Pru Goward won't backtrack on Dubbo rail maintenance

But MP Pru Goward, while confirming the tender update, has not pledged any such action.

Last August, the government announced Dubbo as the preferred centre to design, construct and maintain a new fleet of Xplorer, Endeavour and XPT trains. The project was touted to bring 70 jobs.

It was clear that Dubbo because of the infrastructure in place and because its where some of the lines terminate, came out trumps as the right location to put in a maintenance facility, Deputy Premier John Barilaro told The Daily Liberal at the time.

In a recent letter to the editor, train author Leon Oberg branded the choice as political play to pacify The Nationals. He argued it made little economic sense for trains to make a 924km round trip to Dubbo when they could be more easily serviced in Goulburn.

Goulburn, along with Braemar and Bathurst, were originally in the mix to get the new trains servicing workshop and given 95 per cent of the current (to be replaced) country fleet passes through Goulburn now, we had a marvelous case, Mr Oberg wrote.

Only one train a day touches bases with Dubbo and to service all the carriages in that city, there will be enormous costly empty running to that location to undertake the task - and over a single line of railway.

In contrast, there were double lines to Goulburn.

He called on Ms Goward, the council and Chamber of Commerce to lobby for a relocation, given Nationals member for Dubbo Troy Grants decision to step down at the next election.

But the MP said on Tuesday that: Dubbo was not selected to do Troy Grant a favour but as a result of this extensive analysis.

Dubbo was identified by Transport for NSW as the preferred site for the regional rail fleet maintenance facility based on an analysis of operational, environmental, social, economic and construction considerations.

Transport for NSW advised that this included existing train paths (scheduling and timing), infrastructure, planning and environmental controls, workforce capability and land ownership.

Dubbo was ranked the most suitable location as it is a terminating location for regional services, has supporting industry, training and educational facilities, has a high Aboriginal population with opportunities for (workforce) participation and excellent transport links with associated access benefits, Transport for NSW advised her office.

But Mr Oberg says all local parties, including Ms Goward need to forcefully pound the Macquarie St desks until the ink wells bounce to cement Goulburns case and not take any more of the foolish, wasteful and ignorant politics that the Nationals want to play on this issue.

He argued Goulburn had the land off Sloane St, greater chance of securing trained staff and was easier to access rail-wise.

The State Government was to undertake a thorough tender evaluation before awarding the contract, expected to be in early 2019. The project involved private financing.