SWINDON engineering firm, Halcrow has been named as the technical adviser to a railway project down under.

The company HQ, which is at Burderop Park, between Wroughton and Chiseldon, will advise on the £600 million renewal project of the passenger train fleet serving Sydney.

Chris Adams, Halcrow's regional director in Sydney said: "The timescales are challenging with the first trains due in service during 2008 and completion of the build stage by 2010."

The company has engaged by Rail Corporation New South Wales to provide technical services including the development of specifications; short listing of bidders and tender evaluation; and through to recommendation of preferred tenderer.