O’Donnell Griffin secures FMG rail work

The signalling system will be the first of its kind in the Pilbara, using satellite positioning technology to track train movements on a 294km stretch of railway. It will enable greater efficiency and flexibility on the track, significantly increasing annual tonnage capacity.

The contract includes the partial design, fabrication, construction and testing of the radio-based system, along with commissioning support.

Peter Winder, Chief Executive, O’Donnell Griffin Rail, said, “This contract is further evidence of O’Donnell Griffin meeting the significant demand for innovative rail signalling technologies, especially from the resources sector.

“The agreement reinforces the relationship between GE and O’Donnell Griffin, which has been built through our successful work together on a number of large mining and rail contracts,” Winder said.

The contract includes the installation of two control hubs, providing FMG with the ability to track trains and control signalling from both its headquarters in Perth and Port Hedland. O’Donnell Griffin will deliver the works through its specialist Rail division. More than 150 staff will work on the project, including design, factory, construction, logistics, testing and administration staff.

O’Donnell Griffin is well placed to win further potential works associated with the project, including the possible extension of the system to a planned new rail spur for FMG’s Solomon iron ore mine with a target capacity of 155 million tonnes per annum.