PERTH, Australia — Australian agricultural cooperative CBH Group will purchase 17 narrow gauge locomotives from Wabtec, CBH has announced.
Wabtec will build 17 dual-cab, diesel-electric CM20ACi locomotives, with the first group of five set for delivery in the March quarter of 2026 and the remainder in the following quarter. The order, which follows a December 2022 order for seven standard gauge units, will up CBH’s narrow gauge fleet to 37 locomotives.
“Our rail fleet is a key asset for the cooperative,” CBH CEO Ben Macnamara said in a press release, “and expanding our existing train sets is a strategic priority that is critical for us to achieve CBH’s ‘Path to 2033’ strategy that aims to lift our monthly export capacity to 3 million tonnes by 2033 or sooner.
“Expanding our narrow gauge locomotive fleet, in conjunction with the expansion of our standard gauge locomotive fleet, is a significant step to enhance our outloading capability.
“By investing in our supply chain network, we are ensuring we can deliver tonnes to customers when needed and therefore return sustained value to Western Australian growers.”
Rogerio Mendonca, Wabtec president of freight equipment, said the locomotives “will provide CBH with low operational costs, high availability, and proven reliability needed to succeed in today’s competitive market.”
The CM20ACi is a perfect addition to CBH’s growing fleet.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
The first tranche of five locomotives will arrive in Australia in the March quarter of 2026 and will be operational soon after. The following second tranche of 12 locomotives will be arriving in the June quarter of 2026.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
Westrail (in Westralia, of course) is mostly 1067 mm gauge (3′ 6″) although NSW Standard 1435 mm (4′ 8 1/2″) has been making inroads.
The article did not mention the exact narrow gauge dimension. According to this Wiki blog, there have been a few different narrow gauges in Oz over the years, not to mention the 5’3″ broad (Irish) gauge as well.
Ooops, forgot the Wiki link. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narrow-gauge_railways_in_Australia
“Wabtec will build 17 dual-cab, diesel-electric CM20ACi locomotives“
I guess not everybody is convinced abandoning diesel is the way of the future
This is a smaller outfit that cannot afford the luxury of virtue signaling.