ARTC extends Swietelsky ballast contract

Swietelsky Rail Australia (SRA) will continue to be the preferred contractor for ballast cleaning in the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC)’s Hunter Valley network for the next two years, with the contract extended to June 30, 2025.

The rail track maintenance specialist has cemented a foundation as the industry leader in ballast cleaning within New South Wales, using its own RM80 and MFC wagon fleet to successfully deliver more than 285 kilometres of ballast cleaning for ARTC since September 2014.

SRA will commission a RM95 ballast cleaner for the ARTC contract extension task, and later in the year follow it up with a supportive fleet of MFS wagons.

SRA managing director Anne Modderno said the RM95 would deliver even more value to clients through increased production rates and expanded capabilities.

“It has the capability to ballast clean through both plain line and turnouts, as well as installation of geofabric in full excavation conditions,” she said.

“Unlike the RM80 and MFC consist, the refurbished RM95 and MFS consist is fully compliant with the narrow non-electric rolling stock outline, allowing it to work and travel within more networks across Australia.”

Modderno said the Swietelsky team was excited to continue the partnership with ARTC.

“We are incredibly proud to have secured our footprint within the Hunter Valley market for the next two years as ARTC’s ballast cleaning provider of choice. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to increase value for ARTC’s network and clients with our new RM95 consist,” she said.

Following successful introduction of the new RM95 and MFS fleet, the RM80 and MFC fleet will undergo scheduled maintenance in preparation for potential future works and utilisation by new clients.