Cardiff

The final manufacture, assembly, fit-out and commissioning of the trains take place in Downer EDI Rail’s Cardiff manufacturing facility, where they use the skills and experience of the local workforce in the Hunter Valley.

About 300 jobs were created in the Hunter during the final assembly and testing and commissioning of the train carriages, including local business flow-on effects. This includes about 190 mechanical and electrical trades people and 30 apprentices employed during the peak of the train manufacture at the Downer EDI Rail Cardiff manufacturing facility.

Components of the train installed at Cardiff include the crew cabs, air-conditioning, some traction equipment and the train's computer and electrical systems.

The project delivers a $200 million economic boost to the Hunter economy and positions the region as the train manufacturing centre of NSW.

Downer EDI Rail exceeds the NSW Government's 20 per cent Local Industry Participation minimum requirement under the PPP contract, and supports training and skills development with one new apprentice employed on the project for every nine tradespeople.

Downer EDI Rail established a training alliance with HunterNet Group Training Company to identify and train suitable apprentices. Ramp-up of personnel began in June 2008.

Downer EDI Rail undertook a $22 million upgrade to its manufacturing, testing and commissioning facilities at Cardiff to facilitate the Waratah fleet manufacture. This upgrade was officially opened in May 2009.