Article: Downer snubs locals on train deal

[Derwan]

From http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/story/2011/12/26/downer-snubs-locals-on-tassie-train-deal/

DOWNER has just signed a $60 million contract to supply 17 trains to Tasmania, but Maryborough workers will not see a cent in wages because the trains will be built in the US.

The Tasrail contract was awarded to Downer Rail and Progress Rail Services USA in a deal signed last week, and while Downer will provide design support and training, construction will be in Patterson, Georgia.

"The trains built in Maryborough don't fit the track network in Tasmania, which is why the new trains are being built overseas," a Downer spokesman said.

A Tasrail representative said no bids had been received for the trains to be manufactured in Australia during the expressions-of-interest or tender process.

But Member for Maryborough Chris Foley has slammed the decision to send the work overseas, describing Downer's explanation as "pathetic".

"If they can build trains for Perth in Maryborough, surely they can build trains for Tasmania," Mr Foley said.

"They can build a train to the finest of engineering specifications in the world, but they can't make them wider or skinnier to fit different tracks? Surely they could set that up."

He said Downer should back its Australian workforce rather than looking overseas for staff.

"How can it be cheaper to have the trains built in America and then shipped over here, instead of building them here?" he asked.

I wonder what Downer's excuse will be if they win the next gen rolling-stock contract and source the trains off-shore!

[#Metro]

Dear Mr Foley, if you don't like it get your own train company and then you can run it how you want.

[SurfRail]

I wonder what Downer's excuse will be if they win the next gen rolling-stock contract and source the trains off-shore!

It has already been confirmed the NGR trains will not be built at Maryborough (although they may still be Bombardier sets).  Downer EDi actually dropped out of the bid.

I don't know why he is crowing anyway.  It's not like Mary West isn't building anything else at present.

[beauyboy]

"The trains built in Maryborough don't fit the track network in Tasmania, which is why the new trains are being built overseas," a Downer spokesman said.

Um we are narrow gauge they are narrow gauge what the hell is he talking about?

Donald

[beauyboy]

I have sent an email off asking what the hell they are referring to!

Donald

[SurfRail]

I have sent an email off asking what the hell they are referring to!

Donald

There is more than one aspect to fitting a locomotive onto a track - loading gauge, curve radius etc.  You need reasonably light engines for anything in Tassie.

I expect there would be no technical issue with Mary West building these trains, but does anybody really expect a cash-strapped Tasmanian government to stroke Queensland's ego for a very limited (ie expensive) production run which I expect is outside of the current product offering?

[O_128]

I wonder what Downer's excuse will be if they win the next gen rolling-stock contract and source the trains off-shore!

It has already been confirmed the NGR trains will not be built at Maryborough (although they may still be Bombardier sets).  Downer EDi actually dropped out of the bid.

I don't know why he is crowing anyway.  It's not like Mary West isn't building anything else at present.

Should be interesting, I doubt they will come from asia though after the NSW fiasco, my best bet is somewhere in europe.

[Derwan]

It has already been confirmed the NGR trains will not be built at Maryborough (although they may still be Bombardier sets).  Downer EDi actually dropped out of the bid.

Oops.  Got my names mixed up.

[beauyboy]

I have sent an email off asking what the hell they are referring to!

Donald

There is more than one aspect to fitting a locomotive onto a track - loading gauge, curve radius etc.  You need reasonably light engines for anything in Tassie.

What annoys me is what the comment was referring to. Comments need to make sense, or it could be the case the spokesperson has not a clue what the hell they are talking about.
to me the comment makes no sense as many of our old english electric locos were sent to tassy after QR was finished with them
donald

[Set in train]

Is Mary West the old Walkers' property?

[Derwan]

Is Mary West the old Walkers' property?

Not sure what Surfrail was referring to in that.  I haven't heard Walkers referred to as "Mary West".

Walkers is now Downer-EDI Rail, which is where our trains (to date) have been built.

"Maryborough West" is the train station west of Maryborough that replaced Baddow as the stop for Maryborough when the Maryborough rail bypass was built.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Pretty sure you can still see where the old Walkers watermark on the shed had been.

[petey3801]

Even if Downer had decided to build the trains in Aus, who say's they would be built in Maryborough?? Downer have more than one rollingstock manufacturing plant...

[Set in train]

Pretty sure you can still see where the old Walkers watermark on the shed had been.

Thanks HTG & Derwan.

Walkers carries a lot of heritage in Maryborough and for those with family who lived in Maryborough when it was known as such.