Frequently asked questions

The name was decided by the NSW Government and the choice was a very easy one. The Waratah is our state's floral emblem.

The use of the NSW emblem as the train's name reflects the significance of the Rolling Stock PPP Project to NSW - the positive impact the project will have on NSW public transport and the NSW economy.

In the years ahead, RailCorp will need more carriages to meet increased demand and meet its customers' expectations of comfort, air conditioning, safety and reliability on board our trains.

The new trains are next generation trains and have been designed to last at least 30 years. Changes in technology and safety requirements have occurred and the new trains include features such as:

• Smart, energy-saving air-conditioning, which automatically adjusts to the number of passengers and conditions
• Increased security with additional internal closed-circuit TV (CCTV) monitoring covering all areas of the train carriage;
• Improved safety and crashworthiness design - including upgraded fire safety systems and new Internal Emergency Door Releases so passengers can easily evacuate in an emergency situation if required
• New carriage configuration which allows passengers to walk through the entire train so they can be evacuated quickly to either end of the train in an emergency event
• Additional passenger Emergency Help Points on the train with direct access to the guards, supported by CCTV cameras
• External CCTV cameras which provide train guards with a view of the platform train interface, providing a better view of passengers boarding and alighting at stations with curved platforms.
• Improved disability access features including additional handrails, priority seats with increased wheelchair spaces - 16 per eight carriage train
• Advanced passenger information and communication system with automatic announcements and electronic screens highlighting the trains stopping pattern and approaching station, and
• A wider set-back area in the train vestibule to promote faster boarding and alighting resulting in less station dwell time.

The NSW Government has a contract with Reliance Rail to build and maintain the 626 new Waratah carriages. Reliance Rail has contracted Downer EDI Rail-Hitachi Joint Venture for the design and manufacture of the trains.

Downer EDI Rail is also responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of the new Auburn Maintenance Centre on behalf of Reliance Rail.

All train building in Australia relies heavily on the importation of the train's major systems and equipment because we do not manufacture many of these major parts in this country.

This is the largest passenger train manufacturing/procurement project in Australian history. The 626 carriages will represent 50% of Sydney's electric suburban fleet.

For a project of this scale, both tender proponents for the final PPP contract each had overseas manufacture components to their bids.

The Changchun Railway Vehicles Company (CRC) in China is the largest passenger rail vehicle manufacturer in Asia and one of the few manufacturing companies in the world with proven capacity to meet the PPP project requirements.

There remains significant train manufacturing work to be done in the Hunter for the final assembly and testing and commissioning of the trains including flow-on benefits to local business.

Some key manufacturing activities anticipated to occur at Downer EDI Rail's Cardiff facility include:
a) Crew cab manufacturing and assembly;
b) Major electrical and mechanical fit out, assembly and testing work for cabs and electrical lockers; and
c) Assembly, integration and testing of all major components, equipment and the roof mounted sub-assemblies to produce complete cars and train sets.

The traction (power) inverters, auxiliary power supplies, traction motors and filter reactors will be manufactured by Hitachi in Japan and transported to Cardiff for integration into the train sets.

The manufacturing quality assurance process and static testing is monitored by RailCorp subject matter experts.

In addition, the trains will not be accepted for passenger service unless RailCorp is satisfied they meet performance and safety standards, following extensive testing on the CityRail network.

Claims made that RailCorp has requested 19,000 changes to the design of the train are wrong

While there have been 254 agreed variations and design changes made throughout the development of the train, the Simulators and the Auburn Maintenance Centre – only 25 were initiated by RailCorp.

Any changes to the design of the train have been made with safety, reliability and the comfort of passengers given the highest priority – and only with the agreement of both parties.

Over the life of the project it is estimated that 800 local jobs will be created directly and indirectly across NSW.

Almost 300 people are expected to be employed in the Hunter region for the final assembly and testing and commissioning of the trains, including flow-on effects to local business. This includes 190 mechanical and electrical engineering jobs and 29 apprenticeships at Downer EDI Rail's Cardiff manufacturing facility.

It is estimated the Waratah PPP project will deliver a $200 million boost to the Hunter economy and confirm the region as the train manufacturing centre of NSW.

Reliance Rail expects another 150 new jobs will be created to maintain the fleet.

During the peak construction period of the $220 million train maintenance facility at Auburn around 250 people were employed.

Delivering a "physical" train is just the first step: the safety and reliability of the train's performance must be proven through testing before a train can be introduced into passenger service.

Read more information about the steps to introducing the new Waratah into passenger service

RailCorp is operationally ready with the infrastructure and the trained people required in place to support the Waratah trains introduction into passenger service.

The $870m Traction (power) Supply Upgrade Program (TSU) is on schedule - and the section of the CityRail network where the new train is set to be deployed first is ready. The TSU program includes new and upgraded substations, high voltage feeders and overhead wiring projects at key sites. The upgrade will continue ahead of the deployment of the Waratah trains on different parts of the network.

Similarly, platform upgrades - extending platforms, upgrading lighting are completed.

A $12m refurbishment and expansion of the Petersham Training College was completed in July last year - ready for the installation of the Waratah crew training simulator suite which was completed in August 2010.

Training of the drivers and guards is underway.

The first stages of a major ICT system developed to support the maintenance and contract management of the new fleet - has been successfully deployed and the next two stages are scheduled to be deployed in the first half of 2011.

The new trains will operate on the Airport & East Hills, Bankstown, South & Inner West, Western, Northern and North Shore lines.

On behalf of Reliance Rail, Downer EDI Rail is responsible for the design and construction of the facility. The facility will be operated and maintained by EDI Rail PPP Maintenance Pty Ltd (another wholly owned subsidiary of Downer EDI).

The Auburn Maintenance Centre is the maintenance centre for the Waratah fleet.

EDI Rail PPP Maintenance Pty Ltd will maintain the trains for the contract term, on behalf of Reliance Rail.

The Auburn Maintenance Centre's equipment has been selected on its ability to reduce train maintenance downtime, in turn ensuring greater availability of Sydney's new passenger train fleet.

The centre incorporates a state-of-the-art fleet management system, which will allow maintenance personnel to monitor each train's computer system in near real time. This will enable maintenance personnel to see exactly what the train driver can see and advise appropriate action for situations as they arise.

The site area extends approximately 2km in length × 100-300m wide. The Maintenance Facility building is approximately 200m long × 80m wide, including 1,600m² of office/amenities space.

This state-of-the-art facility consists of seven maintenance roads, a maintenance shed with a maintenance capacity for 1,000 cars, an automatic train wash plant and underfloor wheel profiling lathe.

- Established on site - April 2007
- Construction began - September 2007
- Construction completed - June 2010
- Train maintenance - 2010-2043

Approximately 250 people were engaged during the AMC's peak construction period in 2008-10. During the operational phase of the AMC 150 people will be employed for the maintenance of Sydney's new train fleet for a minimum of 30 years. The recruitment process will be aligned with the progressive roll out of the trains.