The upgrades are expected by QR to deliver significant operational efficiency improvements and contribute to the operator meeting its projected coal haulage growth targets.
The rebuilt locomotives will operate in the Goonyella coal haulage rail system in Queensland’s Bowen Basin.
QR said yesterday it had awarded a contract worth $A250 million to Siemens Transportation Systems to upgrade its locomotives and extend their service lives by 20 years.
Under the plan, Siemens and its partner United Group Rail will upgrade 60 electric 31/3200 class locomotives to the more powerful 3700 class.
Siemens Australia chairman Albert Goller said the locomotives would be delivered between March 2007 and December 2010.
United Group Rail is a subsidiary of major infrastructure provider United Group, which also provides services to the power, water, resources, property and defence sectors.
As well as Siemens, United Group Rail also has partnerships with Mitsubishi Electric, GE Transportation Systems and power generation specialist ALSTOM.
United Group Rail will be providing the mechanical refurbishments, while Siemens will supply and install the electrical and traction control systems.
