Train manufacturing closer in Queensland

The Hyundai Rotem Corporation will establish a stand-alone local presence on the Fraser Coast with the purchase of an industrial site and plans to establish a factory to produce sub-components for train car bodies.

The facility will be focused on roll forming which involves the continuous bending of a long strip of sheet metal – typically coiled steel – to make sub-components for train car bodies.

This kind of component has been made overseas for decades but will now be made locally as part of the state’s $9.5 billion Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (QTMP).

The Hyundai Rotem facility is in addition to the QTMP site being built at Torbanlea and Downer’s facility at Maryborough (pictured).

Sixty Five six-car passenger trains are being built in the programme which are expected to be in service in time for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Major works are underway at the Torbanlea facility to transform from a former pineapple farm into Australia’s newest state-of-the-art train manufacturing facility.

Downer was awarded the Design Build Maintain Contract (DBM) for the QTMP earlier this year with early works to upgrade local intersections within Torbanlea started in August 2022.

Hyundai Rotem CEO Yong-Bae Lee said: “Hyundai Rotem’s Maryborough factory will be operational in 2025 and will provide the roll forming to be used for rail car bodies at the Torbanlea train manufacturing facility.

“Queensland does not currently have roll forming capability, and such components have historically been made overseas. We believe this investment strengthens Queensland’s rail manufacturing capabilities while creating new jobs in the region.”

Further reading:
Queensland joins WA in move to boost train manufacturing

Picture: Downer/Maryborough Service Delivery Centre