Melbourne, 30 November 2005
Siemens in Australia has been awarded a $250 million contract by QR (Queensland Rail) to upgrade 60 electric locomotives.
The upgrade program will extend the life of the present fleet of locomotives by 20 years while delivering significant operational efficiency improvements to support QR in meeting its projected coal haulage growth targets.
Siemens Australia and New Zealand Chairman & Managing Director, Albert Goller, said the fleet upgrade would enable three locomotives to deliver the haulage performance of five existing locomotives.
"It was important for Siemens to demonstrate to QR the funds invested in the locomotive fleet will deliver significant efficiency improvements," said Mr Goller.
"This is the basis for how Siemens does business in Australia and New Zealand, delivering critical infrastructure in transportation, power, communications, automation, healthcare and buildings.
"Our customers, whether business or government, demand an accountable and reliable long-term partner - these upgraded locomotives will be delivered between March 2007 and December 2010," said Mr Goller.
Siemens and its partner, United Group Rail, will upgrade 60 electric 31/3200 class locomotives to the more powerful 3700 class. It is anticipated the rebuilt locomotives will operate in the Goonyella coal haulage rail system in the Bowen Basin region.
The project management and electrical technology for the locomotives upgrade will be delivered by Siemens Transportation Systems with United Group Rail performing the mechanical refurbishments and fit-out.
The upgrade will include new electrical and traction control systems and improved structural and bogie design to ensure minimum design life of 20 years.
Siemens Transportation Systems in Australia continues to build a strong rail portfolio with recent successes in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
In Melbourne, Siemens recently announced the six-month early delivery of the final tranche of 30 train carriages to Connex Melbourne. This final delivery of a total fleet of 216 carriages has been brought forward six months from July 2006 to January 2006 to meet the transportation challenges of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
Siemens has also recently secured its first overhead electrification contract for the 70 kilometre $1.4 billion Perth to Mandurah rail extension.
The New South Wales metropolitan rail network driver communication system has also been managed by Siemens since 1992.