MILE END, AUSTRALIA — A significant upgrade for the Narrabri to Turrawan rail line that supports heavier freight has been completed by the Australian Rail Track Corp. (ARTC) in time for an anticipated bumper grain harvest for farmers in northwest New South Wales, Australia.

The A$44.7 million project, which improves freight efficiency and connectivity between Hunter Valley and Narrabri North, was fully funded by the federal government, the ARTC said in a Nov. 13 announcement. It also aligns with the future interface of the Inland Rail at Narrabri North, positioning the region as a key hub for freight movement across NSW and beyond. 

The upgrade supports heavier train loads, allowing each train to carry more freight – up to 25 tonnes per axle, increasing the total weight bearing load for each train while enabling trains to travel at up to 80 kilometers per hour along the corridor. The 35-kilometer project involved the replacement of outdated steel and timber sleepers with heavy-duty concrete sleepers, upgrading existing rail and associated civil works. 

“The completion of the Narrabri to Turrawan Line Upgrade is a significant boost for the NSW north-west communities and the broader economy,” said Wayne Johnson, chief executive officer and managing director, ARTC. “This improves efficiency of logistics for agricultural producers and freight movers, helping them and the communities where they operate to be more sustainable.”

Winter crop production in NSW is forecast to increase by 50% to 16.9 million tonnes in marketing year 2024–25 to the third highest production on record, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARES). Major winter crops include wheat, barley, canola and chickpeas.