By Mr Michael CHAK 
On 6 September 2005, the CV Division organised a technical seminar on Design and Construction of Ma On Shan (MOS) Rail, which was successfully put into operation in December 2004 to serve the people in Shatin and Ma On Shan. The speaker was Ir Thomas Tam, the Project Manager of KCRC. The seminar was well received by more than 70 members.

The seminar began with the introduction of the background information and general details of Ma On Shan Rail by Ir Tam. The MOS Rail was 11.4 km and ran through busy areas on viaduct for 8.4 km. It also had an at-grade section of 3 km running along the median strip of an expressway.

Ir Tam then presented in detail the various challenges for the design and construction of this railway. They included:
- Environmental challenges for construction carried out adjacent to residential areas
- Selection of viaduct's typical span and segment section with consideration of programme, cost, constructability and flexibility 
- Modern viaduct construction methods using overhead gantry and under-slung gantry
- Constraints to construct a subway at existing Tai Wai Station
- Advanced enabling works of Shatin Central Link in Tai Wai Maintenance Depot area

Ir Tam also showed the design and construction programme of the MOS Rail and concluded that the project was successfully completed and opened to the public on time.

The seminar ended with the presentation of souvenir to the speaker by Ir Clement Siu, Project Manager of KCRC, on behalf of the CV Division. We once again thank Ir Tam for sharing with us his valuable working experience in the MOS Rail project.