Shipping coal from the Hunter Valley’s coalfields to Newcastle’s bulk loader is a non-stop, around the clock operation.

Laing O’Rourke is responsible for keeping all the networked rail loop tracks fully operational throughout this high load environment.

The company undertakes maintenance tasks such as track maintenance, which involves sleeper replacement, trackside drainage infrastructure and associated works.

The maintenance contractor commissioned a Terex 980 Elite backhoe with a Hi-Rail adaptor around 16 months ago. This means the equipment can be transported to the work area, driven onto the rails and deployed where needed.

The Hi-Rail adaptor was designed and fitted to the Terex 980 Elite by Melrose Mobile Hydraulics, a specialist builder and designer of railway maintenance tools.

According to the supplier, these tools are used to re-sleeper failed sections of track, especially in remote areas or where the use of large and expensive Placer machines is not practical.

The rail wheels are hydraulically driven on excavators to enable speeds of up to 28 km an hour. The machines are built to Railcorp and ARTC Rolling Stock Standards.