Pilbara Rail Collaboration Centre opened by WA government

A new Rail Collaboration Centre (RCC) at Karratha, operated by the CORE Innovation Hub, has been opened.

The centre will provide a platform to undertake world class testing, research and development in supporting iron ore railcar manufacturing”, according to the Western Australian government, which contributed $998,000 to its establishment.

“The opening of this new Rail Collaboration Centre in the Pilbara is another major step towards building an exciting new industry specialising in the manufacture of world class iron ore railcars,” said industry development minister Stephen Dawson in a statement on Friday.

“Our resources sector relies heavily on railcars, and it makes perfect sense to invest in developing a local industry that will manufacture, test and conduct research on delivering a state-of-the-art iron ore railcar.

The RCC – which also has hubs located in Newman and Perth – was announced in November last year and has been established with support from Rio Tinto.

It aims to fill a gap in assessing the development of new rolling stock, infrastructure, technology and ideas.

Picture: credit Rio Tinto

Further reading

WA government announces $1 million for new Rail Collaboration Centre in Karratha

Manufacturing Rail Collaboration Centre for the Pilbara