PWI Rail Alliance

PWI NSW Practical Rail Alliance Project

The PWI Practical Rail Alliance builds on the foundations laid by the UK’s Practical Trackwork Challenge – a unique programme where professionals step out of the office and into real rail environments to gain hands on experience. Delivered in collaboration with heritage lines, the UK challenge offers practical training in a controlled but authentic setting.

Here in New South Wales, we’ve reimagined that concept, giving early-career professionals not only the chance to experience infrastructure delivery firsthand, but to lead it.

The NSW Difference: Leadership from the Outset

This is not a simulation or technical showcase, it’s a real rail project, delivered by a specifically selected and dedicated subcommittee of young professionals.

Participants will be responsible for managing the entire lifecycle: project planning, stakeholder engagement, approvals, risk and safety assurance, on-site delivery, and post-project close-out. From concept to completion, the team will drive it forward.

And this year, the challenge comes with added complexity and opportunity.

The project will be delivered in partnership with Transport Heritage NSW (THNSW) and the Rail Track Association Australia (RTAA) at the NSW Rail Museum – Thirlmere, during a period when the site remains open to the public. Extended invitations will also be issued to corporate stakeholders and industry observers.

That means working around live public access, heritage operations, community presence, and strict safety protocols, all while upholding the highest standards of professionalism, coordination, and delivery.

This is infrastructure in the real world, and you’ll be at the heart of it.

Program Overview & Commitment Expectations

Participants will:

• Be inducted into a young professionals subcommittee tasked with managing the full scope of the project
• The Practical Rail Alliance group will be looking for a broad set of skills across the rail industry
• Participate in 3 face to face workshops and works/event days
  • Workshop 1 – NSW Rail Museum – Thirlmere, Date: 21^st November 2025
  • Workshop 2 – TBD (Sydney Region), Date:  3^rd February 2026
  • Workshop 3 – NSW Rail Museum – Thirlmere, Date: 21^st April 2026
  • Delivery of works – NSW Rail Museum – Thirlmere, Dates: 2^nd June 2026 – 4^th June 2026
• Attend fortnightly teams meetings (as applicable)
• Attend PWI Events and present progress / outcomes of works.

What You’ll Gain

• 1 year’s free PWI membership
• A family-pass to visit the NSW Rail Museum at your leisure following completion of the project
• Complimentary invitation to the PWI Annual Convention
• Opportunity to present to Rail industry at PWI events

Whether you come from an engineering, project management, construction management, supervision or safety, or another part of the rail industry, this is an opportunity to broaden your industry knowledge, step beyond your role, and become a more well-rounded, future-ready professional.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for selection, applicants must:

• Have three years or fewer experience in the rail industry
• Be employed by a PWI Corporate Sponsor organisation
• Hold (or be in the process of obtaining) a valid RIW card and White Card
• Be available for the full programme, including workshops and the June 2026 delivery week
• Demonstrate motivation, professionalism, and a genuine desire to grow as a leader

Application Form Requirements

• Name
• Corporate Sponsor (Company)
• Corporate Sponsor agreement form
  • Signature confirming availability for workshops
  • Cost of any accommodation to be covered by employer
• Name of Supporting Manager
• CV

Got Questions about the Rail Alliance? Please Contact pta@pwinsw.org.au”