AUSTRALIA: The first of the C-Series electric multiple-units which Alstom is supplying for the Perth suburban network has begun initial overnight testing on the Joondalup and Mandurah lines.
The 1 067 mm gauge EMUs with a maximum speed of 130 km/h are expected to enter service from the end of the year.
In December 2019 Public Transport Authority of Western Australia awarded Alstom a A$1·3bn contract covering the supply of 41 six-car EMUs for the suburban network and the provision of 20 years of maintenance at the Nowergup depot, plus two three-car DMUs for the Australind service between Perth and Bunbury.
Alstom began production in Bellevue in June 2021, with the EMUs being the first trains to be locally manufactured in Western Australia for almost 30 years. Alstom has committed to achieving at least 50% local content.
‘We made a promise to bring railcar manufacturing back to Western Australia and I am incredibly proud to see the first train built locally in more than 30 years begin on-track testing’, said state Transport Minister Rita Saffioti on December 23.
‘I was onboard the train for the first test run and it was a really smooth ride.’
