Dear Readers
We are pleased to be supporting the Indonesia Rail Summit which will take place from 11-12 June 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Centered on the theme "Low-Carbon Rail · Intelligent Connection", the summit aims to establish a premier dialogue platform connecting Indonesian government policymakers, national and local rail asset owners, leading international technology and system suppliers, financial institutions, and think tanks. Bringing together over 300 industry leaders and experts, the summit will delve into the strategic blueprint for Indonesia's rail development, innovative technological pathways, sustainable financing models, and industrial chain collaboration opportunities.
For more information and to register to attend, visit: http://en.shine-consultant.com/prod_view.aspx?TypeId=11&Id=382&FId=t3:11:3
Our Job of the Week this week is in Dubai, United Arab Emirates where we are looking for a Tunnel Execution Lead.
Best Regards
Rail Personnel
Rail News
29 April 2026. Cambodia. Plans USD4 billion upgrade for first high-speed railway line
The Government of Cambodia has announced plans for a USD4 billion upgrade of its existing Phnom Penh–Poipet railway into the country’s first high-speed rail corridor, aimed at modernizing transport infrastructure and boosting regional trade. The upgraded line will feature 33 stations, electric trains and operating speeds of up to 160 km/hr, significantly improving on the current colonial-era network, which has limited capacity and utilization
Source: Southeast Asia Infrastructure
28 April 2026. United States. New York Subway Fulton Avenue corridor CBTC contract awarded
New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority has awarded Siemens Mobility and LK Comstock a design-and-build contract to deploy communications-based train control on the Subway’s A and C lines serving the Fulton Avenue corridor in Brooklyn and Queens. The Fulton Street corridor starts at Jay Street-MetroTech station and runs through central Brooklyn to Euclid Avenue station, where C trains from Manhattan turn back. Trains continue to Ozone Park-Lefferts Boulevard in Queens; this segment is referred to as the Liberty Avenue corridor.
Source: Railway Gazette
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has formally issued the Letter of Acceptance (LOA) to Cemindia Projects Limited (formerly ITD Cementation India Limited) for Contract EC-03, which involves the design and construction of twin tunnels and two underground stations for the Central Vista Corridor of Delhi Metro Phase V(A). The contract covers the construction of twin tunnels (Up and Down Line) by Shield TBM from Shivaji Stadium station to Central Secretariat station.
Source: Metro Rail News
Siemens Mobility has become the first corporate partner of Community Rail Network to officially adopt a railway station, joining forces with the local community to transform Aston Station into a vibrant and welcoming hub for residents and visitors. The initiative brought together Siemens colleagues and local volunteers together for a station walkaround to identify environmental improvements. Plans for the station range from immediate practical support.
Source: Rail UK
28 April 2026. United Kingdom. Cross Passages Installed Along HS2’s Northolt Tunnel
The HS2 project has reached another significant milestone with the construction of 34 cross passages along the Northolt Tunnel. Connecting the northbound and southbound tunnels; cross passages are a safety feature that allow passengers to cross to the adjacent tunnel in the event of an emergency. The connections, which range from 6-20 metres, have been formed using a spray concrete lining (SCL) mining technique, wherein the team cuts through the ground between the two tunnel bores.
Source: Railway News
Railway construction company Martinus Group has announced the launch of its own rail freight haulage business for the Australian and international markets and has signed a strategic partnership with Chinese rolling stock manufacturer CRRC Ziyang. ‘We build railways. Now we operate on them’, said CEO Treaven Martinus, who founded the privately-owned Martinus Group in 2005 and has overseen its expansion to become a full-service rail infrastructure business.
Source: Railway Gazette
27 April 2026. United Arab Emirates. Dubai’s Gold Line underground metro project approved
Approval for the 34bn dirham Gold Line metro project was announced by Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on April 22. He directed that the project commences immediately. Tenders are to be called this year, with the construction contract to be awarded in 2027. The Dubai government said delivery would be 30% faster than for the Blue Line which is currently under construction. Inauguration of the Gold Line is scheduled for September 9.
Source: Railway Gazette
27 April 2026. Oman / United Arab Emirates. Hafeet Rail reaches 40% completion on Oman–UAE link
The 238 km cross-border railway has advanced through 27 million cubic metres of earthworks and the construction of 80 major structures. Hafeet Rail, a joint venture between Etihad Rail, Oman Rail, and Mubadala Investment, has completed 40% of the rail connection between Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The project covers a 238 km corridor passing through Al Ain, Al Buraimi, Sohar, and Wadi Al Jizzi.
Source: RailMarket.com
27 April 2026. United States. $1.1 Billion to be Invested into Railroad Crossing Safety Improvements
US Transportation Department Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced a 1.1 billion USD investment into improving safety infrastructure at railroad crossings throughout the United States. Funds will be made available for projects seeking to build overpasses or underpasses, so cars and trains never meet; upgrade safety technology at crossings; relocate tracks in order to close a grade crossing; and educate Americans on how to cross train tracks safely.
Source: Railway News
Job of the Week
Tunnel Execution Lead, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Job ID#: 15411
Discipline: Tunnelling
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is seeking a Tunnel Execution Lead to support their activities on the Dubai HSR Project.
The Tunnel Execution Lead acts as the primary on-site technical leader for complex underground infrastructure projects, specifically overseeing Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) operations, lining installation, and subcontractor activity. This role ensures adherence to safety standards, geotechnical constraints, and project timelines, acting as a crucial link between design, construction, and the consulting engineer.
Duration of assignment: 5 yrs
Location: Dubai HSR (This position will be the heading one of the section of 42 tunnel kms)
Core Responsibilities
- TBM Supervision: Direct TBM operational parameters during tunnel advance, including monitoring annular gap grouting, ring installation, face pressure, and grouting pressure to prevent subsidence.
- Quality & Design Compliance: Verify construction meets design specifications and project requirements. Monitor precast segment production for tunnel lining, ensuring segment traceability and inspecting defects.
- Technical Guidance: Review method statements, shop drawings, and 3D measurements for alignment. Analyze Geotechnical and I&M data to address challenges like ground movement.
- Safety Leadership: Implement strict HSE procedures and safety protocols in tunnels, especially near sensitive structures or roads.
Project Controls: Monitor progress against the project schedule, manage resource allocation, and prepare weekly/monthly reports for the resident engineer.
- Stakeholder Management: Coordinate between inspectors, contractors, and local service authorities, leading meetings to resolve site issues.
Job Requirements:
- B.E/B.Tech in Civil Engineering
- Overall experience of 20+ years on the contractor side (Client/GC experience not acceptable)
- Minimum 15+ Yrs of experience in Underground Metro (TBM), currently leading a team
- Experience in HSR and Metro tunnel projects
- Hands-on experience in EPB and Slurry TBM; candidates with multiple TBM GCC project experience will be preferred
- MEP experience in tunnel projects will be an added advantage.
Contact: Rajni Tewani (rajni@railpersonnel.com)
