After 16 years of service, some of Queensland Rail's city trains fleet is returning to their birthplace in Maryborough to undertake a major multi-million-dollar midlife overhaul, supporting 90 good train maintenance jobs in the region.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government's commitment to maintaining Maryborough's rich rail tradition was strong.
"Queensland Rail's Interurban and Suburban Multiple Unit (IMU/SMU) trains were built in Maryborough between 2007 and 2011, by Queenslanders, for Queenslanders," Mr Bailey said.
"Now, these same trains will undergo a multi-million-dollar overhaul back in Maryborough – keeping the jobs and skills in train maintenance alive in the region.
"64 trains will be progressively overhauled over a six year period which will keep the wheels turning for another 20 years.
"Maryborough is known for it's long and proud history in Queensland's rail industry, and now the next generation will deliver a suite of improvements to the trains that so many Queenslanders know and love."
Assistant Minister for Train Manufacturing and Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said this overhaul was just the tip of the iceberg for the region.
"I said when I was elected that we would bring jobs in the rail industry back to Maryborough after our town was left gutted by the LNP," Mr Saunders said.
"Under Campbell Newman and David Crisafulli, the LNP sent contracts for train building overseas, and the New Generation Rollingstock trains they ordered weren't even disability compliant.
"It's workers in Maryborough who are now fixing the mistakes make by the LNP when in power."
Mr Saunders said the IMU and SMU overhaul was one of four cornerstone projects under a $300 milion Strategic Partnership Agreement between Downer and Queensland Rail.
"This agreement is about locking in jobs in Maryborough for the next decade," he said.
"Good jobs, and better trains is what we are delivering which will have a flow on benefit workers, trainees, apprentices and commuters alike."
Queensland Rail CEO Kat Stapleton said the overhaul would see a total of 64 Queensland Rail trains progressively upgraded over the next six years.
"Over the last 16 years, these trains have done an incredible job for our customers right across the SEQ network," Ms Stapleton said.
"The time has come for the fleet to receive a well-deserved upgrade. so that they can provide safer, accessible, and more reliable services through engineering works involving load bearing structures, traction converters and high-voltage systems as well as customer enhancements including refreshed passenger seating, flooring and air-conditioning and new digital screens onboard.
"Importantly, once completed, the trains will provide customers with significantly improved accessibility to SEQ rail services.
"Our vision is to deliver a world-class rail network, and these works play a key role in that vision, ensuring our trains can continue carrying customers for many more years to come, especially as we prepare for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games."
