Senior Consultant

Klaus Liebwald

Klaus has more than 25 years of professional experience in the areas of maintenance and development of railroad infrastructure. His focus of the last years was international project management, asset management, lecturer/trainer, support and preparation of certifications.
He joined Global Rail Group in 2023.

Consultant

Leo Besson Beaugeois

Léo joined the Vienna office in the Global Rail Group in 2024, after moving to Vienna from France earlier in the year. Completing his Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering and with experience abroad in different countries, such as Finland and China, Léo brings a new perspective to the Consulting team. 

Experience

2021-2023: Mechanical/Hardware Engineer at Wattsgood

2021: Project Engineer Intern at Resortecs

2019: Assistant Engineer Intern at Decathlon

Education

2016-2021: M.Sc. Mechanical Engineering – Compiegne University of Technology

Languages

English

French

German

General Manager, Global Rail North America

Adam Sohasky

Adam has more than 14 years’ experience in Railway Track Management. Adam Joined Global Rail in September of 2023 as a Senior Technical & Business Development Officer. Adam Started his career in the Rail Industry in the Design & Construction department at CN Rail where he led the design, development, and implementation of capacity upgrades across CN’s network as well business development of Crude Oil Loop Train facilities, coal terminals and Frac Sand terminals. From there Adam moved onto track maintenance becoming a front-line supervisor responsible for the safe, efficient operation & maintenance of 300 miles of track; leading 50+ unionized employees. After that, Adam assumed the role of running CN’s Network Engineering Operations. Managing Rail Grinding & Milling, Ultrasonic Inspection, Lubrication & Welding across CN’s 19,000-mile track network.

Previous Experience

2022 – 2023:
Canadian National Railway Company – Senior Manager Rail & Testing
2017 – 2022:
Canadian National Railway Company – Manager Rail & Testing
2013 – 2017:
Canadian National Railway Company – Field Engineer April
2009 – 2012:
Canadian National Railway Company – Civil Engineering

Educational Background

Bachelor of Science – BS Civil Engineering Michigan Technological University

Publications

˃ Laboratory Evaluation of Gage Face Lubricants Using Disc-on-Disc Testing Mark D. Richards, PhD, EVRAZ NA and Adam Sohasky, Canadian National Railroad

Industry Positions & Memberships

˃ University lecturer for “Railway Maintenance” (Vienna University of Technology);

˃ University lecturer for “Life cycle management and predictive maintenance” (St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences)

˃ AREMA Committee 4 Subcommittee 4

˃ Friction Management, 8

˃ Nondestructive Testing of Rail & 9

˃ Railway, Grinding & Lubrication Michigan Technological University Rail Transportation Advisory Board, Vice Chair

Senior Manager

Andreas Oberhauser

Andreas has more than 14 years of experience as an expert in Urban Rail Management and is an active member of the railway community in Austria, where he is well-known as an lecturer and researcher at several universities.

Previous Experience

2018 – 2021:
Head of Department Track Infrastructure at Wiener Linien
2011 – 2018:
Head of Staff Unit Infrastructure Inspection at Wiener Linien
2007 – 2011:
Maintenance Process Manager Track at Wiener Linien
2003 – 2007:
Research Fellow at Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien)

Educational Background

Dr. Techn. (Ph.D.) in Civil Engineering; TU Wien

Publications

˃ Monitoring, understanding and maintenance of rail defects on a European metro system (Stuart L Grassie, Andreas Oberhauser, Michael Ostermann, Bernhard Hinterndorfer, Werner Wehr, Philip Ali)

˃ 12th International Conference on Contact Mechanics and Wear of Rail/Wheel Systems (CM2022), Melbourne, Australia, 4-7 September, 2022

˃ Enhance the Environmental Performance of Railway Infrastructure, Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences (M. Fracchia, R. Carlson, P. Steckler, A. Oberhauser, N. Leitao)

Industry Positions & Memberships

˃ University lecturer for “Railway Maintenance” (Vienna University of Technology);

˃ University lecturer for “Life cycle management and predictive maintenance” (St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences)

˃ CEN TC 256 SC1 WG18 DG15 Urban Rail Switches and Crossings

˃ CEN/CENELEC – Member of the Urban Rail Survey Group within the mandate M/486 of the European Commission

˃ Forschungsgesellschaft Straße – Schiene – Verkehr (FSV): Work Group Leader AA EB13 “Regional Railways”

Awards

˃ Federal Transport Award 2008 (“Staatspreis Verkehr 2008“) for Research project “Energy systems for TunnelThermics®” for TU Wien and Wiener LinienProfessor

˃ Julius Kar-Award for excellent studies at BOKU Vienna

Speaks

German, English, Italian

Manager

Elena Crespo Domingo

Elena has more than 6 years experience in the railway infrastructure sector, including different roles ranging from new line design consultancy in her previous experience at Plasser & Theurer, where she was part of the Technology Center Purkersdorf and was involved in the development of smart systems for the evaluation of the infrastructure condition.
She has an M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) and did part of her studies in RWTH Aachen University.
Elena joined Global Rail Group in September 2021 and worked on projects for the optimization and digitalization of railway superstructure asset management, with a strong focus on track geometry and ballast bed condition.

Previous Experience

2021 – 2022:
Senior Consultant at Global Rail Consulting
2018 – 2021:
Innovation Project Engineer Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen G.m.b.H.
2017 – 2018:
Junior Signalling Project Engineer at INECO

Educational Background

MSc Mechanical Engineering
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)

Speaks

English, Spanish, German

Senior Consultant

Kathrin Gabert

Kathrin has 11 years of experience working on various projects in the fields of studies, mobility concepts, traffic models and guidance systems.
She studied Business Administration with focus on Transport/Logistics and Market Research at Vienna University of Economics and Business. 
She joined Global Rail Group in September 2021.

Previous Experience

2014-2021:
Consultant at Verkehrsplaner GmbH
2011-2013:
Junior Consultant at Traffix Verkehrsplanung GmbH

Educational Background

Magister of Business Administration from Vienna University of Economics

Speaks

German, English

Lead Technology Coordinator

Teever Handal

Teever has more than 38 years working experience in the rail industry. He spent 11 years with the Association of American Railroads at the Transportation Test Center helping develop vehicle dynamic simulation software, performing vehicle/track interaction and wheel/rail interaction research. He worked for a Progressive Rail Technologies providing truck performance and wheel impact detectors, and consulting on derailment analysis and vehicle/track interaction studies. Since 2014 Teever has been working for ARM in data analysis, as a wheel/rail interaction specialist, and technical expert in vehicle/track interaction. During his career he has provided assistance to clients in North America, Europe, Australia, Brazil, and India.

Consultant

Pablo Merayo

Pablo has worked for 3 years developing functional, constructive and capacity railways projects at TRN Taryet. During his last years studying civil engineering, he used to work as an intern at Carandini, a firm specialized in lighting projects. He joined  Global Rail Group in April 2023.

Previous Experience

2020 – 2023:
Development of linear infrastructure projects, Data analysis, Field works, Tendering, among others at TRN Táryet
2018 – 2019:
Development of lighting projects (outdoor lighting and tunnels), Analysis of new optics for possible product developments at C. & G. Carandini

Educational Background

Msc. Civil Engineering (Urban transports), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Technische Universität München (TUM)

Speaks

Spanish, English

Senior Track Engineer

Brad Kerchof

Brad is currently working part-time for ARM/Global Rail Group with the emphasis on projects involving track maintenance and inspection and brings 42 years of work experience with two Class 1 railroads – Conrail and Norfolk Southern. His first 32 years were with Maintenance-of-Way, including assignments like Division Engineer in Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Birmingham, where he was responsible for track and bridge inspection, maintenance and development of capital programs. During his last 10 years with NS, he served as the Director of Research & Tests (track geometry testing, derailment investigation, wheel-rail performance research, mechanical and track failure analysis and materials testing). 
Since 2012 he has been an annual presenter at the Wheel-Rail Interface conference.  

Senior Rail Maintenance Specialist

Jack Lindquist

Jack Lindquist has a wealth of practical rail experience, spanning over 40 years. His work with ARM is primarily concerned with all quality issues related to rail profile grinding practices.
As a welder foreman, Jack was responsible for all aspects of project – scheduling, team training, quality control, troubleshooting and problem resolution, and contractor relations. In addition, his extensive background in heavy equipment operation provides the ARM team with a high level of expertise in operational safety of different types of large equipment.
ARM makes extensive use of his skills and experience as Senior Rail Maintenance Specialist. He is responsible for oversight of rail profile grinding operations, as well as implementing new wheel and rail profile maintenance and repair techniques incorporating the use of range vision (laser strobe and camera) optical measurement systems. 

Senior Welding Specialist

Allen Pierson

Allen has been a member of AWS for 45 years and a member of Arema Committee 4 for 40 years. He has Certified AWS railroader welding practices, is an AWS visual weld inspector, and works as  a Level 2 UT operator. For 40 years he worked on 3 railroads Penn Central Conrail Norfolk Southern. Allen is a welder instructor for ARM since 2014.

Senior Rail Maintenance Specialist

Jeff Schweisthal

Before joining ARM, Jeff worked for Loram Maintenance of Way Inc. for 15 years, operating and maintaining rail grinding equipment.  Since joining ARM in 2005, he has managed turnkey rail grinding programs on many transit systems including San Jose (VTA), San Diego (Trolley), Edmonton Transit, Dallas (Trinity Railway Express), Boston (MBTA), SCRRA/Metrolink, BART, and others.  His background in the operations and maintenance of rail grinding equipment enables him to determine the capabilities and assess the performance of various grinding units, and to effectively troubleshoot problems in the field.
He has an extensive knowledge of rail grinding pattern design, pattern application, grinding templates, optimized grinding speeds, and various QA/QC functions that impact grinding efficiency and performance.  He has served as a General Superintendent, Grind Superintendent, Maintenance Lead and Operator of Loram Grinding Machines – in addition to experience with Special Grinder Projects and Grinder Overhauls. 

Manager - Data Services

Sean Regehr

Sean has 10 years of railroad experience. He holds a degree in Civil Engineering and an M.Sc. in Transportation Engineering from the University of Manitoba, and is an active member of AREMA Committee 2.
He joined ARM/Global Rail Group in 2016.

Data Services Specialist

Casslynn Ennis

Casslynn has over 5 years experience in computer-aided engineering and mechanical design/maintenance. She graduated with a diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology in 2022. She joined  Global Rail Group/ARM in February 2021.

Previous Experience

2021-2022:

Summer Data Services Intern with Advanced Rail Management; 2022-present: Data Services Specialist with Advanced Rail Management /GRG

Educational Background

Mechanical Engineering Technology (2022) – Red River College

Speaks

English, French (minimal)

Data Services Specialist

Henry Kweens

Henry has 20 years professional experience with proprietary rail recognition software and on-rail specialized data collection. He is responsible for training of  new team members and joined ARM/Global Rail Group in March 2003.

Data Services Specialist

Shane Kweens

Shane has been involved in data collection, data processing and analysis of various data types for the past 20 years with ARM/Global Rail Group. He uses this information to support railroad maintenance managers and internal grinding staff in  planning corrective and preventive rail maintenance.  He is also experienced in training internal and external clients on proprietary rail profile analysis software.  Shane holds a Diploma in Business Administration and Marketing. 

Field Specialist

Steve Gainey

Steve has over 10 years experience in the rail industry that ranges from rail car mechanic to frog/track welding and repair. Between 2007-2011 he was the Field Specialist and Road Foreman at G.A.T.X. and then at Bankhead/Holland LP (2011-2018) as Frog welding assist/welding foreman.
He joined Global Rail Group in 2021 as the  Field Specialist. 

Previous Experience

2007-2011:

G.A.T.X Rail: Field Specialist
2011-2018:
Bankhead/Holland Lp: welding foreman 

Speaks

English

Senior Consultant

Beatriz Alonso Vázquez

Beatriz has more than 15 years of experience in Railway Systems, from engineering design to site works.

She worked as Electrification Design manager during construction works in several Spanish High-Speed lines. The last 6 years she has been working in High Speed 2 in Birmingham (UK) as Overhead Contact System Engineer.

Beatriz has an M.Sc. in Industrial Engineering from Universidad Pontificia de Comillas (ICAI).

Work Experience

2021-2023:
Senior OCS Engineer at HS2 ltd.
2018-2021:
Power and M&E Engineering Manager at Sener UK, Utilities Project Manager at Sener UK
2005-2017:
Electrical Design Manager at Prointec S.A., Electrical and Signalling Manager at Prointec S.A., Assistant Project Manager at Prointec S.A.
2003-2005:
Logistics Engineer at El Corte Ingles S.A.

Education

MSc industrial Engineering; ICAI- Universidad Pontificia de Comillas

Speaks

Spanish, English

Data Engineer

Zsolt Hörcsik

Zsolt joined the Global Rail Group in January 2024 after working in the online marketing industry both independently and at a major European hosting provider. Previously he completed his studies in Economics at Queen Mary, University of London and worked on several startup projects. He brings experience in data engineering, web development and business intelligence.

Previous Experience

2022-2023:

Data Analyst at Herold

2018-2022:

Freelance web developer / data analyst

Educational Background

BSc Economics – Queen Mary, University of London

Speaks

English, German, Hungarian

Consultant

Gustavo Silva

Gustavo has 5 years of experience in the railway infrastructure sector. He worked on wheel-rail interface management projects and structural analysis of track at the railway consultancy company CH.Vidon, and was a traffic and maintenance planner for the Brazilian freight railway MRS Logistica. Gustavo joined Global Rail to develop a 2-year research project on wheel-rail contact KPI’s in partnership with Simon Fraser University, and has recently transitioned into a role as a consultant.

Previous Experience

2019-2020:
Project Assistant, CH.Vidon
2021-2022:
Traffic and Maintenance Planner, MRS Logistica
2022-2024:
Researcher, Simon Fraser University/Global Rail Group
2024-present:
Consultant, Global Rail Group

Educational Background

Master of Applied Sciences (MASc), Simon Fraser University, Vehicle-Track Interaction Research Group

Publications

˃ G. Dias-Silva, “Quantifying the relationships between rail profile indices and in-service wheel-rail contact conditions,” Simon Fraser University, Surrey, BC, Canada, 2024.
˃ T. Handal, S. Regehr, E. Magel, K. Oldknow, G. Dias-Silva, “R+E144ole of profile quality indices in rail profile optimization,” Proceedings of the 28th IAVSD Symposium on the Dynamics of Vehicles on Roads and on Tracks (IAVSD 2023), Ottawa, August 21-25, 2023.
˃ G. Dias+E17-Silva, K. Oldknow, S. Regehr, T. Handal, “Establishing correlations between rail profile quality indices and simulated contact conditions,” Proceedings of the 12th International Heavy Haul Association Conference (IHHA 2023), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 27-31 (2023).

Speaks

English
Portuguese
Spanish

Senior Consultant

Andreas Trausmuth

Andreas has 12 years of experience and is an expert in the railway sector in research and self-employment. Prior to Global Rail, Andreas worked at AC2T GmbH as a key researcher for railway infrastructure and locomotives. Andreas has extensive experience in the fields of tribology, Wheel-Rail Interaction, welding, maintenance for infrastructure / railway vehicles and the construction and conversion of railway vehicles.

Previous Experience

Sep. 2002 – Jan. 2003:
Researcher at FoTec, Wr. Neustadt Austria

Feb. 2004 – May 2007:
Process engineer at Semperit Techn. Produkte GmbH, Wimpassing Austria

Dec. 2007 – Sep. 2012:
Research Associate, Montanuniversity of Leoben, Austria

Oct. 2012 – March 2024:
Research Assistant / project manager / key researcher at the company AC2T research GmbH, Wr. Neustadt Austria

Since 2024:
Consultant at Global Rail Consulting

Educational Background

˃ Ph.D. Doctoral studies of Mining and metallurgical Machinery, Montanuniversität Leoben Austria

˃ MSc Academic studies of Materials Science, Montanuniversität Leoben Austria

˃ MSc Academic studies of Mining and metallurgical Machinery, Montanuniversität Leoben Austria

˃ MSc Academic studies of Mechatronics / Microsystems technology, University of applied science for economics and technology Wiener Neustadt Austria

Projects

˃ Member of the STLE regarding CLS Certified Lubrication Specialist (6831246452 STLE)

˃ Project manager of In2Track 2016 to 2023 (laser cladding on sliding plates, rails and frogs)

˃ Project manager of FFG project VIF 2016 AUFAS, wheel-rail interaction analysis of the effect of vehicle loads on rail joints

˃ Project manager ÖBB wheel-rail interaction Creation of a rail relocation strategy

˃ Project manager of FFG project VIF 2019 3DVEWE, 3D measurement of track components for turnouts

˃ Key researcher of FFG project VIF 2019 SafeRail, evaluation procedure for rail head conditioning agents

˃ Project manager ÖBB Reduction of maintenance costs through cladding on switch frogs

Speaks

Deutsch 
English
Japanese (basic level)
Mandarin (basic level)

Project Manager

Geoff Risi

Geoff is a skilled operations manager and sales trainer with experience in business development across many industries such as telecom, computers, and light machinery. In 2015, Geoff joined the railway industry with CNR where he worked as a conductor/locomotive operator, machine supervisor, fire prevention specialist and led many projects in Rail Grinding, Ultrasonic Inspection, and Welding. There he worked as an engineering technical officer for CN Rail’s Network Engineering Operations department until he joined the ARM/GRNA team as project manager in April 2024.

Previous Experience

2015 – 2024: Engineering Technical Officer at CN Rail specializing in Rail Grinding,

2014-2014 Project manager LEDCOR group/Telus Mobility

2009-2013 General Manager Springmasters Canada specializing in Sales Training 

Educational Background

St Mary’s College Diploma

Speaks

English