UGL, a member of CIMIC Group, recently handed over its latest Australian-made locomotive to longstanding client Rail First Asset Management.
One of the country’s largest regional employers, UGL has teams at Broadmeadow in NSW, and Townsville Queensland, and is Australia’s only manufacturer of freight locomotives.
Rail First is Australia’s leading provider of rolling stock solutions for the rail industry, specialising in the leasing and maintenance of the third largest intermodal fleet in the country.
The C44 series locomotive is designed and manufactured by UGL in Australia and is powered by a Wabtec FDL engine. Wabtec is UGL’s longstanding partner in the manufacturing of the C44, well-known for its high quality and performance.
At the ceremony to formally hand over the new train, UGLs Executive General Manager of Transport Ian Quarrie said the company had a long history of designing and manufacturing rolling stock in Australia.
“We are pleased to hand over the latest of our C44 series locomotives to Rail First with whom we enjoy an excellent long-term relationship,” he said.
UGL and Rail First recently signed more than $100 million in additional multi-year agreements as part of Rail Firsts’ committed long term fleet growth plan.
Rail First Chief Executive Officer Mark Kirkpatrick said the additional purchases ensured the company continued to support the long-term growth of the intermodal freight market, which was growing at over three per cent per annum.
“We are committed to growing our fleet by further investing in quality modern Australian-made fleet assets, providing additional intermodal customer solutions and reducing the emissions intensity of our fleet,” he said.
UGL C44 series key facts
- Each C44 class locomotive is 22 metres long
- They weigh approximately 134 tonnes
- The C44 series locomotives are powered by Wabtec’s FDL engines, generating 4400 horsepower of hauling capacity
- They are equipped with UGL’s proprietary “flexicurve” bogies to reduce wheel flange wear on curves.