Passenger Rail, Rolling stock & Rail Vehicle Design

NSW signs contracts for 117 regional railcars, Dubbo facility

The NSW Government has selected the winning team to deliver the $2.8 billion project to design, build, finance and maintain the state’s next regional rail fleet.

The state on February 14 signed a contract for the delivery of the new fleet and 15 years of maintenance with Momentum Trains, a consortium of CAF, UGL, CPB Contractors and equity financing partners Pacific Partners, CAF Investment Projects and DIF.

Under the contract ‘fit out and commissioning’ of the trains will take place in Dubbo.

CAF will deliver 117 railcars to form 10 regional intercity trains, 9 short regional trains, and 10 long regional trains. CPB Contractors will design, construct and commission the fleet’s maintenance facility in Dubbo. UGL will maintain both the fleet and the facility for 15 years.

The state says the capital cost of the fleet and facility comes to $1.26 billion.

Deputy premier and minister for regional NSW John Barilaro said the Coalition was delivering on its commitment to build a first-class rail fleet for regional passengers.

“This is a new era for regional rail in NSW,” Barilaro said. “This government is following through on its commitment to replace the old rail fleet with a new modern fleet that passengers can use to travel in comfort with all of the facilities expected of modern rail transport.”

The new fleet will replace the state’s XPT, XPLORER and Endeavour trains, some of which are close to 36 years old.

“This investment will inject billions of new dollars into regional NSW, creating local jobs during the fit out and commissioning of the new fleet and building a new industry in Dubbo to service and maintain that fleet,” Barilaro continued.

“This is one of the most exciting transformations of passenger rail in NSW for decades, improving how people travel in regional NSW and making sure that investment goes straight back into regional economies.”

New features of the trains include more comfortable, reversible seating, window blinds, charging points for electronic devices and overhead luggage storage similar to what is available on airlines, transport minister Andrew Constance said.

“For trips on the regional network, we’ll be introducing new economy and premium classes,” Constance said. “Economy class will have a two by two seating layout while premium class will feature an increased number of seats, set in a two by one layout. Trains for longer regional journeys will also feature buffet cars and will be more comfortable for those who require wheelchair access.

“Building the new maintenance facility in Dubbo is a major boost for regional economies. Some 200 jobs will be created during the construction phase, around 60 jobs during train completion works, and around 50 permanent jobs during ongoing operations, including a number of apprenticeships and traineeships.”

NSW TrainLink will operate the new regional fleet with the first trains to be progressively introduced from 2023.