By Kyra Gillespie
The first of Victoria’s new High Capacity Metro Trains will be tested at the Pakenham East Depot next month.
The 160-metre long train will undergo testing at Newport before being relocated to the Pakenham facility to undergo further testing.
The trains are being built using 60 per cent local content –with bogie frames being built in Bendigo, traction and electrical systems made in Morwell, key electrical components and pantographs from Hallam, gearboxes from Altona and braking systems from Derrimut.
They will be the first new trains to hit Melbourne’s network in 20 years.
While the local depot is still not complete, the Integrated Test Facility is ready to test the new trains.
The remaining construction work at Pakenham will be focused on internal fit-out and completion activities, as well as some track and signalling work.
“Works at the Pakenham East Depot are due for completion by the end of 2018 and will commence operations in early 2019,” Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said.
“The Integrated Test Facility at the site is complete and ready to receive the first High Capacity Metro Train, which will commence testing in November 2018.”
Over 100 long-term maintenance jobs will be created at the site, with recruitment about to commence for the initial round of workers.
Job candidates and business suppliers are asked to register their interest in opportunities by attending an information session at the Pakenham Community Hall (corner John and Henry Streets) between 5-6pm on Monday 12 November.
Once all trains are delivered in 2023, the depot will support maintenance and cleaning activities for all 65 high-capacity trains, ensuring they are safe and reliable for Melbourne’s network.
Up to 30 of the trains will be stabled overnight at the depot.
