Siemens Mobility has delivered the first of 12 three-car metro trains for the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project, marking the start of the next phase of testing and commissioning for the new line.
The train arrived in Australia following testing in Vienna and at Siemens Mobility’s Test and Validation Center in Wildenrath, Germany. This included assessments in a climate chamber to evaluate the train’s performance in different environmental conditions.
The train will now undergo further testing at the Stabling and Maintenance Facility in Orchard Hills, New South Wales, before testing moves to the main track.
The 23-kilometre Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport line will connect Greater Western Sydney with Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and the planned Bradfield City Centre. When passenger services begin, the trains will operate at Grade of Automation 4 (GoA4), allowing fully automated, driverless operation.
The trains are based on Siemens Mobility’s Inspiro High Capacity platform and have been adapted for the requirements of the new Sydney Metro line. The project is also the first time Siemens Mobility’s Railigent X digital platform will be deployed in Australia.
Railigent X is an Internet of Things (IoT) platform designed to provide data and analytics for rail operations and maintenance. Under the project, it will support fleet monitoring, remote diagnostics and the identification of potential issues before they affect operations.
Léon Soulier, CEO of the Turnkey Business Unit at Siemens Mobility said:The arrival of the first train in Australia marks an important milestone for the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project and for Siemens Mobility’s turnkey business globally. We can now proceed to the next project phase, which involves dynamic testing in Sydney. Together with our Parklife Metro partners and Sydney Metro, we are delivering a state-of-the-art, fully automated metro system while introducing Railigent X to Australia for the first time to enhance predictive maintenance, and network performance.
The trains feature large windows, wide doors and open gangways, alongside level access and designated spaces for wheelchair users. Passenger information displays, CCTV and emergency intercoms are also included.
The interior design draws on the cultural and natural landscape of the Cumberland Plain, where the new metro line is being built. Siemens Mobility said the upholstery incorporates elements inspired by First Nations traditions, including references to Ngurra (Country) and Badu (Water).
Grey and blue patterns on the standard seats represent the night sky, while yellow priority seats are inspired by daytime gathering places around waterholes and flowering wattle.
Siemens Mobility was awarded the turnkey contract for Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport in 2022. The project is being delivered by the Parklife Metro consortium, comprising Siemens Mobility, Plenary Group, Webuild and RATP Dev, through a public-private partnership with Sydney Metro.
The contract covers 12 fully automated three-car metro trains, as well as signalling, electrification, telecommunications, platform screen doors and the Stabling and Maintenance Facility.
Siemens Mobility will also provide a 15-year full-service maintenance programme, supported by Railigent X.
The company said its share of the contract is valued at 900 million EUR. The wider project is expected to support about 14,000 construction jobs in New South Wales.
