Wabtec wins Australia locomotive order

Wabtec Corp. announced Monday that its MotivePower subsidiary has won a contract to build 22 new locomotives for CBH Group, a leading transporter of grain in Australia.

The contract includes a combination of standard- and narrow-gauge locomotives that will include components from a number of other Wabtec divisions. Delivery is to be completed in 2012.

“This project will meet our customer’s need for more-efficient locomotives, and will position Wabtec for similar opportunities in Australia in the future,” Albert J. Neupaver, Wabtec president and chief executive officer, said. “Wabtec has had a meaningful presence in Australia for 20 years, and we continue to expand our operations in this important rail market.”

CBH Group is one of Australia’s leading grain organizations and receives an average of 10 million tons of grain each year.

CBH Operations General Manager Colin Tutt said: “The tender process was very competitive with six companies from around the world bidding for the construction task. We are confident that MotivePower’s expertise and experience in building locomotives for freight rail will deliver Western Australia growers the best outcome. MotivePower’s locomotives were the best option for the task of moving grain on our rail lines, have good fuel economy, and meet U.S. Tier 2 emissions standards. The locomotives will provide better operational and environmental efficiencies and ultimately greater productivity, as well as being much safer than the existing fleet.”