Australia: Two six-car Civity sets are currently undergoing testing on both electrified and non-electrified lines. This includes checks of catenary-powered and diesel modes at top speeds of 130 km/h and 160 km/h.
CAF signed a contract in 2019 as part of the private Momentum Trains consortium to supply 10 six-car and 19 four-car R-type trains worth over €500 mln to New South Wales transport agency TfNSW. Nine six-car sets are now in Australia.
Per the deal, some manufacturing takes place at CAF’s plant in Beasain, Spain. Final assembly and factory testing are at the Dubbo train facility in Australia with local firm UGL Rail. Remaining trains will arrive every 6–8 weeks.
Trials of hybrid trains from CAF in Australia. Source: Train Stuff, TfNSW
Full fleet entry into service has slipped from 2023 to 2029. TfNSW design changes were a major factor: revised passenger and cab seating layouts, toilets, audiovisual systems and bike areas. Automatic doors, cab seats, comms systems and carriage lighting were also tweaked.
