Dear Readers
We are pleased to be supporting Middle East Rail which takes place from 24th to 25th June 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Middle East Rail is the region's leading event for rail innovation, technology & strategy. The conference involves a two-day programme that will host over 250 speakers from across the region and beyond. The exhibition is a free-to-attend multi-brand exhibition hosting multiple country pavilions and over 250 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge solutions from the region.
For more information and to register to attend, visit: https://www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/middle-east-rail/index.stm
We have 3x exciting Jobs of the Week this week. In Malaysia, we are looking for a Risk and Commercial Manager and a Senior Rolling Stock Design Engineer and in Liberia, we are looking for a Car Dumper Specialist.
Best Regards
Rail Personnel
Rail News
10 June 2025. Australia. Perth's public transport has been enhanced
WA is celebrating the opening of two major infrastructure projects in Perth’s south-east.
The city’s rail network has entered a new phase of connectivity and resilience, proponents say, with the official opening of the METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Line and the elevated inner-section of the Armadale Line. The 17-kilometre Thornlie-Cockburn Line is Perth’s first east-west crossline rail connection, linking the Mandurah and Armadale lines. The project included the construction of new stations at Nicholson Road and Ranford Road, along with significant upgrades to Thornlie,
Source: Infrastructure Magazine
9 June 2025. United Kingdom. Lift off! Giant HS2 tunnelling machine to be given a new lease of life
After completing a 3.5-mile journey beneath the ground, HS2’s massive tunnel boring machine (TBM) Mary Ann has wrapped up her mission to carve out the first bore of the Bromford Tunnel, connecting North Warwickshire to Birmingham. Now, the 1,600-tonne engineering marvel is being carefully dismantled in preparation for her next underground adventure. The first major step in the disassembly process took place on Friday, 30th May 2025, when Mary Ann’s enormous 8.62-metre diameter cutterhead was hoisted into the Birmingham skyline. Weighing in at 120 tons.
Source: Rail Technology Magazine
9 June 2025. Netherlands. Rail welding robot makes ’tangible progress’
Robel Rail Automation, infrastructure manager ProRail, and contractors VolkerRail and Strukton Rail are to further develop an automated rail welding robot. ‘What started as a vision for robotic rail maintenance is now translating into tangible progress’, Strukton said. Robel has developed a welding robot housed in a container mounted on a standard flat wagon. It is designed to weld both plain line rails and switch components, operating at night and in bad weather, without fatigue and with consistently high precision and repeatability.
Source: Railway Gazette
9 June 2025. Egypt. First air-conditioned trains to support the growing demand on Cairo metro Line 1
Alstom delivered the first of 55 nine-car trainsets it is supplying for Cairo metro Line 1 on May 22. The train arrived in the capital a week after its unloading at the port of Alexandria. Under a November 2021 contract valued at €876m, Alstom is supplying 55 Metropolis trainsets for Line 1. The order is being financed by the French government under an agreement between the two countries. It includes maintenance of the vehicles and the provision of spare parts for eight years.
Source: Metro Report International
9 June 2025. Romania. PORR secures $488m contract to modernize Romanian railway line
The project includes converting 32.6km of track from a single to a double-track system. Austrian construction firm PORR has secured a contract worth €428m ($487.7m) from the Romanian National Railway Company to renovate and modernize the Craiova – Drobeta Turnu Severin – Caransebeș railway line. The project is part of the Romanian National Railway Company’s efforts to enhance the railway infrastructure to European standards. This design-and-build contract covers the Lot 5 section of the line.
Source: Railway Technology
6 June 2025. India. Alstom to Deliver 96 Metro Cars for Chennai Metro
Alstom has been awarded a 135 million EUR contract by Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) for the design, manufacture, supply, test and commission of 96 Metropolis metro cars for the second phase of the Chennai Metro. The project runs 119km long, with stretches of 76km and 43km elevated and underground respectively, with the line operating within three corridors and their inter-corridor sections. Alstom will manufacture 32 metro trainsets in three-car configurations, as well as provide 15 years of full maintenance following the vehicles’ warranty period.
Source: Railway News
Northeast Mayor Kim McGuinness today announced that the first new Metro line in 30 years will be built as part of a £1.85 billion funding deal agreed with the Government. The new Metro line through Washington stands at the heart of the largest single package of investment ever made in the North East’s transport networks, funding a significant investment in road maintenance, improved and safer walking and cycling routes, and new bus priority measures. Mayor McGuinness secured the investment after raising it personally with Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Source: Rail UK
Jobs of the Week
Risk and Commercial Manager, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Job ID#: 15100
Discipline: Risk management
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is looking for a Risk and Commercial Manager to work on the RTS Project in Johor Bahru, where they are managing all systems work.
The Risk and Commercial Manager is responsible for overseeing the risk management and commercial activities within the project on behalf of Jacobs team. This role involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks to the project, working with the WPCs, as well as managing commercial aspects of delivery. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in risk management, commercial operations, and strategic planning.
Key Responsibilities
Risk Management
- Risk Identification and Assessment: Identify potential risks that could impact the organization, including financial, operational, strategic, and compliance risks. Conduct thorough risk assessments to evaluate the likelihood and impact of these risks.
- Risk Mitigation Strategies: Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies to minimize the impact of identified risks. This includes creating contingency plans and recommending risk transfer mechanisms such as insurance.
- Risk Monitoring and Reporting: Continuously monitor risk exposure and report on risk status to senior management. Ensure that risk management processes are integrated into the organization's strategic planning and decision-making.
- Reporting: Provide monthly reports on top risks and their mitigation/progress.
Commercial Management
- Variations and scope changes: Working alongside the engineering team and project director, review and advise on commercial aspects of project changes. Support the project director in all commercial negotiations.
- Financial Analysis and Reporting: Conduct financial analysis to support commercial decision-making. Prepare and present reports on commercial performance, including revenue, costs, and profitability.
- Strategic Planning: Collaborate with senior management to develop and implement commercial strategies that support the organization's growth and profitability. Identify new business opportunities and market trends.
Leadership and Collaboration
- Team Leadership: Lead and mentor a team of risk and commercial professionals. Provide guidance and support to ensure the team achieves its objectives.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with other departments, including finance, operations, legal, and compliance, to ensure a cohesive approach to risk and commercial management.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with internal and external stakeholders to communicate risk and commercial strategies. Build strong relationships to support the organization's objectives.
Working Conditions
Location: Johor
Travel: Occasional travel may be required.
Work Hours: Full-time position with standard business hours. Some flexibility may be required based on project needs.
Job Requirements:
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Risk Management, or a related field. A Master's degree or professional certification (e.g., CRM, CFA) is preferred.
Experience: Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in risk management and commercial operations, preferably in a managerial role.
Skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
- Proficiency in financial analysis and reporting.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
- Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.
Personal Attributes
- Strategic Thinker: Ability to think strategically and develop long-term plans.
- Detail-Oriented: Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Leadership: Proven leadership skills and ability to motivate and develop a team.
- Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and manage uncertainty.
Contact: David Hyland (davidh@railpersonnel.com)
Senior Rolling Stock Design Engineer, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Job ID#: 14964
Discipline: Rolling Stock
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client in Malaysia is looking for a highly skilled and experienced Locomotive Senior Design Engineer to lead the design and development of locomotive systems, including propulsion, braking, and control systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in mechanical and electrical engineering with a focus on locomotive systems. This role is crucial for the design and development of cutting-edge locomotive technologies, ensuring performance, efficiency, and safety standards are met.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the design and development of locomotive systems, including propulsion, braking, and control systems.
- Create detailed engineering drawings and specifications using CAD software.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate systems and components.
- Manage engineering projects from concept to implementation.
- Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
- Coordinate with suppliers and contractors for component design and procurement.
- Provide expert advice on mechanical and electrical locomotive design.
- Stay updated with the latest industry trends, technologies, and regulations.
- Conduct technical analyses and simulations to optimize design performance
- Develop and oversee testing protocols to ensure design integrity and compliance with safety standards.
- Analyze test data and make necessary adjustments to designs and processes.
- Mentor junior engineers and provide guidance and support for their professional development.
- Foster a collaborative and innovative engineering culture within the team.
Job Requirements:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in locomotive design or a related engineering field.
- Proficiency in CAD software and engineering tools.
- Strong knowledge of locomotive systems and industry standards.
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Proven project management experience.
Contact: David Hyland (davidh@railpersonnel.com)
Car Dumper Specialist, Yekapa, Liberia
Job ID#: 15104
Discipline: Operations
Position Type: Contract
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is seeking a Car Dumper Specialist to assist with activities in Liberia as part of a massive mining expansion project. The project, with a capacity of 15 million tons of iron ore concentrate, is making steady progress and is expected to be commissioned in Q4 2024. The project consists of a state-of-the-art concentrator plant along with augmentation of the existing rail and port infrastructure to support the production and shipping of concentrated ore. The project will also have a positive impact on the local economy, with significant infrastructure upgrades, including road development, being taken up as part of the project.
The incumbent will be responsible for the safe and efficient operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of car dumper systems at the Port/Rail. As a Car Dumper Specialist, you will be responsible for the safe, efficient, and continuous operation of the car dumper system, a critical component of our railcar unloading operations. This position plays a key role in supporting and ensuring the efficient and continuous unloading of railcars, supporting shipping schedules and meeting production targets.
The Key Responsibilities
* Responsible for operating and monitoring car dumper systems to unload bulk materials from railcars safely and efficiently
* Perform routine inspections, preventative maintenance, and minor repairs on car dumper equipment
* Troubleshoot hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical system issues to minimize downtime
* Coordinate with rail and yard crews to ensure proper alignment and securing of railcars
* Use control systems and panels to operate the car dumper, including hydraulic, electrical, and mechanical components.
* Maintain accurate records of operational activities, maintenance, and safety checks
* Adhere to all safety regulations, company policies, and environmental guidelines
* Communicate effectively with control room operators, maintenance teams, and supervisors
Job Requirements:
The Requirements
* High school Diploma or GED required; technical or trade certification is a plus.
* Minimum 3 years of experience in industrial or port operations, preferably involving heavy equipment or car dumper systems.
* Completion of a technical training program or apprenticeship in heavy equipment operation or maintenance.
* Strong mechanical aptitude with working knowledge of hydraulic, electrical, and pneumatic systems
* Proven experience operating heavy machinery in a safe and efficient manner
* Ability to read schematics, follow standard operating procedures, and use diagnostic tools
* Experience working in remote areas of Africa.
The Rewards
* The position offers a 2-year contract with a competitive remuneration package on single status with a 7-3 FIFO roster.
* Full accommodation is provided on-site, including secure facilities and meals.
Contact: Jackie Hendry (jackie@railpersonnel.com)
