WILMERDING, Pa., April 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) said its MotivePower subsidiary has signed a contract to build 22 new locomotives for CBH Group, a leading handler and transporter of grain in Australia.  The locomotives are scheduled to be delivered in 2012.

Under the contract, MotivePower will build a combination of standard- and narrow-gauge locomotives that will be among the most fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly models in Australia.  The locomotives will include components from a number of other Wabtec divisions.

Albert J. Neupaver, Wabtec's president and chief executive officer, said:  "This project will meet our customer's need for more-efficient locomotives, and will position Wabtec for similar opportunities in Australia in the future.  Wabtec has had a meaningful presence in Australia for 20 years, and we continue to expand our operations in this important rail market."

Through its Wabtec Australia and FIP divisions, Wabtec offers the full complement of its products and services in Australia.  The Australian market is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing rail markets that use U.S.-style equipment and technology.

The CBH Group is one of Australia's leading grain organizations, with operations from grain storage, handling and transport to marketing, shipping and processing.  The group receives, on average, 10 million tons of grain each year.

CBH Operations General Manager Colin Tutt said:  "The tender process was very competitive with six companies from around the world bidding for the construction task.  We are confident that MotivePower's expertise and experience in building locomotives for freight rail will deliver Western Australia growers the best outcome.  MotivePower's locomotives were the best option for the task of moving grain on our rail lines, have good fuel economy and meet U.S. Tier 2 emissions standards. The locomotives will provide better operational and environmental efficiencies and ultimately greater productivity, as well as being much safer than the existing fleet."

Wabtec Corporation (www.wabtec.com) is a global provider of technology-based products and services for rail, transit and other industrial markets. Through its subsidiaries, the company manufactures a range of products for locomotives, freight cars and passenger transit vehicles. The company also builds new freight, switcher and commuter locomotives, and provides aftermarket services. The company has facilities located throughout the world.  MotivePower (www.motivepower-wabtec.com) is an industry leader in the design, manufacture and re-manufacture of diesel-electric locomotives.

SOURCE Wabtec Corporation