Halcrow - Rail Procurement, Business Analysis and Engineering

Halcrow is an award-winning international consultancy, specialising in planning, design and management services for infrastructure development worldwide. Established in Britain in 1868, the company is owned by a trust and employee shareholders. It has over 7,000 employees, working in more than 80 offices across 70 countries.

Halcrow has played a major role in some of the largest multi-disciplinary projects around the world, including the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, the Docklands Light Rail in London and the Kuala Lumpur Light Rapid Transit (PUTRA) in Malaysia.

Rail specialists in Australia and New Zealand

Halcrow has been working with rail clients in Australia and New Zealand since 1993. Halcrow has a large and very experienced rail team in the region, with more than 75 rail specialists employed in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Wellington (NZ), Changchun (China) and Korea.

Halcrow has a reputation for its commitment to its clients, both in technical excellence and innovation. Our global reach provides access to world’s best practice, whatever the challenge.

Rolling stock procurement and consultancy

The Halcrow rolling stock team is experienced in maintenance and asset management, new-build rolling stock, rail certification, auditing services, and modification and refurbishment.

Halcrow is at the forefront of rail procurement in Australia and New Zealand, and is currently providing project direction for the delivery of the new Matangi trains in Wellington, as well as being technical adviser for RailCorp for the NSW Rolling Stock PPP project for procurement of 626 new rail carriages. Halcrow is also assisting the Department of Transport in Victoria with the procurement of new trams.

In freight rail, we have project managed the specification, tendering and procurement of the first AC locomotives suitable for operating across Australia. These locomotives have increased hauling capacity by up to 50% and improved fuel efficiency by 10%.

Rail infrastructure planning and design

Halcrow manages rail infrastructure projects from concept through to detailed design and implementation.

Our electrification team has been involved in the design, installation and maintenance of rail traction systems across Australia and New Zealand, with expertise in both the 1,500V DC and the 25kV AC systems.

In permanent way, we have experience in strategic and technical development for rail track modification and alignment, including turnout renewal projects, undertaking concept track design, detail setting out and grading design.

Business analysis and economics for the rail environment

Halcrow provides restructuring and commercial reviews for operating railways, infrastructure companies and financial institutions. Our global appreciation of the dynamic balance between cost, viability, and risk in the rail environment provides our clients with the relevant financial models to assess their commercial options.

Our client services include service delivery (cost analysis and performance benchmarking); restructuring and commercialisation (advice on business development strategies and improvement of profitability); and due diligence (assessment of operating plans, financial risk assessment and business case modelling).

Recent projects include business planning support for the Melbourne metropolitan train and tram refranchise, and the technical review of operations and performance regime models for the proposed Sydney metro.

Rail operations advisory services

Halcrow provides operational advice to rail operators throughout Australia. Our advisory services include timetable analysis and timetable modelling to identify system bottlenecks and quantify the benefits of infrastructure enhancements for capacity and service reliability.

For the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail Alignment Study for ARTC, Halcrow provided operations, maintenance and timetabling inputs.

Halcrow uses its proprietary ‘RAMESES’ train performance simulation package to assist in analysis of rolling stock performance and aid the development of appropriate vehicle specifications.

Rail signalling and communications

Halcrow has an experienced team of signalling and communications engineers, involved in projects across Australia and internationally. Skill areas include interlocking, train radio, train protection systems, control centre communications, level crossings, site surveys, maintenance reviews, and specification and tender reviews.

In railway control systems, we have an advanced understanding of data transfer and communications systems, from system specification through to final commissioning.

Our signalling capability assists rail organisations to identify and address signalling and control hazards.

Tunnels for railways

Our world-class tunnelling team has been involved in most of the recent rail tunnel projects in the region, including Sydney’s New Southern Railway Airport Link, the New Metro Rail in Perth and the proposed Sydney Metro.

Halcrow is an industry leader in designing cut and cover tunnel linings, as well as precast concrete segmental tunnel and shaft linings.

Rail safety management services

Halcrow provides strategic advice on rail safety management and the implementation of safety improvements for operators and infrastructure developers. As part of our safety services, Halcrow undertakes auditing and certification of operating systems and processes.

Our safety team has managed study workshops for the Australian railway industry, focusing on the management of signals passed at danger (SPADs) and developing measures to overcome the problem. Halcrow has also undertaken reviews of driver management and training.