Train Manufacturing Jobs to Return to the Hunter Under NSW Tangara Upgrade Program
The New South Wales Government has announced a significant expansion of train manufacturing activity in the Hunter region, with around 100 new jobs and 20 apprenticeships to be created as part of the Tangara Life Extension program. The investment aims to rebuild local manufacturing capability while improving rail reliability by extending the operational life of some of Sydney’s oldest passenger trains.
The announcement was made through a ministerial release outlining how new production lines in the Hunter will support a A$447 million refurbishment program for the Tangara fleet. The program forms part of the government’s response to the Independent Rail Review, which highlighted the need to address reliability and maintenance issues across the rail network.
Expanding local manufacturing capacity
The Tangara Life Extension program will refurbish 55 eight-carriage trains, extending their service life by more than a decade. Works include replacing internal cladding, upgrading computer operating systems, installing more accessible emergency help points and emergency door releases, and improving passenger information displays, public address systems and CCTV.
Two new production lines in the Hunter will complement existing facilities at Auburn and Flemington in Sydney. Together, these sites will increase the pace of upgrades from 12 trains per year to 20, allowing refurbished trains to return to service more quickly. Four Tangara trains are currently undergoing upgrades, with the first now completing dynamic testing before re-entering the network.
Jobs, apprenticeships and workforce development
The additional roles in the Hunter bring total employment on the Tangara Life Extension program to around 320 people. Approximately 200 workers, including apprentices, are already employed at the Auburn and Flemington sites. The government has positioned the expansion as a step towards rebuilding domestic manufacturing skills after passenger train manufacturing in the region ended in 2013.
This focus on local capability aligns with broader efforts to support regional jobs and industry in New South Wales, including initiatives outlined in state programs to boost clean technology and regional employment. The Tangara upgrades are also intended to support future rolling stock projects by maintaining a skilled workforce ahead of procurement for a new Tangara fleet, expected to begin by 2027.
Link to future fleet plans
The government has stated that experience gained through the life extension program will help meet a 50 per cent local manufacturing target under the Future Fleet Program. By accelerating refurbishment work and increasing local production capacity, officials argue the state will be better placed to deliver future transport infrastructure projects domestically.
Minister for Transport John Graham said the return of train manufacturing to the Hunter reflects a deliberate shift towards keeping public transport investment within the state. He said the program would both extend the life of the Tangara fleet and support jobs and skills development in the region.
“This investment accelerates the life extension of our Tangara fleet while creating real jobs and skills development in the Hunter region.” — John Graham, Minister for Transport, New South Wales Government
Other ministers highlighted the broader economic impact of manufacturing, noting the role of supply chains and apprenticeships in supporting long-term regional resilience. Similar themes have been raised in transport safety and infrastructure initiatives elsewhere in Australia, such as projects using real-time sensor technologies to improve transport safety.
