nuys and San Fernando Valley area with their first commuter rail service since 1952. A light rail project in the San Fernando Valley, California, has received a boost after the US Department of Transportation (DoT) awarded a $893m grant to the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro). The $3.57bn East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project is developing a 6.7-mile light rail line between Van Nuys and Pacoima to bring commuter rail services back to the area after more than 70 years.

Source: Railway Technology

11 September 2024. Japan. Japanese public transport digital expertise coming to Wales

Transport for Wales has selected global company Hitachi to help digitally transform public transport within Wales, making it easier for customers to plan, book, and pay for different modes of travel. Over the next five years, Hitachi will deliver a multimodal digital booking system that will include all modes of public transport and be available to customers through a simple user-friendly app.  Rail, local bus, fflecsi and TrawsCymru services will all be available to plan and book through the one digital back-office solution from Hitachi.  It will also host other micromobility (bikes, e-scooters) and demand-based mobility solutions already being used in Wales.

Source: Rail UK

10 September 2024. United States. Siemens to build US high-speed rail factory in New York

The company said the investment marked the beginning of a brand-new industry in the US with production set to begin in 2026. Siemens Mobility is set to build its first high-speed rail factory in the US, with plans for a $60m facility in New York to build high-speed trains for the Brightline West line in California and Nevada. The almost 300,000-square-foot facility will be built in the village of Horseheads, New York over the next two years. Production at the site is expected to begin in 2026 with the construction of the first American Pioneer 220 trains.

Source: Railway Technology

Job of the Week

Estimation Manager, Makati City, Philippines

Job ID#: 14929

Discipline: Civil

Language: English, Filipino

Job Description:

Our client is a global engineering consultancy group and they are seeking an Estimation Manager to assist with their activities. This role is based in Makati City.

Work involves estimation of civil works projects and final responsible for the consolidation of the cost of the project and editing of the closing sheet together with a Bid Manager.

Responsibilities

- Definition of the basic strategy and methodology for the execution of the works of estimation of the supply.

- Generation of the cost estimate of a project, with the management of offers of suppliers and subcontractors.

- Elaboration of work programs and coordination with the estimation team (either internal or from our partner in case of JV).

- Supervision of cost estimation, cash flow, investment study.

- Definition of the calendar of activities to be carried out for the successful tender submission.

- Risk analysis.

- Supervision of the process of consultations or clarifications to be solved with client after offer submission.

- Negotiation of contracts and agreements with suppliers.

Job Requirements

- Civil Engineering Degree

- Management of software related to estimation i.e. CANDY

- Minimum 10 years in a similar position leading the estimation in a Infrastructure project to the value of USD$300M

- Ability to manage complex teams

- Knowledge and understanding of working at site.

- Available to travel according to the needs of the bidding processes.

Contact: Renee Wade (renee@railpersonnel.com)

Communications Systems Technician, Perth, Australia

Job ID#: 14898

Discipline: Telecommunications

Language: English

Job Description:

Our client is seeking Communications Systems Technicians to help meet both current and future demands. This role will involve carrying out routine maintenance and fault rectification procedures to ensure the operational efficiency of the company's various communications systems, including the integration of train control systems, field signalling, and telecommunications networks.

Candidates with experience in rail communications systems will be highly regarded.

As a Communications Systems Technician, you must be prepared to work at moderate heights and in confined spaces, participate in an on-call roster, and occasionally work unsociable hours at short notice. A current Western Australian ‘C' Class Driver's Licence is also essential.

Job Requirements:

To be successful in this role, you will have:

* ACMA Open Cabler Registration with endorsements in fibre optics, structured and coaxial cabling.

* A relevant trade qualification or demonstrated experience in maintaining and troubleshooting communications systems.

* Extensive experience in maintaining and fault-finding communications systems equipment.

* Skills in UHF base stations, mobile and portable radio equipment, high-density microwave radio links, and data communication systems (multiplexes/modems).

* Experience with public address systems, DC power systems, telephony, and PLC/SCADA/telemetry.

* Proficiency in earthing and lightning protection, power supplies, commercial/industrial CCTV networks, analogue/digital recording, and perimeter security/tamper protection.

Contact: Renee Wade (renee@railpersonnel.com)