Dear Readers
We are proud to support AusRAIL PLUS 2025, taking place from Tuesday 25 to Friday 28 November at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), Australia.
Make sure to book your place before standard registrations close on Tuesday 21 October to save $500 or more per delegate.
AusRAIL PLUS 2025 is the largest rail industry event in the Asia-Pacific region and an essential opportunity to connect with decision-makers, customers, suppliers and partners shaping the future of rail. More than 7,000 industry professionals will gather to hear from 120+ local and international experts, explore 16+ technical and concurrent streams, and meet 240+ exhibitors, sharing insights on digitalisation, AI, sustainability, safety, passenger experience and the future of rail worldwide.
Find out more and register today: https://ausrail.com/
Our Jobs of the Week this week are in Dubai, United Arab Emirates where we are looking for a Rail Systems Manager and a Chief Engineer, Passenger Experience (AFC Systems).
Best Regards
Rail Personnel
Rail News
14 October 2025. Australia. Long-awaited Mariyung trains start on the Blue Mountains Line
The first intercity Mariyung train has taken to the tracks on the Blue Mountains line, bringing new reliability, safety, and comfort to traveler’s from Lithgow to Sydney. Bound for Central Station, the first Mariyung on the line left Lithgow at 6.24 am Monday. The Blue Mountains Line needed a program of modifications to widen tunnels and expand train platforms to accommodate the Mariyung. The Mariyung fleet will gradually replace the V-Sets that have served the Blue Mountains Line since the 1970s.
Source: Infrastructure Magazine
Singapore’s Circle Line MRT will finally achieve a full loop with the opening of three new stations—Keppel (CC30), Cantonment (CC31), and Prince Edward Road (CC32)—slated for the first half of 2026. These stations will fill the current gap between Harbour Front and Marina Bay, improving connectivity for commuters in the city’s southern districts. Keppel MRT station will feature Singapore’s first underground bicycle park with accessible ramps, promoting car-lite travel. Cantonment MRT station, integrated with the conserved Tanjong Pagar Railway Station.
Source: Southeast Asia Infrastructure
13 October 2025. Thailand. Thailand fast-tracks key rail projects
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has announced accelerated implementation of key rail projects following directives from Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. The Quick Win initiatives focus on expediting public service launches for the Lopburi–Pak Nam Pho and Map Kabao–Chira Junction double-track lines, as well as the Thai–China High-Speed Rail contract 4-3. Approved project tenders, including Red Line commuter rail extensions, are being fast-tracked, alongside new project approvals such as the second phase of the southern double-track line from Chumphon–Surat Thani–Hat Yai–Songkhla.
Source: Southeast Asia Infrastructure
13 October 2025. United Kingdom. HS2 celebrates final Birmingham tunnel breakthrough
An enormous machine being used to dig HS2’s Birmingham approach tunnels broke through today, marking the completion of major tunnel excavation between London’s Old Oak Common and the West Midlands. The 125-metre-long tunnel boring machine – named Elizabeth after the 19th-century philanthropist Elizabeth Cadbury – was launched near the Warwickshire village of Water Orton in March 2024. It arrived at Washwood Heath this morning. Two identical machines were used to dig the 3.5-mile-long Bromford tunnel that will carry high-speed trains.
Source: Rail UK
DB ESG has, in collaboration with DB Systemtechnik (DB ST), been appointed to provide Quality Assurance services to Transport for London (TfL) for its new Piccadilly line trains. The company will provide independent quality assurances during the design, building, and testing phases of the new fleet of 94 Siemens Mobility trains. The new fleet will form part of TfL’s Piccadilly Line Upgrade programme. DB ESG is also set to conduct a number of surveillance activities throughout the entire manufacturing process.
Source: Railway News
13 October 2025. Costa Rica. Costa Rica gets $250m EIB loan for electric rail project
INCOFER, Costa Rica's national railway authority, will oversee the project's implementation. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a $250m loan to Costa Rica to finance the development of the country’s first electric train system. The loan, provided through EIB Global, marks EIB’s initial lending operation in Costa Rica and the first in over a decade. It also represents the first time the EIB has partnered with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration and the Green Climate Fund on a project in Costa Rica.
Source: Railway Technology
13 October 2025. India. ADB financing backs Indore metro’s inclusive urban mobility aims
The Asian Development Bank has approved a US$190m loan to support the development of an 8·6 km underground section of the Indore metro project. This seven-station section is scheduled to open by January 2030 to link congested areas of the city with the airport. A multimodal integration study will be conducted to optimise connectivity between the metro and rail, and bus services. There will be internship and training programmes to build capacity among women in the transport sector.
Source: Railway Gazette International
Jobs of the Week
Rail Systems Manager, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Job ID#: 15214
Discipline: Electrical
Position Type: Permanent
Language: English, Arabic
Job Description:
Our client is seeking a Rail Systems Manager to manage the Rail System Development section and support in the planning, development, and execution of department projects by realization of the department functions and objectives and ensure best international standards and practices used for the betterment of rail Projects.
This role is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Key Results Accountabilities
- Ensure Rail system development is in compliance with company standards and specifications
- Manage the performance management system of the section and develops objectives and KPIs to facilitate consistent growth and business continuity
- Actively contribute to the pre-contract stage planning and development of projects and strategic transportation vision
- Incorporate principles of sustainability to all projects involved where possible and as per the latest directives from the Authorized Governmental Body within the emirates of Dubai
- Plan, implement, and validate rail systems design for constructability, maintainability, cross-network interchangeability, compatibility, system integration, efficiency, and sustainability
- Supervise Rail system design, installation and testing and ensures compliance with the contract requirements, international standards, and best practices
- Provide Rail system technical support to the Contracts & Commercial team including Change Control Committee for timely and informed decision on claims, Variation and payments
- Provide technical reviews on EPC Contractor selection to ensure contract specifications and the client's requirements are relayed to the Engineer
- Manages the Rail System Development Section annual budget planning, monitors the implementation, evaluates, and recommends specific adjustments during the implementation to meet the project goals and objects
- Oversee the design, development, and implementation of rail projects in accordance with company requirements and standards
- Review and prepare technical and executive reports as necessary to carry out the functions of the department and for top management, when necessary or request
- Collaborate with other Rail Agency sections to achieve successful Railway opening and ensures equipment is as required, tests and commissions during planning and construction phase
Job Requirements:
Education
- Bachelor's Degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or equivalent 15 years of working experience in the field
Skills
- Highly analytical thinking with demonstrated talent for identifying, scrutinizing, improving, and streamlining complex work processes
- Computer-literate performer with extensive software proficiency covering wide variety of applications
- Exceptional listener and communicator who effectively conveys information verbally and in writing
- Resourceful team player who excels at building trusting relationships with customers and colleagues
- Flexible team player who thrives in environments requiring ability to effectively prioritize and juggle multiple concurrent projects
- Innovative problem-solver who can generate workable solutions and resolve complaints
- Goal-driven leader who maintains a productive climate and confidently motivates, mobilizes, and coaches employees to meet high performance standards
- Results-driven achiever with exemplary planning and organizational skills, along with a high degree of detail orientation
Contact: Jackie Hendry (jackie@railpersonnel.com)
Chief Engineer, Passenger Experience, (AFC Systems) Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Job ID#: 15009
Discipline: Automatic Fare Collection
Position Type: Permanent
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is a global leader in transport innovation, and they are seeking a Chief Engineer, Passenger Experience (AFC Systems) to work in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This role involves leading the development, integration, and enhancement of the Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) system across Dubai's world-class Railway network. You'll oversee major AFC projects, collaborate with key stakeholders, and drive innovation to elevate passenger experience.
Job Description
1. Manages and monitors contractors in establishing the AFC system as per the contractual agreement. And all AFC system projects (new and existing) and enhancements, reviews new fare system requirements, tender documents, and system specification related documents for the Rail Agency.
2. Conduct research and develop new strategies for the Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) system, test and implement these strategies for operational use.
3. Lead the tender process for any AFC projects including developing, evaluating, recommending vendors and negotiating the contracts with these vendors.
4. Plans and monitors all AFC system related projects in relation to the advancement of equipment operations and
enhancement including revenue protection in the Dubai Metro and Tram system.
5. Lead the analysis and categorisation of all software issues in conjunction with other Departments and
recommending rectification strategy and software deployments for all these issues.
6. Manages AFC Contractors on all matters regarding the development and implementation of the AFC system including integration with the Unified Fare System.
Job Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering-related field
- Minimum 8 years of experience
- Expertise in Railway AFC system projects, developments, installations, testing & commissioning, AFC system enhancements, revenue operations advancement and integration of fare systems
- Actual operational experience for day-to-day operation run, and passenger interaction, improving the solution from operational issues
- Strong skills in AFC ABT projects, more recent developments
Contact: Renee Wade (renee@railpersonnel.com)
