Dear Readers
We are pleased to be supporting Eurasia Rail which will take place from 18th – 20th June 2025 at the IFM (Istanbul Expo Center) in Istanbul, Turkey.
Eurasia Rail is the sector’s must-attend event and it is the main route into Turkey's massively lucrative railway sector - the meeting place for the sector's buyers and decision makers.
Hosting hundreds of exhibitors and 7,697 visitors, is the main networking and business event for the Turkish rolling stock sector, featuring innovative engineering, products and services from both the public and private sectors.
Eurasia Rail is the direct route into Turkey’s massive lucrative railway sector, being the key meeting place for important decision makers and rail technology buyers.
For more information, visit: https://eurasiarail.eu/en/main
Our Jobs of the Week this week are in Taiwan and Australia. In Taiwan, we are looking for a Core System Coordinator to assist with activities on the new Taiwan High Speed Rail project. The onboarding date is ASAP and Foreign Nationals with residence permit will be considered. And in Australia, we are looking for an Advanced Linesman to work in Perth.
Best Regards
Rail Personnel
Rail News
26 November 2024. United Kingdom. Next London Overground operator sought
Transport for London has invited requests to participate in the procurement of the next London Overground operating concessionaire. The TfL-managed inner-suburban services running on the main line rail network are currently operated by Arriva Rail London under a contract running to May 3 2026. As the London Overground concession is awarded by TfL rather than by the Department of Transport, it is not included in the government’s plans to end the tendering of train operating contracts.
Source: Railway Gazette
Hitachi Rail has announced it is partnering with Invest Ontario as part of a more than C$100 million investment to upgrade it is world-leading Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling technology. Hitachi Rail aims to develop a new generation of its CBTC technology, SelTracTM (G9), which will integrate artificial intelligence (AI), 5G communications, edge, and cloud computing. Source: Rail UK
25 November 2024. Canada. Toronto Excavation Starts for Ontario Line TBM Launch Site
In Toronto, excavation work has begun at Exhibition Station for the Ontario Line’s tunnel boring machine (TBM) launch site. This marks the first subway tunnel construction project to take place in Toronto’s downtown core in more than six decades. A 16-metre-deep launch shaft is being excavated to serve as the starting point for two TBMs.
Source: Railway News
25 November 2024. Ghana. Ghana inaugurates Tema-Mpakadan railway line
The Tema-Mpakadan railway line was completed with a $447m credit from India Exim Bank. The 97km Tema-Mpakadan railway line in Ghana has been officially inaugurated. This railway link connects the industrial city of Tema with Mpakadan in the Eastern Region. It is claimed to be the first standard gauge railway line in the country.
Source: Railway Technology
22 November 2024. United Kingdom. Elizabeth Line dominates Great Britain’s top 10 stations
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has today confirmed that London Liverpool Street station has retained its title as Great Britain’s most used railway station in 2023-24, gaining more than 14 million entries and exits since the previous year. Denton railway station in Greater Manchester becomes the least used station in Great Britain, at 54 entries and exits.
Source: Rail UK
22 November 2024. Saudi Arabia. Alstom to Enhance Reliability of East-West Freight Corridor
Alstom has secured a five-year Technical Support and Spare Part Supply Agreement (TSSSA) with Saudi Railway Company (SAR) to enhance the efficiency and reliability of diesel locomotives operating on Saudi Arabia’s east-west freight corridor. The 300 million SAR contract was announced at the Saudi Rail Exhibition. It involves technical assistance, spare parts supply, and training for SAR staff.
Source: Railway News
22 November 2024. China. Shield tunnelling tech success at Chongtai Yangtze River Tunnel
The shield machine autonomously excavated over 2.6km under the Yangtze River with "attended but unmanned" operation. China’s intelligent shield tunnelling technology has been successfully implemented in the Chongtai Yangtze River Tunnel, marking an advancement on the Shanghai-Chongqing-Chengdu High-Speed Railway project.
Source: Railway Technology
21 November 2024. Thailand. Hitachi Rail to Expand ETCS Implementation in Thailand
Hitachi Rail has been awarded contracts to install European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 1 digital signalling on two major railway lines in Thailand. The projects will upgrade 780.7 kilometres of track on the Northeast Line (Nong Waeng Rai to Nong Phok) and the North Line (Den Chai to Ngao) while equipping three vehicles with ETCS technology.
Source: Railway News
Job of the Week
Core System Coordinator, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Job ID#: 14965
Discipline: Signalling
Position Type: Contract
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is seeking a Core System Coordinator to work in Kaohsiung, Taiwan to assist with activities on the new Taiwan High Speed Rail project.
* On-boarding Date: ASAP
* Contract period: One-year basis (the expected total period is until the end of the construction period = 2027/8)
* Work location: Kaohsiung (Taipei while our office is still in Taipei)
* Foreign Nationals with a residence permit are also welcome
The Core System Coordinator shall be responsible for the design, installation, testing, and commission, system integration, and interfacing of the Core subsystems.
The Core System Coordinator (CSC) will oversee the system engineering and integration activities of the Core System and Trackwork. The CSC will report to the Project Manager through the Deputy Project Manager.
Main Activities:
- Managing Core system and Trackwork engineering team
- To coordinate all sub-systems related to Core System and Trackwork
- To coordinate between the Core system and Trackwork and other systems
- Advising to all project members based on previous project activities and record
Job Requirements:
The Core System Coordinator shall have at least 15 years experience in the area of signaling and/or railway communications, preferably in signaling.
* On-boarding Date: ASAP
* Contract period: One-year basis (the expected total period is until the end of the construction period = 2027/8)
* Work location: Kaohsiung (Taipei while our office is still in Taipei)
* Foreign Nationals with a residence permit are also welcome
Contact: Patricia Hsiao (patricia@railpersonnel.com)
Advanced Linesperson, Perth, Australia
Job ID#: 14966
Discipline: Electrical
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is seeking an Advanced Linesperson to provide effective management and support in the planning, construction, and maintenance work in relation to railway Overhead Line Equipment (OLE). Ensures a high level of safety for persons and reliability of assets.
This role is based in Perth, Western Australia.
Core duties and responsibilities
Leadership and Management
- Plans, directs, supervises, controls, and coordinates construction and maintenance tasks undertaken by maintenance employees and contractors.
- Monitors, inspects and plans maintenance work to minimize technical errors.
- Responsible for recording and checking results of OLE maintenance/repair work.
- Plans, directs and coordinates maintenance/repair tasks on complex, specialized machinery.
- Provides statistical data and reports on personnel, maintenance, equipment, and repair work.
Technical and Operational
- Carries out the full range of duties in the inspection/maintenance, repair, and construction of OLE.
- Undertakes work on specialized complex machinery including technical and trade tasks within the skills and competency of this position.
- Assists in identifying and cataloging new stock items using technical and supplier information.
- Assesses the current condition of assets using data produced by the PTA's Infrastructure Diagnostic Vehicle (IDV) to facilitate immediate action and/or short-term planning.
- Visually/physically inspects/examines OLE assets in response to IDV data.
Job Requirements:
- Demonstrated competency in all lower-level Linesperson requirements, or the equivalent skills, knowledge, and overhead maintenance experience. This includes current accreditation in the following:
Working at Heights
Construction Industry White Card
Elevated Work Platform.
- Very good understanding of the operational needs of an electrified railway and of relevant Occupational Safety and Health, Environment Management, and Human Resources policies and practices.
- Good numeracy and literacy skills.
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of the administrative, construction, repair, and maintenance tasks required for Overhead Line Maintenance and 25kV A.C. Overhead Line Equipment including fault finding and running repairs, and demonstrated knowledge, skills, and experience in guiding and supervising this type of work.
- Possession of a current Western Australian ‘C' Class Driver's license or equivalent for at least 2 years, or an ‘LR' or ‘MR' Class Drivers license for at least 1 year. This requirement continues for the duration of employment in this position and from time-to-time production of the license on request by the client may be required.
Contact: Renee Wade (renee@railpersonnel.com)