Dear Readers
We are pleased to be supporting the 2025 Vietnam Rail Summit (VRS) which will take place from 23rd to 24th October in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
The Vietnam Rail Transit Summit 2025 will be held in Ho Chi Minh City on October 23–24, 2025. The event will gather approximately 300 industry leaders, experts, and corporate representatives to establish a high-level platform for dialogue and collaboration. Participants will explore cutting-edge trends, share best practices, and uncover market opportunities, injecting new momentum into the rail transit sector in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
For more information and to register to attend, visit: https://en.shine-consultant.com/prod_view.aspx?TypeId=11&Id=378&FId=t3:11:3
We have 3x exciting Jobs of the Week this week. In Saudi Arabia, we are looking for a Training Manager for Passenger Trains and in Perth, Western Australia we are looking for Advanced Linespersons and a Senior Professional Electrical Engineer.
Best Regards
Rail Personnel
Rail News
22 July 2025. Singapore. Two-car sets boost capacity on the Sengkang-Punggol LRT
The first two of 25 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries third-generation rubber-tyred Automated Guideway Transit sets ordered by the Land Transport Authority to enhance capacity on the Sengkang-Punggol Light Rapid Transit network entered service on July 15. The rest of the two-car sets are to arrive by 2028, gradually replacing the existing 25 one-car and eight two-car first-generation sets to help meet rising demand as the local population increases. Eight second-generation two-car sets will remain in operation. The new vehicles have a similar exterior design to the existing fleet.
Source: Metro Report International
22 July 2025. Australia. Bankstown metro station conversion nears finish line
The first major Sydney Metro-Sydney Trains transport interchange in south west Sydney has entered its final stages of construction with the installation of 36 safety screen doors on the new metro platforms.Due to commence services in 2026, passengers at Bankstown and along the former T3 line will have a new air-conditioned metro train every four minutes in the peak – 15 trains an hour compared to eight trains an hour in the morning peak previously. Metro conversion work at Bankstown Station.
Source: Infrastructure Magazine
Yellow Rail, a leading provider of specialist rail engineering services and part of the Buckland Rail group, has announced the award of a significant contract with London Trams to deliver a full turnkey solution for the overhaul of SVT bogies and brake systems across its fleet. Yellow Rail said the project further strengthened its position as a trusted supplier of specialist rail engineering services to the passenger and freight markets within the UK. All overhaul activities will be managed end-to-end by Yellow Rail.
Source: Rail UK
22 July 2025. Mozambique. EU and France invest €145m to improve Mozambique’s rail infrastructure
The investment combines two non-sovereign loans from AFD, totaling $133m and a $35m grant from the EU. Mozambique’s rail network is poised for a significant upgrade with the signing of three financing agreements between state-owned railway company Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) for an investment of €145m (169m). The investment combines two non-sovereign loans from AFD, totaling $133m and a €30m ($35m) grant from the European Union.
Source: Railway Technology
22 July 2025. United States. MBTA seeks next Boston commuter train operator
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has begun the process of appointing the next operator of its Boston commuter rail services. The trains are currently operated by Keolis Commuter Services under a contract running to June 30, 2027. The contract will include operation of the passenger services, fleet, and infrastructure maintenance. MBTA said its network of 12 lines totalling 1,125 track-km and 148 stations is the fifth busiest such system in the country, after routes in the New York and Chicago areas.
Source: Railway Gazette International
21 July 2025. Georgia. CRRC to supply Tbilisi metro trains
The city of Tbilisi has selected GT group, representing Chinese rolling stock manufacturer CRRC, for a contract to supply 111 cars to replace the ageing metro fleet. The metro currently has 197 cars built in 1974-91 and mostly refurbished in 2006-19. This winning bidder was announced by Mayor Kakha Kaladze on July 10, when he said replacing the Line 1 fleet was the priority. Bids were also submitted by Kamkor Lokomotiv and Škoda Transportation. The 14 four-car and 11 five-car.
Source: Metro Report International
21 July 2025. Germany. Siemens Mobility Presents New Mireo Smart Plus B Battery Trains
Siemens Mobility has presented its new series of low-emission Mireo Smart Plus B battery trains.
The trains, which were presented at the company’s test centre in Wegberg-Wildenrath, are bound for deployment on the RE 47 line, which runs between Remscheid-Lennep and Düsseldorf Central Station. Set to enter service for Regiobahn from summer 2026, the three two-car battery trains are able to operate up to 120 kilometres at a top speed of up to 140 km/h in both overhead line and battery modes.
Source: Railway News
21 July 2025. India. ACES India to implement 4G/5G-ready infrastructure across Bangalore’s Metro
The agreement is to develop a telecom infrastructure within Bangalore's Namma Metro network that is equipped for both 4G and 5G services. CES India, a subsidiary of Advanced Communications and Electronics Systems Company, has signed an agreement with Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) to deploy telecom infrastructure within Bangalore’s Namma Metro network. This strategic partnership follows a competitive bidding process, and a formal Letter of Acceptance was issued earlier this year. The collaboration will see ACES deploy, operate, and maintain high-speed mobile.
Source: Railway Technology
18 July 2025. United Kingdom. GB Railfreight unveils advanced locomotives at Peterborough HQ
GB Railfreight (GBRf), backed by Infracapital, has unveiled its new Class 99 locomotives at its Peterborough headquarters. The new fleet, which represents a £150 million investment from GBRf, will revolutionise Britain’s rail freight network. Representing a major leap forward for sustainable transport. The Class 99s can run on both electricity and renewable fuels, offering customers the most sustainable freight solution on the market and halving carbon emissions. These new locomotives, which were manufactured by Stadler in Valencia, will move a vast range of consumable goods.
Source: Rail UK
Job of the Week
Training Manager for Passenger Trains, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Job ID#: 15168
Discipline: Operations
Position Type: Contract
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is seeking a Training Manager for Passenger Trains to work and be based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Duties / Responsibilities may include:
*Lead the team of trainers, with full line management responsibilities including direction, development, and guidance of the individuals.
*Build and maintain an effective relationship with owning stakeholders to ensure continuous improvement. *Work in conjunction with the Training Specifications and Standards Manager with competency assessments when required.
*Make assessment decisions and provide feedback to candidates, Line Managers, Training Specification and Standards Manager and Training Operations Manager
*Assist the Trainer/Assessors to design/develop and deliver course materials using Training Needs Analysis.
*Ensure all training courses are resourced following the production of the training schedule from the Training Resource Manager.
Job Requirements
- Comprehensive knowledge of operational & safety rules and regulations.
- Comprehensive understanding of all service delivery regulations and standards.
- Ideally hold a professional qualification in Learning & Development.
Contact: Jackie Hendry (jackie@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 cataloguing new stock items using technical and supplier information.
- Assesses current condition of assets using data produced by the company'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 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 Driver's 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)
Senior Professional Electrical Engineer, Perth, 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 assisting the client to deliver the following as part of a 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)
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