Queensland has begun a multimillion-dollar overhaul of its city trains fleet, returning 64 16-year-old trains to their Maryborough manufacturer for a major midlife overhaul in a cornerstone project for the State Government’s $300 million commitment to rail maintenance.
The trains from Queensland Rail’s Interurban (IMU) and Suburban Multiple Unit (SMU) fleets were first built in Maribyrnong between 2007 and 2011.
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey, said the State Government would maintain its commitment to Maryborough’s rich rail tradition.
“Queensland Rail’s Interurban and Suburban Multiple Unit (IMU/SMU) trains were built in Maryborough, now these same trains will undergo a multi-million-dollar overhaul back in Maryborough – keeping the jobs and skills in train maintenance alive in the region,” Mr Bailey said.
“64 trains will be progressively overhauled over a six year period which will keep the wheels turning for another 20 years.
“Maryborough is known for its long and proud history in Queensland’s rail industry, and now the next generation will deliver a suite of improvements to the trains that so many Queenslanders know and love.”
Marybourough secured the $300 million works following advocacy from the Australian Manufacturers Union, who urged the Queensland government to support Maryborough manufacturers in their ‘Save Our Jobs, Save Maryborough’ campaign during 2018.
Queensland Assistant Minister for Train Manufacturing and Member for Maryborough, Bruce Saunders, said the IMU and SMU overhaul was one of four cornerstone projects under a $300 million Strategic Partnership Agreement between Downer and Queensland Rail.
“This agreement is about locking in jobs in Maryborough for the next decade,” he said.
“Good jobs, and better trains is what we are delivering which will have a flow on benefit workers, trainees, apprentices and commuters alike.”
