Dear Readers
We are pleased to be supporting the SARA Rail Conference & Exhibition which will take place from 20-23 October 2026 at Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa.
The SARA Rail Conference & Exhibition is Africa's only railway event hosted by railway operators from Africa. Organised by the Southern African Railways Association (SARA), the event brings together railway operators, government authorities, suppliers, financiers, logistics providers, and development partners to explore strategies for advancing rail and intermodal transport.
This high-level conference features keynote presentations, expert panel discussions, and focused breakaway sessions addressing critical themes such as corridor development, infrastructure investment, digital transformation, climate resilience, and regional connectivity.
Alongside the conference is a dynamic exhibition showcasing cutting-edge technologies, products, and services across the rail value chain. With over 100 exhibition stands, the event offers opportunities for networking, business development, and knowledge exchange.
For more information and to register to attend, visit: https://www.sararailconference.com/eoi/
Our Job of the Week this week is in Amman, Jordan, where we are looking for a Design & Construction Director.
Best Regards
Rail Personnel
Rail News
1 October 2026. Tanzania. SYSTRA to lead feasibility study for Dar es Salaam monorail project
SYSTRA has been appointed to lead the feasibility study for a proposed monorail network in Dar es Salaam, marking a significant step forward in Tanzania's plans to modernise urban transport infrastructure. The ambitious scheme would comprise three routes, known as the Red, Orange and Yellow lines, with an initial pilot section proposed on the Yellow Line connecting Dar es Salaam's central business district with Julius Nyerere International Airport.
Source: Rail Technology Magazine
29 September 2026. Australia. EOI for Hunter train manufacturing opens
An expression of interest (EOI) has opened for manufacturers to design and build the next generation of NSW suburban passenger trains, marking the next stage of the NSW Government’s $12 billion program to establish a state-owned train manufacturing facility in the Hunter. The Future Fleet Program is intended to establish a 30-year pipeline of domestic train manufacturing, supporting hundreds of jobs and rebuilding rail manufacturing capability in the region.
Source: Infrastructure Magazine
The Australian Government has launched a process to develop an Advanced Manufacturing Facility (AMF) to support the proposed Newcastle to Sydney High Speed Rail project. The High Speed Rail Authority has issued Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for organisations interested in developing the facility, as well as beginning a search for suitable land near the proposed rail corridor.The AMF is intended to combine advanced manufacturing, technology and precision engineering to produce many of the construction components required for the Newcastle to Sydney line.
Source: Railway-News
Alstom has signed a new five-year contract with Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) to support the reliability and day-to-day performance of its North Freight fleet operating along the Kingdom’s North–South corridor. Signed at InnoTrans 2026 and valued at 22 million EUR, the contract will see Alstom provide FlexCare Perform maintenance services to support critical onboard systems.
Source: Railway-News
28 September 2026. Vietnam. Vietnam awards USD1.17 billion contract for two high-speed rail lines
VINSPEED High-Speed Rail Investment and Development and Siemens Mobility have secured a turnkey contract worth around USD1.17 billion to develop and equip the 121-km Hanoi–Quang Ninh and 54-km Ben Thanh–Can Gio high-speed rail lines in Vietnam. VINSPEED will undertake project development, civil engineering and track construction, while Siemens will supply 10 Velaro Novo trains, signalling and communications systems, and electrification.
Source: Southeast Asia Infrastructure
28 September 2026. India. SYSTRA secures Chennai Metro integration contract to transform access
SYSTRA has been awarded a major consultancy contract by Chennai Metro Rail Limited to develop a Detailed Project Report focused on improving multimodal integration across 41 stations on Chennai Metro’s Blue and Green lines. The project aims to strengthen connections between metro services and other transport modes within a 500-metre radius of each station, helping passengers move more seamlessly between rail, bus, taxi, suburban rail and other mobility options.
Source: Rail Technology Magazine
Progress Rail and Saudi Arabia Railways announced an order for 33 EMD SD70ACS heavy-haul diesel locomotives at InnoTrans 2026, along with a memorandum of understanding focused on localising rail capabilities and lifecycle services. The latest order will increase SAR’s fleet to more than 150 EMD locomotives to support growing freight demand. The SD70ACS is designed specifically for harsh desert conditions.
Source: Railway Gazette
Job of the Week
Design & Construction Director, Amman, Jordan
Job ID#: 15499
Discipline: Chief Design Manager
Language: English
Job Description:
Our client is looking for a Director for their Design and Construction, reporting to their Projects Executive Director. The person shall be based initially in Amman, but will be reallocation to Aqaba at later stages where all the technical team will be relocating.
The Design & Construction Director leads and governs design and construction activities across rail projects, ensuring delivery within approved scope, schedule, budget, and quality - from safe, buildable design through to completed works. The role unifies design and construction teams, contractors, and consultants under a single point of accountability, coordinating closely with engineering, project controls, safety, and key stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
Roles and Responsibilities
* Provide overall leadership, direction, and governance for multidisciplinary design teams and construction activities across rail projects or project packages.
* Define and implement design strategies, standards, and best practices, as well as construction strategies, execution plans, and methodologies, aligned with organizational, regulatory, and project objectives.
* Ensure design solutions support constructability, operability, maintainability, and whole-life value, and that construction works are delivered in accordance with approved designs, specifications, and standards.
* Oversee design delivery across all project phases - concept, preliminary, detailed design, and as-built documentation - as well as construction delivery from mobilization through completion.
Job Requirements:
* Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical Systems, Electronic, Systems), Project Management, or Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Mechanical/Electronic/Systems Engineering, Project Management, or a related discipline.
* Master's degree or relevant professional certification is an advantage.
* Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional accreditation is highly desirable.
* Project Management Certification is a Plus.
* Minimum of 20 years of experience in engineering design within the rail or major infrastructure sector.
* Proven experience in senior leadership roles across design and construction on complex, multidisciplinary rail projects, including delivery of stations, depots, viaducts, tunnels, or systems installation.
* Strong background in managing large design teams and external design consultants.
* Extensive knowledge of rail engineering disciplines, construction methods, sequencing, and project delivery methodologies across both design and construction phases.
* Strong understanding of rail standards, regulatory frameworks, and approval processes.
Contact: David Hyland (davidh@railpersonnel.com)
