Dear Readers
We are pleased to be supporting Eurasia Rail which takes place from 18th to 20th June at the IFM (Istanbul Expo Centre), Istanbul, Turkey.
Eurasia Rail is the region’s only rail industry exhibition and one of the largest worldwide. The biennial event brings together global rolling stock manufacturers, infrastructure technology suppliers, and rail logistics companies for 3 days of business at networking.
It is the key international trade platform for connecting sector giants with professional visitors under one roof. Eurasia Rail not only determines the regional rail pulse, but it’s also the ideal tool for forging new relationships and developing existing relationships.
A comprehensive conference and seminar programme is held alongside each event edition. With guest talks from industry experts and practical sessions, it keeps visitors and exhibitors abreast with the latest rail developments, innovations and technologies, as well as the biggest challenges facing the industry as well as their potential solutions.
Eurasia Rail support comes from leading Turkish rail authorities, including:
- Turkish Ministry of Transport & Infrastructure
- Turkish State Railways (TCDD)
- TCDD Subcompanies TÜLOMSAŞ, TÜDEMSAŞ, TÜVASAŞ & TCDD Transportation
For more information and to register to attend, visit: https://eurasiarail.eu/en/main
Our Job of the Week this week is in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates where we are looking for a BIM Expert.
Best Regards
Rail Personnel
Rail News
12 May 2025. United Kingdom. HS2 breaks through in Birmingham
HS2’s giant tunnelling machine Mary Ann broke through on Friday, 9 May, marking the end of her mission to excavate the first bore of what will soon become the longest railway tunnel in the West Midlands. The 125-metre-long machine began constructing the 3.5-mile (5.8km) Bromford Tunnel, which starts at the Warwickshire village of Water Orton and extends to the northeast Birmingham suburb of Washwood Heath, in July 2023. The TBM was named Mary Ann by the local community, in a nod to the Warwickshire-born writer better known by her pen name, George Eliot.
Source: Rail UK
12 May 2025. Australia. Sydney Metro West Excavation Complete for Hunter Street Metro Station
The Sydney Metro West project has reached a new milestone with the completion of the excavation process of the latest Hunter Street metro station cavern. The excavation, which has been in process for the last 20 months and called for a team of 57 workers, has resulted in a tunnel that measures 180 meters long, 28 metres in width, and 20 metres in height. Hunter Street station is set to serve as the Sydney Metro West line’s final stop upon its opening in 2032 and is predicted to be the busiest along the network.
Source: Railway News
12 May 2025. Finland. East Railway Project to Connect Finland to Rail Networks in Europe
At the Train & Rail conference in Stockholm, Petteri Portaankorva, representing East Railway Ltd, shared insights into the East Railway project set to connect Helsinki with eastern regions in Finland and beyond to Europe. Portaankorva stressed the strategic importance of the East Railway, particularly its role in enhancing mobility, ensuring security of supply, and bolstering regional competitiveness. Spanning half of Finland, the East Railway will link Helsinki with the eastern parts of the country.
Source: Railway News
12 May 2025. United States. Amtrak advances major upgrades at Seattle rail yard
The King Street Yard renovation aims to modernize maintenance practices and accommodate the new Amtrak Airo trains. Amtrak has commenced major construction works at its King Street Yard in Seattle, US, focusing on the establishment of a new maintenance facility spanning nearly 100,000ft². The renovation of King Street Yard is intended to implement modern maintenance practices and support the introduction of the new Amtrak Airo trains, which are scheduled to begin service on the Amtrak Cascades route in 2026.
Source: Railway Technology
9 May 2025. United Kingdom. The 190-Year-Old Marvel Set for a Major Makeover by TRU Engineers!
Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) engineers have this week begun initial preparation work for the raising and renovation of Crawshaw Woods Bridge, the earliest cast-iron railway bridge to still be in place over an operational railway anywhere in the world. Constructed between 1830 and 1834, the Grade II-listed bridge has spanned the reign of eight monarchs and is recognized by Historic England as one of the most significant structures on the Transpennine route.
Source: Rail Technology Magazine
9 May 2025. Italy. Hitachi Rail Partners with Knorr-Bremse for System Technology Supply in Rome
Hitachi Rail has announced a partnership with Knorr-Bremse for the supply of system technologies for up to 30 subway trains set for operation on the Rome Metro. The signed framework contract includes a base order for 14 trains, with an option for a further 16. Each unit will be equipped with Knorr-Bremse’s automatic AutoLink front couplers, as well as two types of semi-permanent couplers from its ShortLink line, each of which can be configured according to specific customer requirements.
Source: Railway News
9 May 2025. Switzerland. Switzerland and the UK sign MoU on direct rail connection
An agreement between Switzerland, France, and the UK will be necessary to enable this connection. Switzerland and the UK have signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) to facilitate a direct rail connection between the two countries. Swiss Federal Councilor Albert Rosti, who oversees the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, met with UK Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, in London to formalize this agreement. The MoU aims to enhance collaboration in international rail passenger transport.
Source: Railway Technology
Job of the Week
BIM Expert, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Job ID#: 15089
Discipline: BIM Management
Position Type: Permanent
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is seeking a highly experienced BIM Expert to lead the Building Information Modeling (BIM) processes for a railway project. The role requires expertise in BIM implementation, coordination, and management, with a preference for candidates who have worked in the GCC region, particularly in the UAE.
The BIM Expert will be responsible for developing and managing BIM strategies, ensuring compliance with international standards, and coordinating multidisciplinary teams to deliver accurate and efficient digital models. The role involves overseeing design workflows and supporting stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement a comprehensive BIM Execution Plan (BEP) tailored to the company's needs.
- Oversee the creation, maintenance, and coordination of 3D BIM models.
- Ensure adherence to international BIM standards (e.g., but not limited to, ISO 19650) and local regulations.
- Collaborate with engineers, architects, contractors, and other stakeholders to exchange accurate data.
- Act as the primary point of contact for all BIM-related activities.
Job Requirements:
Qualification
- Bachelor's degree or diploma in Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in developing complex BIM models for large-scale infrastructure projects.
- Proven experience in rail or high-speed train projects is highly desirable.
Preferred Experience
- At least 2 years of experience working on projects in the GCC region, preferably in the UAE.
- Familiarity with UAE-specific construction regulations and practices.
- Previous involvement in rail infrastructure and/or linear transportation projects is an advantage.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Proficiency in Autodesk Revit, Navisworks, AutoCAD, and BIM360 software tools.
- Strong understanding of international BIM standards (e.g., ISO 19650).
- Expertise in clash detection, model coordination, and data management.
Specialized Knowledge
- Knowledge of 4D/5D/6D BIM applications for scheduling, cost estimation, and facility management.
- Understanding of Digital Twin technologies (inclusive of CDE) for asset lifecycle management.
Work Environment
The position is based in the UAE with occasional site visits required. The role involves working closely with multidisciplinary teams in a collaborative environment.
Contact: Jackie Hendry (jackie@railpersonnel.com)
