Rail News
Sydney Metro’s Gadigal Station has been awarded the Prix Versailles World Title – Special Prize for Interior at the 2025 ceremony, recognising outstanding achievement in passenger station design. The award follows the station’s selection in November as one of the “Magnificent Seven” most beautiful passenger stations for 2025, with the underground precinct setting a new benchmark in contemporary transport infrastructure. Thousands of passengers move through Gadigal Station each day.
Source: Infrastructure Magazine
National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL) has announced SYSTRA as the lowest bidder for the consultancy Services contract regarding the works of Signalling and Telecommunication System, SCADA system, and Ticketing System of Mumbai- Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project. NHSRCL invited bids for this contract with a 2520 Days deadline. Technical bids were opened on 14 Nov 2025 announcing that 2 firms have submitted bids for the contract.
Source: Metro Rail News
27 January 2026. United Kingdom. HS2 Begins Tunnelling Between Old Oak Common and Euston Station
HS2 Ltd has celebrated the launch of the project’s latest tunnel boring machine (TBM), which has started its passage from Old Oak Common toward Euston station – marking a key milestone in the delivery of the new, high-speed rail line. The portion of the route itself has been deemed ‘essential’ by the Government as it allegedly stands to add up to 41 billion GBP to the economy by 2053 via the construction of a wealth of new homes and associated commercial development.
Source: Railway News
26 January 2026. United States. BNSF Celebrates Opening of New Intermodal Facility in Oklahoma City
Last Thursday (22 January) saw BNSF Railway and Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. gather to celebrate the official opening of the Class I railroad’s new intermodal facility in Oklahoma City. Those in attendance included ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz, Oklahoma City mayor David Holt and other legislative leaders and public-private partners, all of whom witnessed an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new facility, which opened on 31 December 2025; now looks to offer more streamlined, cost-efficient options for Hobby Lobby across its 42-acre intermodal site.
Source: Railway News
24 January 2026. United Kingdom. West Midlands Metro expansion contracts awarded
Colas Rail UK has been awarded further contracts for the expansion of the West Midlands Metro light rail network through its longstanding position as principal contractor within the Midland Metro Alliance. The latest contracts cover: Birmingham Eastside Extension Phase 2, from the interim terminus at Millennium Point to the future Curzon Street High Speed 2 station; Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro Extension Phase 2, continuing the route from Dudley to Merry Hill shopping centre.
Source: Rail Business UK
24 January 2026. Philippines. DOTr: 12 MRT-7 stations fully operational by Q2 2027
A large stretch of the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) covering 12 train stations is targeted to commence full operations by the second quarter of 2027, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Saturday. In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez expressed optimism that this segment would be completely ready to service the commuting public by the second quarter of next year.
Source: GMA Integrated News
24 January 2026. Philippines. DOTr eyes Metro Manila Subway demo run in Q1 2028
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is targeting to conduct a demo run of the Metro Manila Subway by the first quarter of 2028 as part of continuous efforts to complete the country's first underground railway system. In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, DOTr Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the demo run will cover the subway's initial segment in northern Metro Manila from East Valenzuela to Quirino Avenue.
Source: GMA Integrated News
Land Transport Authority (LTA) revamps its video transport network to support advanced security and high-resolution video services. Nokia fiber Optical LAN and IP/MPLS solutions used to help LTA upgrade its CCTV system across 50+ train stations located across Singapore. Upgraded LTA video transmission network ensures safety for millions of passengers riding the railways each day. Nokia, working in partnership with Hitachi Rail, announced that LTA will deploy its IP/MPLS and fiber Optical LAN solutions.
Source: Railway News
Job of the Week
Design Engineer, Rail Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Job ID#: 15314
Discipline: Design Engineer
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is seeking a Design Engineer (Rail / Traction Power Supply – RTS Project).
This role will be based at Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur and may require travel to the site on and off basis
The Design Engineer is responsible for providing technical design support, engineering clarification, and design assurance for the RTS Project, particularly during installation, testing, and commissioning phases. The role ensures that all designs are compliant with contract requirements, standards, and authority expectations, and supports timely technical decision-making on site.
Key Responsibilities
1. Design Development & Review
- Prepare, review, and manage design drawings, calculations, specifications, and technical documents related to TPS / rail systems.
- Review vendor, subcontractor, and interface designs to ensure compliance with project specifications, standards, and authority requirements.
- Support resolution of design issues arising during construction, installation, and commissioning.
2. Technical Clarification & Site Support
- Provide timely technical clarifications and engineering decisions in response to site queries, RFIs, and NCRs.
- Support installation teams by confirming design intent, constructability, and compliance.
- Attend site meetings, inspections, and technical coordination sessions as required.
3. Interface Management
- Coordinate and manage design interfaces between TPS and other railway systems, including RSSY, signalling, SCADA, depot systems, and civil works.
- Identify and resolve interface clashes, design gaps, and scope boundaries.
- Support integrated system requirements during testing and commissioning.
4. Compliance & Authority Requirements
- Ensure designs comply with contract requirements, IEC/EN standards, railway authority guidelines, and RTSO requirements.
- Support design submissions, responses to comments, and authority approvals.
- Assist in technical audits, design reviews, and compliance assessments.
5. Support to Testing & Commissioning
- Provide design input and engineering support during testing, energisation, and commissioning activities.
- Clarify design assumptions related to protection schemes, operational limits, and system behaviour.
- Support troubleshooting and resolution of technical issues identified during testing.
6. Design Change & Configuration Control
- Manage design changes, deviations, and technical proposals in accordance with project procedures.
- Support preparation of design change notices, technical justifications, and as-built documentation.
- Maintain accurate design records and configuration control.
7. Documentation & Handover
- Support preparation and review of as-built drawings, technical manuals, and handover documentation.
- Ensure design documentation is complete and aligned with final installed conditions.
- Support handover to Operations & Maintenance (O&M) teams.
Job Requirements:
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
- Minimum 5-8 years' experience in design engineering for railway, traction power, or large infrastructure projects.
- Experience in TPS substations, OCS/conductor rail, protection systems, and rail interfaces is preferred.
- Familiarity with railway standards, authority approval processes, and site support roles.
Required Competencies
- Strong technical knowledge in rail traction power and electrical systems.
- Ability to provide clear, timely, and defensible engineering decisions.
- Good coordination and communication skills across multi-disciplinary teams.
- Strong problem-solving capability under project time pressure.
- High awareness of safety, quality, and compliance requirements.
Contact: Jackie Hendry (jackie@railpersonnel.com)
Testing & Commissioning Engineer, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Job ID#: 15312
Discipline: Test and Commissioning
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is seeking a Testing & Commissioning Engineer (Traction Power Supply / Rail Systems) to support their activities in Malaysia.
This role will be based at the project site office in Johor Bahru.
The Testing & Commissioning Engineer is responsible for planning, coordinating, executing, and closing out all testing and commissioning activities for Traction Power Supply (TPS) and associated rail systems. The role ensures that systems are installed, tested, energised, and commissioned safely, in compliance with contract requirements, standards, and authority approvals, and are ready for operational handover.
Key Responsibilities
1. Planning & Preparation
- Prepare and review Testing & Commissioning Plans, procedures, method statements, and checklists in accordance with project specifications, standards (IEC/EN), and railway authority requirements.
- Develop testing schedules and sequences aligned with construction progress and project milestones.
- Conduct readiness reviews prior to FAT, SAT, energisation, and commissioning activities.
2. Factory & Site Testing
- Participate in and witness Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) for TPS equipment, including traction transformers, rectifiers, DC switchgear, protection relays, SCD, ECO, and SCADA panels.
- Execute and supervise Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), pre-commissioning, and functional testing of TPS installations.
- Verify installation quality, wiring, earthing, polarity, protection settings, and interlocks prior to energisation.
3. Protection, Control & SCADA
- Test and validate protection schemes, including overcurrent, earth fault, feeder protection, and short-circuit protection.
- Perform functional testing of SCD, ECO, sectionalising, and isolation devices.
- Coordinate SCADA testing, including remote control, alarms, indications, and event logging.
4. Energisation & Safety Management
- Implement and enforce PTW, LOTO, isolation, earthing, and access control procedures during testing and commissioning.
- Ensure full compliance with project HSE requirements and railway safety rules.
5. Interface & Integrated Testing
- Coordinate testing interfaces between TPS, signalling, rolling stock, depot systems, OCC, and other railway systems.
- Support integrated testing, trial run preparation, and operational readiness activities.
- Identify, coordinate, and resolve interface issues during testing and commissioning.
6. Documentation & Reporting
- Record test results and prepare test reports, commissioning records, punch lists, and non-conformance reports (NCRs).
- Track and verify close-out of defects prior to system acceptance.
- Compile commissioning reports, as-built records, and handover documentation.
7. Handover & Operational Support
- Support system handover to Operations & Maintenance (O&M) teams.
- Assist in preparation and delivery of training, operational procedures, and maintenance documentation.
- Support defect rectification during trial operation and early service stages.
8. Coordination & Compliance
- Liaise with contractors, vendors, consultants, clients, operators, and authorities during testing and commissioning activities.
- Support audits, inspections, and regulatory approvals.
- Promote continuous improvement and lessons learned in commissioning practices.
Job Requirements:
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
- Minimum 5-8 years' experience in testing and commissioning of railway traction power or high-voltage power systems.
- Experience in TPS substations, OCS/conductor rail, protection systems, and SCADA is preferred.
- Familiarity with railway standards, authority approval processes, and safety management systems.
Required Competencies
- Strong knowledge of traction power systems and rail interfaces.
- Excellent coordination, communication, and reporting skills.
- Strong safety awareness and risk management capability.
- Ability to work under pressure during critical energisation and commissioning phases.
Contact: Jackie Hendry (jackie@railpersonnel.com)
