ENGINEERING excellence honed in Huddersfield is helping keep the trains moving in China.

Lockwood-based David Brown Gear Systems has produced its 400th gearbox under a joint venture with a Chinese manufacturer of rail propulsion systems and wind turbines.

The gearbox will be fitted to one of the trains on the latest extension of Beijing’s underground rail network, which is being expanded as part of the Chinese government’s plan to improve public transportation and reduce pollution.

Mark Hollingworth, general manager for David Brown China, said: “We strive to be experts on the technologies of tomorrow – be it in transport, energy or industry.

“The massive pace of the Chinese rail and wind energy markets allows us to position ourselves as leaders in our field, ready for the roll-out of sustainable technologies around the globe.”

David Brown undertook a major review of its business in China last year – and decided to focus on the strongly emerging markets of wind energy and high-speed rail.

The firm found a partner in Changzhou Railcar Propulsion R&D Center – an established maker of rail propulsion systems and complete wind turbines.

A joint venture was set up by the end of last year and production started in January.

David Brown is investing £18m this year for the first phase of a factory development for its new joint venture company, Jiangsu Shinri David Brown Gear Systems. The factory is at Changzhou near Shanghai.

So far, 250 gearboxes have been delivered for a Saudi Metro programme – while production has started on gearboxes for the Beijing project and prototypes for 250kph vehicles are now being tested.

The company will reach another landmark in its drive to become a global power in engineering later this year when testing begins on new transmissions for 380kph high-speed rail applications.

The Beijing subway’s first line opened in 1971. The network now has nine lines with 147 stations and 228 km of tracks.

It is the oldest and busiest subway in mainland China and the second longest after the Shanghai Metro.

David Brown managing director Ian Farquhar said: “The products we are manufacturing in China are initially for the Chinese market as we could not sell them into China from the UK.’’

He said that if these products are then sold to markets worldwide, jobs would be created in those countries to provide spares, technical expertise and service back-up.

David Brown has been providing engineering expertise to a range of industries worldwide for 150 years.