- Live testing has commenced on the first WA made six-car C-series train
- Testing will initially occur between Butler and Clarkson stations
- The first of the 246 new C-series railcars are expected to be operational in late-2023
- New trains will service major METRONET projects including the Morley-Ellenbrook Train Line
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti has jumped on board the first new C-series train, as it took its maiden test run on Perth’s passenger train network.
The train is the first to have been built and manufactured locally in Western Australia in more than 30 years.
Testing will take place on the Joondalup and Mandurah Lines between midnight and 4am, ensuring there is no disruption to regular train services.
Braking systems, load testing, passenger comfort and infrastructure integration will be put to the test to ensure travel can occur safely, reliably, and smoothly when the train enters service late next year.
The train was relocated from the Bellevue Railcar Manufacturing Facility earlier this year and has been undergoing testing at the State Government’s Nowergup Depot in preparation for on-track testing.
It’s yet another milestone in the delivery of the State Government’s promise to build and manufacture trains locally and create more employment and supply opportunities.
A second new C-series train has already been moved to the Nowergup Depot and will also begin on-track testing imminently. A third C-series train is currently undergoing static testing at the Bellevue facility and will be moved to the Nowergup Depot soon.
The first C-series train is expected to begin passenger operations in late-2023.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“We made a promise to bring railcar manufacturing back to Western Australia and I am incredibly proud to see the first train built locally in more than 30 years begin on-track testing.
“I was on board the train for the first test run and it was a really smooth ride. We rode from the depot in Nowergup to Butler and then back to Clarkson. I can’t wait for the community to experience these new trains when they begin entering operation from late next year.
“While the on-track testing is a major milestone – the journey to this point has been even more important. We’ve created jobs for Western Australians and supported industry, with a number of local businesses playing a critical role in supplying key components for the trains.
“The testing will ensure the new C-series railcars are ready to begin passenger services late next year.
“In total, we will be producing 246 new C-series railcars, which will play a critical role in servicing our rail network, which will see significant expansion in the coming years through a number of major METRONET projects.”
