Supporting generations of rail technology, local expertise and the future of Australian rail manufacturing
SYDNEY, Australia, 9 November 2026 – Mitsubishi Electric Australia has celebrated its longstanding contribution to New South Wales’s rail industry at a commemorative event recognising major milestones in the state’s rail manufacturing history.
Held on 4 November at UGL Transport’s Broadmeadow facility in the Hunter region, the event brought together government and industry representatives, including NSW Premier Chris Minns, to acknowledge the people, partnerships and engineering expertise behind generations of NSW passenger trains.
The occasion marked three significant anniversaries, 40 years since the Tangara contract award, 20 years of OSCar passenger service and 10 years since the Mariyung contract award.
For Mitsubishi Electric Australia, these milestones reflect a relationship with the NSW rail industry spanning more than five decades. Since the 1970s, the company has supplied electrical and propulsion systems for successive generations of trains, including K sets, Tangara, OSCar and Mariyung.
“Seeing these milestones celebrated together is a proud moment for Mitsubishi Electric Australia and everyone who has contributed to these fleets over the years,” said Jeremy Needham (Managing Director of Mitsubishi Electric Australia).
The event highlighted the importance of enduring collaboration in delivering and supporting rail infrastructure.
Mitsubishi Electric Australia works alongside UGL Transport and Hyundai Rotem through the RailConnect NSW consortium, combining complementary capabilities to deliver the Mariyung New Intercity Fleet.
For Mitsubishi Electric Australia, the strength of these partnerships lies in a shared commitment to quality, reliability and the long-term needs of the rail network and its passengers.
“Successful rail projects depend on strong relationships and a shared understanding of what is required throughout a fleet’s operational life,” said Ian Quarrie (CEO of UGL Transport). “Our collaboration with UGL Transport and Hyundai Rotem demonstrates the value of bringing together specialist expertise and practical experience to deliver lasting outcomes for NSW.”
With more than a century of railway manufacturing history, Broadmeadow provided a fitting setting to recognise the Hunter region’s contribution to Australian rail. The event also acknowledged the experienced workers who helped design and manufacture earlier fleets, including Tangara, and the important role they continue to play in sharing knowledge with younger engineers and apprentices.
Mitsubishi Electric Australia recognises that maintaining this depth of expertise is essential to the future of the industry. Sustaining local capability requires opportunities for experienced specialists to pass on their knowledge, alongside pathways for the next generation to develop practical engineering and technical skills.
“These anniversaries are an opportunity to recognise the people behind the technology,” said Steve Kang (Vice-President of Hyundai Rotem). “The expertise developed through decades of rail projects is an invaluable asset. Continuing to build and share that knowledge will help strengthen Australia’s rail industry for the future.”
Looking ahead to the next generation of rail
During the event, Premier Chris Minns reaffirmed the NSW Government’s commitment to rail manufacturing in the Hunter region, highlighting the importance of local jobs, skills and industrial capability.
Mitsubishi Electric Australia welcomes this focus and recognises the opportunity for government, manufacturers, technology providers and local suppliers to work together to strengthen the state’s rail industry.
-ENDS-
Spokesperson:
Jeremy Needham Managing Director at Mitsubishi Electric Australia
For more information contact:
Mitsubishi Electric Australia Pty. Ltd.
Email: communications@meaust.meap.com
About Mitsubishi Electric
Established in 1974, Mitsubishi Electric Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. Mitsubishi Electric is a recognised world leader in the manufacture, marketing and sale of electrical and electronic equipment used in cooling and heating, consumer electronics, home appliances, information processing and communications, space development and satellite communications, defence, industrial technology, energy, power systems, transportation and building equipment.
For 50 years, we have supported local manufacturing and provided high-quality, reliable products and solutions to businesses and consumers across Australia. With our commitment to ‘Changes for the Better’, we will continue to seek the realisation of a vibrant and sustainable society through technological innovation and ceaseless creativity so that Australians can experience ‘A Life More Electric’.