Engineering group Downer EDI has won an A$1.7bn ($1.2bn) Sydney Growth Trains contract from Transport for New South Wales (NSW) in Australia.

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The contract includes an order of 24 double deck trains, with options for an additional 45 sets.

The company will also be responsible for train maintenance for an initial period of 25 years with a five-year extension option.

These trains will be manufactured and delivered to Downer by CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles (CRRC) under a sub-contract arrangement.

Downer CEO Grant Fenn said the Sydney Growth Trains contract would build on the success of the Waratah trains.

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“The Waratah trains have achieved exceptional availability and reliability, in fact, they are the best performing train in the world.

“There is more than 90% commonality between the design of the Sydney Growth Trains and the design of the Waratahs.

"All major sub-systems are the same including traction, brakes, doors, train information systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning."

"The Waratah trains have achieved exceptional availability and reliability, in fact, they are the best performing train in the world."

The collaboration between Downer and Transport for NSW is expected to provide long-term employment opportunities in the NSW rail industry.

Transport for NSW individually announced A$1.5bn ($1.1bn) investment in Sydney’s rail network to provide an uplift in customer service.

The ‘More Trains, More Services’ programme is aimed at addressing the 21% growth in patronage forecast over the next five years with the delivery of 24 new eight-car Waratah-style trains and acceleration of new express services on the T1 Western Line.

As part of the programme, track, signalling and power upgrades will also take place to increase capacity.

Image: Downer EDI receives $1.2bn Sydney Growth Trains contract. Photo: courtesy of Downer Group.

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