Going the extra 10,000 km: strengthening railway engineering links across Asia

A LinkedIn exchange sparked a two-week tour across Asia, with IMechE Railway Chair Rebeka Sellick sharing insights and building connections across four countries.

The visit highlighted innovation, collaboration, and opportunities for stronger global engagement in railway engineering.

Throwing down the gauntlet

Last year, two 1986-vintage British Rail engineering trainees connected on LinkedIn. After congratulating Rebeka Sellick on becoming IMechE Railway Chair, Kuala Lumpur-based Graeme Griffith challenged her: “You don’t fancy an Asian tour, do you?"

The practicalities taken care of

Hot from hosting 1148 participants at the IMechE Annual Railway Luncheon in London, having saved enough from her GB Chair’s address tour for the flights, and with sponsorship from her employer for the accommodation, Rebeka set off.

Thanks to Graeme (and many others), two full weeks across four countries ensued, including two university tours and three depot visits. Rebeka gave a total of 10 presentations which were an adaptation of her Chair’s address “Engineering Good Connections” and her well-received “AI and railway engineers” talk.

What stood out from Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore?

Hong Kong: Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is upskilling railway engineers rather than hiring data scientists, evidenced by using AI to mine freetext within fault reports. They plan to enhance already world-leading reliability as they roll out robots for regular rolling stock asset management.

Bangkok: depots are built with enough capacity for underfloor pre-exam vacuum cleaning to decongest filters. There's an impressive in-housing of component overhauls, by linking-up with local colleges.

Kuala Lumpur: the integrated Human Factors-friendly control rooms make the most of growing mainline electrification. Engineers with DLR-like railways are interested in DLR, and first-and-last mile connectivity is a challenge in the heat and humidity.

Singapore: there’s exemplary IMechE outreach to engineering students, Cavenagh Bridge received the IMechE Heritage Award, and outstanding human connections information around Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT) planned engineering work.

“Engineers, including railway engineers, are a diverse group no matter where we are in the world. Some prefer relying on cars, while others are passionate about building and supporting high-quality public transport that slashes carbon footprints and helps connect people.”
- Rebeka Sellick

What will IMechE do next?

We’re strengthening our links: there’s already an inter-university Railway Challenge in Thailand. And we’re planning to share more: with open sessions at UK lunchtimes, accessible in Asian evenings, so we can learn from each other.

Get involved with our 2026 UK Railway Challenge, and stay up to date with the latest from the industry.