MELBOURNE, VICTORIA – Morwell in the Latrobe Valley will be powering the Victorian Government’s new High Capacity Metro Trains, with sixteen locals joining in a variety of roles to assemble traction and electrical auxiliary systems for the latest fleet of 65 new trains.
A new facility has been established by CRRC Times Electric Australia – a subsidiary of the largest rolling stock manufacturer in the world – in Morwell.
“Setting up a key component of the supply chain in Morwell forms part of Evolution Rail’s underlying commitment to local manufacturing and investment here in Victoria. A commitment reinforced by agreements with local suppliers and businesses across the state.
“Targeted training and knowledge transfer is underway to support these workers acquiring new skills and to help them play an important part in transforming the rail manufacturing industry in Victoria” Phillip Walker, Evolution Rail CEO said.
“Once assembled the traction motors will be transported to the Newport manufacturing facility where we have multiple car bodies already being assembled and fitted out.”
The traction system will convert the electrical energy into mechanical energy to propel the new trains using motors and gearboxes. The electrical auxiliary systems power the train’s internal lighting and air-conditioning and provide emergency power when overhead line power is not available.
The new fleet will progressively enter service from mid-2019 on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines and will eventually run through the Metro Tunnel to Sunbury.
CRRC Times Electric Australia is a subsidiary of CRRC – a member of the Evolution Rail consortium that also includes Downer and Plenary, contracted by the Victorian Government to deliver 65 new High Capacity Metro Trains. The Project will result in 1100 jobs including through the supply chain.
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For further information please contact:
Nataly Matijevic, Interface Manager, Evolution Rail
+61 412 646 656 nataly.matijevic@evolutionrail.com
About Evolution Rail
The Evolution Rail consortium, that is made up of Downer, CRRC and Plenary, has been contracted by the Victorian Government, via a public private partnership, to deliver the High Capacity Metro Trains (HCMT) Project. The project includes the delivery of 65 trains that will be maintained by Evolution Rail for 35 years.
For more information about the project visit: www.transport.vic.gov.au/biggertrains