I S S U E 06 | J U LY 2021
W W W. R A I L E X P R E S S . C O M . A U
A vision for rail How the federal budget has been a boon for the rail transport sector - SEE PAGE 16 Building the rail networks of the future
Signalling solutions from Melbourne to the Pilbara
Inland Rail benefits there for all to see
PAGE 19
PAGE 24
PAGE 42
SUPPORTED BY:
PROVEN PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE CRRC specialises in the design, manufacturing, testing, commissioning and maintenance of rollingstock, including locomotives, DMUs and EMUs for urban networks, metro cars, and a full range of freight wagons.
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
Contact: Yang Bin E: yangbin1818@gmail.com P: +61 488 043 786
www.crrcgc.cc/en
Freight wagons: Logistics support for on-time delivery
Specialised equipment: 400m rail train for track construction
Ore wagon
Contents Issue 06 - July 2021
4 6 16
From the Editor Industry News Cover story – federal budget and a vision for rail
SIGNALLING 19 23 24
One firm’s journey to developing future rail networks Automation in the world of signalling Wabtec’s path to growth
ROLLINGSTOCK 26
Alstom and plans for the future
D I G I TA L I S AT I O N 28 How artificial intelligence is creating a safer and more efficient system
19 24
P RO D U CT R E V I E W 30
MFB and innovations in industrial enclosures
S U S TA I N A B I L I TY 32 34
Stadler brings on greener locomotives Manco completes rail equipment site commissioning
WO M E N I N I N D U S T RY 37
Rachael Ashfield on striving for excellence
O P E R AT I O N S 38 28
32
SKF and bearing innovations
S A F E TY A N D A S S U R A N C E 41
RISSB on the need to innovate and adapt
I N D U S T R Y A S S O C I AT I O N S 42
T he Australasian Railway Association is feeling bullish about Inland Rail 45 The Australian Logistics Council on the lessons from the Inland Rail conference in Albury CO N T RACT S I N B R I E F 46
38
The latest in rail projects around Australia
I S S U E 06 | J U LY 2021
W W W. R A I L E X P R E S S . C O M . A U
THE RAIL BUDGET
A vision for rail How the federal budget has been a boon for the rail transport sector- SEE PAGE 16 Building the rail networks of the future
Signalling solutions from Melbourne to the Pilbara
Inland Rail benefits there for all to see
PAGE 19
PAGE 24
PAGE 42
SUPPORTED BY:
A $2-billion investment in the Melbourne Intermodal Terminal tops the list of major spending promises for the rail sector. For a full breakdown of budget money set aside for rail see page 16.
WWW.RAILEXPRESS.COM.AU | 3
From the Editor Issue 06 - JuLY 2021
Published by:
11-15 Buckhurst St South Melbourne VIC 3205 T: 03 9690 8766 www.primecreative.com.au
Publisher Christine Clancy E: christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au
David Sexton
Chief Operating Officer Zelda Tupicoff E: zelda.tupicoff@primecreative.com.au Group Managing Editor (Northern) Syed Shah E: syed.shah@primecreative.com.au Editor David Sexton E: david.sexton@primecreative.com.au Business Development Manager Michael Usic T: 03 9690 8766 E: michael.usic@primecreative.com.au Client Success Manager Janine Clements E: janine.clements@primecreative.com.au Design Production Manager Michelle Weston E: michelle.weston@primecreative.com.au Art Director Blake Storey E: blake.storey@primecreative.com.au Design Kerry Pert, Madeline McCarty Subscriptions subscriptions@primecreative.com.au
www.RailExpress.com.au The Publisher reserves the right to alter or omit any article or advertisement submitted and requires indemnity from the advertisers and contributors against damages or liabilities that may arise from material published. © Copyright – No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the permission of the Publisher.
4 | ISSUE 5 - JULY 2021 | RAIL EXPRESS
Editor - Rail Express
Welcome to our July edition of Rail Express
I
T HAS BEEN A BUSY YEAR TO DATE, with many interesting developments in the world of rail. The federal government recently handed down its annual budget with money for a number of key projects that should contribute to a better freight rail experience. This includes important money for intermodal development in Melbourne as a way of connecting Inland Rail to the Port of Melbourne. That has to be a good thing. Let’s hope progress also can be made towards resolving the Acacia Ridge to Port of Brisbane connection in Queensland. Speaking of Inland Rail, a recent conference in Albury was dedicated to that topic. Held just before the latest lockdown, the event proved a great opportunity to discuss the concept in detail. Several analysts and experts gave their views, with most pundits excited by the prospect of moving freight easily and efficiently between Brisbane and Melbourne. Pacific National CEO Paul Scurrah used the conference to reflect upon the crucial role of Parkes (NSW) to the movement of Australian freight. His comments are reported in this edition and we think you will find them particularly interesting. This edition has a particular focus on ‘signalling’, a fundamental part of any safe rail system. It is actually quite inspiring seeing how various businesses are adapting the latest technology to bring about railway networks that are both safer and more efficient, particularly in their use of artificial
intelligence and digital technology. We hope that you will find this topic insightful and even exciting. Elsewhere, we speak with a business that is taking innovative steps to mitigate rail-related noise. This technology was developed in Europe but is likely to be making a difference in Australia soon enough. As our population increases and more people pack our cities, the need to ensure that humans can live in close proximity to supply chains without conflict has never been more acute. Regrettably, there have been further COVID-19 cases, raising the prospect of further disruptions and lockdowns during the winter months. The virus has implications for rail. Will commuters shun public transport and opt for automotive options until the virus is truly expunged? Or, could we see a resurgence on longhaul train travel as an alternative to flying between capital cities? Regarding freight, the Australian Logistics Council recently issued a press release reminding state governments of pledges to take no action during lockdowns that would impede freight movement. While this was targeted very much at the road sector, it is worth remembering that rail can play a vital role in keeping goods and supplies moving in these difficult times. Thanks for your ongoing support and enjoy the July edition of Rail Express. david.sexton@primecreative.com.au
WHEN THE
BIG BOYS
COME OUT TO PLAY
INNOVATION CONTINUES… RYAN BLACK
E M A I L : rblack@mancoeng.com.au P H O N E : +61 401 748 873
BRYAN BLACK E M A I L : bryan@manco.co.nz P H O N E : + 64 21 960069
mancorail.com.au mancorail.co.nz
News
Victoria
New digital map technology to support better rail maintenance for MetroTrains Innovative map technology is giving Metro Trains’ maintenance teams a complete digital picture of the Melbourne rail network to better plan and deliver works. Known as MetroMap, the tool is designed to improve maintenance activities and network performance by providing a single portal for operations and maintenance staff. Geographic information system lead
Nevin Wilson said the new technology allows users to view station locations, track, signals, overhead structures, and other key rail equipment that is routinely maintained by Metro. “MetroMap is a centralised system which collates multiple sources of information in a single application, so staff can see everything they need in the one place,”
Wilson said. “It’s a user-friendly portal with information that is particularly easy to understand.” The new application gives Metro staff access to a visual representation of 2D and 3D asset data, environmental information, and analytical tools to support vital infrastructure planning.
The new MetroMap aimed at improving maintenance activity and network performance.
Trains return to Ballarat line after maintenance Trains returned to the Ballarat line following an eleven-day “maintenance blitz” featuring infrastructure renewals as part of works to support Victoria’s economic recovery. The upgrades to the bridge over Ironbark Road, Ingliston and Melton Station were completed during the works as part of the state government’s $328.4 million investment in public transport and roads maintenance and upgrades. The 81-year-old rail bridge in Ingliston was upgraded with improved drainage, strengthened trestles and new restraint blocks,
6 | ISSUE 6 - JULY 2021 | RAIL EXPRESS
reducing the risk of infrastructure faults which can cause delays to services. At Melton Station, crews ramped up the upgrade works which started in March, with a focus on the new entrance, seats and shelters on platform one, along with works on the platform surface. The station upgrade works also include a new footpath connecting the new entrance to the Exford Road level crossing, four new accessible parking spaces and upgrades to information displays and security cameras with work expected to be complete in the first half of 2021.
V/Line also completed its regular program of major infrastructure renewals including track maintenance, resurfacing and bridge and culvert works along the line, as well as replacing rail at Rowsley. On the Ararat line, crews removed mud from underneath the track at several locations, creating a more stable foundation for the tracks and a more comfortable ride for passengers. Workers also upgraded signalling technology on the Maryborough line and infrastructure on the tracks used by freight trains between Inglewood and Korong Vale.
Martinus is one of the leading rail infrastructure construction companies in Australia and New Zealand.
800+ Employees
1000+ With an experienced civil, track, overhead wiring and signalling team, Martinus can deliver complete rail infrastructure solutions supported by an extensive range of specialised plant and equipment.
Projects Completed
Australia, New Zealand and Chile Office Locations
www.martinus.com.au
News
Victoria
Victorian government hails rail investment A new fleet of more accessible, reliable and energy efficient trains built locally to create a better public transport network have been announced by the Victorian government. The Victorian budget 2021/2022 is investing $986 million to build 25 brand-new X’Trapolis 2.0 trains and the infrastructure they need to modernise the state’s train fleet.
Designed and manufactured predominantly in Victoria, the new trains are to provide a vital boost to the state’s advanced rolling stock manufacturing industry – particularly in regional Victoria, with at least 150 of the new jobs to be based at Alstom’s Ballarat facility. Detailed design work is already underway, with manufacturing of the X’Trapolis 2.0
Acting premier James Merlino makes the train construction announcement in Ballarat.
trains to begin late next year. This significant investment builds on the $1.48bn investment in last year’s budget to design, build and maintain 100 brand-new Next Generation trams in Victoria, improving the state’s transport network for all Victorians and supporting more than 1800 jobs at the peak of production. The government has invested more than $7.5 billion in Victoria’s rolling stock since 2015, building new trains, trams and buses to deliver better journeys for passengers and attracting – and retaining – the best and brightest manufacturing talent to Victoria. “We’re designing and building Melbourne’s new train fleet right here in Victoria, delivering better journeys for Victorians in some of our fastest-growing suburbs,” acting premier James Merlino said. “These are trains made in Victoria, for Victorians, by Victorians – supporting local jobs at a time we need them most.” Public transport minister Ben Carroll said they had added hundreds of new services to their timetable. “We’ve added hundreds of new services to our timetable – and we’re delivering a big pipeline of new trains and trams,” Carroll said.
Local and international market interest sought for Geelong Fast Rail An industry search to help deliver faster services for Geelong has reportedly drawn “a significant pool of interested businesses” and specialist suppliers stretching from Melbourne to Madrid. Federal urban infrastructure minister Paul Fletcher and Victorian transport infrastructure minister Jacinta Allan announced that since February, more than 70 international, national and local organisations had flagged interest in building or financing stage one of Geelong Fast Rail. The strong response comes as part of an ongoing registrations of interest process for the project, which aims to cut travel times between Geelong and Melbourne to around 50 minutes. Minister Fletcher said this was great news
8 | ISSUE 6 - JULY 2021 | RAIL EXPRESS
for this much-needed project, which would involve significant infrastructure upgrades to part of the Geelong corridor over several years. “The Geelong Fast Rail is one of many critical infrastructure projects to receive funding from the Morrison government as part of its record $110 billion, 10-year infrastructure pipeline,” Fletcher said. “Our government is committing $2 billion to help kick-start this much-needed project, which will deliver more frequent and faster rail services.” Minister Allan said it was great to see the response from both local and international companies as we get on with this vital project that will create thousands of jobs. “This early market sounding is really important for projects of this scale,” Allan said.
Urban infrastructure minister Paul Fletcher.
Smart
Smart
Signal
Installation
Aldridge pioneered LED signal development in Australia and now
The Aldridge signal infrastructure team represents over 100
continues to lead with Smart Signals which allow for maximum
years of collective experience in the rail industry. We design,
flexibility with a route programmable function. Ideal for ‘smart
construct and commission. With vast experience in traditional
running’ and shunting, Smart Signals are already at work on
analog technologies, our team are also fully versed in the latest
Sydney Metro with installation underway on the South Western
digital technologies incorporated in Smart Signals. So for smart
Extension. For Smart Signals it’s Aldridge Railway Signals.
installation it’s Aldridge Signal Infrastructure.
P: +61 2 9807-7777
E: sales@railsignal.com
www.railsignal.com
News
New South Wales
Rail co backs kids’ playground in Sydney
Paul Scurrah from Pacific National (second from right), with MP for Londonderry Prue Car, Terry Tzaneros from ACFS and Reverend Trent Sutcliffe.
A new community children’s playground at St Mary Magdalene Anglican Church, western Sydney, was the purpose of a $60,000 joint donation from Pacific National. The other donor was ACFS Port Logistics. A ceremony took place to mark the official cheque presentation, with MP for Londonderry Prue Car the guest of honour. The new church playground is to be open
for all the community to enjoy with the outdoor facility including soft-fall flooring and sensory play equipment. Pacific National CEO Paul Scurrah acknowledged the importance of ongoing support from community and local business groups towards the development of St Marys Freight Hub. “Community and business groups are
excited how the freight hub will allow people to live and work in the region, leading to more time spent with family and pursuing local activities as opposed to a return commute of 130 kilometres each day between Western Sydney and Port Botany,” Scurrah said. Once fully operational, St Marys Freight Hub is expected to play a significant role in decongesting the Sydney network.
Sydney network rules to be amended following Dora Creek incident Sydney Trains has pledged to change its network rules following an incident at Dora Creek on 9 May last year. Dora Creek is on the main north rail line between Sydney and Newcastle. According to the ATSB, a track worker heard the whistle of an approaching passenger train and had to remove themselves from the so-called “danger zone”. The track worker was an outer hand signaller helping do repairs and maintenance on Dora Creek rail bridge. As the worker prepared to remove a railway track signal (RTS) from the rail line, they heard a train whistle and moved
10 | ISSUE 6 - JULY 2021 | RAIL EXPRESS
off the line to safety. The train, NSW TrainLink passenger service 283D from Newcastle to Sydney, ran over the RTS (a small device attached to a rail that explodes on impact, designed to attract the attention of train drivers). In response, the driver applied the emergency brakes and the train came to a halt around 60 metres past the track worker. The investigation into the incident, undertaken by the Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI), which conducts rail safety investigations in NSW on behalf of the ATSB, found that in applying the Track Work Authority for the worksite, an
unapproved practice was implemented. That practice, which was intended to improve train operations, involved the protection officer instructing workers to remove the railway track signals used to protect the worksite while trains were closely approaching. This was intended to let the train run unimpeded, but placed the outer hand signaller at risk. Sydney Trains has since committed to amend its Network Rules to ensure that both the inner and outer protection must be replaced immediately after the passage of each rail traffic movement.
Building the rail networks of the future Our teams have positioned RCS Australia as one of the most experienced, agile and sought-after providers of rail signalling and control systems engineering in Australia. We provide our clients with innovative, technically advanced, purposebuilt signalling and communication systems and we do so by delivering the very best service through honesty, knowledge and expertise.
www.railcontrol.com.au
Rail Control Systems Australia
+61 3 9034 3000
News
National
Union upbeat following changes to in-cab recording proposal The Rail, Tram and Bus Union is celebrating what it says is “a great win for rail workers” regarding a changed proposal for in-cab recordings. The Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator altered its position to recommend only allowing rail operators “black-box” style access after a “notifiable occurrence”. This followed consultation with the union. According to the union, the ONRSR wants further consultation with the union and other parties about the exemption categories. “Congratulations and thank you to all RTBU members who completed online petitions and/or emails to transport ministers and shadow ministers as part of the RTBU campaign,” said RTBU national secretary Mark Diamond in a letter to members.
Rail Services Australia
SPECIALISED FBW TEAMS OPERATING HOLLAND ENGINEERED, BUILT AND SUPPORTED EQUIPMENT Holland’s fleet of portable production and in-track MobileWelders® feature the unparalleled Intelliweld® control system giving customers real-time weld monitoring and data collection with low consumption weld capability.
Perth, WA Hollandco.com/au
“It is through your efforts that our collective voice is being heard. “In addition, we thank the ONRSR for putting the safety of the public and workers
Train drivers have demanded their cabin privacy rights.
at the forefront of their decision making.” Diamond said they would sit down with the ONRSR to continue discussions regarding exemptions.
New Zealand
Steady as she goes! Dame Whina Cooper’s historic journey begins
The Dame Whina tunnel boring machine ready for action.
Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), Dame Whina Cooper, began its historic and transformational journey below Auckland’s skyline to excavate the City Rail Link tunnels – New Zealand’s first underground railway. “Progress over the first initial metres is cautious but steady while our crews bed-down getting used to the machine and conditions underground,” said Francois Dudouit, project director for the Link Alliance.
“When the work’s done, Dame Whina Cooper’s legacy will be a world class railway for Auckland and travelling around the city will never be the same again.” Tunnel excavations have started from City Rail Link’s Mt Eden site. Its first destination is the Karangahape Station, 830 metres away. From there it bores on to the Aotea Station in central Auckland – a total journey
for the TBM of 1.6 kilometres - to join the section of CRL tunnels already built from the Britomart transport hub. After transport minister Michael Wood and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff ceremonially turned on the TBM for the first time earlier this month, final commissioning checks, which included excavating the first few metres of tunnel, were completed successfully.
Budget to deliver “substantial” rail improvements Funding announcements in the New Zealand recent budget this week were “great news for businesses across the rail supply chain”, Australasian Railway Association chief executive Caroline Wilkie said. A total of NZ$1.3bn in rail funding was included in the announcement from the Beehive. Wilkie said the additional investment in the rail network would support the country’s post COVID-19 recovery. “It is an exciting time for rail in New
Zealand, with key projects underway to deliver substantial improvements to the rail network,” Wilkie said. “The new funding announcements confirmed today are great news for businesses across the rail supply chain, as well as for users of the network itself.” The funding adds to several rail project investments, led by the Auckland City Rail Link currently underway. The Budget confirmed $722.7 million for the third tranche of KiwiRail’s rollingstock
and mechanical maintenance facilities investment program and $85 million for new KiwiRail domestic workshops. A further $449.9m was allocated to the Rail Network Investment Programme, while $87.3m goes towards core asset management in the rail industry. Wilkie welcomed the New Zealand government’s acknowledgement that moving more freight on rail would be crucial to supporting the country’s transition to a low carbon economy.
WWW.RAILEXPRESS.COM.AU | 13
News
Inland Rail
Unleash the power of Inland Rail, conference hears Moving freight from Melbourne to Brisbane in just one day could transform the way goods are transported in Australia, the 2021 Inland Rail Conference heard. Held in Albury, the conference was organised by the Australian Logistics Council and the Australasian Railways Association, with deputy prime minister and infrastructure minister Michael McCormack conducting the official opening. Delegates heard the project could transform the ratio of rail freight in this country from 30
per cent movement to 62 per cent by 2050. The construction phase of the project is also reported to have has delivered local benefits by way of employment, with 1862 people (including 302 indigenous Australians) getting jobs during the development of the Parkes to Narromine segment of the line. Furthermore, Australian industry gained advantages through the use of concrete sleepers sourced from Mittagong, rail clips from Blacktown and steel rail from Whyalla. The Australian Rail Track Corporation was
reported to be working with communities to engage them in the development of the project in areas of Australia where Inland Rail is to be constructed. The next phase of the project has begun from Narrabri to North Star. The conference was told the development of the Parkes hub was particularly important as its position at the juncture of Inland Rail and the East-West rail line would permit the cost-effective movement of goods to all States of mainland Australia.
Inland Rail and the “Memphis Down Under” Parkes in central New South Wales has potential, via Inland Rail, to become regional Australia’s largest freight and logistics hub, Pacific National chief executive Paul Scurrah says. Scurrah, who took on the CEO role following a stint managing airline Virgin Australia and who also managed stevedore DPWA, talked of Inland Rail as being a “corridor of commerce” in the future. “Indeed, execution of our national terminal strategy has already positioned Pacific National at the very heart of Inland Rail…a place we affectionately call ‘Memphis Down Under’,” Scurrah said. “Just like Memphis in the interior of the United States, Parkes in the central west of New South Wales has potential via Inland Rail to become regional Australia’s largest freight and logistics hub.” At the intersection of the future Inland Rail, Transcontinental Railway across to Western Australia, and Newell Highway, Parkes was “the perfect place for a major intermodal terminal”. He noted Parkes Shire Council’s vision and advocacy to create a national logistics hub, the Australian government’s significant investment into Inland Rail and the NSW government establishing a special activation precinct at Parkes to help streamline planning and enhance coordination between the public and private sectors. “These factors provided Pacific National with the added confidence to invest more than $35 million to deliver the largest intermodal terminal in inland regional Australia,” he said. The intermodal was opened in October 2019, PN’s Parkes Logistics Terminal has been designed to consolidate and subsequently tranship up to 450,000 TEUs each year.
14 | ISSUE 6 - JULY 2021 | RAIL EXPRESS
Paul Scurrah, CEO, Pacific National.
Scurrah said Inland Rail was about much more than a north-south rail connection between Melbourne and Brisbane. “It provides added options for rail freight services to branch out both east and west. This component of Inland Rail is often overlooked,” he said. “For example, Pacific National has future plans to better connect western New South Wales to western Sydney and beyond to Port Botany via our new freight hub at St Marys. “With construction to be complete later this year, Pacific National’s new freight hub in the heart of western Sydney could potentially allow 1,200-metre regional freight trains to
be broken into 600-metre smaller metroshuttles to access stevedoring terminals more efficiently at port.” Scurrah said that if Parkes was the heart of Inland Rail, then Pacific National’s terminal at Acacia Ridge in the south western suburbs of Brisbane was its head. “We envisage Acacia Ridge Terminal will be the ‘northern terminus’ of Inland Rail for the foreseeable future,” he said. “In the meantime, Pacific National welcomes the Australian and Queensland governments’ joint initiative to undertake detailed studies to identify and preserve a dedicated future rail freight connection to Port of Brisbane.”
Federal Budget
A vision for rail The federal government has put rail infrastructure front and centre of spending decisions in the 2021-22 budget. A TWO billion dollar investment in the Melbourne Intermodal Terminal project was among the rail highlights of the recent federal budget announced by treasurer Josh Frydenberg. The budget included funding for a host of projects around the nation, from freight projects in Melbourne and regional New South Wales, to passenger rail upgrades in Queensland and the ACT. Australasian Railway Association chief executive Caroline Wilkie said the government’s $2bn investment in the Melbourne Intermodal Terminal would be a boon for the freight sector. “This is a key project that will support greater use of rail, take more trucks off the road and ensure we are ready to meet the nation’s growing freight task,” Wilkie said. “An intermodal terminal in Melbourne with the capacity to manage double stack containers was an important part of the business case for Inland Rail. “This will realise that ambition and maximise the significant benefits of the Inland Rail project.” Wlkie said the while the past year had
16 | ISSUE 6 - JULY 2021 | RAIL EXPRESS
been challenging, people were returning to rail travel and the networks needed to be ready for passengers. “For many years, rail has suffered from historic underinvestment when compared to other modes and this trend must be reversed to support the sustainable development of our cities,” she said. “It is important that governments keep supporting projects like these to avoid traffic gridlock and help reduce emissions as populations rise.” Additional funding for new apprenticeships and traineeships would be welcomed by the rail industry, Wilkie said. Port of Melbourne CEO Brendan Bourke was among those to praise the rail spending, not only cold hard cash allocated for the intermodal, but also the emphasis on Inland Rail and the Brisbane/Melbourne connection. “Connection of Inland Rail to the Port of Melbourne, including a direct freight connection to Webb Dock, is essential to meeting the long-term demands of consumers and business,” Bourke said. “The proposed funding for a Melbourne Intermodal Terminal is a positive step towards that aim.”
BIG INFRASTRUCTURE Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia chief executive Ainsley Simpson said the $15.2bn infrastructure investment announced in the budget could be leveraged to deliver an even greater longterm upside. “Assessing infrastructure assets against social, cultural, environmental and economic performance metrics drives continuous improvement, capacity building and innovation,” Simpson said. “It can support productivity and liveability in both urban and regional areas. “Aligning this infrastructure investment with global best practice can deliver up to $2.40 in benefit for every dollar spent.” Simpson said the ISCA welcomed the $600 million in funding for the new National Recovery and Resilience Agency, established in response to the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements. “Extreme weather events, systemic shocks like COVID-19, stresses from climate change and ageing infrastructure all highlight the need for us to prioritise communities when
we are planning, delivering and operating infrastructure assets,” she said. “We also know that investors want assets that deliver long-term returns, which is why they are demanding greater scrutiny of social, environmental and governance outcomes.” MENTAL HEALTH Meanwhile the TrackSAFE Foundation has welcomed a commitment to additional investment in suicide prevention and mental health treatment services. “The TrackSAFE Foundation welcomes funding for activities that will help build individual resilience, have a strong focus on suicide prevention and services that will provide compassionate and effective early intervention and treatment,” said TrackSAFE executive director Heather Neil. “More suicide prevention and mental health services including crisis support and helplines are needed to help reduce the number of people that die or are injured on the rail network,” Neil said. “Beyond the human loss or injury and impact on individuals, families and friends, incidents cause long-lasting trauma and work-related stress to train drivers and the recovery staff involved with incidents. “In addition to the suicide prevention and mental health package, the significant rail infrastructure investment also announced with the budget provides opportunities to incorporate new design and technology.”
KEY RAIL ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE 2021-22 FEDERAL BUDGET: Intermodal facilities and freight rail • $2bn for initial investment in a new Melbourne Intermodal Terminal, VIC • $61.8m for Melbourne Intermodal Terminal planning and development, VIC • $400m for Inland Freight Route (Mungindi to Charters Towers) upgrades, QLD • $16.5m to establish the National Freight Data Hub to enhance the collection and access to freight data across all modes, including rail • $300,000 for proposed Tennant Creek Multimodal Facility and Rail Terminal development study, NT Rail upgrades • $347.5m for the METRONET Hamilton Street-Wharf Street grade separations and elevation of associated stations. Enhanced METRONET Byford Rail Extension, with a new grade separated rail crossing at Armadale Road and an elevated station at Armadale, WA • $178.1m for the Gold Coast Rail Line Capacity Improvement preconstruction (Kuraby to Beenleigh), QLD • $132.5m for the Canberra Light Rail - Stage 2A, ACT • $126.6m for Gold Coast Light Rail - Stage 3, QLD • $92.8m for commuter car park upgrades including Berwick, Frankston and Ringwood stations, VIC • $60m for the Gawler Rail Line Electrification, SA • $24m for Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation • $3.1m for the Goodwood and Torrens Rail Junctions Project, SA Signalling • $31.5m towards the METRONET HighCapacity Signalling project, WA • Planning and business cases • $5m for the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass planning study, SA • $2m for the Kalgoorlie Rail Realignment Business Case, WA Factbox provided with help from ARA
WWW.RAILEXPRESS.COM.AU | 17
Keolis Downer is a leading operator of public transport services in Australia. With 5,900 employees and a presence in five states, Keolis Downer enables 350 million passenger journeys per year. We operate and maintain the largest tram network in the world in Melbourne (Yarra Trams), the light rail network on the Gold Coast (G:link), and 1,000 buses in New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland. We also operate and maintain the Adelaide Metro train services.
keolisdowner.com.au
Signalling
A three-year vision for growth With a clear vision and values proposition, growth is not just achievable, it is inevitable. Now in its 14th year of operation, Rail Control Systems Australia (RCSA) has become a major player in Australian rail signalling. RCSA has experienced significant growth in its time - and the growing pains that come with it. The insight of that experience is valuable to a business that continues to adapt and grow to meet industry demand yet RCSA is also committed to drive the business forward in a way that capitalises on their potential, not just their experience. Having released their three-year vision to 2024, RCSA has a future focus that commits to technology and delivery innovation for Australian rail projects,
RCSA takes exceptional pride in its people.
sustainable market growth in Australia and overseas, investment into its people and a drive for safer and more efficient rail systems. HUMBLE BEGINNINGS In 2007 a small signalling consulting business began operations. They didn’t have an office and had even less of an idea about where the business was going. What they did have was a core team of exceptional signalling engineers and a commitment to disrupt the signalling market in Australia. This translated to using their technical expertise and their collective knowledge of the industry
to drive innovative signalling solutions and to truly integrate signalling (and its delivery) into the requirements of rail projects or specific customer needs. “We were remote working before it became a thing, we had to, we didn’t have an office. Zoom didn’t exist yet, so we’d have daily collaboration meetings at a coffee shop,” said Paul Hann, director and co-founder. “They had free wi-fi so we spent longer and longer there, it almost became our office. We drank a lot of coffee back then.” Today, RCSA has 90 or more employees, including the original team members, and they now have an office, in fact they have a few, out of which they are delivering signalling design for some of Australia’s landmark rail projects, including Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel, Inland Rail and Brisbane’s Cross River Rail. The original core values of the business remain and RCSA continues to work with its customers to address their requirements for safe and efficient signalling, provided on commercially favourable terms. GROWING CAPABILITY BASED ON CUSTOMER NEEDS The customer centric approach fed the growth of the business. Where technology was not meeting the needs of the customer, RCSA explored alternative technology solutions that were specifically tailored to customer requirements. Where RCSA saw gaps in the service provided to customers, they addressed this by expanding their capability “In 2012 we delivered the first HIMA Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) signalling system in Australia. It was also the first Australian implementation of Frauscher FadC axle counters,” said Richard Ogilvie, director and co-founder. “Clearly, we were making great strides in the technology space and were working really well with our customer. We did, however, experience some inefficiency in the fabrication and site install of the system and the field equipment. “So, we committed to address that problem. We ended up doing so in a very holistic manner.” In 2015 RCSA added signalling construction to their capability, establishing a dedicated civil and electrical team drawn
WWW.RAILEXPRESS.COM.AU | 19
Signalling
people. RCSA came into this world as industry disruptors and continues to challenge the accepted norm with innovation for better safety and efficiency. RCSA’s culture encourages this approach from its people. “I won’t say we seek out rebellious types exactly, but we certainly look for people willing to challenge us and the broader industry,” said HR manager Chris Hooper. “We have a culture where everyone has ownership of business outcomes, so we promote an environment where everyone has a voice. We place trust in our people to perform their roles and they deliver in spades.”
RCSA’s geographic coverage allows it to deliver projects across Australia and abroad.
from industry experienced personnel. The team are based out of a purpose-built facility in Brisbane where equipment locations and huts are fabricated, fitted out and tested prior to shipping for installation by RCSA’s site teams. The civil team complement the electrical capability with equipment foundations, cable routes and field equipment installation. RCSA’s construction discipline not only provides an end-to-end capability, but they have also proven their ability to operate as a stand-alone discipline, having delivered the signalling construction for the first Inland Rail project at Parkes to Narromine in 2019/2020. MARKET FOOTPRINT With engineering teams based in Brisbane and Melbourne and the construction team also in Brisbane, RCSA’s geographic coverage allows them to deliver projects across Australia and abroad. The business sees further market diversity through their consulting and professional services engagements, and RCSA’s emerging technology group also has domestic and international focus, with technology deployments in Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales and Taiwan. However, RCSA’s market is not just geographically driven, the vertical depth of the services provided is equally important. Having grown to the position of providing signalling to the largest rail infrastructure projects in Australia, RCSA is keen to maintain its connection with rail operators and smaller delivery projects. “We have different value propositions for
20 | ISSUE 6 - JULY 2021 | RAIL EXPRESS
different markets. For large projects we must work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and ensure we safely deliver signalling with minimal commercial risk and optimal delivery efficiency,” said Jacquelle Coldhill, commercial and projects director. “On the other hand, when we are working with rail operators to address the needs of their growing or ageing infrastructure, we are able to innovate in a different way, looking at technology solutions that will provide whole of life benefits to the customer, technically and commercially.” CUSTOMERS AND PARTNERS RCSA seeks to establish long term relationships with its customers and is focused on extended strategic partnerships in place of short-term customer engagements. “We get a lot of repeat business from our customers which is the best external feedback you can get,” Paul Hann said “Importantly though, it means that we can develop a partnering relationship with our customers. “It’s amazing the results you can get when you have a good level of trust with your customer. We have, in the past, had customers that are, let’s say, ‘less aligned with our values’. It’s so counterproductive – the difference is astounding. We definitely see the value in investing in our customers and our relationships.” PEOPLE It’s no secret that RCSA takes exceptional pride in its people. Not just technically competent people, but culturally aligned
ORGANISATIONAL EVOLUTION AND FUTURE FOCUS Like most businesses faced with fast-paced growth, RCSA’s trajectory has not always been smooth. Beyond the organic growth of the early days, RCSA hit a major milestone moment when they were 10 years in, one that required some pivotal changes to the business in-order-to survive. “We went through some pain in 2017 because we couldn’t keep up with demand,” Hann said. “We could have opened up to a bigger organisation that could better manage our scale of operations, but we thought that might compromise our values, so we faced the problem head on and reinvented the organisation from the ground up. Perhaps ‘reinvigorated’ would be a better term because we based everything on those core values. It helps that our founding team are still with the organisation because it means our values are truly ingrained in our history, our teams and our leadership.” RCSA has remained an independently owned business and has evolved into one of the biggest and most capable signalling specific delivery organisations in Australia. The business has always been guided by the core values of technical excellence, trust, and community spirit. “We’re pretty open with everyone in the organisation about how the business is performing and where it’s going,” said CFO Carmen Harrison. “We want the business to be the collective success of everyone involved. That’s what our three-year vision is about, it’s not just bringing people on a journey, it’s showing them the destination first.” RCSA is committed to building the rail networks of the future. To view RCSA’s threeyear vision, visit www.railcontrol.com.au/ vision_statement.
STRAILastic - sound protection 4 products - 1 result - silence More information can be found at www.strailastic.com.au
1.
New STRAILastic_mSW 730 mini soundprotection wall with high absorbing surface The new version of the STRAILastic_mSW adds a higher wall to the product range. This version is used for train speeds of up to 120 km/h.
Due to the higher design, it gains even more effect in the area of the wheel.
1. STRAILastic_mSW 730
STRAILastic_mSW 730 is fastened to both rails with an insulated, decoupled substructure or directly in the subsoil using ground screws.
2. STRAILastic_IP
STRAILastic_mSW 730 > mini goes maxi.
4. STRAILastic_A inox 2.0
new version of the mini sound protection wall the infill panel
3. STRAILastic_mSW the established mini sound protection wall rail dampers
Benefits at a glance
2.
¬ No foundation required for installation ¬ easy and quick installation ¬ Short delivery times > noise hot spots can be supplied with products quickly ¬ Closer to the noise source than any other sound protection ¬ Break-proof due to fibre-reinforced rubber compound with a cover layer of virgin rubber > UV and ozone resistant
4.
¬ No material fatigue caused by vibrations or pressure and suction forces ¬ No problems with oversized loads
STRAILastic Australia Pty Ltd // STRAILastic track damping systems 350 Botany Road | Beaconsfield NSW 2015 Sydney | www.strailastic.com.au
3.
Enhancing transport operations through smart technology. For over 20 years, 4Tel has been delivering quality solutions to the transport industry to protect people and assets. Now proudly introducing AI Systems, our expertise arm in vision systems for vehicle operations.
4Tel
Signalling
Unleashing the power of automation A digital signalling solution is helping metro operators run more trains on networks and may contribute to increased use of autonomous trains. A digital signalling solution that helps metro operators run more trains on networks. That attractive proposition is how Thales has pitched its SelTrac G8 product, the newest generation of Thales CBTC solution. The technology behind this is called Communications Based Train Control, or CBTC. SelTrac is natively driverless, but it can still be used with an attendant or driver. “Customers who deploy SelTrac™ G8 can benefit from a lifelong innovation insertion, which is enabled through the new digital architecture,” said Nuno Guerra, Thales ground transportation systems and secure communication and information systems. “The new generation also provides extensive services to operate and maintain the systems more efficiently. “The beauty of it, it is also autonomy ready.” Guerra said a key aspect of SelTrac™ G8 was its compatibility with Thales’ NGPS (NextGeneration Positioning System), an autonomous train position system that underwent a proof-of-concept with MTA New York City Transit. Instead of conventional odometers and tags, NGPS uses inertial navigation, radar and radio ranging sensors or GPS. These features are combined with a 3D reference map to determine precise train position. “In the future, LIDAR (light detection and ranging) and high-definition video cameras will provide additional data to enable capabilities such as obstacle detection,” Guerra said. “The diversity of sensor types deployed in the autonomous positioning system contributes to resilience in two ways. “First, it means there is no single point of failure. If information from one sensor group is temporarily unavailable, the remaining two provide sufficient data to position the train reliably.” If sensors at one end of the train fail, then the system can seamlessly use sensor
Thales technology is improving the operation of railway stations.
information from the other end of the train. “Second, sensor diversity reduces the uncertainty associated with using a single sensor technology: using three different types of sensor ensures that positioning computations are safe,” Guerra said. Underpinning everything are sensor fusion algorithms that evaluate and combine data from all three sensor groups to provide an accurate real-time train position. Sensor data also will be compared with static datasets from the reference map to further increase certainty. For example, data from the IMU devices is continuously referenced to a 3D digital route map which incorporates data about track curvature and gradients along the line. Matching the curvature detected by the IMU with the curvature on the map is one way the position of the train can be checked and recalibrated. Guerra said there were three important new features in SelTrac™ G8. The first was new digital architecture. “This is based on common hardware platforms and is designed to be upgraded easily, including our new object controller or Remote IO to reduce the amount of wayside equipment required,” he said. “Secondly, we have our suite of enhanced services, to support operators to achieve maximum availability. Thirdly, and last but not least, SelTrac™G8 is autonomy ready.” PERMANENTLY UPGRADEABLE Guerra said the beauty of SelTrac™ G8 was that it was permanently upgradeable. New
functions can be added easily by upgrading software. “We call this ‘innovation insertion’,” Guerra said. “SelTrac™ G8 also features advanced diagnostic and health monitoring tools, easing maintenance and boosting reliability. In addition to this, our customers benefit from a significant reduction in wayside equipment, so installation and maintenance costs are lower.” SelTrac™ G8 can support almost any type of radio communications, including LTE. “Thanks to our onboard communications gateway, you can switch between multiple radio technologies, so your train always stays connected,” Guerra said. Thales successfully demonstrated its nextgeneration positioning system in a nine-month pilot project on the New York City Subway. The new positioning system was fully integrated on four trains on the Flushing (7) Line, which already operates using communications-based train control (CBTC). Each of the four trains was fitted with ultrawideband (UWB) radio, radar and inertial measurement units. The project yielded strong results and underlines the way that advanced train positioning technology can dramatically accelerate the deployment of CBTC signalling. “Additional benefits of the new positioning system include greater reliability thanks to increased redundancy, improved train positioning accuracy and ease of installation. “The project also shows the potential for next-generation positioning technology to integrate seamlessly with existing CBTC systems,” Guerra said.
WWW.RAILEXPRESS.COM.AU | 23
Signalling
On the path to growth Wabtec has defied the onset of COVID-19 to continue to grow in the signalling market. The onset of COVID-19 has failed to halt the progress of Wabtec Corporation in the signalling market. The business is currently in the process of delivering several high priority projects across Australia including, the Shepparton Corridor Upgrade on the V/Line network in Victoria, an Electronic Train Order implementation on the V/Line network, the Morley to Ellenbrook line extension on the PTA network in Perth and the Hot Bearing Detector Upgrades on the Rio Tinto Iron Ore network in the Pilbara. The business has grown year-on-year in the signalling market as well as via acquisitions including Track IQ in 2015 and the later acquisition of Lynx Engineering. “This has enabled us to create a full wayside asset monitoring suite of products and services that complements our signalling business,”
A Wabtec construction project underway.
24 | ISSUE 6 - JULY 2021 | RAIL EXPRESS
said Troy Wilson, Wabtec Control Systems VP operations for Victoria and Western Australia. “This has made WCS a key player in the delivery of turnkey signalling and asset monitoring projects for the majority of rail operators throughout Australia.” RECENT HISTORY The business began as C2CE in 2011 with offices in Perth and Melbourne. In 2014 the business was acquired by Wabtec Corporation along with another business Orion Rail and re-branded as Wabtec Control Systems. This expanded the business to have offices in all major state cities as well as business units in the Pilbara (Karratha and Port Hedland). The asset monitoring business is global, with more than 200 installations across some 20 different countries, all delivered using
Australian developed technology, designed and built in our Australian facilities. The company now employs in excess of 320 employees worldwide and is continuing to grow its presence in every state with the recent opening of a new facility in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. “We also have staff based globally to maintain our global installation of asset monitoring systems and to promote our signalling and control system capabilities,” Wilson said. “As a Wabtec company, WCS is supported around the world to ensure our customers receive prompt service and support in their local time zone.” WCS primarily operate as a service supplier for the delivery of signalling, control system and asset monitoring projects and can
A Wabtec staffer conducts mechanical maintenance.
complete the full project lifecycle including: • Project concepts and scoping; • Signalling, electrical, communications and mechanical design; • Factory assembly works; • Site civil, signalling, electrical and mechanical construction works; • Off-site testing, site acceptance testing and commissioning; • Project handover and maintenance; • Full track protection and traffic management services. Other projects it is in the process of delivering include: • Level Crossing Improvement Programme on the ARTC network; • Level Crossing Upgrade Programme on the ARC network; • Various Points, Power and HBD upgrades on the BHP Iron Ore Network; • Delivery of wayside monitoring systems and associated data management capabilities to a range of railways in the Pilbara, Australian metro networks and across freight railway operations. The team recently completed the installation, testing and commissioning of their first Train Control Office System in Australia on the Forteuscue Metals Group Iron Ore network. “The product is the most widely implemented train control system within the United States freight market and this was the first adaptation of the product within Australia,” said Wabtec Control Systems managing director Graham Russell. TCOS is an integrated train control solution
Level crossing installation work progresses.
that brings together multiple functions for Centralized Traffic Control (CTC), Track Warrant Control (TWC), Dark Territory (DT) and Positive Train Control (PTC). This project has now rolled on to the delivery of the Electronic Train Order project upgrade for V/Line which will also utilise the same TCOS product. Once implemented it is envisioned this product could be rolled out to the majority of the V/Line network where sections of manual paper-based train orders are still implemented. These train orders will be replaced by electronic train orders that are displayed directly to the driver on the driver’s screen. “We anticipate the success of these initial projects will highlight to the Australian market the quality and maturity of the TCOS system resulting in greater adoption within the local market, to which it is suited,” Russell said. “While the business has been forced to adapt throughout the COVID period, with many team members spending prolonged periods away from family the professionalism and experience of the WCS team enabled us to readily adapt to the remote working situation that faced all
businesses throughout last year.” Throughout it all the business was able to continue to thrive, and provide a quality service to our customers. “We even managed to grow our team further throughout this period with additional work in Australia, as well as delivering asset monitoring projects in the US, Ireland and New Zealand utilising the Worldwide Wabtec team to support us,” Russell said. The business has also grown to become one of the main suppliers of traffic management and safe working protection in the rail industry and currently have in excess of 70 employees working across Australia in this division. While predominantly delivering this service in the west of Australia we have expanded our service offering to the broader Australian market, being able to offer a high-quality service of well trained and qualified staff throughout Australia. “There are exciting times ahead with WCS already signed up to deliver some of the major rail infrastructure upgrades throughout Australia over the coming years,” Russell said. “The team is continuing to grow our capacity and capability to deliver on these works.”
WWW.RAILEXPRESS.COM.AU | 25
Operations
Next stage in the journey Following the recent budget announcement from the Victorian government to purchase 25 new X’trapolis Trains for Melbourne’s suburban rail network from Alstom, which will be built in Ballarat, Rail Express spoke to Alstom’s rollingstock operations director, Pascal Dupond, to get a better understanding of Alstom’s local manufacturing history, footprint and current capabilities and efforts to cement relationships with Australian rail partners manufactured and supplied 106 X’trapolis suburban trains (636 rail cars) – Australia’s largest fleet of single deck trains – made in Victoria for Victoria.
Pascal Dupond, Alstom rollingstock operations director.
REX: Pascal, what does the recent announcement mean for Alstom. PD: The recent announcement is fantastic news for our operations in Victoria, local jobs and the rail industry. It is the result of years of hard work, working closely with the state to develop a train with specific features and characteristics to support the efficient operations of Melbourne’s suburban rail network. The project will also provide certainty and ensure the future for our skilled train manufacturing workforce in Ballarat, and the continued operations of the historic Ballarat site for some time. We hope to sign the contract and get underway soon. REX: Can you tell us about the history of the Ballarat site? PD: The Ballarat site was commissioned by the state in 1917 – more than 100 years ago, to establish a state-owned industrial and railway manufacturing centre in regional Victoria, decentralised from Melbourne. The site has been locally manufacturing much of the state’s rolling stock since that time. In 1999, during a significant privatisation program by the then Kennett government, Alstom acquired the site from the state and soon after received its first order for X’trapolis trains in 2000. Since 2000, Alstom has locally
26 | ISSUE 6 - JULY 2021 | RAIL EXPRESS
REX: What other manufacturing facilities has Alstom got in Australia? PD: Following the acquisition of Bombardier, we now have Dandenong in our portfolio that manufactures the E-Class trams, V’Locity regional trains and Adelaide EMU in our portfolio that will be brought in line with the Alstom production system. We operate out of METRONET’s brand new facility in Perth in which we just commenced manufacturing, and we also have a little facility in Maryborough in Queensland. We have the means to grow in many parts of Australia. REX: Why the need for X’trap 2.0? PD: The original X’trapolis design is now more than 20 years old - standards have changed, and technology has advanced – it was time to give the passengers of Melbourne a new train and technology that would help optimise the operations of the network without the need for extensive infrastructure upgrades. REX: What does this mean for local industry? PD: This is great news for the local supply chain. Over the past 20 years, Alstom has
An aerial view of the Alstom facility at Dandenong in Melbourne’s east.
developed and supported a significant local supply chain in-order-to deliver the trains with around 50 per cent local content. Local suppliers have been a major contributor to Alstom’s local success, and we would like to think that Alstom’s approach to localisation has been a key contributor to many of our suppliers’ success. REX: What about local jobs? PD: Looking at the supply chain, the state has estimated the new X’trap project will support around 750 jobs across local manufacturing and supply chains. There also will be plant upgrades so this will have obvious benefits for local trades and suppliers as well. For Alstom directly, the transfer of technology and the latest manufacturing processes is the foundation for the success of Alstom’s global localisation strategy – we want every site in every country in which we are based, to apply a standard way of working – this means that our local employees are always trained to the latest manufacturing techniques. The X’Trap 2.0 project will see up to 15 per cent of the workforce being apprentices and disadvantaged Victorians. I have personally taken customers to different sites around the world and one impression they often have is ‘wow, that’s exactly what our project back home looks
like’. So we are very consistent worldwide in applying our methods to ensure the output is high quality. REX: What has the purchase of Bombardier meant for Alstom’s manufacturing capability? PD: Alstom is now Australia’s only end-to-end rollingstock manufacturer and the only global OEM who has fully committed to, and invested significantly in, the Australian rail market. Providing more than 1600 direct jobs and supporting hundreds of local SMEs - something we are very proud of. The acquisition of Bombardier has seen a more than doubling of the size and capacity of the business, both in terms of employees and footprint. The acquisition has elevated Alstom to be the leading provider of railway technology in the Australian rail market. We manufacture trams, suburban EMUs and regional DMUs in Australia, for Australia. Our local engineering capabilities have taken a step forward and our services operations have more than doubled – we are clearly a key partner in the Australian rollingstock, urban signalling and services markets. REX: Victoria seems to be your industrial base in Australia – Have you got expansion plans? PD: Historically, our manufacturing base began in Rockle, Brisbane, in the 1940s – manufacturing diesel-electric locos for the entire Australian railway market. We have just started manufacturing the new C-Series suburban trains for METRONET in Perth. This project will see railcar manufacturing return to Western Australia for the first time in nearly 30-years – a key election commitment for the McGowan government. We are delighted to be partnering the state to reestablish this important industry in WA. We are pleased with our progress in building new supply chains in WA, supporting
An E-class tram in the spray booth at Dandenong.
Inside Alstom’s tram-building facility at Dandenong.
and developing local SMEs who will play a key role in the delivery of the trains which will have a minimum of 50 per cent local content. With this revived rail manufacturing in WA and the C-Series trains coming from us we will also have the maintenance of this new fleet along with the A and B. REX: After COVID and trade tensions with China, other states in Australia, particularly Queensland, who have previously manufactured rollingstock, are now talking about re-establishing their local railway industries – what does this mean to Alstom? PD: If a customer wants us to localise, we will localise – it is part of Alstom’s DNA. At the same time, if they would rather we take an ‘import’ approach, we can do that too. We have an incredibly successful track record both in Australia and around the world of establishing ourselves in new markets, developing skilled workforces and establishing local supply chains to ensure they thrive. We have done this in Victoria and more recently in WA. Our Australian-based engineering team is close to our customers and projects, so to our local industrial
designers who can work on new concepts and platform evolution. Our Australian-made products are high quality with extremely high performance across all parameters. REX: Does this give you a competitive advantage? PD: Yes and no – it depends on the requirements of the state – we always try to optimise and maximise supplier opportunities across numerous contracts – but like many other issues facing our industry, each state has its own requirements - be it technical or political - it is up to us how best we adapt to these obligations to partner with and deliver a successful outcome for our customers and the industry as a whole. What is certain is that, where possible, we endeavour to integrate suppliers for any one particular project to become a supplier within the broader Alstom network – we have many examples of this in Australia for which we are proud. We have Australian businesses building up their offering with us to the extent they are now Alstom’s panel suppliers worldwide. REX: So it sounds like things are on the up for the local industry? Are you positive for the future of the local rail industry? PD: Indeed, the future is looking positive for the entire industry. There are many exciting projects currently being delivered across all sectors of the rail industry throughout the country, the future pipeline for major projects is very strong in all states and there is clear political will to make transport projects a priority for infrastructure spending – and when it comes to building trains, there is a push to do it locally. This is great news for Alstom, local supply chains, local jobs and the travelling public. And this is a great opportunity to attract women into the industry, to work closer with universities, TAFE and other local partners to become even more diverse and inclusive.
WWW.RAILEXPRESS.COM.AU | 27
Digitalisation
Doing boring better Artificial intelligence won’t be replacing train drivers any time soon – but it may be making their working lives, and the lives of others, far safer. Artificial intelligence is set to play a crucial role in the world of rail. But that doesn’t mean human beings will be squeezed out. Rather, new technology will be helping ensure work environments are both safer and more efficient. Derel Wust is the managing director of 4Tel Pty Ltd, a software and hardware engineering business based in Newcastle, NSW. 4Tel has developed an AI solution environment called HORUS, after the falconheaded all-seeing god of Ancient Egypt. 4Tel is now commercialising this work in a specialised company called “AI System Pty Ltd” which will separate 4Tel’s AI work from its general software development work. Wust talks of the benefits of AI technology which can learn from examples of success via machine learning processes based on neural network processing. Machine Learning is a very powerful analytical technique for processing uncertainty in stochastic processes where there is uncertainty or randomness in the outcomes. The 4Tel work on AI, and now within AI Systems, has a focus on artificial intelligence and particularly in the context of rail. The business deploys a team of military command, control and communications engineers building military-grade networks for rail. 4Tel is also a platinum sponsor of University of Newcastle Robotics Laboratory for development of AI and machine learning techniques for rail applications. “There’s this idea with artificial intelligence it will be about getting rid of the driver, but for at least the foreseeable future that’s not the main game. Safety is the main issue,” Wust said. “For some rail networks automating will be important, but on many rail networks, particularly passenger networks, the approach is going to be much more conservative.” Rather, AI can play a crucial role in the context of safety and improved performance. AI can help on a variety of levels, for example with track modelling, signalling and even driver fatigue assessment. “The real strength of AI is it is another technology to help us in normal day-to-day operations to improve safety,” Wust said. “No-one goes to work to have an accident – most people go to work, they lose situational awareness, they make a mistake and they have
28 | ISSUE 6 - JULY 2021 | RAIL EXPRESS
an accident. AI is very effective at helping drivers, controllers and track workers get more accurate information to make better decisions and better decisions will lead to safer outcomes.” Wust talks of “doing boring better” or improving the basics. “If we can do boring a lot better, we can save people from getting distracted, losing situational awareness and making a mistake,” he said. For example, improving location assurance enables the checking of the separation between all track users. “Improving situational awareness helps by being better informed and minimising out-ofauthority events like Signals-Past-At-Danger (SPAD) and speeding because the computers can alert the driver when they are approaching a signal or they have inadvertently started to speed,” Wust said. “A lot of poor decisions can be prevented just by giving people better information in time.” HAZARD DETECTION AI sensors also can be deployed to detect hazards, both day and night and in underground tunnels. “They don’t get tired, they don’t get drowsy, computers and sensors just keep doing what they are doing,” Wust said. AI may also contribute to preventing selfharm tragedies. “With AI we have the capability to detect
Derel Wust, managing director, 4Tel Pty Ltd.
people on or near the track who may be in an unauthorised area or acting in an agitated way. “This may allow the driver to brake or at least warn other rail staff to intervene for help in time,” Wust said. “While this may not be the answer to the tragedy of self-harm, anything that can reduce its frequency or save one life is a good thing.” AI can help in the safety process by way of fatigue management in train drivers, with longhaul routes a particular challenge. It has a role in managing driver fatigue also. “AI processes can help monitor for that – to help the driver not to catch them out and get them into trouble,” Wust said. “Via AI, we can do many other boring but vital tasks.” A vital part of 4Tel’s operations are two concepts, Stochastic processes and Deep Learning, which Wust describes. STOCHASTIC PROCESSES The real world and safety assessments do not work with zero risk of things going wrong, or safety measures failing. Many real-world examples exist whereby extremely unlikely accidents have occurred because they weren’t
Main signal detection technology in operation.
stopped by an appropriate safety process because a decision somewhere in the project’s history concluded the risk of such an event was extremely unlikely – but then it happened. “Safety assessments inherently try to manage risks in the terms of risk identification, likelihood of occurrence, consequences and risk class matrixes which is an inherently stochastic process,” Wust said. “Into this context of assessing risk statistically, and all projects always have residual risks of some type, we recognise that both projects and risk assessments are stochastic as there is uncertainty or randomness involved in the outcomes. “Unfortunately, our current conventional hardware and software solutions are programmed to make decisions on a ‘IF… THEN…’ basis and do not handle randomness well. An answer can be calculated to be perfectly right as far as the computer process is concerned, but an embedded error not found by testing processes may have caused a ‘wrong’ answer from a risk management perspective.” Wust said they could forever add more and more “IF…THEN…” statements to improve conventional coding and decision making, but unknown project and calculation error risks would remain. “Or we can improve our decision making by actively using measures of uncertainty of key safety calculations and assessments,” he said. “Into this situation comes the new technology of AI that will offer us an alternative way forward because AI uses statistics and weightings in its processes.” A particular AI processes whereby an image or data is assessed for identifying a pattern of interest, based on machine learning, is inherently based on stochastic processes, but this doesn’t make AI processes unsuitable for safety work if a solution has measures to manage residual uncertainty. “AI actually allows engineers to design safety to a required standard by adding more and more orthogonal stochastic processes into situational assessments,” Wust said. “Safety will significantly improve as AI and machine learning techniques become better understood, because AI processes will manage safety processes better than conventional techniques in many situations.” 4Tel is now well developed in investigating advanced statistical techniques on its path to better protecting people and assets by applying holistic safety assessment processes based on the better assessment all available data. DEEP LEARNING Deep learning is a more recent specialised
Comparing colour camera and thermal camera at night.
development of machine learning and uses computerised neural networks to solve cognitive problems. DL using neural networks especially suitable for image, language and speech data where all data is inherently stochastic. Whereas most conventional software programs run on common computer processing units (CPUs), deep learning techniques work fastest on Graphical Processing Units (GPUs) where neural networks can be emulated. Modern GPUs often have specific features for deep learning and are themselves evolving into a new type of neural processing unit (NPU) where neural techniques are specialised. The general process of neural processing is the key to improving image and video processing in real time for rail applications. “It is these advances in deep learning that empowered the automotive industry into AI techniques economically, and the same is now happening in rail,” Wust said. “AI techniques based on deep learning technology will provide the technical basis for improving safety, because more and more data, even with statistical characteristics that was otherwise unusable for processing by conventional computers, can be assessed in real time to assess developing risks.” 4Tel identified the importance of AI to the rail industry back in 2016. Since then, they have sought to learn deep learning techniques and consequently develop their own specialised rail deep learning mathematics and processes with the assistance of the Robotics Laboratory of the University of Newcastle under the guidance Associate Professor Stephan Chalup. 4Tel subsequently recruited its own team of PhD computer scientists to work cooperatively with the university team. “4Tel, with AI Systems, now has highly
specialised staff who have developed mature techniques ready for proof-of-concept deployments across transport sectors, as evidenced by the recent trial of our work announced by Rio Tinto at Heavy Haul 2021 in Perth this year,” Wust said. “4Tel’s mathematics and AI algorithms are developed in Australia, supported in Australia, by Australians, for Australian conditions and are demonstrably globally competitive for Rio Tinto to have selected us to participate.” “4Tel has been attracting considerable overseas interest in its work for some time now,” Wust said. “It is now apparent 4Tel is not only an Australian leader in rail AI thinking, but also is globally competitive in applying AI to improving the efficiency and safety of rail applications”. Unfortunately, the current lack of overseas travel is severely reducing opportunities to interact personally with the international industry to explain a very interesting but complex topic. “Zoom/Teams/webinars allow us to keep opportunities moving at some level, but obviously Australian opportunities are most important at the moment because we need to apply our AI work in real applications.” BIG PICTURE Wust said AI would take effect incrementally. “The rail industry has a reputation for being conservative, albeit it is conservative for a reason – because rail accidents can have a devastating impact,” he said. “What we are doing is bringing about progress and change by applying new techniques to age-old problems, but in a way that people can understand and directly contributes to safer and more efficient outcomes for the rail workforce.”
WWW.RAILEXPRESS.COM.AU | 29
Product Review
MFB S280 IP66 Industrial Enclosures A look at the Industrial Enclosures product prepared by MFB. MFB S280 Industrial Enclosures are fully welded metal fabricated enclosures. They are manufactured in Australia from either mild steel or 316 stainless steel. Enclosures are powder coated to a customer choice of colors. For stainless steel applications, generally they are left with a linished finish, but can be powder coated on request. Typically, these types of enclosures are for outdoor applications. Stainless steel enclosures are preferred in highly aggressive environments – coastal areas where corrosion from the salt air is a problem, or in food preparation facilities. Fully welded enclosures provide greater IP (Ingress Protection) attributes. The S280 range conforms to AS 60529:2004 Degrees of Protection provided by an enclosure. As a minimum they meet IP54, where 5 = dust protected, limited ingress; and 4 = protected against water splashed from all directions, limited ingress. MFB S280 Enclosures are third party accredited to IP66, where 6 = dust tight, 6 = water from heavy seas or water projected shall not enter the enclosure. MFB S280 Enclosures are data enclosures, built around the IEC 60297 19” racking format for data and electrical equipment. The MFB range of standard S280 outdoor enclosures offer a variety of heights measured in rack units (RU). Widths typically 600mm wide and 800mm wide and a variety of depths. MFB can customise to suit unique conditions. We run Autodesk Inventor full modelling software. We encourage liaising with customers, in developing designs and finding solutions to their specific enclosure requirements. Importantly our Design team are conversant with sheetmetal fabricating and machinery. We can establish quickly possibilities of design to manufacture and also acknowledge limitations. An example of customized S280 enclosures includes the popular S280 split enclosures. A fully welded enclosure with two separate compartments. Rail infrastructure upgrades around
30 | ISSUE 6 - JULY 2021 | RAIL EXPRESS
Metropolitan Melbourne over the last several years, has seen increased demand in S280 split enclosures. Hosting equipment providing SCADA, signaling and communications control typically deployed along the rail track. Operating a predominately DC power supply format, the lower compartment of the enclosure is set aside for housing battery systems which in turn drive the electronics in the upper compartment. Other installations could have AC power supplies with battery backup in case of AC failure. Batteries are deliberately isolated from the electronics. Certain batteries give off gasses and to ensure the electronics is not harmed, the batteries are separated. Gland plates with suitable cable connectors, generally provide the interface between the two compartments. S280 enclosures keep equipment safe and secure from vandals, vermin and the weather, insuring the accurate data operation for effective, managed train control. MFB offer a full range of accessories, including shelving, power, cable and air management. Importantly we are able to install accessories where required including 3rd party supplied equipment, prior to delivery. Alternatively, accessories are supplied wrapped and ready to go, when the customer is ready. “What makes us excited about this product is the opportunity, the doors that can open on existing and new business,” an MFB spokesperson said. “We have great people here at MFB and it is important we utilise their expertise as part of making MFB a stronger effective supplier. “This type of supply requires close liaising with customers with good communication essential. The challenge to design and make it come to life is rewarding in itself. Having customers come back for more, endorses our business model and gives us supreme confidence in what we do.” The success of MFB Products is its ability to continue to design review existing
The MFB S280 IP66 Industrial Enclosure all set up and ready to go.
product, to make it better, to explore machinery that we can invest in to make the manufacturing process better, more efficient. Furthermore, the success of MFB Products is its ability to appeal to a broad customer base in providing solutions. MFB Products has been in operation for over 50 years. We have a standard portfolio of enclosures and accessories to suit. We have always encouraged working with customers in developing enclosures for specific applications. Our design and manufacturing knowledge, gives us a competitive edge. Being a local manufacturer, ensures a quick response. customer needs. MFB has aligned itself with major rail suppliers with consistent proven product across Australia for many years. If you are after standard enclosures or have special design requirements around enclosures or custom sheetmetal work, please contact us. w: www.mfb.com.au Melbourne, Head Office and Manufacturing: e: mfb@mfb.com.au Sydney office: e: sydney@mfb.com.au
TCMS
Can be integrated
IMx
IMx
IMx
IMx
IMx
IMx
Can be integrated
TCMS
Cloud-based Big data Data storage Connection to SKF services
IMx Manager • Setup and configuration
SKF Remote Diagnostic Services
SKF @ptitude/SKF Enlight • Workflows • User views • Dashboard • Data visualization
24/7 monitoring for reduced operational costs SKF Multilog On-line System IMx-Rail Under pressure to drive costs down, railway operators need reliable trains that arrive on time. Condition monitoring is one easy way to achieve both. SKF IMx-Rail is a multi-channel system designed for continuous performance monitoring in railway applications. The system enables:
Minimize unplanned stops
24/7
24/7 monitoring
Increase maintenance intervals
TCO
Low entry cost for total monitoring solution
Reduce total cost of ownership
® SKF is a registered trademark of the SKF Group. | © SKF Group 2021
Scan me to find out more
Sustainability
A DRS’s Class 68 locomotive in the UK.
A commitment to a better future How Stadler locomotives are bringing about greener mobility. Decisions today are likely to have profound implications for the transport future of tomorrow. For example, railway vehicles have an expected life of around thirty years, which means rollingstock designed today probably will be operating in the middle of the century. Swiss rail manufacturer Stadler is at the forefront of initiatives to make train travel and transport sustainable. The company says it is committed to making rolling stock greener and more sustainable in line with the global objectives for 2050 to combat climate change. “The product range in the field of mainline railways and city transport includes highspeed trains, intercity trains, regional and suburban trains, metros, tramways and trams,” a Stadler spokesperson said. “Stadler also manufactures mainline and shunting locomotives. They are highly innovative, boasting state-of-the-art technology to boost energy efficiency and to cut both gas emissions and noise.” More than 2,500 locomotives have been sold worldwide, from the desert to the Arctic Circle, from Andean lines at high altitude to
32 | ISSUE 6 - JULY 2021 | RAIL EXPRESS
rail networks in warm and humid climates, its range of locomotives cater for a wide variety of markets, running reliably every day all over the world. The company has talked of locomotives that are “versatile, economical and green”, boosting energy efficiency, performance and reliability resulting in an optimal LCC and therefore, long-term cost effectiveness of the rail operations, together with ecological benefits for the communities where they operate”. “Innovative design features including electric brake with energy recovery, a compact design, lightweight monocoque carbody and an efficient AC/AC transmission system with one inverter per axle provide improved adhesion performance, high level of redundancy and superior reliability,” the spokesperson said. “The latest bogie technology results in lower wear and tear on the infrastructure.” SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY Safe and efficient operations are said to start
in the driver’s cab. “Stadler designs the locomotive cabs in consultation with drivers and in accordance with the latest noise and comfort criteria and applicable standards. The locomotive driver’s cabs are fully isolated, both acoustically and thermally, and feature an optimised HVAC system,” the spokesperson said. “They provide excellent visibility and include a survival space for the driver and driving advice systems so that drivers can run locomotives in a safe and more energy efficient way.” Using state-of-the-art engines, powerful and high-performance locomotives of Stadler also meet the latest exhaust gas emissions regulations (EU Stage V or EPA Tier 4), significantly reducing emissions of core pollutants, NOx (Oxides of Nitrogen) and particulates (PM) as compared with EPA Tier 3 or EU Stage IIIA. The latest generation engines employ advanced combustion systems and associated technology, having been recently designed with further future reductions of emissions in mind and hence
A digital image of a Tri-mode Class 93 locomotive in the UK.
provide a route to later upgrades if required. Although CO2 emissions associated with climate change are unregulated, it is expected fuel consumption and hence CO2 emissions will be reduced with the adoption of advanced, new generation engines. Stadler’s mainline locomotives are available with four- or six-axles and on standard, narrow or broad gauges. They are also available with different propulsion systems. Their modular design allows installing up to three different on-board propulsion systems (diesel, electric and/or battery) so to efficiently cover operational needs on electrified and non-electrified routes. Some examples include: The powerful bi-mode EURODUAL locomotive operate freight transport services with a speed up to 120 km/h combining both operating modes: electric and diesel. The versatile machines can run on electrified lines rated at 6150 kW. They are also powered by a CAT C175-16 Stage V engine, rated at 2800 kW, to run on non-electrified lines. The new Class 93 for the UK, Stadler´s first tri-mode locomotive, has three different power sources. In electric mode, it can run on 25 kV AC overhead lines with a power of 4,000 kW. The engine has a nominal power of 900 kW, which can be boosted by two LTO battery packs providing 400 kW extra when running on non-electrified lines. Shunting operations can be powered by the batteries alone.
A locomotive assembly workshop in Stadler Valencia, Spain.
NARROW-GAUGE NETWORKS Stadler has also wide experience in the supply of state-of-the-art rail vehicles for narrowgauge networks and has developed a new generation of Co-Co locomotives available in diesel traction as well as in dual-mode traction (diesel + electric), for operations on narrow-gauge and low axle-load tracks. Sharing substantial amount of components and technological solutions, Stadler’s narrow-gauge Co-Co locomotives are designed to operate in different markets and environments, such as ones in Europe, South America and Asia. “The advanced locomotives significantly
reduce carbon emissions for both rail freight as well as potential passenger transport services,” a spokesperson said. “This underscores Stadler’s green credentials and demonstrates its commitment to green mobility.” Stadler has been building trains for more than 75 years. The provider of rail vehicle construction solutions is based in Bussnang in eastern Switzerland. It has a workforce of around 12,300 based in various production and engineering locations as well as more than 40 service locations.
WWW.RAILEXPRESS.COM.AU | 33
Operations
Taking AIR excavation technology on rail Manco Rail recently teamed up with Kiwi contractors Alliance Services to complete site-commissioning of an innovative piece of rail equipment. The New Zealand specialist contracting company Alliance Services, in conjunction with Manco Rail, recently completed final site-commissioning of a combined piece of novel contracting and rail equipment. The unit incorporates two new ground-breaking technologies that offer a high degree of productivity and environmental benefits. Firstly, the utilisation of the recently developed European air excavation methodology, which uses a high-pressure air blast wand in conjunction with a 43,000 m3/h air flow vacuum excavation system, (“AirVac”) is a serious alternative option to the traditional use of a water jet and vacuum excavation, known as a HydroVac. Additionally, as material is kept dry when excavated, any contaminated waste (or spoil) can be re-used on site, eliminating expensive slurry disposal costs incurred by HydroVac units. Secondly the interface of the AirVac unit is on a rapidly deployable, tunnel compliant, rail transport system. This 30-tonne GVM, 134kw Tier 4 self-drive diesel rail unit, features a 12metre low level deck, mounted on two fully oscillating, rotating tandem bogies, fitted with fail safe brakes on all wheels. With hydraulic loading ramps, vehicle loading can be quickly completed at any level, two-lane road crossing. Unloading from transport onto site with two rail modules being joined together.
Positioning of the unit on track is achieved using an articulated boom, truck-mounted crane of about 60 tonne/ metre capacity. The two deck sections of the rail bogie can be transported to the work site using either a clear six-metre deck or semi-trailer. Once on-track, an infinitely variable 15 kph track speed is obtained by the rail operation trained AirVac operator, using the radio remote control console from his normal seating position when travelling forward and from a clip on rear mounted seat located on the rear of the AirVac when travelling in reverse. Engine status and reversing camera console is mounted on top of the power pack in full view of the operator. A “COLD, WET DAY” IN SOUTH AUCKLAND Alliance Services general manager Scott Bainbridge describes the day that the technology was put into action. “It was a cold, wet, late-autumn morning at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway Station site, five minutes from the small rural town of Waiuku, in South Auckland, where the commissioning and training took place. Even given the weather, it was hard to mask the excited enthusiasm of the day’s events,” Bainbridge said. “As those in attendance eagerly looked on,
A self-propelled compete unit on track.
twelve months of hard work was finally put to the test. Engineers from Manco and staff from the Glenbrook station joined senior managers and operators from Alliance Services as their bespoke, fit-for-purpose combined rail system was given the green light and testing and operator on the track took place.” Bainbridge said much time and energy as well as money had gone into the new system. “On the test and trial day we got to watch an idea come to reality,” he said. “It was wonderful to see all those present embrace what we had been talking about for so many months.” With New Zealand’s only fleet of Air Vacuum Excavators (or AirVacs), Alliance Services has steadily grown the demand for air excavation, nationwide, over the last four years. With a growing number of clients now preferring AirVac over hydrovac units, the company has had to continue to innovate in order to service a diversifying number of clients. The benefits of using AirVac over hydrovac units are many, with environmental impact one of the leading factors in choosing the method. Because the AirVac excavates material in a dry state, the contents of the nine-cubic-metre bin can be tipped and reused on site if needed. As well as this, air is designed to ‘bounce around’ underground pipes or cables once it locates them, whereas high-powered water (i.e., hydrovac units) will still cut through services if used recklessly. Air also ensures that no chlorinated water or chemicals are added to the environment or excavation site, which is becoming an increasingly important factor, particularly when working around tree roots. DEMAND “THROUGH THE ROOF” “The demand for our AirVac units for rail-based excavation work is now going through the roof,” Bainbridge said.
34 | ISSUE 6 - JULY 2021 | RAIL EXPRESS
RISSB’S TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION CONFERENCE
R A I L I N N O VAT I O N
10-11 August 2021 COLLINS SQUARE | MELBOURNE
“It makes sense: when it comes to excavating underneath rail lines and ballast, the last thing you want is to introduce water like hydrovac units do. With AirVac, we only use air to disrupt the soil and vacuum it up. That way, the ground conditions stay dry and stable. “To date, our rail customers – particularly KiwiRail directly – have understood that we are limited to work on parts of the network that can be accessed directly through access points, or locations we can drive to. The problem with that, though, is that it leaves around 70% of the rail network in New Zealand un-reachable.” Hi-railing was simply not an option for AirVac because of the truck’s size and weight, as we are already operating to maximum permissible GVM and axle loads. Furthermore, there was no room within the chassis, for the two front and rear rail modules to be installed. The AirVac is ten metres long, almost four metres tall and up to 23 tonnes when full. Thus an innovative solution was required, with Alliance Services approaching the team at Manco Rail to explore possible options. “We needed something that was essentially a bespoke solution, customised specifically for our AirVac trucks,” Bainbridge said. Customers were screaming out for a solution to our access issues, and we really wanted to see if we could do something about it.” After agreeing on the project, the team at Manco have spent the better part of twelve months designing, building and now testing the dolly system; working closely with Alliance Services and KiwiRail alike. The result: something of pure engineering beauty. Now with testing completed, Alliance Services have two identical dolly systems up and running on existing projects since early June, and productivity and customer expectations are being fully met, with a considerable level of positive comments coming from all levels of the client’s operations. AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE Manco managing director Bryan Black, with some 37-years in the rail equipment business, remarked that working with quality people such as Alliance Services had made all stages in the design and build an enjoyable experience for all his staff. “These difficult custom builds require a great deal of customer confidence in what you are trying to accomplish and it’s important that what they have interpreted in our original quotation is reflected in the end product,” Black said. “I believe that we have successfully achieved that objective and trust that we will have the opportunity to work with Alliance Services again on other projects in the future.”
Virtual and in-pers on options available
2 5
Jam-Packed Days Keynote Speakers
4 6
Handpicked Panels Show & Tell Demonstrations
6 STREAMS: Automation • Sustainability • Asset Management • Human-Machine Integration • Customer Information • Energy Systems.
Get your tickets online: www.rissb.com.au/events/rissbs-technologyinnovation-conference-2021
Australasia’s largest dedicated bulk handling conference & exhibition
MELBOURNE
8-10 SEPT 2021
CONFERENCE TICKETS O N S A LE N OW
IN CONJUNCTION WITH Scan the code to get more details about exhibiting opportunities.
Platinum Sponsor
Supporting Sponsor
Association Partner
Conference Sponsor
Media Partners AUSTRALIA
MHD REVIEW
& INFRASTRUCTURE
AUSTRALIA
Supply Chain Solutions REVIEW
bulkhandlingexpo.com.au
Women in Industry
Secrets to success A strong team is crucial in helping women achieve their absolute best, writes Rachael Ashfield. In this month’s column as Women in Industry Ambassador, I wanted to reflect on my secret to success – my team. I truly believe that your success is only as good as the team structure, rapport and networks that you build, all of which lend themselves to the overall success of the company. Hearing that I work for a highly technical automation company that sells complex automation and cloud solutions is not what people expect when they meet me at an event and ask what I do. Especially when I begin by explaining that I am in marketing. Eyebrows are quickly raised, and I know everyone wonders how I ended up here. If I think back on my career, I too sometimes ask, “How did I get here?” From the outside, it might seem like a slow rise to such a senior position, but the journey to head of the marketing division at ifm has been so quick in my eyes. My career has seen me travel pathways filled with triumph, hurdles, and yes, at times, disappointment. But throughout it all, I’ve had a supportive team around me. While not everyone may have a “dream team” when starting out, I believe you get out of
teamwork what you put in. Whether a man or woman in any role within any industry, if you bring a level of energy and conviction of belief to your career journey, the hard work will pay off and successful results will follow. Even better is when you have worked with a team for a period and have developed great synergies – this builds a solid foundation for success. Together you build excitement, engagement and a dynamic that people want to be a part of. Departments can see the rewards of their participation with you when they see the outcomes of the material you produce because of their contribution towards the end goal. So long as you are passionate, believe in yourself and strive for your best possible outcomes, you will be assured of career success and job satisfaction. It may not be easy and possibly will be a bumpy road along the way, but remember to celebrate the small victories. It is easy to overlook all these important milestones when you are busy working hard for the career highs. Luckily, Women in Industry is here to help you acknowledge these small wins. We are the supportive team you can count on to be
Believe in yourself and strive for excellence, says Rachael Ashfield.
cheering for your success, the network of like-minded women here to help build the excitement and engagement that will see you ooze confidence and work towards those big overarching career highlights. Ultimately the foundation of success of women in any industry is the innate desire to achieve results and strive for success in your chosen field. Being able to participate, network and apply your own understanding of people and what drives them will build a strong supportive team to help both individuals and businesses succeed. One day, your team might be cheering you on as a finalist in the Women in Industry Awards. Until then – you have us. We’ll be here, applauding for you. For more information on the Women in Industry Awards, please visit: www.womeninindustry.com.au.
The Women in Industry Awards are about helping celebrate those “small wins”.
WWW.RAILEXPRESS.COM.AU | 37
Operations
A close-up look at how SKF can gauge the condition of rail bearings.
IMx-Rail and bringing out the best in bearings in Railway Assets How the internet is allowing companies to make better decisions about rail assets. The future is now when it comes to rotating equipment performance in rail. The IMx-Rail concept, developed by SKF, helps rail operators in detecting issues with their vital equipment by alerting in advance the potential issues so that an expensive unplanned downtime can be prevented. SKF regional business development manager Lokesh Jain said railway operators were under tremendous pressure. IMx-Rail is a cost-efficient, multichannel condition monitoring system that can be integrated into an existing system in a wide range of railway applications. Analysing the latest bearings’ data on a laptop computer.
38 | ISSUE 6 - JULY 2021 | RAIL EXPRESS
IMx-Rail can collect various forms of data such as speed, vibration, temperature and rail track shocks and analyse them to give operators reliable information. “The concept is agnostic – it can take digital inputs but also analogue inputs from the other existing process sensors. “It can be integrated to the existing Train Control Monitoring Systems (TCMS) of rail operators and can work with cloud technology. Cloud to cloud integration through APIs make this device a versatile service for the railway operators as parameters from their assets can be utilised in customer’s railway platforms.
“It is a versatile piece of equipment to monitor the health of equipment and help prevent unplanned breakdowns, issues that can cause issues for operators that can be very expensive,” he said. IMx-Rail, according to Jain, helps put the operator in a commanding position, with data from the equipment used to draw out actionable insights to improve train performance and reliability. THE EVOLUTION OF IMX According to Jain, the concept of IMX-Rail had its genesis in customers seeking more information from their assets. Notably, how could they monitor bearings assets? And how could they be better maintained? IMx-Rail, now in its third generation, provides a complete system for early fault detection. It improves the reliability, availability and performance of rotating equipment in rollingstock with automatic advice for correcting existing or impending conditions. But it also can be used to define and potentially extend maintenance intervals. “Frequently we heard stories from customers that when they dismounted bearings during their standard maintenance operations they observed that these bearings seemed like they could have run for longer,” Jain said. “But once you have dismounted the bearing, it is too late, you have to either go for a refurbishment or replacement. “So, customers wanted to take informed
decisions on whether they can run those bearings for a little longer.” IMx-Rail has all the international rail certifications required to run in the environment below the bogie or on the rail car. SKF business manager - RAIL Nigel Herbert takes up the story from the Australia perspective. “Originally the SKF concept was for large machines and equipment at mines and that was where it was first set up,” he said. “From there it has been developed for environments such as rail.” Herbert said IMx-Rail had proven itself throughout Europe and was now establishing in Australia. “The approvals and customer interest are not an issue,” Herbert said. “We recently had success with an operator in New South Wales and the feedback we’ve been getting has been exceptional. “All the time, the level of interest is growing. We are now going to include shock detection on the track which is currently being implemented.”
GLOBAL DATA CENTRES An important part of the IMx-Rail concept is utilising the expertise of engineers within the SKF remote diagnostic centres (RDCs) around the world. “We have such RDCs pretty much around the world, from Hamburg in Germany to even here in Australia,” Herbert said. “It is a considerable benefit to both our business and our customers.” ENGINEER’S PERSPECTIVE Frank Lucacevic is a specialist rail engineer who has had the chance to see and work with the IMx-Rail concept up close. “What I think is particularly relevant about IMx is that it offers an all-in-one package. “It is a system that comes complete; it comes with the data logger, it comes with the sensors. I think of it being like a play system; you take the system and you don’t have to figure out too hard how to integrate it into a piece of rollingstock,” Lucacevic said. “It integrates very easily and the benefit
is that it is constantly communicating; you are getting constant updates and constant feedback about what the sensors are reading about the condition of the train.” Lucacevic said the dashboard component was intuitive and easy to use, even for those with limited technical knowledge. “It could be an analyst who is looking for alerts and they can just identify a ‘significant’ alert or a minor ‘watch and act’; the observer doesn’t have to interpret the data themselves, they just have to tell the person who handles that sort of equipment.” AN EVOLVING CONCEPT Nigel Herbert believes IMx-Rail is an evolving concept and has been refined by listening to customers and hearing what they want. “All has been developed with the customer and what they have needed,” he said. “It is going to develop continuously where current systems can be upgraded and future software improvements deployed; it is not just going to stop where it is now,” Herbert concluded.
WEATHERPROOF OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES IP66 Rated
Built Tough
Secure
Customisable
MFB have an extensive range of Outdoor enclosures suitable for harsh and unforgiving environments. Rated to IP66 dust and moisture specification the MFB’s S280 Industrial range is an enclosure designed for harsh or tough industrial and outdoor environments. MFB can produce custom build enclosures to your specific needs from cable entry ports, special size enclosures, wall mount applications, cooling, fans, louvers, sun shades or insulation. It also can be fabricated in high grade stainless steel for added protection from the elements.
DESIGNERS & MANUFACTURERS OF 19” RACK SYSTEMS
mfb.com.au
AUSTRALIAN MADE MAKES AUSTRALIA VIC (03) 9801 1044 / sales@mfb.com.au
NSW (02) 9749 1922 / sydney@mfb.com.au
Don’t miss an issue, subscribe today. railexpress.com.au/subscribe
I S S U E 06 | J U LY 2021
W W W. R A I L E X P R E S S . C O M . A U
RAIL EXPRESS is compulsory reading and a vital tool for all people working in and around the rail sector. Rail Express is Australia’s authoritative business to business rail publication.
A vision for rail How the federal budget has been a boon for the rail transport sector- SEE PAGE 16 Building the rail networks of the future
Signalling solutions from Melbourne to the Pilbara
Inland Rail benefits there for all to see
PAGE 19
PAGE 24
PAGE 42
SUPPORTED BY:
Combining the resources of our respected journalism team and our unparalleled industry contacts and affiliations, Rail Express provides extensive, comprehensive and balanced coverage of breaking news and trends in key areas like infrastructure, investment, government policy, regulatory issues and technical innovation. Published both in print and digitally every month, Rail Express is the only publication to have both the official endorsement and active participation of the main railway associations in Australia and the broad support of the rail industry. The only way to ensure you get every copy of Rail Express is to subscribe today. Visit railexpress.com.au/subscribe.
AU S T RA L I A’ S L E A D IN G B U S I NESS TO B U SINESS RAIL PU B LICAT ION
Safety & Assurance
Rail Innovation – Adapt or Adopt RISSB’s Technology and Innovation Conference – August’s blockbuster event. RISSB’s new look Technology and Innovation Conference is scheduled for Melbourne this August as a face-to-face event with virtual attendance options. The conference features a dynamic new two-day format bringing world-class speakers and topics, networking opportunities and panel discussions into the one bold new program. This year’s conference theme Rail Innovation – Adapt or Adopt responds to the changes sweeping through industry as companies update processes and equipment to offer faster, more efficient and more reliable services and provide a more sustainable and desirable future. The 2021 conference will feature six streams focused on new technology that is being deployed in the rail industry including: automation, sustainability, asset management, human-machine integration, customer information and energy systems. The conference is a leading Australian rail event, and in the past has provided a forum for engineers, standards managers, risk managers, senior leaders and innovative thinkers to share ideas and contribute to discussions centred on a more technically
advanced and interoperable industry. From panel discussions to networking, plenary presentations to technical streams, we have trialled and tested a new conference format in the past 12 months that resonates with industry. This year’s conference highlights include: • A new two-day program; • From academia to start-ups, this year’s speaker line-up features an eclectic mix of Australian and international speakers who are leaders in their respective fields; • Concurrent technical streams offered on days 1 and 2; • A choice of site tours with a technological twist. CEO and president of the USA’s Transportation Technology Center, Lisa Stabler, will join Dr Tony Lee from Mass Transit Railway (Hong Kong) and a host of Australian speakers who will be talking about experiences in their own countries and providing real world practical advice on how to solve old, new and emerging business challenges. In addition to plenary presentations and keynotes we are gearing up for exciting
panel discussions on technology and innovation in the rail industry which are sure to spark heated debates about uses and abuses of new technology and whether to adapt, adopt or ignore. The conference will include Show and Tell sessions and short presentations on ideas for the rail industry to adopt. A networking function at the end of Day-1 is set to cap-off a stellar program that delivers unique networking opportunities and true value for money. This year’s Technology and Innovation Conference will be held at Collins Square on 10 and 11 August 2021. Do not miss the best speakers and latest insights from right across the globe as we go on a journey into the realms of the future. For more information or to register to attend the conference, go to www.rissb.com.au/events and look for the Technology and Innovation Conference event on the events page. For information regarding sponsorships or tickets, please email events@rissb.com.au or call (07) 3724 0000.
The RISSB Technology and Innovation conference is set to be thought provoking.
WWW.RAILEXPRESS.COM.AU | 41
Industry Associations
Excitement builds over Inland Rail A recent conference in Albury provided the perfect opportunity to discuss the Inland Rail concept.
ARA CEO Caroline Wilkie.
A long journey, but the destination is worthwhile.
42 | ISSUE 5 - JUNE 2021 | RAIL EXPRESS
The Inland Rail Conference in May confirmed the interest in and excitement about the project as it takes shape. The conference marked the first event of its kind since trains started operating on the route, with the Parkes to Narromine section being commissioned late last year. Construction on the Narrabri to North Star section is now charging ahead, confirming the opportunity this project represents is well and truly on our doorstep. In fact, $2million in contracts already have been awarded on the project, with a further $8 million currently under procurement. This was an exciting backdrop for the conference, which provided the opportunity for much discussion about how the project will shape the future of Australia’s national supply chain. As the Australasian Railway Association’s (ARA) Value of Rail 2020 report confirmed last year, rail will play a growing and important part in meeting our national freight task. With just over half of Australia’s freight
moved by rail at the moment, the industry is set to facilitate three quarters of the growth that is to come over the next decade. Inland Rail will play a central role to that effort, with travel times between Brisbane and Melbourne of less than 24 hours providing an appealing option for freight operators. The project will also help drive sustainability benefits, taking trucks off the road and relieving congestion along key freight routes. These efficiencies will not only deliver improved outcomes for the network, but will deliver tangible cost savings. New CSIRO supply chain analysis released during the week of the conference confirmed the project could help realise $170 million in transport costs each year as a result of mode shift from road to Inland Rail. Those that shifted from road to Inland Rail for part of their freight journey could expect an average transport cost reduction of 39 per cent. Taking advantage of the entirety of the route delivered further benefits, with
those moving freight between Melbourne and Brisbane expected to save 44 per cent. Those savings will be supported by an efficient, fit-for-purpose rail line that will be an essential part of meeting our freight task, particularly when it comes to the transport of goods across the domestic supply chain. While these potential benefits are significant, the project’s impact on the regions it operates in also must be considered. The conference heard about the ‘corridor of commerce’ being created by the project, bringing new opportunities for jobs and regional development along the route. It is expected Inland Rail will boost gross regional product by up to $13.3 billion in its first 50 years alone, as complementary market driven investments along the route support up to 2500 full time jobs in its first decade. This represents a once in a lifetime opportunity for regional Australia across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. That potential was already clear in AlburyWodonga as conference delegates visited facilities including the Milspec manufacturing factory, NEXUS Industrial Precinct, Ettamogah
Rail Hub and SCT Wodonga Intermodal and Refrigeration Hub to see how they are preparing for the future of Inland Rail. Facilities like these will be key to making the most of the benefits the project will deliver and will ensure regional communities like Albury-Wodonga benefit from lasting and sustainable jobs for years to come. We were pleased to see the inroads already being made by the Inland Rail Skills Academy – established following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the ARA in 2019 – to make sure those jobs are sourced from the communities along the route wherever possible. The Academy has already seen almost 2000 participants take part in its programs, bringing training and skills development opportunities direct to the regions. This is obviously critical to support the development of the project but has wider implications for the rail industry. The ARA’s 2018 Skills Capability Study confirmed the industry was already facing skills shortages upon its release in 2018. The Inland Rail project is helping highlight the
Signalling, Communications & Wayside Seamless integration across cutting-edge voice & data communications systems, signalling systems, grade crossing, and train control & dispatch systems
wcs-info@wabtec.com
very real benefits a career in rail has to offer and is providing clear – and more importantly local – opportunities for people to get their start in the industry. We expect this will have positive flow on effects for the wider industry as it looks to build the pool of talent available to deliver projects and lead the operation of the rail network over the coming decades. It has also been good to see the breadth of programs available through the academy, from STEM activities and teacher professional development workshops to a virtual work experience program and business capability workshops. This focus recognises the many ways the rail industry can contribute to regional development, both through direct jobs in the industry and to supporting the development of business and industry that will benefit from close and easy access to an efficient freight network. While there is more to come before the project is complete, the conference confirmed that the years of planning and development leading to this point is yielding exciting results.
WOMEN IN INDUSTRY AWARDS N O M I N AT I O N S ARE NOW OPEN
WOMEN IN INDUSTRY.COM.AU
S I M O N . C O B U R N @ P R I M E C R E AT I V E . C O M . A U
P R O U D LY P R E S E N T E D B Y
MHD Supply Chain Solutions
PLATI NUM SPONSOR
AW A R D S SPONSORS
Industry Associations
Port linkage integral to success of Inland Rail A conference at Albury showed the Inland Rail concept is set to have a profound impact on the movement of Australian freight. The third annual Inland Rail Conference was held on 25-27 May 2021. The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) and the Australasian Railways Association (ARA) welcomed leaders from across the industry to the AlburyWodonga, which was opened by Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack. The Inland Rail project is now well and truly in the construction phase, will create a corridor of commerce, bringing to regional Australia sustainable quality jobs while removing freight from the road network to alleviate congestion. The conference heard that the promise of the ability of moving freight from Melbourne to Brisbane in one day could change the way freight is moved in Australia from a ratio of 30% movement by rail, to 62% by 2050. Attendees also heard growth occurs around transport routes, with research indicating that complementary market driven investments made along the rail line could support 2500 full time jobs after 10 years of Inland Rail’s operation and boost gross regional product by up to $13.3bn in the first 50 years. The importance of the development of intermodal capacity was also recognised. The conference discussed the importance of the role intermodals play to ensure that Australia’s transport network works as a complete system. The establishment of special activation precincts designed to facilitate the establishment of businesses that will support the efficient operation of Inland Rail in places such as Wagga, Parkes and Narrabri have assisted this outcome, as have the development of intermodals in places such as St Marys and Moorebank in NSW and Toowoomba in Queensland. The conference was told the development of the Parkes hub is particularly important as its position at the juncture of Inland Rail and the East-West rail line will permit the cost effective movement of goods to all States of mainland Australia. However, industry and government needs to work together so that both consumer choice of transport mode for freight and investments in road and rail
networks can be optimised. Industry needs to ensure the information is shared so efficient decisions as to how freight can be moved are made. In the long term, this could be done through the Freight Data Hub being developed as part of Australia’s National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy, which is the Federal framework that considers issues that cross state borders, on a whole of network process. Governments need to ensure that planning decisions such as restricting residential encroachment on industrial precincts enable the continuous movement of freight.
Outgoing ALC chief executive officer Kirk Coningham.
The conference was told the development of the Parkes hub is particularly important as its position at the juncture of Inland Rail and the East-West rail line will permit the cost effective movement of goods to all States of mainland Australia. Attendees urged the NSW government to take urgent action to deliver its rail productivity strategy so that its missed target of rail having a 28% share of freight movement in 2021 is realised. The Queensland government must advance the next stage of analysis for a link to the Port of Brisbane to confirm the preferred alignment and begin the planning and approval process. This needs to include all necessary corridor and land acquisitions. The outcome needs to be a dedicated freight corridor not mixing with passenger freight. A dedicated freight rail corridor linking terminal and container linking terminals and container ports exists in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth. Finally, the approval pathways for the development of the Kagaru to Acacia Ridge link should be prioritised, as should any work being performed to facilitate the movement of freight by rail from the Port of Brisbane.
WWW.RAILEXPRESS.COM.AU | 45
Contracts in brief
Keep up to date with the latest contracts, EOIs, and tenders announced this month NSW Ettamogah rail hub completed A $12.2m upgrade of a rail siding at the Ettamogah Rail Hub near Albury is now complete, providing “significantly increased” efficiency for freight and passenger rail services. Deputy prime minister and infrastructure minister Michael McCormack said the new siding extension would work with Inland Rail to improve regional freight connectivity and cut freight costs. “The Australian government invested $2.6 million in the 2020–21 federal budget to deliver this rail siding and it’s fantastic to see it already complete and operational,” McCormack said. “With trains previously having to stop on the mainline to exchange wagons at the hub. This new siding now allows rail operators to move up to 1,800metre long freight trains off the Main South Rail Line while they are being loaded, allowing other rail traffic to pass. “The efficient connection of this intermodal in southern New South Wales will support more productive supply chains for local producers, growers and manufacturers as the Ettamogah Rail Hub is strategically placed to drive value from Inland Rail’s fast, cost competitive freight services.” NSW regional transport minister Paul Toole said the NSW government had invested $7.58 million towards the project from its $400 million Fixing Country Rail program. The Ettamogah Rail Hub delivered the project on behalf of the network owner and operator, Australian Rail Track Corporation. VIC Not long for Goornong Contracts were awarded to deliver three new train stations in Bendigo – giving more options for locals to access public transport. Symal Infrastructure will deliver the new stations as part of Bendigo Metro 3, with
46 | ISSUE 5 - J U LY 2021 | RAIL EXPRESS
the new Goornong Station to be delivered first and on track to be completed this year. The contractor has already commenced site investigations in Goornong and will ramp up works in the coming months, with construction to take place alongside V/Line-delivered track upgrades which will increase the speed of trains between Epsom and Goornong. The delivery of Huntly Station is to follow in mid-2022, fast-tracked by nearly a year, with a new Raywood Station to be completed by late next year. Each new station is to include a single platform and car parking as well as lighting, seating and shelter. The state government has invested $49.6 million in Bendigo Metro 3 to give people in these rapidly-growing communities access to train services close to where they live. The new stations are being delivered by Rail Projects Victoria as part of the Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade. Locals have also had their say on concept designs for the new stations and a consultation report has now been released. Infrastructure minister Jacinta Allan said the new stations gave people better access to public transport and made it “a viable option to get people where they need to go”. Millie, Alice, Joan and Meg reach finish line Four huge tunnel boring machines finished 20 months of digging under Melbourne to create two nine kilometre-long, 6.3metrehigh rail tunnels lined with around 250,000 tonnes of concrete for the Metro Tunnel Project. The work included tunnelling just 1.5metres underneath the City Loop as trains continued to run, as well as digging 12 metres under the Yarra River bed and around seven metres below Burnley Tunnel. TBM Meg arrived at the Town Hall Station site 25 metres under Swanston and
Collins streets, following Millie, Joan and Alice, which have broken through at the station over the past month. TBMs Joan and Meg – dug their final 670 metres under Swanston Street from the State Library Station site over the past three months. TBMs Millie and Alice – began tunnelling in December to complete their final 1.8km leg under St Kilda Road and the Yarra River. It has been a large task for the four machines, which have tunnelled on six separate legs between Kensington and South Yarra, installing more than 55,000 curved concrete segments to create a waterproof tunnel lining. The TBMs have dug as deep as 40 metres below ground (under the northern end of Swanston Street) and tunnelled through basalt rock, gravel and silt and clay. After starting work progressively from August 2019, the TBMs tunnelled an average of 90 metres a week, with TBM Alice recording the best rate of 195 metres in a single week. The machines have removed 600,000 cubic metres of rock and soil, or around one third of the total 1.8 million cubic metres to be excavated for the entire project – enough to fill the MCG 1.2 times. While the TBMs have finished the rail tunnels between the project’s five stations, roadheaders – huge digging machines excavating the CBD station caverns – are still at work digging the final section of tunnels alongside the platforms at Town Hall Station. With their work in Melbourne now finished, the four TBMs are being dismantled underground and retrieved, with the ‘skin’ of each TBM shield to remain in the tunnels to form part of the permanent lining. The remaining components are being assessed for potential reuse on other major tunnelling projects.
Creative transport & industrial marketing
It is a symbol of trust. The trust can only be built with the specialised knowledge, and a deep understanding of the transport and industrial sectors.
Whether it is identifying a strategic marketing approach, or crafting a creative execution, we have the global perspective with a unique solution.
Knowledge of the industry
Think like our clients
railgallery.com.au
Stunning results
Scan me to watch an intro
thalesgroup.com
8
billion
- ©Getty Images
passengers each year benefit from Thales technologies
Search: Thalesgroup