State-of-the-art Bowen Rail locomotives arrive to transport Carmichael coal

Bowen Rail Company today celebrated the arrival of its first state-of-the-art locomotives arriving through the Port of Townsville, as the business ramps up to start transporting coal for its first customer – Bravus Mining & Resources Carmichael Mine.

The locomotives were officially welcomed into north Queensland by the Hon. Keith Pitt MP, Federal Minister for Resources and Water and the Hon. Scott Stewart MP, Queensland Minister for Resources.

Bowen Rail Company CEO Trista Brohier said the company was honoured to have both the Federal and State Resources Ministers on hand to unveil the locomotives, with their presence reinforcing the significance of the new rail business.

“As the name suggests, Bowen Rail Company is headquartered in Bowen, north Queensland and will create jobs and opportunities in the region for generations to come,” Ms Brohier said.

“We launched the Bowen Rail Company in August 2020 as the first new rail freight company to be established in Australia in decades, and now that our locomotives and wagons have arrived we will soon get on with transporting coal from the Carmichael Mine to North Queensland Export Terminal.”

Bowen Rail Company’s fleet of locomotives are fresh out of the Caterpillar Company’s Progress Rail business in the USA and are the most technologically advanced freight locomotives Australia has ever seen.

“The locomotives boast new safety technology which improves braking and ease of operating, providing a safer environment for our train crew,” Ms Brohier said.

“They have highly intelligent IT systems that enable us to operate the trains and track their movements from anywhere in the country and they are also more fuel efficient, using 10% less fuel than the existing diesel trains in Australia.”

The arrival of the locomotives marks yet another milestone for the new regional rail company as the business prepares for operations.

Bowen Rail recently announced the construction of a rail yard being delivered for the business’ future which will see more than 100 construction jobs provided through local Bowen company, Hillery Group. Completion of the yard is not required to start operation.

Recruitment is underway for train drivers and other roles including supervisors, maintenance planners, trainees and corporate positions which will see more than 50 new people employed for Bowen Rail Company throughout this initial phase.

“Despite the cutting-edge technology of our fleet, all our trains will have drivers. We will provide real jobs for real people,” Ms Brohier said.

“We’re proud that our business is head-quartered in Bowen, delivering long-term economic benefits for the region, while also enabling us to draw on the highly-skilled rail and resources sector expertise that resides across the Whitsundays.

“For years we have talked about our commitments to regional Queensland, and today is another example of us delivering on those promises.”

People interested in working at Bowen Rail Company can visit the website bowenrail.com.au to see the jobs that are available and to apply.

ENDS