New Lease On Life For Tassie Rail Fleet

TasRail’s Locomotive Life Extension Project (LLEP) is overhauling eight 2050 and 2000 class legacy locomotives in Launceston to prolong operational life and improve service reliability and safety.

The LLEP was made possible via a $15m investment from the Tasmanian Government.

Treasurer, Guy Barnett, said this project is a win-win.

“Through this investment we have secured highly skilled, well-paying jobs in Northern Tasmania while also setting ourselves up for future success,” the Treasurer said.

“The team at TasRail has done a fantastic job and these freshly overhauled trains now have new engines, better driver facilities and improvements to major components.

The dedicated LLEP team completed overhaul works on two of the 2050 class locomotives in late 2024. Both have now re-entered service to provide invaluable haulage power across the network, with a third 2050-class expected to join them by mid-2025.

The locomotives operated with Queensland Rail until TasRail purchased four of the locomotives in 2011 from QR National. The four locomotives were road transported from Brisbane to Devonport, and finally railed to the East Tamar workshops for modifications and commissioning.

“The program is enabling these locomotives to continue freighting Tasmania’s agricultural, mining and forestry products for years to come as TasRail plans ahead to transition to an even lower-emissions fleet in the future.

“Through our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future we’re always looking to support and enhance our key industries – this project is a great example.”

Infrastructure Minister Kerry Vincent said that Tasmania’s rail network was a vital part of the State’s transport infrastructure.

TasRail provides a vital, low emissions and cost-effective alternative to road transport for Tasmanian industry,” Minister Vincent said.

Originally built as the 2150 class by Commonwealth Engineering (on behalf of Clyde Engineering) between 1978 and 1979. The locomotives operated with Queensland Rail until TasRail purchased four of the locomotives in 2011 from QR National.

“Last year TasRail delivered over 510 million net tonne kilometres, an increase of over 25 per cent in 10 years, while maintaining a strong record of on-time service delivery.”

“If we didn’t have rail in Tasmania, there would be approximately 150,000 additional large truck movements on our roads each year. That’s over 400 trucks per day.”

“This reduces road maintenance requirements and improves safety for motorists and other road users.”

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