Dear Readers
We have a Stand (No. 55) at Rail Solutions Asia 2025 which will place from 3rd to 5th December at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia so drop by if you are there.
Regarded by many as the best railway event in Asia, Rail Solutions Asia combines a wide-ranging exhibition, a comprehensive conference programme and the Annual Congress of the Asian Railway Operators Association. In addition to the delegations from 20 Asian Railway Operators, who will attend the AROA Annual Congress, Malaysia is also well placed to attract trade visitors & conference delegates from across SE Asia, making RSA a truly regional event.
For more information and to register to attend, visit: https://www.tdhrail.co.uk/
Our Job of the Week this week is in Hong Kong where we are looking for Site Supervisors (HV and LV installation).
Best Regards
Rail Personnel
Rail News
Rail passengers are being thanked for their patience after further work to progress the digital signalling upgrade took place on the East Coast Main Line. Journeys south of Peterborough were affected over the weekend of 22 and 23 November by testing work on the new digital in-cab signalling system that will be introduced in the coming years through the £1.4 billion East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP). ECDP will replace lineside ‘traffic light’ signals replaced with continuous in-cab signalling information through the European Train Control System (ETCS), enabling more punctual and reliable journeys for passengers in the future.
Source: Rail UK
25 November 2025. United States. Alstom & CTDOT Unveil Models of New Commuter Cars at Union Station
Alstom and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) have unveiled a life-sized model of the state’s future commuter rail cars during an event at Union Station in New Haven. The wooden mock-up consists of the interior of one half of a car with seats, finishes and a wheelchair-accessible toilet. The prototype model, which is situated in the East Lot, will remain open for public tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 07:00 & 09:00 and 15:00 & 17:00 from today (Tuesday 25 November 2025) to January 06, 2026.
Source: Railway-News
25 November 2025. China. Pandrol China Shows Commitment to Chinese Railway Sector
Leading rail infrastructure solution provider Pandrol China has signed a landmark agreement, which should enable the company to expand its presence and technological influence further in the Chinese railway industry. The co-operation framework agreement is between Pandrol China and the Metal & Chemistry Research Institute (MCRI) of the China Academy of Railway Sciences (CARS). The agreement outlines a collaborative approach to promoting Pandrol’s innovative aluminothermic welding solution i+weld and supporting China Railway’s Auto-ATW (automated thermit welding) requirements.
Source: Railway-News
24 November 2025. India. India’s first bullet train to make 100km debut in August 2027
The bullet train will decrease travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to nearly two hours and 17 minutes. Indian Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has stated that the country’s first bullet train is planned to make its debut run in August 2027 as part of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor (MAHSR). The initial journey will run between Surat and Vapi in Gujarat, covering 100km, as reported by the news agency Press Trust of India. This update changes the earlier plan to begin operations on a 50km section.
Source: Railway Technology
24 November 2025. Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Metro Receives “Mega Project of the Year” Award from MEED
The Riyadh Metro, a central element of the capital’s long-term transport strategy, has been named “Mega Project of the Year 2025” for the Middle East and North Africa region at the MEED Projects Awards. Developed by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), the Metro is regarded as a major component of Riyadh’s wider urban development programme. The project’s recognition reflects its role in reshaping how residents move around the city.
Source: Railway News
22 November 2025. Australia. Diesel locomotive battery tender to be tested in Western Australia
Freight operator Aurizon is to trial the use of a battery Electric Tender intended to reduce emissions from heavy haul rail operations by enabling diesel-battery hybrid operation using existing diesel locomotives. The 1·8 MW Battery Electric Tender, described by Aurizon as ’essentially a big battery-pack on wheels’, will be coupled with a modified diesel locomotive to operate as a hybrid system using both diesel and battery power. The battery will be charged using energy regenerated during braking and downhill travel, and also from a static DC recharging station.
Source: Railway Gazette
21 November 2025. Brazil. CAF lands €500m maintenance contract for 107 São Paulo commuter trains
The contract is set to begin with the launch of assisted commercial operations in July 2026. Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) has entered into a 24-year agreement with Trivia Trens, a subsidiary of the Brazilian group Comporte, about the maintenance of São Paulo’s commuter trains. CAF will provide comprehensive maintenance services for 107 electric trains operating on São Paulo’s commuter lines 11-Coral, 12-Safira, and 13-Jade. The contract, valued at approximately €500m ($578.1m).
Source: Railway Technology
21 November 2025. Vietnam. Phú Quốc island metro to be developed through PPP
The People’s Council of An Giang Province has approved plans to develop a metro line on Phú Quốc island using a build-operate-transfer public-private partnership concession running for up to 40 years. The aim is to reduce traffic congestion and emissions, and to promote more sustainable development and tourism. The 9tr dong scheme approved on October 24 envisages a 17·7 km line from Phú Quốc international Airport to the APEC Conference Centre, with five to seven stations and one depot. The alignment would mostly be at grade, with 1·3 km of elevated route and 2 km underground.
Source: Railway Gazette
Job of the Week
Site Supervisors, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong
Job ID#: 15239
Discipline: E&M
Language: English
Job Description:
We are looking for experienced and qualified Site Supervisors to include as part of a bid for work in Hong Kong.
Our client is seeking the provision of Engineering Services on Site Supervision of HV and LV Installation for a period of 12 months with an option to extend the services for 12 months.
The Contractor shall provide experienced and qualified site supervisors (including Competent Person - Non-Track, Competent Person, Track, and Competent Person-Track/Non-Track with Safety Supervisor qualification) to assist in performing attendance duties, supervising sites, and coordinating work related to safety and quality for project activities across multiple work sites, both within and outside the company's premises.
Job Requirements:
Candidates should have relevant experience in Site Supervision of HV and LV installation.
Contact: David Hyland (davidh@railpersonnel.com)
