Our three jobs of the week are located in Singapore and Malaysia:
We are looking for an Installation Manager to work on the contract to manage on-site construction works and the structured handover to the Testing and Commissioning Team of the Malaysian government for the KVMRT SSP Line (Sungai Buloh to Serdang to Putrajaya).
Our client, a multi-national rolling stock and rail solutions provider is seeking a Head of Signalling Engineering (CoC) for a permanent role in Singapore.
And we have further role based in Kuala Lumpur for an experienced Electrician to maintain a fleet of tamping machines and regulators consisting of a Switch Tamper and three tamping machines.
This Week's Headlines:
22 Sep 2019. Indonesia. Stadler Rail to construct train factory in Banyuwangi
Swiss train maker Stadler Rail has signed an investment agreement with Indonesian train manufacturing company PT INKA in the form of a joint venture to establish a train factory in Banyuwangi, East Java.
Source: Antara
20 Sep 2019. Germany. DB to order more high-speed trains, cuts VAT on fares
Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced that rail spending is to be increased significantly as part of a E54bn package of measures to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Source: Railway Gazette
20 Sep 2019. Ghana. Testing take place on Kojokrom to Tarkwa rail line
Successful test runs of rail lines from Kojokrom to Tarkwa have been completed after 12 years of no service.
Source: YEN
19 Sep 2019. France. CAF to supply SNCF new intercity trains
SNCF has named CAF as the preferred bidder for the supply of 28 intercity trains valuated at E700m.
Source: Railway Pro
19 Sep 2019. Italy. Hitachi awarded Turin tram deal
Turin Transport Group (GTT) has selected Hitachi Rail as preferred bidder for a contract to supply up to 70 low-floor LRVs for the city's 88km tram network.
Job Title: Installation Manager ( #12769 )
Discipline: Installation & Commissioning; Telecommunications
Role: Project Management
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Our client has been awarded the contract for the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Testing & Commissioning of Communication, Government Integrated Radio Network, Commercial Telecom (Infra) and Information Technology System for KVMRT SSP Line (Sungai Buloh to Serdang to Putrajaya).
They are looking for an Installation Manager to work on their contract to manage on-site construction works and the structured handover to the Testing and Commissioning Team of the Malaysian government.
- Degree or above from a recognised higher education organisation / institution in Electrical or Electronic Engineering
- Minimum of eight years' management experience in the installation of digital network, radio and telecommunication systems within the railway environment
- General knowledge of railway communication systems. Good understanding of system integration. Very good knowledge of the Railway Civil Construction and Installation Processes
- Good spoken and written English
- Current Malaysian Drivers License. Computer literacy with good handling of major office software packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
Job Title: Head of Signalling Engineering (CoC) ( #12764 )
Discipline: Signalling: Systems Engineering
Role: Train Control Systems
Working for an multi-national rolling stock and rail solutions provider, the Head of Signalling Engineering (CoC) is to be responsible for:
- Managing a CoC (Centre of Competence) team of signalling engineering resources to deliver signalling solutions for Singapore projects
- Leading technical programmes and achieve the planned time and quality gates
- Taking the lead in across all relevant system engineering, hardware engineering, validation & verification, RAMS, cyber security and more
- Leading and mentoring RAMS team for signalling and other domains
- Providing technical experience during signalling testing and commissioning
- Be an advocate of the business's technology and solutions to the rail market in Singapore
- Collaborate with the other functional departments for the overall success of the business
- Continually improve and deliver efficient engineering outcomes.
- Hold a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Electronic Engineering or similar
- Minimum 15 years of professional experience; several years of industry expertise in signalling rail domain; deep knowledge of signalling technical design and solutions
- Experience of working in the signalling/rail sector in Singapore
- Proven track record in managing and developing signalling engineering teams
- Several years' experience of leading teams in a professional manner
- Experience in dealing with customers and colleagues from varied cultural environments.
Job Title: Electrician for On Track Equipment ( #12710 )
Discipline: Permanent Way
Role: Electronics
Our client is responsible for the maintenance of the 57km of standard gauge railway connecting Kuala Lumpur to the Airport.
They are looking for an experienced Electrician to maintain their fleet of tamping machines and regulators which consist of a Switch Tamper and 3 tamping machines (08-275 08-32 09-32).
Good salary and working conditions for the right person.
- Must have experience maintaining Plasser Tamper machines.
Swiss train maker Stadler Rail has signed an investment agreement with Indonesian train manufacturing company PT INKA in the form of a joint venture to establish a train factory in Banyuwangi, East Java. The total investment is valued to reach US$100m is to be channelled to produce 125 train carriages annually, and the production will be increased to one thousand carriages per year. Indonesia's state railway company PT KAI will be the key buyer of the trains produced by the joint venture company. The production facility will be built in an area of 83 hectares in Banyuwangi City which has a seaport located three kilometres from the factory. The construction work is due for completion in 2020.
Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced that rail spending is to be increased significantly as part of a E54bn package of measures to mitigate the effects of climate change. In order to reduce the environmental impact of transport and encourage modal shift, the government has decided to reduce the rate of Value Added Tax on rail travel from 19% to 7% for all journeys of more than 50 km. Under the proposals the tax cut will be funded by a matching increase in VAT on air travel. Deutsche Bahn (DB) immediately promised to pass on the whole of the reduction to its passengers. To handle the extra traffic, DB announced that it would order a further 30 high-speed trainsets suitable for 'at least' 300 km/h. In addition to the 74 ICE4 sets due to be delivered over the next three years, these would increase the ICE fleet from 282 trainsets to 386 by the end of 2022 and allow the operator to provide more than 13 000 additional seats per day. As part of the climate change package, the government has committed to inject €1bn/year of additional equity into DB from 2020-30 in order to fund infrastructure modernisation and capacity enhancement works, along with further electrification to support decarbonisation.
Successful test runs of rail lines from Kojokrom to Tarkwa have been completed after 12 years of no service. The first phase of rehabilitation began in January 2018, with government funding the project. Over 300 rail workers were involved in the rehabilitation works, the Deputy Managing Director of GRCL, Dr. Michael Adjei Anyetei, said. He said the workers re-aligned the rail tracks, changed over thirty thousand sleepers and also undertook ballasting of the tracks. Test runs will continue in order to ensure the safety of the line before commercial services begin. The Kojokrom to Tarkwa rail line will be fully operational by October 2019.
SNCF has named CAF as the preferred bidder for the supply of 28 intercity trains valuated at E700m. Eighteen months ago, the State asked SNCF to conduct a call for 28 trains to run on the Paris - Clermont-Ferrand and Paris - Limoges - Toulouse lines, with an option for additional 75 trains, including 15 trains for Bordeaux - Marseille line. The new trains will enter services from 2023, replacing Corail trains and their locomotives, some of which are over 40 years old. The new EMUs will be specifically designed for medium and long-distance services, being able to run at speeds of 200 km/h. they will be equipped with ergonomic seats, autonomous access for PRM passengers, both from platforms and inside the train, Wi-Fi, power outlets and USB ports, along with stowage for ten bicycles. These intercity trains will be manufactured at Bagnères-de-Bigorre plant, in the Hautes Pyrenees and at Beasain, in the Basque Country in Spain.
Turin Transport Group (GTT) has selected Hitachi Rail as preferred bidder for a contract to supply up to 70 low-floor LRVs for the city's 88km tram network. The contract, which is due to be signed next month, includes two options for a total of 40 additional LRVs. GTT and the city of Turin are seeking funding from the Italian Ministry of Transport which if approved would enable GTT to exercise both options. Deliveries will begin within 18 months of contract signing and the unidirectional LRVs are due to enter service in Turin from spring 2021. Each 28m-long vehicle will accommodate around 200 passengers. The vehicles will be styled by design agency Giugiaro.
19 Sep 2019. Thailand. Thales wins Bangkok area ETMS ATP contract
Thales, in a consortium with River Engineering, has been awarded a contract by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to design, deliver and install the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 1 Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system on four sections of track around Bangkok. The project is supporting Thailand's revival of its rail industry and covers significant swathes of SRT's four lines (Northern, North-Eastern, Eastern and Southern Lines). The signalling project will cover 48 stations, from Lop Buri in the north to Nakhon Pathom in the south and Map Kabao in the north-east. The longest stretch being installed with ETCS Level 1 will be on 21 stations from Hua Mak to Laem Chabang, enabling commuters to safely and efficiently reach the furthest eastern part of Thailand by rail.
Source: WebWire
18 Sep 2019. Japan. Mitsubishi Electric to supply traction equipment for NS EMUs
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has been awarded a contract by Spanish train builder Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF), to supply high tech traction equipment for 88 Sprinter New Generation Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains for the Dutch rail operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS). itsubishi has already secured an order for the supply of electrical equipment for 118 of the new train units in 2015. This takes the number of SNG trains to 206 in which Mitsubishi Electric's traction equipment will be deployed, comprising a total of 706 cars. In partnership with the German branch of Mitsubishi Electric Europe, Mitsubishi Electric intends to enhance its transportation systems business in Europe through this latest order, which is expected for delivery between 2021 and 2023.
Source: Business Wire
17 Sep 2019. UK. Isle of Wight's train fleet to be replaced
The UK's oldest train fleet is to be replaced through a GBP26m investment into the Isle of Wight's railway, the Government has announced. Former London Underground trains built more than 80 years ago will stop serving passengers on the 8.5-mile Island Line between Ryde and Shanklin. South Western Railway (SWR), which operates services on the route, has chosen manufacturer Vivarail to refurbish trains from London's District line which will offer more capacity, better disabled access, passenger information systems and wi-fi. The trains were chosen as the Island line has size restrictions similar to the Tube network. The first of the five two-carriage electric-powered trains will arrive on the island for testing in summer 2020. Track improvements will take place over the following winter.
Source: Isle of Wight County Press
17 Sep 2019. Hungary. RCH and CRRC Zhuzhou to develop hybrid locomotives
Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) subsidiary Rail Cargo Hungary (RCH) has awarded CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive (CRRC ZELC) a contract to develop electro-hybrid locomotives optimised for freight transport in Europe. CRRC ZELC will develop the electro-hybrid shunters and freight locomotives, which will be equipped with last mile battery packs, and will bear all development costs. It will then produce two of each locomotive, which must receive international certification, within 36 months of contract signing. RCH will then lease the vehicles for four years, with the contract including maintenance. If the locomotives perform as expected, RCH has the option to further lease or purchase the locomotives, along with an option to purchase an additional 20 of each type. The shunting locomotives will be used in Hungary, while the main line locomotive will be used in Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Macedonia, Greece and Bulgaria.
17 Sep 2019. Australia. Inland rail under microscope from inquiry
The federal government's A$10bn inland rail project is set to face a parliamentary inquiry into its management and route with the Labor opposition clinching support to refer the 1700km Brisbane to Melbourne freight line to the Senate's regional affairs committee. Government minister Jonathon Duniam said after 100 years of discussion construction on the project was under way. "The project would generate both an economic and broader return to the Australian people," he told parliament. He said the government was confident it had the right route based on multiple studies and consultation with affected landholders.
Source: AAP
16 Sep 2019. USA. New York's MTA unveils $51.5bn investment plan
The MTA will invest US$51.5bn, which would amount to the largest amount in the agency's history, to improve New York's transportation system according to its 20120-2024 capital plan. The subway system (including the Staten Island Railway) will take the largest chunk of that investment with US$37.3bn dedicated to signal modernisation along six subway lines, bringing in 1,900 new subway cars, making 70 stations ADA-accessible, replacing tracks, and revamping 175 stations. The plan also includes the second phase of the Second Avenue Subway, which will get its final instalment to build three new fully accessible stations and a new connection to the MetroNorth. A large part of the funds, $25 billion, will come from new sources of revenue including congestion charging and the progressive mansion tax but the rest will come from federal funds, the state, the city, and MTA Bonds. The plan will now need to be approved by the authority's board and then submitted to the Capital Program Review Board by 1st October.
Source: Curbed NY
16 Sep 2019. Poland. EU to fund rail network modernisation
The European Commission (EC) has approved E604m in funding from the European Union Cohesion Fund for upgrading the railway network in Poland. The first grant will provide over E487m to modernise the country's railway communication system. It will establish a modern communication system by replacing the old technology across nearly 14,000km of railway line. The project will allow Poland to introduce the ERTMS system, which will integrate the country's rail lines with the European railway network. Expected to be operational from July 2023, the project will improve passenger safety and reduce travel time. Under the second grant, the EC will contribute over E117m to upgrade and electrify 46km of railway lines, building or refurbishing stations, platforms, viaducts and bridges in northern Silesia. The project will provide a direct link between the regional capital Katowice and Pyrzowice airport, where a new station will be constructed. It is due to be completed by May 2022.
Source: Railway Technology
16 Sep 2019. Hong Kong. Eight injured in rush-hour train derailment
A passenger train derailed during the morning rush hour in Hong Kong on Tuesday leaving eight of the about 500 passengers on board injured, authorities said. Images from the scene showed three carriages had left the tracks and were zigzagged across the rails near Hung Hom station in Kowloon, a busy interchange that provides services to mainland China. Passengers had to leave the train through a broken door and cross tracks on the East Rail line to make their way to safety. The cause of the derailment was still under investigation but there was no immediate suggestion of foul play after previous attacks by pro-democracy protesters on the city's mass transit system. Both trains were badly damaged and train services between two stations on the line were suspended.
16 Sep 2019. Australia. Aurizon court claim could scupper rail deal
Aurizon has launched legal action that could put the brakes on a deal that would deliver a A$2bnn regional railway operation to Macquarie Group fund and its Dutch pension fund partner. Aurizon's claim in the NSW Supreme Court alleges that a move by Genesee & Wyoming's (G&W) incoming owner, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, to sell its Australian Brookfield has proposed selling its 51 per cent stake in G&W to Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) and Dutch pension fund manager PGGM. MIRA and PGGM already hold 49 per cent of G&W's local business under a deal struck in 2016. Aurizon claims its purchase of rail assets in Western Australia in 2006 from G&W came with an assurance it would get first right of refusal on any future divestments. In a statement to the ASX, Aurizon said both the latest deal and the earlier 2016 transactions breached that undertaking to give a first right of refusal. The assets at stake include a series of Hunter Valley coal lines as well as substantial freight lines through central Australia such as the Tarcoola-to-Darwin rail line.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald
14 Sep 2019. The Netherlands. KLM to replace planes with trains
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is replacing one of its daily flights between Amsterdam Schiphol airport and Brussels with a high-speed train service. The carrier will cut down from five flights a day to four from 29 March 2020, swapping one flight for seat capacity onboard a Thalys train. However, KLM passengers have been promised that the rail option will match the service they would receive travelling by plane. It's part of the airline's long-term plan to reduce the number of flights between Brussels and Amsterdam and to gradually replace short-haul hops with rail services - providing the train can match the speed, reliability and comfort of air travel.
Source: The Independent