The launch on July 20 was attended by Ms Karen Andrews MP, parliamentary secretary to Australia's minister for industry and science, and Victoria's minister for industry, Ms Lily D'Ambrosio.

The federal government has pledged $A 31m ($US 23m) over six years to create the RMCRC, supplemented by an even higher amount from industry. Manufacturers participating in RMCRC include Bombardier, Downer, Faiveley, OneSteel, Sigma, Simplex CNC Systems, and China's newly-formed CRRC.

"Collaboration between industry and R&D providers is a result of having a shared agenda driven by the 'On Track to 2014 Technology Roadmap' aligned with national research priorities in advanced manufacturing," says RMCRC's chairman, Mr Paul Johnson. "There is little doubt that Australian rail manufacturers will reap the benefits of innovative funding and commercialisation models offered through the RMCRC."