As Australia’s infrastructure landscape rapidly evolves, so too does the demand for high-performance, robust and versatile machinery.
Liebherr, a global leader in equipment manufacturing, has been a pioneer in the development and production of railroad excavators since 1967.
Now, the company is poised for a new phase of growth in Australia – with next-generation products hitting the market and an expanding footprint nationwide, bringing its customers better access to parts, service and support.
Helping to steer the business forward in this exciting chapter is Lucas Ortlieb, who was recently appointed General Manager of Liebherr-Australia’s Earthmoving & Material handling division.
He spoke to Rail Express about what the rail industry can expect from Liebherr in 2026.
A new direction
Ortlieb said Australia is a key market for Liebherr – and it sets an example for the rest of the world.
“Very few other markets offer the potential that we have here in Australia, across diverse areas, from heavy haul to metro networks,” he said.
“This applies to all of our earthmoving, construction and material handling machines, and particularly our rail machines.”
He said Liebherr Australia has experienced many dynamic changes in the past decade, particularly in the past five to six years.
“The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the competitive landscape,” he said. “In addition, global market challenges in 2025 have created pressures across all industries – many of which remain ongoing and largely outside our direct control.
“That makes it even more important to focus on what we can influence. By building on our strengths and staying disciplined in our development, we are confident we are moving in the right direction.
“We are very positive about the future and look forward to a strong and successful year in 2026.”
With a solution‑led approach to the market, Liebherr focuses on delivering the best possible outcomes for its customers.
“As a premium brand, we may not always compete on upfront price, but our customers see the difference over the full lifecycle of the machine,” Ortlieb said.
“What sets us apart is our ability to provide reliable, sustainable solutions tailored to different applications, helping customers reduce operating costs, improve efficiency, and achieve better results across their operations.”
Leading the way in rail excavators
When it comes to rail excavators, Liebherr continues to excel – with its trusted A 922 Rail and A 924 Rail in high demand across Australia.
Purpose-built for both rail and earthmoving applications, the A 922 Rail Litronic is a Generation 6 railroad excavator with an operating weight between 20,400 and 23,400 kilograms.
Used for loosening ballast, lifting sleepers, dragging rail and handling materials in track areas, Ortlieb said it is particularly effective for working independently on inaccessible sections of track due to its compact and flexible design.
“The A 922 Rail is already popular in Australia and around the world for its exceptional versatility and heavy-duty performance,” he said.
“It features rail axles that can be configured for standard and broad gauges and can also be adapted for use on narrow gauge.
“Operators can also easily change between attachments for rail and earthmoving, ensuring maximum efficiency.”
The A 922 Rail is designed to transition seamlessly between rail and road, with a wheeled chassis that increases machine speed compared to crawler rail machines and makes travel between job sites faster.
Powered by a robust 120-kilowatt (163 horsepower) engine, it can be configured with an optional convertible rail undercarriage featuring position control and minimum pressure control for optimised axle performance.
“Capable of fast turnaround operations on track, its design features multi-gauge capability and a Power Lift mode to increase maximum payloads for demanding lifting tasks,” Ortlieb added.
“A key technical highlight is its dual pump system, which utilises a double variable-displacement pump with independent regulating circuits to provide a flow volume of 2 X 220 litres a minute.”
Meanwhile the A 924 Rail is a heavier Generation 6 machine, weighing between 21,800 and 25,000 kilograms.
Like the A 922 Rail, the A 924 Rail features a 120-kilowatt (163 horsepower) engine.
Suitable for heavy-duty and quick turnaround operations, it has a massive pulling force of 117 kilonewtons and is frequently used for towing both unbraked and braked wagons.
Its specialised undercarriage features both Friction drive (9B or Type 2) for standard and Direct drive (9C or Type 3)set-ups.
“The A 924 Rail’s high operating weight and Power Lift mode make it ideal for high-performance tasks like pile driving or handling heavy payloads while clearing train stops easily,” said Ortlieb.
Liebherr’s machines also come with a comprehensive safety suite, and both machines integrate safety through electronic lift and swivel limitation, load torque limitation (RCL), and an optional ‘virtual wall’ to prevent contact with adjacent tracks or overhead lines.
The machines also feature standard pipe fracture safety valves on hoisting and stick cylinders to protect the operator and environment.
The first-class Roll-Over Protective Structure (ROPS) safety cab is specifically designed for two-man operation, featuring a co-operator seat with access to a signal horn and emergency stop switch.
“This layout is specifically engineered for safety and productivity, allowing a co-operator to monitor the rear of the machine and access critical controls during complex manoeuvres,” said Ortlieb.
In addition, the ergonomic workstation includes automatic air conditioning, a high-resolution touchscreen, and low interior noise levels of 70 A-weighted decibels.
Another advantage of these machines is their flexibility for different work environments, with a choice of counterweights, providing a tail swing radius of 2000 millimetres.
The tool control system also allows operators to store settings for up to 20 different attachments, enabling rapid adjustments from the cab.
To maximise uptime, both the A 922 Rail and A 924 Rail feature a service-oriented design where all maintenance points are accessible from the ground via large, wide-opening doors. It includes a fully automatic central lubrication system for the uppercarriage and equipment as standard.
Ortlieb said Liebherr has received excellent feedback on the A 924 and the A 922 from customers all over Australia.
“Currently, our A 924 Rail customers are operating predominantly in New South Wales, where feedback has been exceptionally positive,” he added.
“Operators have specifically welcomed the added lifting capacity of this model, as well as the machine’s ability to clear train stops with minimal fuss – a significant advantage facilitated by the specialised undercarriage.”
The RE 25 M Litronic
One of the highlights of bauma – the world’s biggest construction machinery trade fair – in 2025 was the premier of the RE 25 M.
Ortlieb describes this Generation 8 railroad excavator as a true “game changer”, featuring a world-first undercarriage that combines hydrostatic rail wheel drive (category 9A or Type 1) and Direct drive (category 9C or Type 3) and provides unique direct traction capabilities. Its hydrostatic rail axle allows for standard travel speeds of 20 kilometres an hour.
“What truly sets the RE 25 M apart is its short-tail design, featuring a rear swivel radius of just 1570 millimetres, making it suitable for track use anywhere in the world,” he said.
“Its applications are especially adapted for confined urban construction sites where its tail radius allows for safe operation in restricted corridors.”
Despite its compact size, the RE 25 M is engineered to deliver the highest payloads in its class (24,400–25,700 kilograms) through a patent-pending two-point outrigger support system.
“Positioned centrally, these outriggers provide exceptional stability and visibility without increasing the undercarriage length, ensuring the machine remains highly manoeuvrable on confined construction sites,” Ortlieb explained.
“Engineered to be ‘the best solution in its weight class’, the RE 25 M Litronic represents the pinnacle of Generation 8 railroad excavator technology.”
The RE 25 M continues the tradition of the ROPS double cab with a completely new crew cab that integrates the INTUSI intuitive operating concept, featuring a 10-inch touchscreen display where all rail-specific functions and machine settings are centrally managed.
Ortlieb said there has been a significant amount of interest in the RE 25 M Litronic, especially following bauma 2025, where several Australian customers had the opportunity to see the machine first-hand.
Liebherr will start taking orders for the RE 25 M towards the end of 2026.
“We expect to see the first units in Australia in 2027,” said Ortlieb.
“Australia is an important market for Liebherr, and our engineers have ensured that the relevant Australian standards were applied to the machine’s design to guarantee local compliance.”
Comprehensive solutions
With 11 branches across Australia, Liebherr’s market coverage spans all states, with strategically located service centres supporting operations in both urban and regional areas.
To support its growing customer base in 2026, Liebherr is increasing its parts holdings nationwide.
Ortlieb said Liebherr will continue to invest in expanding its Australian footprint to stay close to customers, deliver dependable, end‑to‑end solutions, and provide strong local service and maintenance support.
“When it comes to comprehensive solutions, our approach is multi-faceted,” he said.
“A core element of our approach is that we act as the manufacturer not just of the machine, but of the entire system behind it.
“By producing many of our key components in house – from hydraulics through to electronics – we are able to deliver higher reliability, better system integration, and machines that perform consistently in the most demanding operating environments.”
For customers, this translates into improved uptime, lower operating risk, and long term confidence in their equipment, Ortlieb said.
“This is an important factor in us reaching better consumption levels and better performance on the job sites.”
Ortlieb said that Liebherr being present in Australia and selling directly to customers rather than via dealerships has given the company a strong understanding of the market.
“Our manufacturing representatives are here regularly, and they know the market, they understand the different industries, and they understand our individual customers.
“The inputs we receive from our customers go to our research and development team and they incorporate that feedback to continuously refine and enhance our product offerings.”
Originally from Germany, Ortlieb has built more than 15 years of international experience with Liebherr, working across diverse markets in South America and Asia.
He added: “I’m delighted to be here in Australia with my family, and looking forward to a great year of growth at Liebherr in 2026.
“With a strong focus on our customers and a range of robust, versatile and sustainable machines, Liebherr works alongside operators and partners to support the future of rail in Australia.”
