Dear Readers
Ms Rajni Tewani attended the 8th Edition Rail India Conference and Expo at The Lalit, New Delhi on 25th April 2025.
The Key Theme of the Conference was Excellence: GREEN SAFE MODERN.
The Conference was supported by Indian Railways and the Knowledge Partner was Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya. It is India's only university for the entire transportation and logistics sector and operates under the Ministry of Railways. It has an important national mandate for regular and executive education, training, skilling, and multi-disciplinary research.
Many senior-level officials from Indian Railways and other Government and private sector officials were present at the Conference.
Theme of Conference was well covered by Technical Presentations on
* Innovation in Railway Infrastructure - Latest advancements in track design, station upgrades, and safety systems
* Presentation on Digital Future of Rail - AI and Sustainable Software Engineering.
* Redevelopment of Sabarmati Station where Green Technologies are being used
* Leadership Panel Discussion on Waste Management in Indian Railways was very informative.
Another good initiative by Messe Frankfurt.
We have 3x exciting Jobs of the Week this week. In Australia, we are looking for a Senior Professional Electrical Engineer to work in Perth or Newcastle and in Dubai, UAE, we are looking for an Electromechanical Systems Maintenance Manager (must be a UAE National). In Malaysia, we are looking for a Design Manager with a strong rail electrification background.
Best Regards
Rail Personnel
Rail News
29 April 2025. China. Yellow River tourist trains are ready for service
CRRC Sifang and China Railway Zhengzhou Group have produced a hotel train themed on the Yellow River, which will take tourists to scenic destinations in Henan province, including Luoyang, Anyang and Sanmenxia. The rolling stock has been designed for comfort and with elderly passengers in mind. Features include fluorescent handrails, anti-slip flooring and a dedicated medical area with emergency supplies and senior care items. There are 14 soft sleeper cars with two, three or four berth compartments, a dining car, and a multifunctional car.
Source: Railway Gazette International
29 April 2025. Morocco. King launches high-speed rail project
The Moroccan King, Mohammed VI, officially launched construction of the Kénitra – Casablanca – Marrakech high-speed line with a ceremony at Rabat-Agdal station on April 24. The project to extend the existing 200 km long Tanger – Kénitra highspeed line by a further 430 km has a budget of 53bn dirhams, excluding rolling stock; national railway ONCF has awarded Alstom a €781m contract to supply 18 Avelia Horizon high- speed trainsets. The high-speed line forms part of a wider 96bn dirham programme.
Source: Railway Gazette International
29 April 2025. Germany. Siemens Mobility begins manufacturing hydrogen trains for Bavaria
The company has also obtained a service contract for the hydrogen supply system alongside the train order. Siemens Mobility has commenced the manufacturing of hydrogen-powered trains intended for the Sudostbayernbahn network in Bavaria, Germany, with operations set to begin in late 2026. The Bavarian state placed an order for three two-car Mireo Plus H trains, which will replace the existing diesel trains in service from the network’s Mühldorf hub.
Source: Railway Technology
29 April 2025. Bulgaria. Alstom wins $682m contract for 35 electric trains in Bulgaria
The BULEMU consortium, comprising Alstom and RVP Invest, will provide maintenance services for the trains. Alstom has secured a contract from Bulgaria’s Ministry of Transport and Communications to supply 35 electric Coradia Stream interregional trains, along with a 15-year maintenance agreement. The BULEMU consortium, which includes Alstom and local firm RVP Invest, will provide maintenance services for the trains. The total contract value is €720m ($817.9m), with Alstom’s share amounting to €600m ($681.6m).
Source: Railway Technology
29 April 2025. Chile. Systra Subterra secures Santiago Metro Line 8 design contract
The project involves designing shafts for tunnel construction and ventilation, as well as developing galleries to connect tunnel sections. Systra Subterra has secured a contract to perform the detailed design and civil works for shafts and tunnels on section two of Santiago Metro’s Line 8 in Chile. Line 8, which spans 19km and runs entirely underground, will enhance connectivity between Santiago's north-east, and south-east regions. The new line will serve six municipalities.
Source: Railway Technology
28 April 2025. Scotland. Contractors hailed for ‘excellent’ work on £3.4m Glenfinnan Viaduct project
A team of specialist engineers have completed a year-long £3.4 million restoration project on the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct. The structure, known worldwide for featuring in the Harry Potter films, underwent an extensive maintenance programme to safeguard its future for generations to come. Network Rail undertook the work alongside principal contractor AmcoGiffen. Concrete repairs were carried out across the structure sympathetically, taking care to replicate its heritage appearance.
Source: Project Scotland
Network Rail is set to undertake more than 630 projects across Britain’s railway during the early and late May Bank holidays. These projects are designed to keep the majority of the network open for travel as usual while making significant improvements to the railway infrastructure. Railways are usually quieter during weekends, particularly on key commuter routes into major cities, providing an opportunity to improve our railway whilst minimising disruption for passengers and freight users.
Source: Rail UK
The ARGOS system aims to enhance rail operations by centralising real-time information management, supported by decentralised field controllers. Hitachi Rail, which leads the HR/EQUANS/SNIC consortium, has successfully commissioned the inaugural ARGOS digital interlocking system on the SNCF Réseau rail network at a pilot site located in Chasse sur Rhône in France. This milestone marks the completion of a project that commenced in September 2020 when the consortium secured the top position in the ARGOS initiative.
Source: Railway Technology
24 April 2025. United Kingdom. TfGM Begins Procurement for New £1.6 Billion Metrolink Contract
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has launched the procurement process for the next operating and maintenance contract for Metrolink, the UK’s largest light rail network. The new contract is valued at up to 1.6 billion GBP and will run for up to 11 years. The current contract, held by KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM) since 2017, is due to end in 2027. TfGM’s new procurement process aims to identify a partner to continue operating and maintaining the network, which spans eight lines, 103 kilometres of track, and 99 stops across Greater Manchester.
Source: Railway News
24 April 2025. Norway. Stadler to Supply Signalling for Bergen Light Rail Expansion
Stadler has been contracted to supply signalling technology for the expansion of the Bybanen light rail network in Bergen, Norway. The agreement was signed with Bybanen Utbygging, a state-owned development organisation under the Vestland County Council. The contract covers the design, delivery, and implementation of signalling systems for upcoming extensions of the tram network, which will run towards the northern suburb of Åsane and westward to Loddefjord. The initial focus of the contract will be on the Åsane extension.
Source: Railway News
Job of the Week
Design Manager, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Job ID#:15074
Discipline: Electrical
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client in Malaysia has been delivering Power Plant Automation & Electrification Solutions and Railway System work packages, including Rail Electrification, Signalling & Communication systems for many years.
They are currently looking for someone with a rail electrification background and power system experience for the position of Design Manager to manage TPS / Power SCADA Designs.
Job Requirements:
- Must have a rail electrification background, power system experience, with experience managing TPS / Power SCADA Designs.
- Malaysian candidate preferred
David Hyland (davidh@railpersonnel.com)
Electromechanical Systems Maintenance Manager, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Job ID#: 15077
Discipline: E&M
Language: Arabic, English
Job Description:
Our client is seeking an Electromechanical System Maintenance Manager to support their activities in Dubai.
This role is open only to UAE Nationals.
The role is responsible for initializing, coordinating, and following up on all rail Electromechanical system maintenance initiatives and activities with rail maintenance functions, including Power, Electrical, and Mechanical Systems.
Key Accountabilities:
- Analyzes statistical data reports to identify causes of rail E&M maintenance issues and develops recommendations for improvement.
- Manages and plans all preventative & corrective maintenance and fault response in line with the corporate asset lifecycle polices & ensures implementation of the same in rail E&M systems and related features.
- Develops rail E&M maintenance plans by setting the numeric goals and key initiatives based on the current and expected performance, and supervises staff in accordance with the company policies and procedures.
- Formulates maintenance regimes for planned preventative maintenance activities based on optimized lifecycle strategies & communicates with respective stakeholders on maintenance cost with ERV (estimated replacement value) and other related rail E&M maintenance activities and planning.
- Complies with the company's Quality standards and policies with respect to shareholders, customers, suppliers, and employees to carry out all the duties and responsibilities as per the company's code of conduct.
- Inspects rail E&M and maintenance and performance to ensure progress towards set objectives and targets.
- Manages entire employee performance management cycle including setting yearly goals and objectives, identifying training and development needs and counselling.
- Forecasts and develops annual budget for projects and other department activities and recommends specific adjustments when required during execution.
Job Requirements:
- Bachelor's Degree in Electrical, Mechanical or Mechatronics Engineering
- 7 years of working experience
- Analytical thinker & Innovative problem solver
- Advanced knowledge of techniques used in Power & Electrical/Mechanical Systems
- Advanced knowledge of rail E&M maintenance and contract administration management
- Exceptional listener and communicator
- Flexible team player who thrives in environments requiring an ability to effectively prioritize and juggle multiple concurrent tasks.
- Computer-literate performer with extensive software proficiency covering a wide variety of applications
Contact: Renee Wade (renee@railpersonnel.com)
Senior Professional Electrical Engineer, Newcastle, Australia
Job ID#: 14956
Discipline: Electrical
Position Type: Permanent
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is an engineering consultancy and they are looking for a Senior Professional Electrical Engineers to be based in Perth, Melbourne or Newcastle.
Candidates must already reside in Australia to be considered for this role.
As a senior professional electrical engineer and a senior member of the team, you will conduct technical reporting and analysis tasks, on-site testing and commissioning activities along with project management and client interfacing. Your engineering and project experience will be key to assist the client to deliver the following as part of collaborative team against relevant Australian and International standards:
- Earthing system design, analysis, and compliance assessments are essential
- Lightning protection system design, analysis, and compliance assessments.
- Low-frequency interference studies.
- Protection grading studies and HV power system load flow investigations and analysis.
- Knowledge of Australian standards relating to high voltage and electrical installations.
- Prepare and review quality deliverables consistent with client expectations
- Manage projects and work packages to achieve quality, budgetary, and programme expectations
- Assist the management team with business development and maintaining client relationships
- Assist and mentor less experienced team members
Job Requirements:
- Bachelor of Electrical Engineering Degree (or higher)
- Must already reside in Australia
- Current driver's license
- Minimum five to ten years post-graduation) Experience within high voltage design and commissioning fields
- Candidates must have earthing experience
Contact: Renee Wade (renee@railpersonnel.com)
