Knorr-Bremse awarded $30 million contract for upcoming Queensland trains

Transport company Knorr-Bremse has been awarded a contract worth approximately $30 million to build 520 climate control systems that will be aboard the upcoming fleet of trains built by Downer.

According to a statement from Queensland manufacturing minister Glenn Butcher and others on Tuesday, the contract under the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (QTMP) will see Knorr-Bremse make eight new hires and expand its Darra facility.

Its work will include mechanical, refrigeration and electrical assembly on the new systems.

The company’s Director Rail HVAC, Joe Schembri, said, “Knorr-Bremse is a global market leader in railway products and is excited to have the opportunity to be part of the QTMP, supporting Australian manufacturing.”

Butcher added: “This world leading air filtration technology will provide sterilised air inside the trains and eliminate both airborne and surface bacteria.

“…Our $9.5 billion [QTMP] is delivering opportunities for local businesses and jobs for Queenslanders.”

According to its website, German-headquartered Knorr-Bremse operates across 30 nations, and employs 30,000 worldwide, with 450 of these across six Australian sites. 

It has had a presence in Australia since 1987, and opened a braking systems, doors and HVAC factory in Granville, Western Sydney, in 2013.

QTMP lead Downer was awarded the contract in June 2023, and will to build 65 six-car passenger trains. 

The trains will be assembled at a purpose-built factory at Torbanlea, scheduled to be completed in late-2025 and with manufacture to begin soon after. The first train is expected to be completed late the following year.

Picture: credit Queensland government

Further reading

Downer’s $4.6 billion train manufacturing contract

Queensland joins WA in move to boost train manufacturing

New manufacturing centre of excellence launched in QLD