Dear Readers
David Hyland and Chris Deakin (Country Representative, Singapore) recently attended the HSR Asia Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as organised by Stratcoms Events.
David had this to say about the event:
It was an excellent conference with some very good papers and a lot of discussion on what is happening with High Speed Rail in Asia and the Middle East.
Our Job of the Week this week is in Malaysia where we are looking for a Senior Electrical Supervisor in Testing & Commissioning.
Best Regards
Rail Personnel
Rail News
Canadian National Rail has launched its 2025-2026 Winter Plan, highlighting $3 billion investment, predictive technologies, and partnerships to strengthen resilience and maintain reliable service during extreme conditions. Canadian National Rail (CN) has released its 2025-2026 Winter Plan, outlining how it will continue to provide safe, reliable, and efficient service throughout the most challenging months of the year. “Preparing for winter is part of what we do every year. Our Winter Plan lays out how our teams, assets, and processes
Source: Global Railway Review
30 September 2025. United Arab Emirates. FirstClass safety systems installed at Etihad Rail depot
FirstClass Safety & Control has supplied and installed two bespoke Depot Protection Systems at Etihad Rail’s largest maintenance facility. Al-Faya depot undertakes the light maintenance and heavy overhaul of 38 Progress Rail EMD freight locomotives and 21 CRRC Qingdao Sifang push-pull trainsets, and in the future will also handle CAF 200 km/h push-pull trainsets. The SIL2 depot protection systems include site-wide digital RFID logging, a real-time data interface with Etihad Rail’s central systems, interlocks with cranes, fire alarms, doors.
Source: Railway Gazette International
The purchase price stands at around €500m and deal closing depends on receipt of standard regulatory approvals. German company Knorr-Bremse has agreed to acquire Switzerland-headquartered railway electronics provider Duagon Group for about €500m ($586m). Through this acquisition, Knorr-Bremse aims to expand its business in electronic and software solutions for rail vehicles. It expects to add capabilities relevant to braking and entrance systems. A purchase agreement has been signed between Knorr-Bremse and DBAG Fund VII, a private equity fund.
Source: Railway Technology
29 September 2025. China. CRRC Debuts China’s First Standard Intelligent Regional Train
CRRC has unveiled China’s first Standard Intelligent Regional Train in Qingdao, Shandong. The train has been developed under the principles of intelligence, digitalisation, modularisation, sustainability, and integrated train–ground operation. Its launch marks the beginning of demonstration applications for standardised intelligent trains in China’s regional rail sector. The train is designed to operate at a maximum speed of 200 km/h. It uses self-sensing, self-learning, and self-decision-making control technologies, which have reduced operational failure rates by over 95 percent.
Source: Railway News
29 September 2025. Germany. Siemens Mobility starts work on €35m train battery system factory
Siemens Mobility began construction of a rolling stock battery system factory at Luhe-Wildenau in Bayern with a groundbreaking ceremony on September 29. The factory being developed in co-operation with Dirnberger Real Estate and construction company Dimonda Projektbau represents a total investment of around €35m, including €22m from Siemens Mobility and €2·7m from the Land of Bayern. Siemens Mobility currently assembles battery systems for regional battery-electric trains at the site, which will be expanded to undertake full-scale battery system production from October 2027.
Source: Railway Gazette International
29 September 2025. India. Mizoram rail link will be ‘a lifeline of transformation’, says Modi
The northeastern state of Mizoram has been connected to the national rail network, with the opening of a broad-gauge line. Aizawl becomes the fourth of the isolated region’s eight state capitals to be served by rail. Built at a cost of Rs60bn, the 51·4 km line from Bairabi currently terminates at the satellite town of Sairang, around 20 km northwest of Aizwal. The railway was formally inaugurated on September 13 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, dressed in a local tribal costume.
Source: Railway Gazette International
29 September 2025. Spain. CAF Celebrates Rollout of 1,000th Urbos Tram
CAF has announced the production and subsequent rollout of its 1,000th Urbos tram. The tram, which was introduced in 2006, has been deployed in 38 cities across 19 countries since it first entered operation on Seville’s MetroCentro line in 2010, including Belgrade, Malaga, Sydney, Amsterdam, Granada, Kansas, and Budapest. The vehicles have been manufactured across eight different CAF Group plants in 5 countries, including sites in Beasain, Zaragoza, Irún, Linares, Bagnères-de-Bigorre (France), Newport (United Kingdom), Elmira (United States), and Dunakeszi (Hungary).
Source: Railway News
29 September 2025. United States. Stadler begins aluminium train car body welding in US
The new Salt Lake City facility reduces transit time and increases the local manufacturing presence. Stadler has commenced welding of aluminium train car bodies at its new facility in Salt Lake City, US. The 50,000ft² expansion forms part of the company’s ongoing growth within its existing US factory, which manufactures passenger trains for the domestic market. The facility allows aluminium car bodies to be welded on-site for the first time, rather than transported from Stadler’s welding facilities in Europe.
Source: Railway Technology
29 September 2025. Poland. Alstom to deliver signalling systems for railway line 354 in Poland
The contract seeks to improve the management of train movements and enhance safety measures. Alstom has been awarded a contract to design and install railway traffic control systems for Poland’s railway line 354 in Oborniki Wielkopolskie. The contract is part of the expansion of line 354 and focuses on signalling upgrades on the more than 2km-long section between Oborniki Wielkopolskie Most junction and Oborniki Wielkopolskie station. According to Polish railway infrastructure manager PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe.
Source: Railway Technology
Pacific National’s first 94 Class locomotive has railed into Perth from Melbourne, successfully traversing the longest leg on the country’s intermodal freight network. Pacific National is investing more than $350 million, commissioning a fleet of 50 new 94 Class locomotives to reduce emissions on its services by an estimated six to ten per cent. The new locomotives will be deployed to move 1500 to 1800-metre-long container trains around the country. Brett Grehan, Chief Executive Officer.
Source: Rail Express
Job of the Week
Senior Electrical Supervisor in Testing and Commissioning, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Job ID#: 15228
Discipline: Rolling Stock
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client in Malaysia is looking for a Senior Electrical Supervisor in Testing and Commissioning for work they are doing in Malaysia on the midlife refurbishment of trains for the Kuala Lumpur Metro.
Responsibilities
- Preparation of work instructions, testing & commissioning documents for client
- SAT & FAT of onboard systems.
- Work instructions, materials planning, ensuring readiness for commissioning.
- Conducting root cause analysis and implemented corrective measures for system errors.
- All pre-commissioning tasks, including polarity and I/O verification on the TMS power line.
- Hipot (Dielectric Strength) Testing equipment to ensure electrical insulation integrity.
- Performing insulation resistance and continuity testing to validate system reliability.
- Collaborating with external stakeholders to meet client specifications and project milestones.
- Testing and commissioning protocols for all subsystems before train release.
Job Requirements:
- Electrical Engineering Degree or Diploma
- Minimum 10 years of experience in testing and troubleshooting electrical maintenance systems and electric trains,
- Experience in system integration and maintenance.
- Extensive expertise in fault diagnosis, part replacement, and rectification through the application of electrical and mechanical schematics.
- Skilled in problem-solving
- Deep understanding of wiring lists, circuit diagrams, and the use of advanced testing devices and equipment to ensure reliable system performance.
Contact: David Hyland (davidh@railpersonnel.com)
