The RTSA WA chapter invites you to join a bus tour of the Thornlie-Cockburn Link (TCL).

This site visit is a bus tour of the TCL alignment and will focus on an in-depth overview of the design and construction of a pair each of freight and passenger rail each in a pre-existing corridor in brownfield conditions. It will be hosted by two senior leaders involved in the project: Graham Holden and Maneesh Gupta.

Please register below, limited to 30 places

Overview

The METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link spans 17 km and marks the first ever connection between two separate branches of the ‘star’ shaped Perth passenger rail network.

Previously, the Thornlie line was a single (dual direction) train line that spurred from the Beckenham station and terminated at Thornlie Station. The TCL project involved the duplication of this line as well as the extension of this line to Cockburn station.

This involved modifications to the existing Thornlie and Cockburn stations as well as the construction of two new stations at Nicholson and Ranford Rd. The project also runs through two existing tunnels at Kenwick and Glen Iris.

This brownfield project faced many challenges from the relocation of the existing freight rail to the realignment of the existing Mandurah line to fit the new electrified passenger tracks.

The rail line opened for passenger services on 9th June 2025 and is fully operational.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will gain an insight into:

• The design and construction of passenger and freight railway.
• Challenges of design and construction in brownfield conditions.
• Innovations, safety, and community benefits.

About the Speakers

Graham Holden

 Graham Holden is Engineering Manager for the NEWest Alliance which delivered the Thornlie-Cockburn Link and the Yanchep Rail Extension projects for the Public Transport Authority. Graham has more than 35 years’ experience in rail across engineering delivery, design, maintenance and operations. He is a Chartered Engineer, EngExec and Fellow of Engineers Australia and holds a Masters degree in Rail Systems Engineering. Graham is a past Executive Chair of the RTSA and was the Conference Organising Committee Chair of CORE2021 Conference on Railway Excellence, held here in Perth. He is also a sessional lecturer in railway engineering at Edith Cowan University.

Maneesh Gupta

A business leader, Chartered Professional Engineer and senior project manager/project director with over 25 years’ experience in the freight and transit rail industries. This includes 11 years in operation and maintenance of rail network assets with strong focus on railway track maintenance  As DM/PM/PD or technical lead, Maneesh has delivered over 150 rail projects of various sizes and complexity in WA in the last 15 years including freight and passenger rail projects. Maneesh is well known in the industry for his strong technical advisory skills for design, upgrade and maintenance of below rail infrastructure. On YRE and TCL Projects Maneesh initially led multiple design packages and subsequently led the design team as the DJV Design Director.

Location

🌏 Nicholson Station (No fees for parking on weekends)

Date and Time

📆 Saturday, 18th October 2025

⏰ 9am – 12pm

RIW Card or PTA SW Accreditation

An active RIW card or PTA SW accreditation is not required for this site visit as it will not be held inside the rail corridor.

PPE Requirements

The following PPE is required:

• Enclosed shoes
• Orange hi vis top (vest, shirt or jacket)
• Clothing suitable for the weather on the day