The CBH Group (CBH), Australia's largest grain handler, has acquired 17 narrow-gauge locomotives from British company, Wabtec Corporation. The agreement is part of CBH's "Path to 2033 Strategy", which aims to increase the co-operative's grain handling and transport capacity.
The locomotives will be built by Wabtec's Australian subsidiary, Wabtec Australia. They are expected to be delivered in two tranches, with the first five arriving in Australia in the March quarter of 2026. The remaining 12 locomotives will be delivered in the September quarter of 2026.
The locomotives are CM20ACi dual-cab, diesel-electric locomotives and have a top speed of 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour) and a maximum tractive effort of 200 kilonewtons (45,000 pounds-force).
CBH Chief Executive Officer Ben Macnamara said the new locomotives would "provide CBH with low operational costs, high availability and proven reliability needed to succeed in today's competitive market."
"These locomotives are a significant investment in our future," Macnamara said. "They will help us to meet the growing demand for grain transport in Australia and to improve the efficiency of our operations."
The acquisition of the new locomotives is part of a broader investment by CBH in its rail fleet. In December 2022, CBH announced an order for seven standard-gauge locomotives, scheduled to be in Australia and operational by November 2024.
With the addition of the new locomotives, CBH's rail fleet will consist of 37 locomotives. This will give CBH the capacity to transport up to 100 million tonnes of grain per year.
The acquisition of the new locomotives is a significant investment by CBH in its future. It will help CBH to meet the growing demand for grain transport in Australia and to improve the efficiency of its operations.
In addition to the new locomotives, CBH is also investing in other infrastructure to support its growth. The co-operative is building a new grain receival facility in Geraldton, Western Australia, and is upgrading its rail network in Western Australia and South Australia.
In addition to the economic benefits, the new locomotives will also have environmental benefits. The locomotives are more fuel-efficient than older models, which will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Photo Credit: CBH Group
