Join the RTSA New South Wales Chapter and the RTAA online for a presentation on Railway electrification: upgrading traction to 25kV AC, the strategies, the engineering and the challenges when converting legacy DC railway traction networks to high capacity, AC networks. This webinar will be held at 7:00-8:30pm AEDT on Monday 8th November 2021. Click here to register on the Engineers Australia website.

Event Overview

The Railway Technical Society of Australasia and Rail Track Association Australia present this webinar that covers concepts many existing rail networks grapple with; if it is possible to, and how to upgrade their traction system from direct current to alternating current. The webinar will draw on international experience and cover the considerations and impacts on the various railway disciplines when planning and delivering the conversion of the traction system.

Speakers

Paul Costello
Managing Director Electrification, Keltbray International

Paul is the Managing Director of Wentworth House Rail Systems (WHRS) Limited, a Design and Assurance Consultancy which is part of the Keltbray Group. Paul has over 30 years’ experience in Railway Electrification Schemes from 550Vdc to 50kVAC. Paul has worked on extremely complex infrastructure projects such as Manila Metro and Singapore North East Line and spent 3 years working in Australia which included the Adelaide Seaford Lines Project. Paul was an active committee member of the I Mech. E Victoria branch.

Kevin Prendergast
Rolling Stock Technical Manager, Rail Projects Victoria

Kevin has over 30 years rolling stock experience working for OEM, client, advisory and operating organisations in the UK, Europe and Australia.

Kevin’s career originates with the integration and entry to service of the original Eurostar trains, providing quad-current operation through the Channel Tunnel.

Augmented by roles in technology, railway asset management, and consultancy, Kevin currently coordinates the integration of the new HCMT trains with Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel green and brownfield projects.

Luis Rico MIEAust CPEng NER
Senior Rolling Stock Electrical Engineer, Suburban Rail Loop

Luis has over 24 years in the rail industry working and consulting for rolling stock manufacturers and rail operators in Latin America, UK, Europe and Australia.

Luis’ career originated in electrical traction systems for trolleybuses, expertise that brought him to Alstom UK from Mexico, for a fleet of these vehicles for Greece.

Luis has also worked for Bombardier in Derby, UK and more recently as Engineering Manager for CRRC within the HCMT Project. Luis currently is contracting for the Suburban Rail Loop via his company RRC and supporting the development of the Technical Specification for the trains.