We are proud to announce the finalists for the 2026 Rail Industry Awards, Australia and New Zealand.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
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
Bin Zhu | Hitachi Rail Australia
Finalists
- Anthony MacDonald | Hitachi Rail
- Bin Zhu | Hitachi Rail Australia
- Amanda Lepore | V/Line Corporation
- Josh Doyle | Metro Trains Melbourne
- Darryn De Reuck | Downer EDI (QTMP Project)
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
Nichelle Naluz | North Western Program Alliance
Finalists
- Nichelle Naluz | North Western Program Alliance
- David Lam | MTR Corporation
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 2028). Open to individuals with less than 10 year’s working experience.
Winner
Devy Rimba | North Western Program Alliance
Finalists
- Shania Rajanayagam | Vitruvius
- Ryan Fletcher | Jacobs
- Devy Rimba | North Western Program Alliance
- Ahmet Syed | Siemens Mobility
- Andrew Smetherham | Arup
- Scott Bourke | Metro Trains Melbourne
- Yeonseo Kim | Hitachi Rail
- Chantal Ivory | Wabtec Corporation
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
Bryan Law | Queensland Rail
Finalists
- Bryan Law | Queensland Rail
- Ethan Wheeler | ARTC
- Lauren Fraser | GHD
- Noah Green | Martinus
Supported by the ARA and 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
Peter Wilkinson | Suburban Rail Loop Authority
Terms and ConditionsPROJECT OR ORGANISATION AWARDS
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
Rail First | Redefining Rail through Safety, Innovation, Growth and Excellence
Finalists
- Sydney Trains | Freight Collaboration Forum
- V/Line | N Class Locomotive Repurposing Program
- Arc Infrastructure and Intermodal Group | Kenwick IMT
- Australian Rail Track Corporation Limited | Pimba Intermodal Hub
- Rail First | Redefining Rail through Safety, Innovation, Growth and Excellence
- Arc Infrastructure | The Evolution of Arc’s Digital Twin: AI and Project Scoping
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 Melbourne | Operationalising the Metro Tunnel
Finalists
- Sydney Trains | Boarding Assistance for Guards Project
- Gartner Rose and Dura Composites Australia | Chester Hill Station Upgrade
- Transdev Australia & New Zealand | Flex Ops
- Metro Trains Sydney | Major Events Operations
- Southern Program Alliance (VIDA Rail, ACCIONA, WSP and Metro Trains Melbourne) | Mordialloc Level Crossing Removal Project AWP8
- Keolis Adelaide | Noarlunga Interchange Murals
- NSW TrainLink | NSW TrainLink Central Reservation System Transformation
- Metro Trains Melbourne | Operationalising the Metro Tunnel
Supported by RTSA and 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
VIDA Metro, Cross Yarra Partnership, Rail Network Alliance and Metro Trains Melbourne | Metro Tunnel Project
Finalists
- Southern Program Alliance (VIDA Rail, ACCIONA, WSP and Metro Trains Melbourne) | Kananook Train Stabling and Maintenance Yard AWP7
- Link Alliance | Link Alliance Building the City Rail Link
- Transport for NSW | Transport for Tomorrow – Sydney Terminal Area Reconfiguration Phase 2
- VIDA Metro, Cross Yarra Partnership, Rail Network Alliance and Metro Trains Melbourne | Metro Tunnel Project
- Laing O’Rourke | METRONET Byford Rail Extension Project (Public Transport Authority, Laing O’Rourke, Colliers, KBR)
- Queensland Rail | Hope Island Station construction (Cross River Rail Delivery Authority and ACCIONA Georgiou Joint Venture)
- John Holland and UGL Transport Joint Venture | Light Rail Procurement, Retrofit and Depot Expansion (LPRDE) program – Canberra Metro Operations
Supported by the ARA and Sponsored by Rail First
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
Alstom | VLocity Train
Finalists
- ABB Australia | ABB Traction Centre of Excellence
- Australian Rail Track Corporation | Innovative Minimum Viable Product
- Swietelsky Rail Australia | Integrated, Mechanised Track Maintenance Delivery Model
- BarChip Australia | Port Chalmers Rail Sidings Project
- Hitachi Rail | Supply Chain Harmonisation
- Voestalpine Railway Systems Australia | Railway Systems Academy
- Pilbara Rail Maintenance | The Rosella Project
- Alstom | VLocity Train
Supported by ARISO
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
Vossloh Switch Systems| Vossloh Turnouts Business
Finalists
- Vossloh Switch Systems| Vossloh Turnouts Business
- Training Worx Australia |Safety Leadership Program
- Laing O’Rourke Rail Operations | The OnTrack App
- Degnan | ONE Safe Workplace Principles
- Spatial Media | Arahina Platform
- Sydney Trains | Possessions Access Coordination Tool (PACT)
- Australian Rail Track Corporation | National Safeworking Framework (NSF)
- Metro Trains Melbourne | Comeng Door Locking Project
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
Metro Trains Sydney | Maintaining 98% Customer Satisfaction
Finalists
- John Holland | 290 MTPA Program Rail Signalling and Communications
- Wabtec | Dash 9 Locomotive Life Extension Project
- Queensland Rail | Everybody’s Journey is Different Accessibility Campaign
- Martinus | Integrated Disruption Management
- Metro Trains Sydney | Maintaining 98% Customer Satisfaction
- VIDA Metro | Metro Tunnel – Summer Series Activations
- Queensland Rail | Queensland Rail 160th Birthday Celebrations
- Yarra Trams | Trambassadors
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
Rail First | Track to Thrive – Employee Engagement Uplift
Finalists
- Metro Trains Sydney | Connecting Southwest Employee Engagement Program
- KiwiRail | Cultural Leadership in Frontline Safety – Engaging Leaders Through Shared Ownership and Trust
- V/Line | V/Line Mentoring Program
- Keolis Adelaide | Keolis Business Plan – Moving Together
- Downer and Sentis | Our Safety Focus 2026
- Laing O’Rourke Rail Operations | Overhead Wiring Training Facility
- Martinus | PECS Mentoring Guide
- Rail First | Track to Thrive – Employee Engagement Uplift
Supported by the ARA and 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 (RTS) and Future Maintenance Technologies | Robotics – On Track to Revolutionise Rail Operations
Finalists
- KiwiRail | Arahina
- VIDA Metro, Cross Yarra Partnership, Rail Network Alliance and Metro Trains Melbourne | CBTC Implementation on the Metro Tunnel
- Monash Institute of Railway Technology, Rio Tinto Iron Ore | Design and Deployment of Next Generation Instrumented Ore Car
- 4AI Systems | HORUS + EN4CER
- Queensland Rail | QRY Initiative
- Transport for NSW, ARTC and Rail Safety Systems | RAXS Trial
- Downer Rail & Transit Systems (RTS) and Future Maintenance Technologies | Robotics – On Track to Revolutionise Rail Operations
- V/Line Corporation | Solar Powered, Wireless Level Crossing Detection System
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
UNITY Alliance | Cross River Rail – RIS Project
Finalists
- Swietelsky Rail Australia | ARTC Ballast Cleaning Programs
- UNITY Alliance | Cross River Rail – RIS Project
- VIDA Metro in partnership with Cross Yarra Partnership and Rail Network Alliance | Metro Tunnel Project
- Sydney Trains Suburban Services | Mortdale Maintenance Centre Solar Panel Project
- Transport for NSW and Degnan | Moss Vale Station and Stabling Yard Upgrade
- Southern Program Alliance (VIDA Rail, ACCIONA, WSP and Metro Trains Melbourne) | Parkdale Level Crossing Removal Project (AWP6)
- Australian Rail Track Corporation Limited | Pimba Intermodal Hub
- Northwestern Program Alliance | Tram Maintenance and Stabling Facility
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
Metro Trains Melbourne | Women@Metro
Finalists
- Alstom | Alstom Australia & New Zealand
- Queensland Rail | Everybody’s Journey is Different Accessibility Campaign
- Metro Trains Sydney | Future Talent Strategy
- Swietelsky Rail Australia | People First, Rail Forward
- Sydney Trains | Sydney Trains Apprenticeship Program
- Metro Trains Melbourne | Women@Metro
- Southern Program Alliance (VIDA Rail, ACCIONA, WSP and Metro Trains Melbourne) | Women@SPA
- UGL Transport | Women@UGL
Supported by TrackSAFE Foundation
The 2026 TrackSAFE Award recognises the diverse range of activities organisations have implemented to promote rail safety messages to the community. These may include rail safety advertising campaigns, education and teaching resources and/or other community focused initiatives designed to improve safety on and around rail.
TrackSAFE encourages nominations from rail organisations, governments (local, state and federal), police and community groups.
Winner
Metro Trains Melbourne | Trespasser Insights Report and Network Wide Trespasser Safety Strategy
Finalists
- Metro Trains Melbourne | Trespasser Insights Report and Network Wide Trespasser Safety Strategy
- NSW TrainLink | Boambee Rail Bridge Safety Initiative
- Queensland Rail | Bridge Strike Prevention Committee
- Arc Infrastructure | Stop in Your Tracks
- Transdev Australia and NZ | Keeping Young People on the Right Side of the Tracks
- Martinus | Follow the Footprints
- Queensland Police Service | Rail Day of Action
- V/Line Corporation | V/Line Travel Training Package
Hosts of the awards
The awards were established in partnership with a range of rail organisations in recognition of our shared support for excellence in the rail industry. We thank the Rail Track Association Australia, Rail Technical Society Australasia, Permanent Way Institution, Institution of Railway Signal Engineers and Australian Rail Industry Standards Organisation (ARISO) for their continued support.
Thank you to our Rail Industry Awards Sponsors
Platinum Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Media Partner
Program Sponsor
Award Category Sponsors
Past Award winners and finalists
Click here to view the 2025 award winners
Click here to view the 2024 award winners
Click here to view the 2023 award winners.
Click here to view the 2022 award winners.
Click here to view the 2021 award winners.