This paper introduces the new international Engineering Safety Management (iESM) guidance for the worldwide railway industry been developed by Technical Programme Delivery Ltd and reviewed by an international working group of senior practitioners, supported by MTR Corporation Hong Kong. The aims of the new iESM guidance are to help: tackle the pressures from increased complexity of railway systems, address decreased public and passenger tolerance for avoidable accidents, focus spending on preventing incidents and smooth the way for acceptance of new technology or novel applications. The guidance has been written principally for people around the world who use their judgement to take or review decisions that affect railway safety and to help them exercise their judgement in a systematic and informed manner. iESM was launched to enthusiastic support in Hong Kong and Florida in April 2013 and work has continued to develop more detailed guidance application in the areas of independent assessment, human safety and evaluating risk. The guidance is freely available form www.intesm.org where progressively other useful and relevant information is being made available.