First Parramatta Light Rail vehicle arrives

New South Wales’ Parramatta Light Rail reached a major new milestone in December with the arrival of the first vehicle in the new fleet and construction on the light rail stops nearly complete.

Once complete, the new network will provide frequent, reliable transport services between Westmead and Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD, supporting residents, local businesses and the nearly 14,000 students who attend the nearby university.

The new light rail vehicles will be fully accessible with low floors; be air-conditioned; have dual electric and battery power with roofmounted rechargeable batteries to operate in two ‘wire free’ zones; have bicycle racks; and use real-time passenger count information.

The first vehicle was offloaded from a ship at Port Kembla. The 45-metre-long, dual electric (conventional catenary and battery-powered) vehicle arrived at Australian Amalgamated

Terminals (AAT) aboard the Boheme Singapore, before being transported to Parramatta.

NSW Ports commercial and business development general manager Campbell Mason said the arrival of the vehicle illustrated Port Kembla’s capacity to handle large items of cargo and support the state’s public transport projects.

“Port Kembla is a vital trade gateway which is perfectly positioned to help deliver large and unique operating equipment, like Parramatta Light Rail vehicles, enhancing public transport connectivity and experiences for residents and visitors across Greater Sydney,” he said.

“The light rail project is all about serving Greater Sydney’s growing population – a task undertaken daily by NSW Ports and logistics providers operating in Port Kembla.

“The port handles hundreds of bulk and general cargo vessels each year carrying a diverse range of imports and exports.

“The direct road and rail links between Port Kembla and Greater Sydney help ensure productive and efficient supply chains for the people and businesses of NSW.”

Meanwhile, the majority of the main infrastructure work was now complete, with 100 per cent of track installed and construction of the light rail stops nearly complete. Overhead canopies for weather protection have been installed at 14 of the stops, with canopies to be in place at all 16 stops by the end of the year.

The project is also providing a major boost to the local economy, supporting 5000 local jobs and using around 4000 tonnes of Australian steel.

Silverwater-based manufacturing company Icon Metal has been engaged to manufacture and install the prefabricated light rail stop components.

Qube, Australia’s largest integrated provider of import and export logistics services, has purchased 12 new GT46 locomotives from Progress Rail – a Caterpillar Company and one of the largest integrated diversified providers of rolling stock and infrastructure solutions and technologies for the global rail industry.

The locomotives, which will all be delivered in 2023, will be used for Qube’s new interstate services between Melbourne and Sydney.

Qube’s director of logistics and infrastructure, John Digney, said the purchase of the additional locomotives would enable the continued growth of the new service.

“These locos will further strengthen our ability to provide Qube customers with an efficient and regular rail service between Australia two most populous capital cities, for which we expect to see growing demand,” he said.

“Since 2021, Qube has invested significantly in its rail business and grown its locomotive fleet by 32, enabling the efficient and reliable movement of freight via rail and helping get trucks off roads, which has the added benefit of reducing CO2 emissions.”

Progress Rail senior vice-president Colin Kerelchuk said the company was pleased to support Qube with the EMD 4500 horsepower, Tier 3 emissions, heavy-haul to providing best-in-class products and services,” he said.

The 12 new units will be delivered in New South Wales, commencing August 2023.