Momentum Trains (a consortium of CAF, UGL Rail Services, Pacific Partnerships, CAF Investment Projects and DIF Infrastructure V Coöperatieffor) has been awarded the A$2.8 billion project to design, build, finance and maintain the new New South Wales regional rail fleet, along with a new purpose-built maintenance facility in Dubbo to help stimulate regional economies.

The new regional fleet will comprise 117 new carriages to form 10 regional intercity trains, 9 short regional trains and 10 long regional trains. The contract also includes maintenance services for the first 15 years.

NSW TrainLink will operate the new regional fleet with the first trains to be progressively introduced from 2023.

“This is a new era for regional rail in NSW,” Mr Barilaro (Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW) said.