QR locos get $250m Siemens upgrade

<p>Siemens has won a $250m contract for the upgrade of 60 electric locomotives in Queensland Rail’s (QR) coal fleet.</p> <p>The upgrades should extend the life of the locomotive fleet a further 20 years and deliver a number of operational efficiencies, Siemens said.</p> <p>The company will upgrade 60 of the electric 31&#473200 class locomotives to the more powerful 3700 class.</p> <p>New electrical and traction control systems, as well as improved structural and bogies design, would combine to extend fleet life a minimum of 20 years, Siemens said.</p> <p>Siemens Australia and New Zealand managing director Albert Goller said the fleet upgrade would allow three rebuilt locomotives to do the work of five existing locos.</p> <p>"It was important for Siemens to demonstrate to QR the funds invested in the locomotive fleet will deliver significant efficiency improvements," Mr Goller said.</p> <p>The rebuilt locomotives will operate in the Goonyella coal haulage rail system in Queensland’s Bowen Basin region.</p> <p>They will be delivered to QR between March 2007 and December 2010.</p> <br />