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Chinese-made locos a disaster - Labour

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Chinese-made locos a disaster - Labour

3News NZ

Labour is blaming the Govt, saying KiwiRail is under-resourced

Labour is blaming the Govt, saying KiwiRail is under-resourced

KiwiRail could end up like Malaysian Railways with its new Chinese-made locomotives mothballed because faults can't be fixed, Labour says.

The party revealed on Monday that production of the second batch of locomotives ordered by KiwiRail was on hold as the manufacturer tries to sort out faults in those already delivered.

It has documents which list 20 problems experienced since the locomotives started coming into service over the last two years.

MP Clare Curran is now saying the procurement programme is a disaster.

"They were so keen to buy cheap locos they didn't consider what would happen if they were duds," she said.

"The Chinese locomotives had already proven faulty - 15 of 20 of the same class purchased by Malaysian Railways in 2005 were mothballed three years later due to severe technical problems."

Labour is blaming the Government, saying KiwiRail is under-resourced and was forced to accept the lowest tender for the locomotives.

KiwiRail chief executive Jim Quinn says problems with the locomotives are part of the commissioning process and repairs will be completed by next month.

"Every locomotive we've had over the years has had commissioning issues," he said.

NZN

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Comments

6/08/2012 5:04:10 p.m.

David wrote:

How many of those who are commenting have made trips on Chinese trains?In China they move up to 6 million people a day on long distance trains, and 6 million on the Shanghai subway each day.China moves 25% of the worlds railfreight on 7% of the worlds rails.The trains here run on time and the slower trains regularly travel over 1400kms in 18 hours.Is this a poor quality railway system?China produces high quality rail systems.I have travelled for 10 years on China rail.
Its about supposed knowledge when there is no knwoledge of what is being discussed.I have never experienced a breakdown on a Chinese train.Safety is paramount in the Chinese rail system.
As for Kaye saying its a known fact you get poor quality from where we ordered from.I challenge her to travel on "D" or "C" trains in China, then ask her for comments.

2/08/2012 2:32:39 p.m.

kaye wrote:

it is a known fact that you get poor quality from where we ordered from. The locomotives should have been made here with out labour giving new skills to young people and jobs for many. this goverment sucks. I wonder where our Mr Key is at present ????? could have a good guess though

2/08/2012 7:20:00 a.m.

Noel Delany wrote:

If The government want to save money why dont they drive around in Japanese Imports instead of BMWs????????

1/08/2012 4:39:23 p.m.

tom wrote:

I know, lets send them to our railway workshop experts, they will fix them, OH! I forgot, the government got rid of them like the Air Craft engine technicians. By the way for all you Labour bashers, it was National that cut back the purchase price.

1/08/2012 3:25:49 p.m.

carole wrote:

WHY why! on earth did the government buy they must have done their homework at some time. We all know buying cheap is never best! When the UK government was at a bad financial time they down graded their main stem of income and lesser large cars. As did the the German and French this time I believe, but I see no sacrifice this end?

1/08/2012 2:51:09 p.m.

Rev wrote:

What did they expect. Stop the dodgy backhand behind closed door deals and get the manufacturing back in NZ. At least here if there is a problem there is someone to who can take it back themselves and fix it. A few jobs locally might help too.

1/08/2012 1:19:01 p.m.

Martin wrote:

What did they expect. Stop the dodgy backhand behind closed door deals and get the manufacturing back in NZ. At least here if there is a problem there is someone to who can take it back themselves and fix it. A few jobs locally might help too.

1/08/2012 12:47:19 p.m.

Gary wrote:

I have worked on mulit million dollar projects in the industrial sector and there were always many commissioning issues to sort out. This is quite normal. At the end we had very good results but it did take a little extra time. It does depend on what the 20 problems are? I suspect that many will be just meeting standards and acceptance testing. I do agree that you get what you pay for, even in China you can get low or high quality products just depends what you specify and price. Many times the people that buy the product are accountants that know didly squat about engineering so you often get low quality products then spend extra time and money on meeting standards. Done it many times. I used to think what dicks why not spend the extra money and get exactly what you need knowing it will meet the standards but then realised that it was just about the money man getting a pat on the back and recognition for the "savings he has made".

1/08/2012 12:25:11 p.m.

Richard wrote:

Who ordered these trains? Was it Labour?

1/08/2012 12:21:51 p.m.

colin wrote:

Lets not forget that the National govt sold the rail, and it was the silly labour govt who purchased it back. Governments of the day should not own assets, they are there to govern !! other wise we might as well live in a communist country..