Dear Readers
We are pleased to be supporting Africa Rail 2026 which will take place from 7-8 July 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Built on 25 years of history, Africa Rail is the largest and most established rail event in Africa and the meeting place for all customers looking to do business in the rail, freight and transport space. The event will host over 150 industry leading speakers, who will leave you inspired and full of actionable tactics that you can apply to your day-to-day routine. The exhibition is a once-a-year opportunity to meet and do business with new and existing customers. It provides access into Africa’s railway markets that are traditionally difficult to penetrate, but most importantly the show allows sponsors and exhibitors to meet real buyers.
For more information and to register to attend, visit: https://sl1nk.com/21ren18
We have 3x exciting Jobs of the Week this week. In Singapore, we are looking for a Project Manager and Construction Manager and in Malaysia, we are looking for a Senior Architect.
Best Regards
Rail Personnel
Rail News
1 April 2026. Mexico. Consortium chosen to deliver Mexican ETCS project
National rail and public transport authority ATTRAPI has awarded a consortium of Siemens Mobility and local partner Sonda a 3·84bn pesos four-year contract to design and supply ETCS Level 1 for the modernisation of the Mexico City – Querétaro – Irapuato rail corridor to carry passenger services. Siemens Mobility will provide ETCS Level 1 lineside equipment, SCADA and a control centre and backup for more than 300 route-km with 11 stations. Its Hacon subsidiary will supply TPS.plan software for train planning and timetable optimisation.
Source: Railway Gazette
31 March 2026. United States. Sound Transit’s Link Light Rail Extension Opens Across Lake Washington
A new section of the Link light rail has opened to passengers, completing a connection across Lake Washington and extending rail services between Seattle and surrounding communities. The project, known as the Crosslake Connection, finalises the 2 Line and introduces light rail services across a floating bridge for the first time in the region. The extension links the Eastside with central Seattle and connects to the wider network serving destinations including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Federal Way and Lynnwood.
Source: Railway-News
Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has launched an international rail freight corridor connecting ports in the Kingdom’s Eastern Region with the northern border, providing a direct land route to Jordan and neighbouring countries. The new service links King Abdulaziz Port, King Fahd Industrial Port and Jubail Commercial Port with Al-Haditha Port through the national railway network.
Source: Railway-News
30 March 2026. Malaysia. Malaysia joins SEA HSR push to enhance regional connectivity
The Government of Malaysia has joined a coordinated high-speed rail (HSR) development effort alongside Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam, signalling a major step toward integrated cross-border rail connectivity in the region. The initiative aims to create a unified high-speed rail corridor linking key urban centres such as Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City. Unlike earlier fragmented national projects, the new approach focuses on coordinated planning, standardised technologies, and seamless passenger systems to enable efficient multi-country travel.
Source: Southeast Asia Infrastructure
30 March 2026.Serbia. Alstom to Provide Full Turnkey Solution for Belgrade Metro Line 1
Alstom has been awarded a 915 million EUR turnkey contract for the delivery of Belgrade’s Metro Line 1, connecting Makiško Polje to Karaburma and forming the first phase of the project. Set to be the first fully automated metro system in Serbia; the project is expected to alleviate surface congestion, cutting directly through the city across a span of 15km and 15 stations, including 11km of tunnels.
Source: Railway News
30 March 2026. United Kingdom. Greek Street roundabout reopens after £20 million upgrade
A new railway bridge supporting a four-way roundabout above the West Coast Main Line in Stockport has reopened after a year-long overhaul. Traffic restrictions were lifted on the evening of Friday 27 March at around 8pm. Network Rail has invested £20 million completely replacing Greek Street bridge to secure both the road above and railway below for the next 120 years. Last August the former 67-year-old structure was removed and replaced with a new bridge comprised of 51 structural elements – all lifted in by crane during a 21-day railway closure.
Source: Rail UK
30 March 2026.Australia. Two TBMs Delivered to Suburban Rail Loop’s Eastern Site
We build has announced the delivery of two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) at the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East development site in Burwood. Assembly of the TBMs has now begun, with tunnelling set to commence later this year as the machines travel from Burwood towards the Glen Waverley station box. Measuring in at roughly at a length 103 metres with a cutterhead 7.25 metres in diameter, the two TBMs are the first of four, with the next two set to follow and launch from the Burwood site toward the Box Hill station box.
Source: Railway News
30 March 2026.United Kingdom. High Speed Rail Group announces Balfour Beatty as newest member
The High-Speed Rail Group (HSRG) has welcomed infrastructure provider Balfour Beatty as its newest member. With extensive experience in rail and infrastructure, BalfourBeatty brings strong technical capability to HSRG. Through the Balfour BeattyVINCI joint venture, the company is designing and building major civil infrastructure for HS2 – including the 90km main works in the West Midlands between LongItchington in Warwickshire and Birmingham, and the final design and construction of Old Oak Common station in west London.
Source: Rail UK
27 March 2026. Vietnam. EU to mobilise over USD1 billion for infrastructure projects in Vietnam
The European Union has announced plans to mobilise more than USD1 billion for major infrastructure projects in Vietnam, focusing on sustainable transport and energy transition initiatives. As part of this effort, the EU has launched a USD46.4 million Sustainable Transport Development Fund aimed at supporting large-scale projects such as the North–South high-speed railway, inland waterways, and urban transport systems. The fund is expected to catalyse additional financing from banks, development institutions, and private sector partners.
Source: Southeast Asia Infrastructure
Job of the Week
Construction Manager, Singapore
Job ID#: 15376
Discipline: Permanent Way
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is a construction group in Singapore with extensive expertise and a proven track record in delivering complex railway projects. They are seeking a Construction Manager to work in Singapore.
Responsibilities:
* To organize and control site meetings with the sub-contractors & suppliers.
* Coordinate the access with SMRT for railway construction works.
* In charge of all the planning, and execution of the railway system replacement works.
* Review and approve all the submitted survey reports.
* In charge of all Hand back Engineers
* Review and check the sufficiency of information for construction.
* To liaise with the client and consultant regarding discrepancy of drawings and specifications.
* To issue Request for Information (RFI) to the client and operator for project and construction information.
* To identify and propose effective construction methods to enhance productivity and quality of the works at reduced costs.
* To control material wastages.
* To plan and organize daily site activities.
* To monitor and review project scope and inform the quantity surveyor for any possible variation orders.
* To collect and control engineering information and data from the client and in-house technical staff.
* To monitor and ensure that the NCR items are promptly responded with remedial proposals for the Engineer acceptance before implementation, conduct joint inspection after the rectification is done and finally close-out of the NCR.
Job Requirements:
Minimum 7 years of engineering experience with a recognized degree in either Civil/Mechanical/Railway engineering or Accredited Construction Professional B by the Singapore Contractors Association Limited (SCAL) of which, at least 5 years of experience in managing construction team and activities for railway projects of similar scale.
Contact: Jackie Hendry (jackie@railpersonnel.com)
Job ID#: 15355
Discipline: Project Managers
Position Type: Permanent
Job Description:
Our client is a construction group in Singapore with extensive expertise and a proven track record in delivering complex railway projects. They are seeking a Project Manager to work in Singapore.
Responsibilities:
* Develop and deliver a specific programme of work, on time, to budget and to other agreed success criteria within corporate guidelines including the client requirements.
* Work with the client to establish an effective relationship supporting effective delivery, performance measurement and management of Change. This should encompass where appropriate communications with outside bodies.
* Develop and manage the Project team (including external suppliers), monitoring adequate resources available to deliver a flexible, competent, skilled and effective workforce at all times.
* Achieve the programme outturn and margins as agreed with the Principal Project Manager.
* Develop an appropriate strategy for the development and delivery of the Project work scope.
* Identify priority opportunities within the programme and lead promotion and sharing of best practice between project team.
* Monitor planning so that it considers cross-programme requirements and supports the effective delivery of contracted obligations.
* Undertake accident investigation when remitted by the relevant designated competent person
* Identify and implement quality and efficiency improvement initiatives.
* Lead and inspire the team to maintain full engagement in meeting business objectives. *Manage and comply with company procedures to provide appropriate resources, communication strategies, training, competency and evaluate fitness of staff to safely deliver their accountabilities.
* Act upon and discharge of, all safety, timeline, quality and specification obligations for projects as directed.
Job Requirements:
* Minimum 10 years of engineering experience with a recognized degree in either Civil/Mechanical/Railway Engineering or Tier 2 Accreditation (Professional Project Manager) by Society of Project Managers (SPM).
* At least 8 years of experience in managing design and construction teams for railway projects of at least SGD100 million contract sum.
Contact: Jackie Hendry (jackie@railpersonnel.com)
Senior Architect, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Job ID#: 15348
Discipline: Architecture
Language: English, Malay
Job Description:
Our client is seeking a Senior Architect to be based in Kuala Lumpur (must be Malaysian) for a 2 year contract with visits to Penang twice a month.
Responsibilities:
- Conceptualize concept and schematic designs;
- Carry out feasibility studies and present design proposals;
- Prepares tender documentation, schedules and material specifications;
- Competent in construction details, and able to do design development;
- Responsible for the design, code compliance, project and contract administration of the project(s) involved;
- Liaise and coordinate with Authorities, Client and Consultant Team for the project(s) involved;
- Oversees progress of on-site work and resolves any arising issues;
- Ensures design quality;
- Assist the Team Lead to oversee, guide and work with the project team to prepare deliverables based on the project needs.
- Carry out presentations to Clients in English
- Prepare necessary programme and monitor progress of work to ensure all necessary timelines are met
Job Requirements:
Exposure to civil/infrastructure works is required and the following skills:
- Graduated with a Degree or Masters in Architecture
- Minimum 10 years of relevant architectural experience running BIM projects;
- Possess at least 5 years of working experience in the design of transit rail projects. MRT / LRT depot experience is necessary.
- Good knowledge of architectural details, working drawings and construction practices;
- Desired software proficiencies: Applicants are expected to possess comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience with Microsoft Project as well as with design and graphics software, specifically Revit, SketchUp, ACAD and Photoshop.
- Ability to use sketch and produce good design concepts;
- Conversant with local codes and regulations.
- Added bonus would be to also have experience in Aviation related projects such as airports, hangers etc.
Contact: Jackie Hendry (jackie@railpersonnel.com)
