Downer/Hyundai Rotem Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (QTMP)

Where the NGRs were built in India, the next generation of South East Queensland trains are being built locally. Under the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program, Downer is building 65 six-car trains at a new purpose-built facility at Torbanlea, near Maryborough. Downer was named preferred supplier in early 2023, and the $4.6 billion design, build and maintain contract was signed on 30 June 2023, covering construction, manufacturing and 15 years of maintenance. Hyundai Rotem is Downer's design partner and was to build two prototypes in Korea to establish the manufacturing process, but all 65 trains will be built at Torbanlea. The fleet will be maintained and stabled at a new depot at Ormeau on the Gold Coast.

Major construction at Torbanlea began in late 2023, and in July 2026 Downer announced the facility was complete and manufacturing had begun. The 22,000 square metre building moves each carriage through eight manufacturing stations, and around 300 people will work on site at full capacity. The remaining site infrastructure is due to be finished by the end of 2026 so the first trains can roll out. As of late 2023, the plan was for the first train to begin testing in 2026 and enter passenger service in 2027, with all 65 in service ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The new trains will run the additional services enabled by Cross River Rail and the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail projects. Accessibility has been a focus from the outset, given the NGR experience: the design has been developed with the disability sector and includes Train Boarding Bridges and Electronic Levelling Controls. We'll add class numbers and technical details once they're published.

References

'Maryborough's Downer locked in as Queensland's rail manufacturing powerhouse', Queensland Government ministerial statement, 30 June 2023
'Queensland Train Manufacturing Program brings more investment to Maryborough', Queensland Government ministerial statement, 22 November 2023
'Queensland Train Manufacturing Program contract', Downer, 2 August 2023
'Start of manufacturing on QTMP', Downer, 7 July 2026