Australia's rail system is critical to the nation's economy. Without rail, Australia would face significant logistical and congestion challenges, a hit to freight transport, and economic detriment.

Hi-rail equipment for the growing rail industry in Sydney and wider New South Wales will not only allow Australians to manage the challenges posed by population and economic growth, but will allow Australians to develop a better-integrated and prosperous society.

Why New South Wales needs more railway construction and railway upgrades

Rail connects people who cannot drive, cannot afford a car, do not live close to a bus stop, or prefer not to drive for any reason, to jobs, education, health services, and amenities. Living in the worst Australian city for congestion, Sydney residents are increasingly suffering the consequences of driving. With 130,000 new vehicles registered in New South Wales per year, this is predicted to only worsen.

As a result, Sydney residents are increasingly taking the train in a switch that benefits the economy. In Sydney, every road journey replaced by rail saves approximately $10.64 in congestion, accidents, and carbon costs.

But, as it is, New South Wales rail infrastructure does not support this switch. The Sydney heavy railway system is already reaching capacity in terms of how many trains it can sustain.

With Sydney residents’ increasing urge to switch from road to rail transport, the economic benefits of that switch, and the limited capacity of the Sydney railway system, constructing new railways and performing railway upgrades to increase capacity is paramount.

The railway construction and railway upgrades New South Wales needs

The Australian Railway Association has released a number of reports detailing not only the importance of New South Wales’ railway system but of making specific railway upgrades and improvements to it. They recommend constructing new railways, upgrading railways, and implementing new rail policy approaches between states, to improve New South Wales railways in the future.

Their recommendations for constructing new railways include:

• Underground railways through tunnels 
• Building platforms and maintenance sheds for longer trains 
• Building a rail that can withstand faster trains

Their recommendations for existing railway upgrades include:

• Upgrading old railways to double-tracked railways
• Improving signalling and rail communications infrastructure, especially when incorporating driverless trains
• Scheduling more long-term beneficial, mundane railway upgrades, over visible short-term beneficial projects

Their policy recommendations include:

• Using private companies for new build and railway upgrade projects
• Requiring major projects to consider local companies for new railway construction and railway upgrades

Where hi-rail equipment comes in

Where new railway construction and railway upgrades are needed, hi-rail equipment is needed. Hi-Range Crane forks have provided and continue to provide hi-rail services to New South Wales projects that the Australian Railway Association has deemed vital to improving movement in our state.

Most recently, Hi-Range provided telehandlers for wet hire to Systems Connect on the Sydney Metro line-wide works and the Rouse Hill Trains Facility expansion.

The line-wide works include constructing new rail through a tunnel with a modern track, upgrading rail, and installing new and upgrading old signalling and communications systems. Hi-Range Crane Forks’ telehandler services made electrical wiring, track signalling, and railway communications on the Sydney Metro line-wide works possible. Read more about the line-wide works in our previous blog.

Hi-Range also made electrical wiring, track signalling, and railway communications on the Rouse Hill Trains Facility expansion possible. The Rouse Hill Trains Facility expansion includes laying more track, constructing sheds for train maintenance and storage, signalling, and communications systems, as well as increasing New South Wales’ train capacity by an extra 37 trains. If this does not sound like much, one train can replace 880 cars on the road during peak hour, or 110 haulage trucks. Read more about our work on the Rouse Hill Trains Facility expansion in our previous blog.

Our rail services are not limited to just plant supply to electrical, signalling, and communications work on railway lines, but junction upgrades and remodelling, embankment stabilisation, and upgrades. We can also load and unload scaffolding and sandblasting equipment, provide height access for rock bolting and rock drilling, and contribute to redundant pole removal. These jobs are vital in new rail construction and rail upgrades - all performed by a local company bridging the gap between the government and commercial sectors for the benefit of New South Wales’ economy.

Hire hi-rail equipment from Hi-Range Crane Forks

Hi-Range Crane Forks supplies vital hi-rail equipment for hire to New South Wales rail works improving the state’s all-important railway system. Contact us today to make a booking.