The first Tangara train has arrived at the Cardiff Maintenance Centre for refurbishment, marking the start of work to help rebuild the Hunter’s rail manufacturing workforce.
The 18-train renewal program will employ about 100 skilled workers and 20 apprentices at the local facility.
Each train is expected to have its operational life extended by 10-to-15 years.
The milestone comes days after the NSW Government announced a $12 billion commitment to return large-scale train manufacturing to the Hunter.
Plans are underway for a new state-owned facility that would support train production for at least the next 30 years.
Premier Chris Minns said the project was about restoring an industry that had long been part of the region’s identity.
“For too long, NSW got out of the business of building trains,” he explained.
“We lost thousands of skilled jobs, manufacturing capability and the opportunity to keep billions of dollars of investment here at home.
“We’re changing that.
“The Hunter has a proud history of building the trains that kept NSW moving.
“Our job is to make sure it has the opportunity to do it again… and not just for one project, but for generations to come.”
Transport Minister John Graham said there was strong symbolism in the first Tangara returning to Cardiff almost four decades after it was originally built nearby at Broadmeadow.
“It’s fantastic to see it roll into the sheds at Cardiff, 40 years after it rolled out of Broadmeadow and began serving the travelling public,” he stated.
“The Hunter has a rich history of building trains.
“And, this refurbishment work is the perfect way to ramp up the workforce as we bring train manufacturing back where it belongs.”
Mr Graham said the program would help create jobs while preparing workers for future projects.
“We know mining and manufacturing jobs have been hit hard in this community and that’s put pressure on families,” he added.
“That’s why we’re committed to building trains in the Hunter again, so more of the jobs and investment stays here in NSW.”
The broader Tangara Life Extension Program will refurbish 55 eight-car trains across facilities at Cardiff, Auburn and Flemington over the next three years.
Upgrades include new passenger information displays, improved CCTV, enhanced public address systems, emergency help points and new computer operating systems.
The NSW Government has identified two possible locations for its proposed Hunter train manufacturing facility.
The first is the former coal mine at Teralba and the second is Broadmeadow’s Locomotive Depot.
The site will be chosen following further assessment and consultation.
The project is expected to support up to 780 construction jobs and around 550 ongoing roles across the facility and its supply chain.
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