Vossloh to supply 250,000 sleepers for major Australian rail upgrade

Vossloh has secured a contract to supply concrete sleepers for the upgrade of a key freight railway in Australia, linking Maroona with the port of Portland in Victoria. The 170-kilometre corridor plays a vital role in transporting grain and other goods for export, making it economically significant for the region.

Currently, the route operates under restrictions that limit both speed and axle load. Trains are capped at a maximum axle load of 19 tonnes rather than the standard 23 tonnes, while top speeds are restricted to 40 kilometres per hour instead of 80. The planned modernisation aims to remove those constraints by replacing ageing wooden sleepers with more robust concrete alternatives.

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has awarded Vossloh the contract to manufacture and deliver 250,000 concrete sleepers for the project. Production is due to begin in February and is scheduled to run through to August 2027.

Of the total order, around 220,000 sleepers will be produced at Vossloh’s Wagga Wagga plant in New South Wales, with a further 30,000 manufactured at its facility in Geelong, Victoria. The upgrade is being funded by the Australian government, which has committed 150 million Australian dollars — approximately 90 million euros — to the scheme.

Heather Parry, Director of Infrastructure Projects at ARTC said:

“The Maroona to Portland rail upgrade will vastly improve the safety and reliability of the line in western Victoria and enable significant efficiency and productivity benefits for train operators and freight forwarders. When complete, the line will be able to handle heavier and faster trains, which will increase the competitiveness of rail freight and reduce the region’s reliance on road freight.”

Oliver Schuster, CEO of Vossloh AG said:

“We are delighted that we can contribute to this important project. The high quality and durability of our sleepers will make this economically important line significantly more efficient and safer.”

Image: Vossloh