The investment includes a purpose-built eight-car train lift and bogie exchange workshop, wheel presses, axle and wheel lathes, automated bogie rotators, and paint booths, bearing washer and other specialist overhaul technology and equipment.
Downer, which has operated the Cardiff facility for more than 20 years, says the investment is important to allow it to deliver improved availability and reliability to Sydney Trains’ fleets. The facility has the capacity to refurbish 2340 bogies and 24,030 wheelsets per year.

The upgrade will enable a 50% reduction in the time taken to overhaul critical assets, and will support improved performance and extend the life of train assets such as bogies and wheels for all Sydney Trains fleets managed by Downer, including the Waratah, Millennium and Waratah Series 2.

“The completion of the bogie workshop at Cardiff will deliver overhaul and maintenance services immediately for the Waratah fleet ensuring minimal downtime for New South Wales commuters,” says executive general manager of rolling stock services, Mr Michael Miller. “Our expectation is that the Cardiff investment will result in further improvements to all Downer-managed rolling stock fleets. There will be improved reliability for these critical assets which are already recognised as world-class trains.”