Australia’s rail industry is marking a milestone as Rail First, a prominent rolling stock manufacturer, celebrates the production of its 250th rail wagon since 2021.
The wagons are manufactured at the company’s Islington facility in South Australia, supporting the country’s growing reliance on rail for freight transport.
The latest addition will be integrated into the Australian Rail Track Corporation’s (ARTC) fleet, which spans an 8,500-kilometre national network, as revealed in a news release.
These wagons are designed to transport long lengths of rail steel directly to project sites, facilitating ARTC’s re-railing activities and major infrastructure developments.
“This addition to our wagon fleet is essential for transporting long lengths of rail steel direct to site,” said Wayne Johnson, CEO and Managing Director of ARTC.
“It supports our long-term maintenance and major rail infrastructure projects that will enhance the capacity, efficiency, and resilience of our network.”
The achievement reflects Rail First’s commitment to local manufacturing and its role in driving efficiency in Australia’s rail transport sector.
With a streamlined production process, the company produces wagons with a lead time of just six months, ensuring timely delivery for its clients.
“Local manufacturing provides shorter lead times in the customisation and delivery of rail rolling stock,” noted Beata Lipman, CEO of Rail First.
“It also reduces cost risks associated with importing materials and offers better quality control, ensuring high safety standards during production.”
The 250th wagon forms part of ARTC’s $1 billion Network Investment Program, an initiative designed to boost the resilience of the nation’s rail infrastructure.
This program aims to take trucks off the road, improve rail system capability, and ensure safe and reliable freight movement across Australia.
Rail First’s efforts also contribute to local job creation, with 90 jobs supported at the Islington facility during the wagon’s construction.
The company employs over 135 skilled workers across its facilities in South Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria, producing equipment that travels more than 50 million kilometres annually.
“Rail First has been a reliable partner in manufacturing wagons for ARTC for many years,” added Johnson.
“Together, we share a vision of creating a safe, resilient, and reliable rail network that connects our nation today and supports its future growth.”
The strategic partnership between Rail First and ARTC is set to deliver a total of 36 flat wagons
