Another Australian-made locomotive rolls off the UGL Broadmeadow site and into service for Rail First Asset Management
UGL, a member of CIMIC Group, recently handed over its latest Australian-made locomotive to longstanding client Rail First Asset Management (Rail First).
UGL is Australia’s leading rail company and is one of the country’s largest regional employers. Its locomotive manufacturing team at Broadmeadow in NSW, supported by its manufacturing team in Townsville, is Australia’s only manufacturer of freight locomotives.
Rail First is Australia’s leading provider of rollingstock solutions for the rail industry, specialising in the leasing and maintenance of the third largest intermodal fleet in the country.
UGL’s C44 series locomotive is designed and manufactured by UGL in Australia and is powered by a Wabtec FDL engine. Wabtec is UGL’s longstanding partner in the manufacturing of the C44 locomotive. The C44 is well-known for its high quality and performance and will play a key role in the growth of Australia’s intermodal freight market.
At the ceremony to formally hand over the latest new Rail First locomotive, UGL’s Executive General Manager of Transport Ian Quarrie said:
“UGL has a long history of designing and manufacturing rolling stock in Australia and we’re pleased to handover the latest of our C44 series locomotives to Rail First with whom we enjoy an excellent long-term relationship.”
UGL and Rail First recently signed more than $100 million in additional multi-year agreements as part of Rail Firsts’ committed long term fleet growth plan.
Rail First Chief Executive Officer Mark Kirkpatrick said:
“Rail First’s additional locomotive purchases ensures we continue to support the long-term growth of the intermodal freight market which is growing at over three percent per annum. The delivery of these C44aci locomotives allows us to offer our clients an Australian designed and made asset to support their expanding needs. We are committed to growing our fleet by further investing in quality modern Australian-made fleet assets, providing additional intermodal customer solutions and reducing the emissions intensity of our fleet.”
UGL C44 series key facts:
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➢ Each C44 class locomotive is 22 metres long
➢ They weigh approximately 134 tonnes
➢ The C44 series locomotives are powered by Wabtec’s FDL engines, generating 4400 horespower of hauling capacity
➢ They are equipped with UGL’s proprietary “flexicurve” bogies to reduce wheel flange wear on curves
➢ With these new deliveries, there are now 14 “CF” locomotives in the Rail First fleet