Rail Industry Awards 2025

We are proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Rail Industry Awards, Australia and New Zealand.

2025 Finalists

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Signalling and Systems Engineering Excellence Award

Supported by IRSE
This award recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to the success of railway operations through the development, integration, and application of innovative technologies. It celebrates leadership, technical expertise, and advancements in areas such as signalling, automation, asset protection, communications, and cybersecurity, highlighting their impact on efficiency, safety, and industry progress.

Winner

Christopher Go – Sydney Trains

Finalists

Christopher Go – Sydney Trains
Lisa Wetuschat – Downer

Emerging Rail Specialist Award

Supported by RTAA
The Emerging Rail Specialist Award recognises and encourages the contribution of emerging rail specialists in the early stages of their career within the rail industry. The award is for individuals with less than 10 years’ relevant experience, to include not only those young in age, but also those who have had career breaks or changes.

Winner

Robert Shearer – Alstom

Finalists

Andre Ruiz – ACCIONA
Jennifer Lee – Jacobs
Robert Shearer – Alstom
Travis Myers – PTAWA

Young Rail Professional Award

Supported by RTSA
Rail is full of young, enthusiastic and innovative individuals who contribute a great deal to not only their company but the wider rail industry. This Award aims to encourage these young individuals to pursue a career in rail whilst acknowledging their efforts. The Award winner will receive registration, flights and accommodation to attend the RTSA Conference on Railway Excellence (CORE 2025). Open to individuals with less than 10 year’s working experience.

Winner

Shou Barrett – Queensland Rail

Finalists

Amy Muspratt – Rail Control Systems Australia
Ciara Power – Alstom
Darcy Bourke – Metro Trains Melbourne
Darcy Carroll – Vossloh Australia
Matthew Felton – ACCIONA
Naveen Chaudhary – Aurecon
Shou Barrett – Queensland Rail
Sophie Tan – AtkinsRéalis

PWI NSW Young Achiever Awards

Supported by PWI NSW
This award is for excellence and innovation and is granted to an eligible young rail specialist in the rail infrastructure industry (who is not necessarily an engineer) to recognise and encourage their contribution to their field, or generally in areas that are relevant to the objectives of the Permanent Way Institution (PWI). Open to individuals under the age of 35.

Winner

Thy Pham – John Holland

Finalists

Daniel Watchorn – WSP
Drew Garcia – Siemens Mobility
George Davis – Sydney Trains
Nilesh Patel – KBR
Thy Pham – John Holland

Career Achievement Award

Sponsored by Frauscher
The rail industry is only as good as the people who work in it. The Career Achievement Award recognises the passion and commitment of an individual who has spent many years in rail and who, through their efforts, has made a difference for a company or the greater industry.

Winner

Mike Hickey – Ingenium Advisory

PROJECT OR ORGANISATION AWARDS

Rail Freight Excellence Award

This award recognises excellence in the freight rail sector, celebrating organisations that have demonstrated outstanding performance in areas such as business growth, innovation, customer engagement, and safety. It highlights initiatives that drive new freight business to rail, enhance operational efficiency, and contribute to the industry’s long-term success.

Winner

Pacific National – Pacific National Portal

Finalists

KiwiRail – UGL Pty Ltd, PT Inka joint venture – KiwiRail Wagon Replacement Program
Pacific National – Pacific National Portal
Rail First – Rail First Freight Rail Excellence

Passenger Operations Excellence Award

Supported by the ARA
This award recognises excellence in the passenger rail sector, celebrating projects or initiatives that demonstrate leadership, innovation, and industry growth. It highlights achievements that improve efficiency, enhance customer and stakeholder outcomes, and foster collaboration within the rail industry.

Winner

Metro Trains Sydney – Delivery of First Passenger Service for Metro City Line

Finalists

Lynxx – Real-Time Algorithmic Vehicle Allocation for Light Rail
Metro Trains Sydney – Delivery of First Passenger Service for Metro City Line
Metro Tains Melbourne – Implementation of new systems for planned rail replacement services
Queensland Rail – Tropical Cyclone Alfred response and recovery
Queensland Rail – North Queensland severe weather recovery
Sydney Trains & Sydney Metro – NYE 2024: Passenger operations success on Sydney’s biggest night
Sydney Trains – Auburn Workforce Transition to Sydney Trains
Sydney Trains – 2024 Timetable implementation, including Sydney Metro Integration

Infrastructure Project Excellence Award

Sponsored by Andrew Engineering
This award recognises excellence in rail construction, celebrating projects that demonstrate leadership, innovation, and efficiency. It highlights initiatives that contribute to a sustainable rail infrastructure network while delivering positive outcomes for customers and community stakeholders.

Winner

MELconnx, an Alliance between Laing O’Rourke and the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia – METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line Project

Finalists

ACCIONA, WSP, MTM, LXRP joint venture – Parkdale Level Crossing Removal Project
Armadale Line Upgrade Alliance – METRONET Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project
Arup – Sydney Metro Martin Place Integrated Station Development
ARTC – Narrabri to Turrawan line upgrade
MELconnx, an Alliance between Laing O’Rourke and the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia – METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line Project
Metro Trains Sydney and MTR Australia – Successful opening of Sydney Metro City Line
North Western Program Alliance – Pakenham Level Crossing Removal Project
Rail Network Alliance – Metro Tunnel Project

Supplier Excellence Award

The Supplier Excellence Award recognises outstanding contributions to the rail supply chain, celebrating projects or initiatives that demonstrate leadership, innovation, and industry growth. It highlights achievements that enhance efficiency, improve productivity, and deliver positive outcomes for customers and stakeholders.

Winner

JMD Railtech – Training facility for rail signalling personnel

Finalists

Alstom – First Nations engagement
JMD Railtech – Training facility for rail signalling personnel
On Rail Industries – Pioneering safety and compliance initiative
Pilbara Rail Maintenance – Critical ballast cleaning operation
Vossloh Cogifer Australia – Establishment of a state-of-the-art factory in Bendigo

Safety Excellence Award

Supported by RISSB
Safety in rail is paramount and the industry prides itself on its strong safety record. Companies across Australia and New Zealand are implementing world class safety strategies and developing new technologies to ensure rail operations are safe and reliable. The Safety Excellence Award aims to recognise this important work highlighted by a program, team or individual, and promote rail’s efforts to remain as efficient, effective and safe as possible.

Winner

Pilbara Rail Maintenance – Safety Innovation Program

Finalists

ACCIONA – Southern Program Alliance’s Kananook Stabling Yard Safety Initiative
John Holland for the RISSB Industry Safety Professional of the Year Award
Martinus Rail – BallastMate for the RISSB Frontline Worker Safety Initiative Award
Metro Trains Melbourne – Community Connectors program
Pilbara Rail Maintenance – Safety Innovation Program
Queensland Rail – Ollera Creek Emergency Response for the RISSB Community Safety Award
Sydney Trains – Real-time Access and Possession Interactive Display for the RISSB Safety Leadership Program
Vossloh Cogifer Australia – SAFE+ app

Customer Service Excellence Award

Sponsored by John Holland
Customer service in rail is paramount, whether it be moving a customer’s goods via rail freight; transporting people within a busy passenger network; or providing a consulting service or advice. The Customer Service Excellence Award acknowledges the great service provided by a company in the rail industry.

Winner

Pilbara Rail Maintenance – Supports the success of Rio Tinto’s Pilbara Rail Network

Finalists

Inland Rail – Building Bridges: Engaging Glenrowan residents in the Inland Rail Project
Laing O’Rourke – PWCS Berm B Stacker Reclaimer Track & KCT K5 Wharf Seaside Rail Replacement
Metro Trains Sydney – MTS New Year’s Eve
Pilbara Rail Maintenance – Supports the success of Rio Tinto’s Pilbara Rail Network
Queensland Rail – 50-cent fares implementation
Sydney Trains Suburban Services – Sydney Trains’ MyStation Viewer
Sydney Trains Suburban Services – Sydney Trains’ Auslan Assist Proof-of-Concept
Watco Australia – BlueScope Port Kembla Operations

Employee Engagement Excellence Award

Sponsored by RioTinto
The Employee Engagement category reflects the spirit of cooperation and respect between an organisation and its employees. It encourages organisations to work constructively with employees to achieve industry growth.

Winner

John Holland – Rail Industry Flex Initiative: Game Changer for Retention

Finalists

Alstom – Excellence in Employee Engagement
John Holland – Rail Industry Flex Initiative: Game Changer for Retention
Metro Trains Melbourne – Metro Tunnel Transformation Communications Program
Queensland Rail – Five Years of QR Engage
Queensland Rail – Digital Maintainer
Queensland Rail – QR Celebrate
UGL – Rail & Technology Systems (Western Australia) – G.R.E.A.T initiative

Rail Innovation of the Year Award

Sponsored by Project i-TRACE, powered by GS1
Innovation is the cornerstone of any industry. Remaining competitive in the rail industry requires working smarter, working to get more out of existing resources, innovating and putting those innovations to work. The Rail Innovation of the Year Award recognises leadership through the practical application of innovative solutions for new and existing market needs resulting in a commercial, environmental and/or social benefit.

Winner

Downer Rail & Transit Systems – Passenger Rail Autonomous Robotic Cleaners

Finalists

Downer Rail & Transit Systems – Passenger Rail Autonomous Robotic Cleaners
Lynxx – Mathematically Optimised Timetabling to Maximise Ridership
Metro Trains Melbourne & Major Roads Projects Victoria – Remote Isolation System, North East Link Project
Pilbara Rail Maintenance – Vacuum Panel Lifter System
Queensland Rail – ETCS Interim Interoperability Solution
Rhomberg Sersa Australia – Concrete Placement Units
Sydney Trains – 11kV Pole Top Substation Arrangement
UGL – Corridor Intrusion Detection System and Object Detection System

Sustainability Excellence Award

Sponsored by Acciona

Projects and business practices that demonstrate creative and practical solutions in the area of sustainability are helping to modernise the rail sector. The Sustainability Excellence Award aims to recognise and promote progress towards sustainability excellence and innovation in the rail industry.

Winner

Transport for NSW – Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1

Finalists

ABB Australia – Revolutionising Urban Rail: ABB’s diesel-hybrid solution for a cleaner, quieter Adelaide Metro
Armadale Line Upgrade Alliance – METRONET Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project and Armadale Line Upgrade Alliance
Downer – Electronic Test & Repair Centre (ETRC)
Dura Composites Australia – Homai Station, New Zealand
Metro Trains Melbourne – Leading the way in sustainability excellence
SMEC and Crows Nest Design Consortium, Sydney Metro – Crows Nest Station: Leading whole-of-life sustainability through collaborative design
Transport for NSW – Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1
Transport for NSW – Transport Access Program Tranche 3 (TAP3)

Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Award

Sponsored by BHP

The Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Award recognises organisations that have successfully implemented initiatives to address diversity challenges within their business. It celebrates measurable improvements in diversity, equity, and inclusion, highlighting the positive impact on both the organisation and the broader rail industry.

Winner

ACCIONA, WSP, MTM, LXRP (joint venture) – 2024 Disability Inclusion by the Southern Program Alliance

Finalists

ACCIONA, WSP, MTM, LXRP (joint venture) – 2024 Disability Inclusion by the Southern Program Alliance
John Holland – Making Flexibility Work in the Rail Industry
Transdev Australasia, (Sydney and Parramatta Light Rail) – Inclusive Employment Pathways Program
Transport for NSW – Tuggerah Station Upgrade
Transport for NSW – Women’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program 2024, Electrical & Network Access Team

Wellbeing in Rail Award

Supported by T rackSAFE Foundation
The TrackSAFE Foundation, established by the Australasian Railway Association and UGL in 2012, is Australia’s only harm prevention charity focused on reducing deaths, injuries and near hits on the rail network. TrackSAFE also works to improve the wellbeing of rail employees.

Winner

Swietelsky Rail Australia – Employee Wellbeing Framework

Finalists

Arc Infrastructure – Track Mates Peer Supporter Program
Hitachi Rail – Be Well at Hitachi Rail
John Holland – “Flex from the Start” initiative: Positive Impacts on Team Wellbeing
Link Alliance – Bringing health services to site
Pacific National – Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy
Pilbara Rail Maintenance – Beyond Physical Safety
Swietelsky Rail Australia – Employee Wellbeing Framework
Sydney Trains – Rail Fire & Emergency, Embedded Critical Incident Support initiative