Dear Readers
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Rod Stewart, aged 89. Rod lived a distinguished life defined by service, dedication and integrity. He served as a decorated Army officer with active service and later built an enormously respected engineering career across Australia, Asia and Europe. He was widely regarded in his field and valued as a mentor to many. In retirement, he continued to contribute through his work with the RSL and providing support to fellow veterans and his Hunters Hill community. He was a devoted husband to Dellane, and an incredibly proud father and grandfather. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
We have 4x exciting Jobs of the Week this week.
Our client is bidding for work in Nepal, and they are looking for an Energy Systems Specialist, a Social Impact Specialist and a Geotechnical Engineer. And we are looking for BIM Managers for our client who is bidding for work in Singapore.
Best Regards
Rail Personnel
Rail News
21 April 2026. United States. USDOT to Invest $2.04 Billion to Improve Rail Travel Across America
US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced a new USD 2.04 billion investment to modernise America’s rail infrastructure. The Secretary has stated that the investment will be used to improve the rail travel experience for American families, as well as the transportation of goods across the country. As part of the revamped Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program.
Source: Railway News
21 April 2026. Australia. First Nations energy retailer to power SRL tunnelling
Tunnel boring machines (TBMs) excavating the northern section of Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East will be powered by renewable energy supplied by First Nations-owned retailer Yuringa Energy. Yuringa Energy, Australia’s only First Nations-owned energy retailer, will supply 100 per cent renewable electricity to the TBMs constructing the 10km twin tunnels between Glen Waverley and Box Hill. Yuringa Energy Executive Chairman Daniel Briggs said the contract reflected both capability and the importance of sustainable First Nations businesses.
Source: Infrastructure Magazine
Hitachi Rail has been awarded a new contract by Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) following the conclusion of a public international tender, marking a significant milestone in the modernisation of the Portuguese rail network. Under the agreement, Hitachi Rail will develop and certify a new External ERTMS Specific Transmission Module (STM) for the Portuguese market.
Source: Rail Technology Magazine
20 April 2026. Malaysia – Thailand. Railway extension project to strengthen bilateral trade
A proposed railway extension linking Rantau Panjang and Sungai Golok is expected to enhance transport connectivity and boost bilateral trade between Malaysia and Thailand. The project, currently under consideration by the Malaysian government, aims to strengthen supply chains, facilitate cross-border movement of goods, and reduce logistics costs. Thai authorities have already initiated feasibility studies and environmental impact assessments as part of plans to expand their double-track railway network.
Source: Southeast Asia Infrastructure
20 April 2026. Middle East. Jordan & UAE to Launch $2.3 Billion Aqaba Port Railway
Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have announced the initiation of a landmark 2.3-billion-dollar infrastructure partnership, signing new, definitive agreements to construct the Aqaba Port Railway. The project marks the formal beginning of a multi-billion-dollar strategic corridor designed to modernise Jordan’s logistics backbone, as well as more comprehensively integrate its heavy industry into global supply chains. The signing ceremony was held at Qasr Al Watan.
Source: Railway News
20 April 2026. Romania. ARF awards Siemens Mobility contract for 12 hydrogen multiple units
Romania’s Autoritatea pentru Reformă Feroviară (ARF) has selected Siemens Mobility to supply 12 hydrogen-powered electric multiple units for passenger services. The award follows the evaluation of the sole bid submitted and receipt of an unconditional clearance from the National Agency for Public Procurement (ANAP). The contract covers the supply of 12 hydrogen fuel cell multiple units and associated maintenance and repair services required for their operation.
Source: Rail Market.com
20 April 2026. Belgium. Infrabel awards high-speed line turnout contracts to Vossloh
Infrabel has awarded Vossloh contracts worth approximately EUR 17m to supply and maintain turnouts for Belgium’s HSL 1 high-speed line between Brussels and the French border. The eight-year supply contract covers the delivery of high-speed turnouts designed for operation on high-speed infrastructure. A separate agreement provides for maintenance of the components over a 20-year period. The new turnouts are equipped with sensors to monitor the condition of the point machines and turnout systems. The data supports condition-based and predictive maintenance.
Source: Rail Market.com
17 April 2026. United Kingdom. Alstom’s Traincare Centres welcome charity railtour
Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has welcomed a passenger service into three of its Traincare Centres as part of a unique charity railtour. On Saturday 4 April, a Branch Line Society charter visited Alstom facilities in Manchester (Longsight), Wolverhampton (Oxley) and Liverpool (Edge Hill) as it traversed rare track along the West Coast Main Line on its round trip from Merseyside. Named ‘Alstom’s Depot Dash’, the special service gave those on board a chance to observe and capture rare footage of railway maintenances sites most have never had access to before.
Source: Rail UK
14 April 2026. Saudi Arabia. Typsa wins Saudi Landbridge design
The Saudi Landbridge is one of the kingdom’s most anticipated project programmes. Spanish engineering firm Typsa has won the lead design consultancy services contract for the long-planned Saudi Landbridge railway network. Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) issued the tender in April last year. It included concept design and options development for the preliminary and Issued for Construction (IFC) design stages of the network, as MEED reported. The estimated SR100bn ($27bn) project comprises more than 1,500km of new track.
Source: MEED
Job of the Week
Energy Systems Specialist, Kathmandu, Nepal
Job ID#: 15403
Discipline: Environmental
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is bidding for work on the Kathmandu Valley Urban Transportation System Project (Ropeway) in Nepal, and they are seeking suitably qualified and experienced candidates for the role of Energy Systems Specialist.
This is an intermittent assignment (indicative 1.5 person-months). This Job closes on 29th April 2026.
This expert will focus on the feasibility and integration of clean energy components such as electric propulsion systems, renewable energy solutions (hydroelectric and solar), battery storage technologies, and regenerative braking systems. Key tasks will include conducting diagnostic studies, designing energy-efficient systems, and providing recommendations to ensure optimal power stability and sustainability for the project. The expert is also expected to advise on FEA/structural integration.
Job Requirements:
The energy systems specialist will hold a master's degree in electrical engineering, renewable energy, or related fields, with at least 10 years of experience in designing and implementing clean energy solutions for transport systems. Candidates must have experience in at least 3 countries.
Contact: Rajni Tewani (rajni@railpersonnel.com)
Social Impact Specialist, Kathmandu, Nepal
Job ID#: 15402
Discipline: Social Impact Specialist
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is bidding for work on the Kathmandu Valley Urban Transportation System Project (Ropeway) in Nepal, and they are seeking suitably qualified and experienced candidates for the role of Social Impact Specialist.
This is an intermittent assignment (indicative 3 person-months). This Job closes on 29th April 2026.
This expert will evaluate the potential impacts of the project on local communities and ecosystems. Key tasks will include preparing comprehensive social impact specialist reports, assessment of land acquisition, recommending mitigation measures, and ensuring compliance with national and international social regulations, and integrating surveys and consultation results.
Contact: Rajni Tewani (rajni@railpersonnel.com)
Geotechnical Engineer, Kathmandu, Nepal
Job ID#: 15401
Discipline: Geotechnical
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is bidding for work on the Kathmandu Valley Urban Transportation System Project (Ropeway) in Nepal, and they are seeking suitably qualified and experienced candidates for the role of Geotechnical Engineer.
This is an intermittent assignment (indicative 2 person-months). This Job closes on 29th April 2026.
This specialist will focus on evaluating site conditions, soil stability, and environmental impacts on the proposed ropeway corridor. Key tasks will include conducting site investigations, analyze soil data, and recommend geotechnical solutions to ensure the safe and sustainable design of ropeway systems, and supporting climate resilience measures, contributing to corridor alignment and station design.
Job Requirements:
The geotechnical engineer will hold a master's degree in geotechnical engineering or related disciplines, with at least 10 years of experience in geotechnical assessments for ropeway projects. Candidates must have experience in at least 3 countries.
Contact: Rajni Tewani (rajni@railpersonnel.com)
Job ID#: 15396
Discipline: BIM Management
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is bidding for work in Singapore, and they are seeking a BIM Manager with trackwork experience to include as part of their bid.
The BIM Manager is responsible for the strategic implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and digital construction methodologies across projects, specifically focusing on technical coordination, 3D model management, and adhering to industry standards in Singapore. Key responsibilities include creating BIM execution plans, collaborating with project teams to ensure efficiency, supply chain assessment, and upskilling staff.
Key Responsibilities and Duties:
- Strategic BIM Implementation: Driving the use of digital information plans, ensuring BIM execution plans are produced and maintained.
- Coordination & Collaboration: Acting as the intermediary between designers, clients, and architects to keep projects effective.
- Technical Modeling & Auditing: Overseeing the production of high-quality models, auditing project teams, and flagging non-compliances.
- Support & Training: Upskilling colleagues and managing technical hardware/software requirements for the team.
- Project Documentation: Delivering high-quality models and documentation in line with project schedules.
Job Requirements:
Degree or Diploma in Electrical Engineering with at least 5 years of working experience in design engineering, construction engineering or Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD) project management.
Preferably with at least 3 years of BIM experience as a Project level BIM Manager role in a large scale or infrastructure project and has completed one full project cycle at design or construction phase.
Certified with Specialist Diploma in Building Information Modelling (BIM) by BCA Academy and any BIM authoring software's modelling course by the software vendor's authorised training provider. Candidate certified with Digital Delivery Lead (Digital Delivery Management (DDM) Tier 2) will also be considered.
For design coordination purposes, the candidate is preferable to be conversant in BIM software such as Navisworks Manager, Solibri Office, VRCollab, Navigator, etc.
Contact: Renee Wade (renee@railpersonnel.com)
