Train contract coming to Downer’s Maryborough factory

The state government has announced a multimillion-dollar train overhaul will be carried out at a Maryborough factory.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk with Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders and Transport Minister Mark Bailey.

A multimillion-dollar overhaul of 64 trains to be completed in Maryborough is expected to support 90 jobs.

After 16 years of service, the Queensland Rail’s city trains fleet are returning to their birthplace in Maryborough to undertake the work, the state government has confirmed.

Assistant Minister for Train Manufacturing and Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said this overhaul was just the tip of the iceberg for the region.

He said the Queensland Rail’s Interurban and Suburban Multiple Unit trains overhaul was one of four cornerstone projects under a $300m 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.”

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the trains were built in Maryborough between 2007 and 2011.

“Now, these same trains will undergo a multimillion-dollar overhaul back in Maryborough – keeping the jobs and skills in train maintenance alive in the region,” he said.

“64 trains will be progressively overhauled over a six-year period which will keep the wheels turning for another 20 years.

DOWNER FIX UP: Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey at the Downer EDI factory in Maryborough.

“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.”

Queensland Rail CEO Kat Stapleton said the overhaul would see a total of 64 Queensland Rail trains progressively upgraded over the next six years.

Transport Minster Mark Bailey with Maryborough member Bruce Saunders (right) in the first of 76 NGR trains to be repaired at Downer EDI.

“The time has come for the fleet to receive a well-deserved upgrade, so that they can provide safer, accessible, and more reliable services through engineering works involving load bearing structures, traction converters and high-voltage systems as well as customer enhancements including refreshed passenger seating, flooring and airconditioning and new digital screens on-board,” she said.

“Importantly, once completed, the trains will provide customers with significantly improved accessibility to SEQ rail services.

“Our vision is to deliver a world-class rail network, and these works play a key role in that vision, ensuring our trains can continue carrying customers for many more years to come, especially as we prepare for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

The news comes after the soil was turned on a new train factory to be built at Torbanlea.

The $239m factory, to be built on Ritchie Rd, will generate 800 jobs.

The project was announced in October 2021, as part of the State Government’s $7.1bn plan to boost Queensland’s train manufacturing industry and build and operate 65 trains.